Session
Organizer 1: Pari Esfandiari, 🔒Global TechnoPolitics Forum
Organizer 2: Sebastien Bachollet, 🔒
Organizer 3: Christine Arida, ??National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt
Speaker 1: CAROL ROACH, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Mansour Alqurashi, Government, African Group
Speaker 3: amrita choudhury, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Olga Cavalli, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Pari Esfandiari, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Sebastien Bachollet, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Christine Arida, Government, African Group
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: We believe that a 90-minute roundtable discussion will provide enough time to delve into complex issues, ensuring thorough participation, and incorporating interactive elements effectively. Panelists will have enough time to fully express their views and engage in meaningful dialogue without feeling pressured, facilitating a deeper examination of topics that require careful consideration. It provides ample opportunity for all participants, including the audience, to engage actively. The duration accommodates interactive features such as Q&A sessions and live polls maintaining the richness of the main discussion. Moreover, this length is ideal for keeping the audience engaged and energetic, avoiding fatigue while respecting their time limits and attention spans. In summary, 90 minutes provides a well-balanced approach to achieving a dynamic and fruitful discussion.
A. What innovative methods and technologies can be utilized to enhance the engagement of end-users in the governance process, ensuring their active and sustained participation? B. How can internet governance frameworks be adapted to ensure that end-user participation is not only encouraged but becomes a decisive factor in policy-making? C. In what ways can major internet governance events be utilized as platforms for real change, incorporating robust, user-driven agendas that contribute to a sustainable and equitable digital future?
What will participants gain from attending this session? - An enhanced understanding of the crucial role of integrating user-centric perspectives within governance frameworks. - Exposure to the latest tactics, strategies, and innovations designed to boost end-user engagement. This aspect of the discussion will emphasize not only the importance of having users' voices heard but also their impact on shaping effective decision-making processes. - Insight into the significant role of the WSIS+20 Review and related initiatives like Net Mundial, the WSIS High-Level Forum, and the Global Digital Compact. The discussion will cover how these platforms contribute to shaping global internet governance and the advancement of user-centric policies. - An opportunity to delve into the concept of redefining meaningful participation to ensure it genuinely reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the global internet community, making the internet a more representative space.
Description:
In an era where digital transformation is accelerating, the need to amplify end-user voices in internet governance is paramount. With the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +20 Review, we find ourselves at a critical juncture to reflect on the strides made and the challenges that lie ahead. This panel discussion aims to explore the integration of end-users, who form the very core of the internet’s ecosystem, into the governance frameworks that guide our global digital future. As we prepare for the 2025 review, it is imperative to assess whether our efforts in internet governance have merely expanded connectivity or truly empowered digital participation across all demographics. The role of end-users has often been overshadowed in decision-making processes, despite their vital insights into the everyday use and governance of the internet. This panel will delve into innovative strategies to enhance end-user engagement, ensuring their voices are not only heard but also influence the foundational aspects of internet governance. We will discuss the potential of upcoming significant events like Net Mundial and the WSIS High-Level Forum, which intersect with the Global Digital Compact, to shape our strategies in line with sustainable development goals and a user-centric governance model. The goal is to redefine meaningful participation, ensuring that every policy decision reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the global internet community. This discussion is not just a preparatory step for the WSIS+20 Review; it is a forward-looking endeavor to mold a future where digital technologies are utilized for the collective betterment, championing a more inclusive, equitable, and user-focused internet.
Expected Outcomes: 1. Enhanced Understanding of the current state of end-user integration in internet governance and the importance of their active involvement in shaping the digital future. 2. Outlined actionable strategies for stakeholders at all levels to enhance user-centric governance. 3. Collaborative Commitments: Encourage commitments from key stakeholders, including policy-makers, industry leaders, and civil society organizations, to implement user-centric approaches in their governance models. Specific Outputs: 1. Policy Recommendations Document about improving end-user engagement in internet governance, which could serve as a guide for organizations and governments globally. 2. Publication of a white paper detailing the discussions, insights, and recommendations from the panel, serving as a scholarly resource on the subject of user-centric internet governance. 3. Follow-up Webinars and Workshops to delve deeper into specific issues raised during the discussion, fostering ongoing engagement and practical implementation of discussed strategies.
Hybrid Format: 1. Extensive experience in a hybrid environment: The organizers have gained excellent experience from many years of working with the ICANN community, where hybrid is essential to the work of the community. 2. Dedicated Moderation: Both the physical venue and the virtual platform will have dedicated moderators, making sure questions and inputs from both groups are equally addressed. 3. Real-Time Engagement and Feedback Tools: Google Docs and polls will be used for inputs from both audience types to foster a unified discussion environment. 4. Interactive Q&A: Questions and Answers will alternate between online and onsite participants, managed by moderators to balance the interaction. 5. Social Media: Social media will be used before the event for publicity, during even for engagement, and post-event for surveys to gather detailed feedback. 6. Technical Rehearsals: A pre-session run-through will help minimize technical issues, ensuring a smooth experience during the actual session.