BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Freedom Online Coalition - ECPv6.14.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Freedom Online Coalition
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Freedom Online Coalition
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Helsinki
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0300
TZNAME:EEST
DTSTART:20230326T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0300
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:EET
DTSTART:20231029T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0300
TZNAME:EEST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0300
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:EET
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0300
TZNAME:EEST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0300
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:EET
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20230101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Asia/Shanghai
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0800
TZOFFSETTO:+0800
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20240101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Moscow
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0300
TZOFFSETTO:+0300
TZNAME:MSK
DTSTART:20240101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Amsterdam
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Asia/Tokyo
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0900
TZOFFSETTO:+0900
TZNAME:JST
DTSTART:20230101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Paris
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20230326T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20231029T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Halifax
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0300
TZNAME:ADT
DTSTART:20230312T060000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0300
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:AST
DTSTART:20231105T050000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20250512T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20250512T141500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20250509T095048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T095256Z
UID:10000242-1747054800-1747059300@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:EuroDIG 2025: Multistakeholder Consultation on the FOC's Rights-Respecting Digital Public Infrastructure Principles
DESCRIPTION:Estonia\, 2025 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)\, will host a multistakeholder consultation on the FOC’s draft Rights-Respecting Digital Public Infrastructure Principles during the 2025 EuroDIG Conference\, taking place in Strasbourg\, France from 12 – 14 May. For more information on EuroDIG and to register your attendance\, visit the following link: https://www.eurodig.org/. \nSession Overview: \nDigital Public Infrastructure (DPI) are digital technologies that can enable the delivery of public services. There are three functional categories of DPI: digital identity systems\, digital payment systems\, and data exchanges. It is crucial for such systems to have built in safeguards that ensure human rights commitments are adhered to in their design and implementation. During the session\, we want to hear perspectives from the community on how the design and implementation of DPI can balance the benefits of digital innovation with the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms. Whether through examples of successful approaches or lessons learned. We will explore the most critical safeguards that should be in place to prevent DPI from exacerbating discrimination\, exclusion\, or other human rights harms. We also seek to discuss how governments\, civil society\, the private sector and technical experts can collaborate to ensure accountability within DPI processes and how these can include access to redress. Lastly\, we invite EuroDIG participants to look ahead and provide suggestions on the emerging risks and opportunities that stakeholders\, especially governments\, should anticipate as DPI continues to evolve\, and what steps can be taken to proactively start addressing the potential human rights challenges on the horizon.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/eurodig-2025-multistakeholder-consultation-on-the-focs-rights-respecting-digital-public-infrastructure-principles/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250429
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250502
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20250401T191329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T191329Z
UID:10000241-1745884800-1746143999@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Digital Rights & Inclusion Forum (DRIF) 2025
DESCRIPTION:Estonia\, 2025 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)\, will host a multistakeholder dialogue session as part of the 2025 Digital Rights & Inclusion Forum (DRIF). The session will explore rights-respecting approaches to the design and implementation of DPI systems that account for contextual realities in terms of access\, diversity\, equity\, and inclusion\, and examine ways to meaningfully engage with communities throughout the lifecycle of DPIs.  \nThe dialogue will also serve as a consultation between stakeholders from the FOC community and beyond\, including government\, civil society\, private sector\, and technical community\, to support the development of ‘Rights-Respecting Digital Public Infrastructure Principles’. The principles will establish a common understanding within the FOC of rights-respecting and inclusive DPI\, and will draw on global best practices and frameworks\, including the Universal DPI Safeguards and the GovStack Principles. \nFurther information on the session will be available shortly on the DRIF event page. The forum will take place in Lusaka\, Zambia from Tuesday 29 April to Thursday 1 May. For more information\, and to register your attendance\, visit the following link: https://drif.paradigmhq.org/.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/digital-rights-inclusion-forum-drif-2025/
