IGF 2020 WS #366 What would an "Internet for Good" look like?

Information

Session

Thematic Track:

Topic(s):

International Cooperation
Multi stakeholders approach

Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Speaker 1: Maureen Hilyard, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Nicola Brown, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Jordan Carter, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Format:

Break-out Group Discussions - Round Tables - 90 Min

Description:

What is an Internet for Good? Civil society, governments, and online services are busy grappling with the harms people face online. But while those problems are real, understanding and solving them is not the same thing as understanding and delivering the Internet we actually want. This session is a chance for diverse stakeholders to focus on the positive vision of "An Internet for Good".

Issues:

We know that governments and companies around the world have their own visions of what the Internet's future should be. We think civil society needs to offer an alternative vision, that shows we can have a modern Internet that is not driven by national security, or profit.

Policy Question(s):

1) Local Content & Language Diversity How can manage development of Internet content and uses to ensure diverse, local content thrives? 2) Availability, Affordability & Access of Infrastructure How we ensure Internet infrastructure reaches and enables all users, so they can benefit? 3) Accessibility & Policy for Social Inclusion within an Internet for Good, how could we make accessibility and social inclusion foundational? 4) Sustainable Business Models in the Digital Age Acknowledging online harms, and ways the Internet can harm the environment and societies, such as online hate and abuse, what do sustainable business models look like that shape an Internet for Good?

Expected Outcomes:

Through an open discussion, we will develop an initial map of a positive vision for the Internet's next decade and beyond. The outcome of this session will be to develop that understanding, and a programme of meaningful actions to implement it, in partnership with civil society groups and others from around the world.

Relevance to Internet Governance: We know that governments and companies around the world have their own visions of what the Internet's future should be. We think civil society needs to offer an alternative vision, that shows we can have an Internet for Good that is not driven mostly by national security, or profit.

Relevance to Theme: An "Internet for Good' is about defining what we need to have an equitable and inclusive Internet, which provides benefits to all people and reduces and manages potential harms so all can benefit from the Internet.

Discussion Facilitation:

We plan remote breakout group interaction with the remote moderator, during breakout time, as well as inclusion on a remote speaker to be confirmed later.

Online Participation:

Usage of IGF Official Tool.

SDGs:

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-Being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Production and Consumption
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions