IGF 2023 WS #319 Multistakeholder Collaboration towards Global Digital Common

Subtheme

Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
Digital Commons as a Public Good
Harmonising Global Digital Infrastructure
Multistakeholderism

Organizer 1: Turra Daniele, Internet Society
Organizer 2: Athanase Bahizire, ITU Generation Connect
Organizer 3: Andrei Dodea, Audacious Ecosystem
Organizer 4: Temilade Adelakun, Internet Society

Speaker 1: Abdul Haque Anu Mohammad, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Aicha Jeridi, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Mary Uduma, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 4: Elena Madiai, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Christopher Fabian, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 6: Turra Daniele, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Moderator

Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group

Online Moderator

Andrei Dodea, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Rapporteur

Temilade Adelakun, Technical Community, African Group

Format

Round Table - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

How can different stakeholders work towards establishing a global digital commons that ensure equitable access to resources and promotes digital inclusion?
How can multistakeholder collaboration be effectively leveraged to drive the development of more inclusive and equitable digital commons?
How can governments ensure the protection of digital rights and foster innovation while promoting sustainable digital commons and ethical considerations in the face of emerging technologies?

What will participants gain from attending this session? By attending this session, participants will gain valuable insights and knowledge on the establishment of global digital commons and the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in the digital ecosystem. They will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with experts and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, gaining different perspectives and experiences.
Participants will learn about concrete policy recommendations, actions, and best practices that can be taken into account to establish digital frameworks that ensure to foster innovation, promote digital inclusion, and support ethical considerations in the face of emerging technologies. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the significance of inclusive and transparent decision-making processes and the role of multistakeholder collaboration in fostering global digital commons.
The session will provide a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, fostering collaboration among participants and contributing to the collective efforts towards an inclusive and sustainable digital future for all.

Description:

The internet has become an essential tool for bringing people together, enhancing communication, and expanding access to knowledge. However, the distribution of power, resources, and opportunities among the various actors and entities engaged in the digital sphere is far from equal. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more inclusive and equitable digital infrastructure, as national governments are increasingly relying on citizen data to handle the crisis.
This session aims to examine the concept of a global digital commons and explore how national governments can work towards ensuring its emergence. A digital commons refers to a shared pool of resources that are accessible to all and managed collectively, creating a more equitable and inclusive Internet infrastructure. This demands a reconsideration of the conventional power relationships between the government, the private sector, and the public at large.
We will discuss strategies to establish digital frameworks that ensure the protection of digital rights, foster innovation, promote digital inclusion, and support ethical considerations in the face of emerging technologies. We shall explore how to tackle power disparities and make decision-making processes more inclusive, transparent, and accountable by embracing multistakeholder collaboration.
This session will feature diverse experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders who have helped shape the global digital commons. Their insights and experiences will drive an engaging discussion in an intergenerational and multistakeholder dynamic. The session will explore concrete policy recommendations, actions, and best practices that can be taken by governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the advancement of a global digital commons and foster effective multistakeholder cooperation.

Expected Outcomes

This session aims to raise awareness of the significance of creating a global digital commons and fostering successful multistakeholder collaboration in the Internet ecosystem. Through the insights and experiences shared by the speakers, the session will produce a set of concrete policy recommendations, actions, and best practices that can be taken into account to ensure the advancement of a global digital commons.
The session will produce a summary report providing recommendations and best practices, which will serve as a resource for participants in the co-development process of digital public goods. The report will highlight the significance of inclusive and transparent decision-making processes and the role of multistakeholder collaboration in fostering a global digital commons. The report will support ongoing efforts to advance an inclusive and sustainable digital future for everyone by sharing the insights from the session.

Hybrid Format: To ensure an inclusive and interactive experience, the session is structured to alternate between onsite and online speakers, providing equal opportunities for input and engagement. Our session will embrace a hybrid format, utilizing the Metimeter platform as a tool to facilitate interaction between onsite and online participants. The Metimeter platform will enable real-time polling, interactive Q&A sessions, and collaborative activities, fostering active participation from all attendees.
Throughout the session, we will carefully allocate time for discussions, including a dedicated segment specifically designed for engaging with online attendees.
During that period, online participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ask questions, and contribute to the session's outcomes. This segment is specifically designed to cater to their perspectives and ensure their voices are heard.