LOCATION:Lusaka\, Zambia
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250227T090000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250227T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20250213T095303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T095629Z
UID:10000240-1740646800-1740650400@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:RightsCon | Unlocking Progress through Inclusive and Rights-Respecting Digital Public Infrastructure
DESCRIPTION:The following session will take place during the 2025 RightsCon Summit\, 24-27 February\, Taipei\, Taiwan. For more information on the Summit\, visit www.rightscon.com.  \nDialogue session featuring Sabhanaz Rashid Diya (Tech Global Institute)\, Rasmus Lumi (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia)\, Amy Colando (Microsoft)\, Liz Orembo (Research ICT Africa)\, and Shruti Narayan (Access Now) – Room 102\, TICC  \nDigital technologies have the potential to significantly impact the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms\, and offer unprecedented opportunities for development and innovation\, with the potential to generate social and economic benefits. In this sense\, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) often understood as a key tool to achieve the SDGs\, and has been recognised as such through various initiatives\, including the UN SG’s Envoy on Technology and UNDP initiative at the 78th UNGA to develop the Universal Safeguards Framework for DPI leading up to the Summit of the Future\, and the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC). \nIn general\, DPI is any digital technology that can enable the delivery of public services. There are three functional categories of DPI: digital identity systems\, digital payment systems\, and data exchanges. While DPI is an important enabling component towards digital inclusion\, certain examples have shown how implementation without proper safeguards can lead to negative outcomes\, including adverse impacts on human rights. \nThis session will explore human rights-respecting approaches to the design and implementation of DPI systems\, that account for contextual realities in terms of access\, diversity\, equity\, and inclusion\, and examine ways to meaningfully engage with communities throughout the lifecycle of DPIs. Various stakeholders from the FOC community and beyond\, including government\, civil society\, and technical community\, will share perspectives and insight into ensuring that DPIs work towards securing social and economic benefits for communities\, while upholding human rights in an inclusive and collaborative manner with access to effective remedy and redress.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/rightscon-unlocking-progress-through-inclusive-and-rights-respecting-digital-public-infrastructure/
LOCATION:Room 102\, Taipei International Convention Center\, No. 1\, Section 5\, Xinyi Rd\, Xinyi District\, Taipei City\, Taiwan 110
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250225T140000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250225T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20250213T095043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250213T095043Z
UID:10000239-1740492000-1740495600@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:RightsCon | From Countering to Building: Finding the Keys to Promote Information Integrity Online
DESCRIPTION:The following session will take place during the 2025 RightsCon Summit\, 24-27 February\, Taipei\, Taiwan. For more information on the Summit\, visit www.rightscon.com.  \nRoundtable discussion facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark\, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands\, and the Wikimedia Foundation \nEveryone\, everywhere should be able to participate freely and safely in the creation\, consumption\, dissemination\, and evaluation of information and ideas. A healthy information ecosystem should support and advance human rights\, in particular freedom of expression. But recently\, efforts to protect free speech and reliable information online – including with legitimate reason – risks undermining human rights. This includes both governments’ and companies’ active actions to control speech (including under the guise of countering disinformation)\, as well as their lack of addressing phenomena such as disinformation and hate speech to ensure people can safely access pluriform information without interference. \nThe right to freedom of expression and the global information ecosystem are complex topics. Global discourse as well as a majority of initiatives\, and policies seem to primarily focus on the effects of the rapid spread of disinformation and misinformation that pollute the information ecosystem (which is accelerated by the developments of generative artificial intelligence). While disinformation is serious issue\, overfocusing on content that needs to be removed may lead governments and companies to insufficiently address the essential ideas\, values\, and strengths of a healthy information ecosystem. Recent announcements from big tech platforms further underscore the need to refocus the conversation to what kind of global information ecosystem we wish to build and promote – rather