Session
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable format for ICANN’s session was selected to foster an interactive and inclusive dialogue among stakeholders. This arrangement puts all participants on equal footing, promotes inclusiveness, and encourages open exchanges, making it ideal for discussing the past achievements and future directions of Internet governance. Seating participants around the table eliminates hierarchical barriers, enhancing the flow of ideas. A 60-minute time slot ensures discussions are focused and dynamic, allowing sufficient time to cover key topics while keeping participants engaged. This format supports a constructive exchange of perspectives, crucial for advancing multistakeholder participation and developing innovative solutions for a transformative digital future.
ICANN’s session on the WSIS+20 Review will examine the journey of Internet governance and explore its evolution since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2003 and 2005. This session is a critical opportunity for all interested stakeholders, including members of the ICANN-facilitated WSIS+20 Outreach Network, to share the significant strides and successes made over the past two decades in fostering an inclusive, secure, and resilient digital environment based on the multistakeholder model. This Open Forum is not only a reflection on past achievements but a proactive step towards examination of key principles that need to be protected for a transformative digital future. The forum will start with an overview of the achievements and activities of WSIS over the past 20 years, highlighting collaborative efforts that have shaped Internet governance frameworks. This introduction will underscore the pivotal role of multistakeholder collaboration in addressing the challenges that have emerged in the digital landscape, including those done at IGF. Following this, we will open the floor for a discussion on the future of Internet governance, and success stories and areas for improvement to the multistakeholder model, including actions that the WSIS+20 Outreach Network can explore. We encourage participants from governments, businesses, civil society, and the technical community to engage with us and help shape the future of Internet governance.
To foster real-time engagement, we will use the features of the online platform with live polling and interactive Q&A features. This allows participants to actively contribute their questions and insights instantly, regardless of their location. Our moderators are very experienced in managing hybrid interactions, they will integrate these inputs into the session dynamically, ensuring that both online and onsite audiences are equally engaged and can participate fully in the discussion. Our session is designed to ensure inclusivity, alternating between onsite and online contributions to maintain balance and engagement. The onsite roundtable layout promotes open dialogue and visibility for all participants, mirroring the interactive nature of our online tools. We'll manage transitions smoothly and provide guidance for speakers on effectively engaging with a hybrid audience, ensuring equal opportunity for all to contribute and interact. We will ensure there are active and informed speakers around the table.
ICANN
Theresa Swinehart, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG Veni Markovski, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG Becky McGilley, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG Elizabeth Oluoch, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG Adam Peake, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG
Theresa Swinehart, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG Veni Markovski, ICANN, Technical Community, WEOG
Becky McGilley
Elizabeth Oluoch
Adam Peake
Targets: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) Target 9.c The session directly supports the enhancement of sustainable infrastructure by advocating for a robust, unfragmented, and equitable internet governance framework that can foster innovation and connectivity. Discussion on the preservation and advancement of the multistakeholder model helps ensure a resilient infrastructure that can support future technological innovations. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) Target 10.2 The session aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic, or other status. By advocating for an open and inclusive internet governance framework, where all stakeholders are able to participate in the policy-making of Internet governance, the session contributes to reducing inequalities and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital divide. Target 10.3 The proposal ensures equal opportunity and reduces inequalities of outcome by advocating for inclusive stakeholder participation in internet governance. This includes bridging the digital divide and ensuring that developing countries have a voice equal to that of developed countries in the creation of internet policies. Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) Target 17.16 The proposal enhances the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development by fostering multistakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources to support the achievement of the internet governance goals in all countries, especially developing countries. Target 17.17 Encouraging effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships, is key to the session. By engaging diverse groups in discussions about the future of internet governance, the session cultivates a collaborative approach essential for sustainable development.