Session
Organizer 1: Chafic Chaya, Lebanon IGF
Organizer 2: Sabrina Wilkinson, Canadian Internet Registration Authority
Organizer 3: David Bedard, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Organizer 4: Dana Cramer, Individual
Speaker 1: Maha Zouwayhed, Academic, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Mirna El Hajj Barbar, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Charles Noir, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: David Bedard, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Dana Cramer, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Chafic Caya, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Dana Cramer, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Sabrina Wilkinson, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: It will be a 90-minute roundtable. This highly engaging and interactive session format promotes open discussions and facilitates the exchange of ideas among speakers, onsite and online moderators, speakers, and participants. This roundtable provides a meaningful opportunity for stakeholders to come together and share their knowledge, experiences, and insights.
1. What are the key factors that contribute to successful multistakeholder (MS) engagement in Internet governance?
2. How can lessons from Lebanon and Canada be applied to other regions to enhance MS collaboration?
3. What are the primary challenges in implementing MS engagement, and how can they be addressed?
4. How can MS engagement contribute to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs)?
What will participants gain from attending this session?
1. Insights and Knowledge: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and practices that have been successful in Lebanon and Canada for driving MS engagement.
2. Best Practices and Recommendations: Attendees will learn actionable strategies and best practices that they can implement in their own regions or organisations to enhance MS collaboration.
3. Networking Opportunities: The session will provide a platform for participants to connect with experts and stakeholders in the field of Internet governance, fostering potential partnerships and collaborations.
4. Tools for Overcoming Challenges: By discussing the challenges and opportunities in MS engagement, participants will be better equipped to address similar issues in their contexts.
Description:
With speakers drawing on experiences from their respective stakeholder groups, this workshop will bring together insights from Lebanon and Canada to explore how multistakeholder (MS) engagement can shape our digital future. By examining Lebanon's Internet governance path and Canadian lessons with global applications, we aim to highlight effective strategies and best practices for fostering collaboration and innovation in Internet governance.
- A comprehensive understanding of how Lebanon and Canada have successfully driven MS engagement.
- A set of best practices and recommendations for other regions and countries to enhance their MS engagement.
- Strengthened networks and partnerships among stakeholders in the field of Internet governance.
Hybrid Format: Moderators and speakers will actively engage with both the in-person and online audience members. Moderators and speakers will use various online interactive tools such as real-time question and answers, and presentations to ensure equal attention is given to both virtual and physical participants.
1. Introduction and Welcome (5 minutes)
2. Setting the Scene: Lebanon and Canada’s multistakeholder paths to the Internet We Want (30 minutes)
3. Interactive Panel Discussion (online and onsite): Challenges, opportunities and best practices for MS Engagement (50 minutes)
4. Closing remarks (5 minutes)
Report
Studying multistakeholder initiatives in different regional and local contexts can help us develop best practices to better drive engagement. Lessons can be learned from the complexities of fostering multistakeholder engagement in a diverse, nonstable and politically sensitive environment. We can also learn from well-established multistakeholder processes.
Technology can play a key role in leveraging enhancing multistakeholder engagement and has specific uses to different stakeholder groups. In particular, research and education can inform multistakeholder dialogues, and technology can bridge gaps in knowledge and access.
Among other initiatives, we should build trust and create open communication channels between stakeholders and build capacity to empower smaller or less experienced groups to participate effectively.
IGF2024: WS #157 Driving MS Engagement: Lessons from Lebanon and Canada
On December 17, 2024, RIPE NCC, the Government of Canada and CIRA co-hosted 90-minute workshop “Driving MS Engagement: Lessons from Lebanon and Canada” at IGF2024 in Riyadh. The key takeaways from the session include:
- Collaborative Efforts in Internet Governance: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has played a pivotal role in fostering an open dialogue on Internet governance (IG) in Lebanon by working closely with the Ministry of ICT, OGERO, and other key stakeholders to create a structured and inclusive framework for the Lebanon IGF. The Lebanon IGF was established in 2017-2018, with ESCWA playing a pivotal role in drafting the Lebanon IGF charter and related terms of reference (TOR). These foundational documents were critical in ensuring a structured, multistakeholder, inclusive, and sustainable framework for the forum. This approach highlights the importance of coordination and collaboration to ensure a multistakeholder, sustainable platform.
- ISED’s Stakeholder Engagement: The Canadian Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) emphasizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders to understand their priorities. By reporting out outcomes from consultations, ISED ensures that feedback loops are established and that stakeholders feel heard and valued. This iterative process fosters ongoing collaboration and strengthens government-stakeholder relationships.
- CIRA's Activity: The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is active in global Internet governance, and is actively working with other technical operators to drive engagement in the key UN dialogues like the WSIS+20 Review.
- Youth Engagement: Both Lebanon and Canada struggle with effectively engaging youth in Internet governance. In Canada, there is a gap in youth representation, particularly from rural and remote areas. To address this, experts recommend integrating Internet governance topics into university curricula and supporting youth-led organizations. This helps ensure that younger generations are prepared and involved in critical policy discussions.
- Capacity Building for Meaningful Participation: Many smaller or marginalized groups often find it difficult to engage in Internet governance processes. There is a push to provide these groups with the necessary training, resources, and structured opportunities for participation. Ensuring their inclusion helps strengthen the multistakeholder model and ensures that all voices are represented.
- Leveraging Technology for Broader Participation: AI and online platforms are seen as essential tools for overcoming language barriers and expanding participation in IG forums. These tools ensure that more people can engage in discussions, regardless of their geographic or linguistic background.
- The Importance of Feedback Loops: Canada places great value on reporting back to stakeholders after consultations. This feedback loop ensures that contributions are acknowledged, and actionable steps are taken to integrate input into decision-making processes.
In conclusion, the discussions highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration, capacity building, and inclusive engagement in Internet governance, with particular focus on youth involvement and the empowerment of marginalized groups. Ensuring that all stakeholders are heard, and providing the right tools for participation, will be essential for the future of multistakeholder processes.