than just focusing on what we would like to remove\, block or take down. \nChaired by the Governments of Denmark and The Netherlands\, and the Wikimedia Foundation\, the Freedom Online Coalition’s (FOC) Task Force on Information Integrity Online launched a Blueprint on Information Integrity\, which articulates a positive vision for a healthy online information ecosystem that supports the production and sharing of accurate\, trustworthy and reliable information\, and that protects and promotes human rights and democracy. The Blueprint presents three interconnected pillars: Agency – Trust – Inclusion. \nDuring this roundtable conversation\, the co-leads of the Task Force will briefly present this framework\, and open up for a discussion about the key principles that underpin a healthy information ecosystem and how these manifest in different contexts. Participants are encouraged to contribute to this conversation on how we can utilize this framework to move forward this agenda\, and to shift our attention towards the promotion of the key components needed to support a healthy\, trustworthy\, reliable\, and inclusive information ecosystem.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/rightscon-from-countering-to-building-finding-the-keys-to-promote-information-integrity-online/
LOCATION:Room 402A\, Taipei International Convention Center\, No. 1\, Section 5\, Xinyi Rd\, Xinyi District\, Taipei City\, Taiwan 110
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241219T131500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241219T144500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20241209T102515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T183837Z
UID:10000238-1734614100-1734619500@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2024: Ensuring an Inclusive and Rights-Respecting Digital Future
DESCRIPTION:Join the Session: Workshop Room 6 / Zoom (hybrid) \nOrganised by: The Netherlands\, FOC Chair 2024 \nOpening Remarks: Ernst Noorman\, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs\, Kingdom of the Netherlands \nModerator: Jacco Pepijn-Baljet\, Senior Policy Officer\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs\, Kingdom of the Netherlands \nSpeakers:  \n\nRasmus Lumi\, Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Human Rights\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia\nSabhanaz Rashid Diya\, Executive Director\, Tech Global Institute\nAdeboye Adegoke\, Senior Manager\, Paradigm Initiative\nFiona Alexander\, American University\nOlaf Kolfman\, Executive-level Advisor and Spokesperson\, ISOC\nEmilar Gandhi\, Global Head of Stakeholder Engagement\, Meta\nAlex Walden\, Global Head of Human Rights\, Google\nRepresentative of the IGF Secretariat\nRepresentative of the Office of the UN Tech Envoy\n\nSession Description: \nWith a number of key multilateral processes underway that have a potential of changing the Internet governance landscape\, notably the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC)\, this session will provide a platform for the various stakeholders in this space\, including governments\, civil society\, the private sector\, academia\, the technical community\, and relevant UN bodies\, to discuss strategies for upholding the multistakeholder model of Internet governance. With the WSIS+20 Review coming up in 2025\, participants will explore the path forward in implementing the Pact and GDC through the process for a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. Relatedly\, the session will also aim to provide an opportunity for relevant stakeholders to discuss the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in light of its mandate review in 2025. Stakeholders will examine ways to ensure the IGF’s role as a key platform for multistakeholder policy dialogue on Internet governance and for the promotion of an inclusive\, open\, safe and secure digital space\, outlined in the Tunis Agenda\, is reaffirmed and strengthened\, as well as discuss how the IGF can advance the commitments outlined in the GDC.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2024-ensuring-an-inclusive-and-rights-respecting-digital-future/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241217T154500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241217T164500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20241128T112427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T183951Z
UID:10000237-1734450300-1734453900@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2024: A Rights-Respecting Approach to Emerging Tech Development
DESCRIPTION:Join the Session: IGF Village Stage / Zoom (hybrid) \nOrganised by: The Netherlands\, FOC Chair 2024\, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) \nOpening Remarks: Rasmus Lumi\, Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Human Rights\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia \nModerator: Radka Sibille\, Digital Affairs Advisor\, EU Delegation to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva \nSpeakers:  \n\nBrendan Dowling\, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology\nScott Campbell\, Senior Human Rights Officer\, OHCHR\nRoman Danyliw\, Chair\, IETF\nIhueze Nwobilor\, Senior Programmes Officer\, Paradigm Initiative\nAlex Walden\, Global Head of Human Rights\, Google\n\nSession Description: \nIn past years\, we have witnessed a significant increase of conversations around emerging technologies\, especially generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and systems\, in the public sphere\, peaking in 2023 following the release of ChatGPT. Since then\, there have been extensive deliberations on the way these technologies affect human rights\, and what