IGF 2023 WS #38 Discussing multistories: Internet as a Human Right

Subtheme

Human Rights & Freedoms
Digital Technologies and Rights to Health
Internet Shutdowns
Rights to Access and Information

Organizer 1: Narrira Lemos de Souza, Tech for Forests
Organizer 2: Juliana Guerra, Independent
Organizer 3: Oscar Yukinobu Yamaguchi, Independent

Speaker 1: nathaly espitia diaz, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Jabhera Matogoro, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Oscar Yukinobu Yamaguchi, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Rafael Diniz, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 5: Narrira Lemos de Souza, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Moderator

Narrira Lemos de Souza, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Online Moderator

Juliana Guerra, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Rapporteur

Narrira Lemos de Souza, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Format

Round Table - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

- What paths tech society take into account when designing internet for everyone?
- What actions can governments, companies and tech society activate to guarantee internet access and reduce internet disruptions in times of crises and conflict?
- How can we foster a free, open and secure internet for everyone in time of health crises?

What will participants gain from attending this session? This session will serve as a gathering to support people to sharing stories and experiences. It's expected that the attendees will be able to address a diverse range of issues around Internet access, provide and engage with new ideas and stakeholders, that can be addressed to support decision making within their communities. Finally, participants will be able to build relationships, and get more knowledge on tools that can be use for Internet access.

Description:

While Internet access appears as guaranteed to some communities, recent experiences in countries of the Global South show that reality is far from being like that. During humanitarian health crises, isolated forest communities experienced social reclusion that made it difficult to report systematic attacks on their territories; while in cities, individuals that were contaminated during the pandemic found the internet as their only means of communication with the world outside the walls of hospitals, and a way of expressing their own existence in the midst of global health uncertainties. Still, while the health crisis invaded all spheres globally, countries in unstable political situations faced systematic blockages to internet access, preventing communication to report on human rights violations, and seeking technical solutions to promote self-organization in communities.

To build a free and open debate, support democratic processes and care for the physical integrity of all people, states and stakeholders must guarantee access to a free and secure internet. In this workshop, a diverse range of members from the activism, health and technology communities talk about their experiences whilst promoting and protecting human rights, and searching for common actions to address threats to Internet access and freedom.

Expected Outcomes

- Identify opportunities and lessons learned to support human rights through internet access.
- Identify critical gaps on internet access during humanitarian crisis (example: health crisis like the covid-19 pandemic; political crisis during elections)
- Identify key issues on funding, resources and capacity to support marginalized communities on internet access.

Hybrid Format: This is a hybrid session with both experienced moderators onsite and online. The moderators will ensure that all participants have access to the discussions, with facilitation interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees. All participants will be heard during the session.

Additionally, we will take actions to make sure that speakers are familiar with the hybrid presentation. Prior to the panel, all online speakers will be invited to a pre-panel session to make sure that they all know how to use the platform. Participants and speakers will be provided with the actions and questions by written and spoken formats. During the session, there will be a slot for questions, comments and other interactions for participants. Useful links and presentations will be provided for participants to guarantee accessibility.