IGF 2022 Policy Network on Meaningful Access

 

2022 PNMA CALL FOR INPUTS (OPEN UNTIL 18 SEPTEMBER 2022, 23:59 UTC)

The Policy Network on Meaningful Access and its Multistakeholder Working Group of experts (PNMA MWG) invite the IGF community and any interested stakeholder to share stories, case studies, local experiences, and implemented practices under this year’s three focus areas of work:
● Connectivity (infrastructure and business models, analysed within the framework of the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation)
● Digital Inclusion (accessibility and multilingualism), with special attention to local contents in local languages, helping the digital transition of existing experiences
● Capacity Development (technical skills training)

The PNMA is especially interested in gathering successful cases of good practices on multilingualism/content in local language and innovative examples of use of digital tools in order to improve life conditions of the users. All submissions regardless of the focus area can refer to newly established, ongoing, or previous projects, showcasing what works in their approach, what has not worked, and lessons learned from the experience. Based on the information collected, the policy network can identify whether policy actions have facilitated or encouraged increased meaningful access.

Selected contributions will be featured in the network’s 2022 output report. All complete and appreciated submissions will be added to a forthcoming PNMA’s repository of good practices which will be made available on our webpage.

 

Please refer to the complete Call for Inputs and submit your contribution until 18 September 23:59 UTC.

 

Building on its so far work, the PNMA will continue providing an in-depth look at why achieving meaningful and universal Internet access remains ‎so challenging, in spite of years of efforts by policy makers and other actors from all stakeholder ‎groups. It will assess and gather good practices and policy recommendations already discussed at the ‎IGF; identify what the key barriers are to these not being implemented and facilitate networking ‎among actors from all stakeholder groups that are concerned with the topic. ‎It will further provide linkages between the existing efforts and the many stakeholders in the IGF who are ‎undertaking related efforts, as well as create opportunities for the voices of those who are affected by ‎the lack of meaningful access to be part of policy debate and development.‎

In particular, the focus areas of the IGF 2022 Policy Network on Meaningful Access are the following three overarching thematic workstreams:

  • Connectivity (infrastructure and business models, analysed within the framework of the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation)
  • Digital Inclusion (accessibility and multilingualism), with special attention to local contents in local languages, helping the digital transition of existing experiences
  • Capacity Development (technical skills training)

With these focus areas, we will address the following goals:

  • Tackle challenges to achieving universal meaningful connectivity and access to the internet, by focusing on urgent areas that need multi stakeholder attention
  • Document good practices and case studies of experiences that can inform concrete actions and interventions to advance universal meaningful access
  • Facilitate collaboration, partnership and networking among actors from all stakeholder groups concerned with this topic, including those involved with the Global Digital Compact and Digital Cooperation efforts

More on the 2022 PNMA process and workplan.

PNMA coordination and engagement:

  • Ms. Sonia Jorge, Independent Expert: Co-Chair
  • Mr. Giacomo Mazzone, Independent Expert: Co-Chair
  • Ms. Daphnee Iglesias: Consultant IGF Secretariat

The co-chairs work collaboratively with the dedicated PNMA multistakeholder working group of experts (MWG). Community engagement is facilitated through several NRI focal points and a dedicated mailing list. All interested stakeholders are most welcome to subscribe to the list through this link.

Meetings & Updates:

Inputs:

  • Read more about PNMA 2021 work and outputs as the foundation for this year's work.

 

PNMA

 

"We have come a long way with local, national and global efforts towards universal connectivity and meaningful access, from a wide number of organizations across all stakeholder groups. However, the implementation of policies around meaningful access remains challenging. Therefore, the PNMA MWG has decided not to concentrate its work on mapping or definition tracks since it is already covered in other fora. We will build on this work from a number of current and past efforts. The MWG agreed to explore concrete actions the members of the PNMA could support so that the main outcome of the PNMA is not only a set of recommendations."

(Statement of IGF 2021 PNMA Multistakeholder Working Group)

 

In support of   SDGs