implications new developments may have in the future. Emerging technologies have the potential to significantly impact the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms as defined by the foundational documents for international human rights law \, and pose both opportunities for development and economic and social benefit\, as well as risks for enabling and scaling human rights violations and abuses. \nBoth governments and the private sector have a role to play in ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are harnessed\, and the risks brought about by their design\, development\, deployment and use addressed\, mitigated\, and remedied. In line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights\, businesses have a responsibility to respect all internationally recognized human rights\, avoiding infringing on the human rights of others and addressing adverse human rights impacts stemming from or linked to their business activities. This also extends to companies’ participation in technical standards-development. At the same time\, states have obligations to protect and promote human rights\, which applies to their involvement in standard-setting. As per the OHCHR’s report on Human rights and technical standard-setting processes for new and emerging digital technologies\, technical standards can have crucial ramifications for human rights. Technical standards regulating digital technologies can generate human rights impacts in several ways\, and there has been a growing body of work and research on this topic\, including by OHCHR and civil society. However\, more specific work is needed to understand the impact of technical standards on human rights in the context of AI systems\, particularly with respect to embedded biases that lead to or facilitate discriminatory outcomes\, or interfere with the rights to freedom of opinion\, expression\, privacy\, access to information\, and effective remedy. \nThis networking session will allow participants to explore the role of the private sector in ensuring a rights-respecting approach in developing emerging technologies\, including generative AI tools and systems\, as well as the role of governments in ensuring that the development and implementation of technical standards around these technologies is conducted in alignment with states’ obligation to protect and promote human rights\, and avoid fragmentation of international standards. \nThe networking session will gather stakeholders that work on or have a role in technical standards development to also learn about and discuss human rights issues that arise in technical standards-setting\, considering strategies for integrating human rights concerns and safeguards into technical standards for digital technologies. The networking format will allow speakers and participants to explore avenues for strategic cooperation on the development of technical standards for emerging technologies that is rooted in a multistakeholder approach\, and outline existing tools and (legal) frameworks that can serve as guidelines. The outcome of the session will be a raised capacity of the participants on what responsibility each stakeholder group has to ensure the development of a rights-respecting emerging technology and how to utilise the UNGPs and the OHCHR technical standards report practically\, as well as what impacts these technologies could have on human rights if they are not developed through a multistakeholder and human-rights approach and if international technical standards are fragmented. The outcomes of the session will be captured in a report\, with concrete recommendations.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2024-a-rights-respecting-approach-to-emerging-tech-development/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241215T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241215T180000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20241128T111041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241215T080541Z
UID:10000236-1734282000-1734285600@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2024: Human Rights Impacts of AI on Marginalized Populations
DESCRIPTION:Join the Session: Workshop Room 9 / Zoom (hybrid) \nOrganised by: The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy\, Human Rights\, and Labor \nModerator: Allison Peters\, Acting Deputy Secretary of State for Democracy\, Human Rights\, and Labor\, United States \nSpeakers: \n\nAmy Colando\, General Manager\, Responsible Business Practices\, Microsoft\nNighat Dad\, Founder and Executive Director\, Digital Rights Foundation\nNicol Turner Lee\, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Technology Innovation\, Brookings Institution\nRasha Younes\, Interim Director\, Lesbian\, Gay\, Bisexual\, and Transgender Rights Program\, Human Rights Watch\nGuus van Zwoll\, Team Lead\, Task Force International Cyber Policies\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (closing remarks)\n\nSession Description: \nWhile AI technologies promise significant benefits\, the human rights risks they pose too often fall disproportionately on marginalized populations\, such as women and girls in all their diversity\, persons with disabilities\, members of marginalized racial\, ethnic\, religious\, or linguistic groups\, Indigenous peoples\, LGBTQI+ persons\, children\, and human rights defenders. For example\, AI systems are often used to generate harassing and harmful “deepfakes” or spread disinformation that specifically targets women and human rights defenders; AI systems can perpetuate patterns of bias found in their training data\, reinforcing historical patterns of discrimination faced by groups defined by traits such as gender\, geography\, race\, or caste; and AI tools enable advances in surveillance technologies that are too often used to interfere with rights to peaceful assembly or freedom of association\, especially by marginalized populations\, and have been used for targeting by security forces with harmful effects for civilians and privacy rights. \nThis interactive workshop session aims to collaboratively develop feasible steps that can advance the identification\, assessment\, and mitigation of risks to marginalized populations that are created or exacerbated by AI. Framed by remarks from government\, civil society\, and industry stakeholders describing the challenges and constraints they face in this area\, the workshop will explore 1) pressing issues related to AI’s impacts on marginalized populations; 2) success stories that should inform future actions; and 3) feasible steps that different groups of stakeholders can take to advance progress. The discussion will pay particular attention to how these issues and potential actions differ across diverse cultural\, geographic\, and economic contexts. After the event\, the key issues and steps identified will be collated into an outcomes document\, which could be published by the FOC.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2024-human-rights-impacts-of-ai-on-marginalized-populations/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241215T154500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20241215T164500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20241128T110809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241215T080631Z
UID:10000235-1734277500-1734281100@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2024: Inclusive Multistakeholderism: Tackling Internet Shutdowns
DESCRIPTION:Join the Session: Workshop Room 6 / Zoom (hybrid) \nOrganised by: The Co-Chairs of the FOC’s Task Force on Internet Shutdowns – the United Kingdom\, Access Now\, and the Global Network Initiative. \nSpeakers: \n\nKanbar Hossein-Bor\, Head of the Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department\, UK Foreign\, Commonwealth\, and Development Office\nFelicia Anthonio\, #KeepitOn Coalition Campaign Manager\, Access Now\nScott Campbell\, Senior Human Rights Officer\, OHCHR\nJoss Wright\, Senior Research Fellow\, Oxford Internet Institute\, Oxford University\nAlex Walden\, Global Head of Human Rights\, Google\n\nSession Description: \n\nOur objective for the session is to reinforce the importance of the multistakeholder approach to tackling digital threats\, including Internet shutdowns\, exploring and showcasing ways in which inclusive multistakeholder collaboration (countries\, civil society and the private sector) can facilitate and effect positive change. We will also use the session to wrap up the UK country chairship of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)’s Task Force on Internet Shutdowns (TFIS) showcasing learning\, progress and achievements from our two-year leadership on this work. The session will feature a panel discussion and Q&A\, bringing together experts to look at the ways in which an inclusive multistakeholder approach can effectively tackle digital threats\, including Internet shutdowns\, the challenges\, and practical ways to safeguard and further develop this collaborative approach. Speakers will represent governments\, civil society\, international organisations\, academia and the private sector. The session will aim to look at country case studies to identify both challenges and effective collaborative approaches. \nDuring 2024\, the UK is chairing the FOC’s Taskforce on Internet Shutdowns (TFIS) alongside Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network (AN) members Access Now and the Global Network Initiative. TFIS serves as a multinational and multistakeholder coordination and response mechanism on Internet shutdowns. Through TFIS\, we are working to improve coordination among like-minded countries\, civil society\, and the private sector to anticipate and respond to Internet shutdowns and restrictions. As the biggest multilateral\, multistakeholder forum dedicated to internet governance\, the UN IGF is the ideal platform to bring partners together to progress this work.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2024-inclusive-multistakeholderism-tackling-internet-shutdowns/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20241022T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20241022T183000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20241019T211622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241019T211622Z
UID:10000234-1729616400-1729621800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Freedom on the Net 2024 | Europe Launch Event (co-organised by Freedom House\, the Netherlands\, and the FOC)
DESCRIPTION:The Europe launch of Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net 2024: The Struggle for Trust Online\, co-organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Freedom Online Coalition\, will take place at 5:00PM CET on Tuesday\, 22 October.  \nThe event will feature: \n\nWelcome remarks from Ernst Noorman\, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (TBC)\nA keynote from Marietje Schaake\nAn overview of research findings from Allie Funk\, Research Director for Technology and Democracy and Grant Baker\, Research Analyst for Technology and Democracy\n\nA discussion with: \n\nEvelyn Austin\, Executive Director of Bits of Freedom and FOTN author for the Netherlands report\nNasiru Deen\, FOTN author for the Gambia report\nSabhanaz Rashid Diya\, Founder and Executive Director of Tech Global Institute\n\nWatch the event live via the video below or visiting the following link (YouTube).
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/freedom-on-the-net-2024-europe-launch-event-co-organised-by-freedom-house-the-netherlands-and-the-foc/
LOCATION:The Hague\, the Netherlands
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729194052859.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240923T153000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240923T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240919T175915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T150625Z
UID:10000233-1727105400-1727110800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:UNGA 79 Ministerial Side-Event | AI for Humanity: Charting the Global Course for  Human Rights-Based Governance
DESCRIPTION:The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a host of opportunities and challenges. AI has the potential to enhance individual wellbeing\, to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and to promote the protection of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However\, the technology poses risks to these same universal human rights when misused or when an appropriate policy infrastructure is lacking. Robust AI governance frameworks\, grounded in international human rights standards\, are essential. This event\, organised by the Netherlands as the 2024 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition\, will address how comprehensive AI governance frameworks can be fully aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law\, as emphasised by all 193 United Nations member states in the first UN General Assembly resolution on AI (A/78/L.49). \nIn the 13 years since its inception\, the cross-regional Freedom Online Coalition\, now comprising 40 governments\, has established itself as a crucial platform for advancing human rights principles in the digital age. This discussion aims to harness key insights for human rights-based AI governance\, drawing on the final report of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI. \nWatch the event live by visiting www.freedomonlinecoalition.com/ministerial-event-2024/.  \nMinisterial Remarks:  \nCaspar Veldkamp\, Minister of Foreign Affairs\, Kingdom of the Netherlands \nAntony J. Blinken\, Secretary of State\, United States   \nMargus Tsahkna\, Minister of Foreign Affairs\, Estonia \nMauricio Lizcano\, Minister of Information Technologies and Communications\, Colombia \nPanellists:\nDr. Alison Gillwald\, Executive Director\, Research ICT Africa\, FOC Advisory Network (Moderator) \nNighat Dad\, Executive Director\, Digital Rights Foundation\, HLAB on AI Member \nSabhanaz Rashid Diya\, Executive Director\, Tech Global Institute\, FOC Advisory Network \nSarah Heck\, Policy\, Anthropic \nVolker Türk\, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights    \n 
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/unga-79-ministerial-side-event-ai-for-humanity-charting-the-global-course-for-human-rights-based-governance/
LOCATION:New York
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240821
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240824
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240802T093154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240821T014205Z
UID:10000232-1724198400-1724457599@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Asia-Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF)
DESCRIPTION:The Asia-Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) will be taking place from 21-23 August in Taipei\, Taiwan. The Kingdom of the Netherlands\, 2024 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition\, will be hosting a Regional Dialogue for stakeholders based in the Asia Pacific\, which is scheduled for 11.30AM local time\, Friday\, 23 August in Room 101 of the NTUH International Convention Center.  \nThe session will also be available to join online for registered APrIGF attendees\, and can be accessed via the following links: Zoom & YouTube. \nThe FOC’s Observer\, Taiwan\, is organising an APrIGF side-event titled “Promoting Trust Under the Age of AI and Emerging Technologies”\, which will feature remarks from the FOC Chair. The session will commence at 9:30AM local time\, Friday\, 23 August in Hall 203. Further information on the session can be found here\, including the link to view the discussion online.\nFor more information on the APrIGF and to register\, visit the following website. To get in touch\, please contact the FOC Support Unit via the Contact Us page.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/asia-pacific-regional-igf-aprigf/
LOCATION:NTUH International Convention Center\, Taipei City\, Taiwan
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20240529T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20240529T104500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240522T085038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240522T090311Z
UID:10000231-1716976800-1716979500@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:WSIS+20 Forum: The Impact of Technical Standards on Human Rights in the case of Digital Technologies
DESCRIPTION:Time: Wednesday\, 29 May\, 10.00 – 10.45 CET \nFormat: In-person (International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG)\, Room EF) and online. Register your attendance by visiting the following link. \nFor more information on the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event\, including the event program\, visit the following link.  \nSession Description:  \n\nEmerging technologies have the potential to significantly impact the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms as defined by the foundational documents for international human rights law: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)\, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)\, and the International Covenant on Economic\, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). They greatly affect economic development and might bring economic and social benefits\, but also pose both opportunities as well as risks for further enabling and scaling human rights violations and abuses. Both governments and the private sector have a role to play in ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are harnessed\, and the risks brought about by the design\, development\, deployment and the use of these technologies avoided\, addressed\, mitigated\, and remedied. This reality has also been recognized in UN resolutions\, such as UNGA Resolution A/Res/78/213 on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Digital Technologies.  \nUnder the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights\, businesses have a responsibility to respect all internationally recognized human rights\, avoiding infringing on the human rights of others and addressing adverse human rights impacts stemming from or linked to their business activities. This also extends to companies’ participation in the development and implementation of technical standards. At the same time\, states have obligations to respect\, protect and fulfil human rights\, which applies to their involvement in standard-setting. As per the OHCHR’s report on “Human rights and technical standard-setting processes for new and emerging digital technologies”\, technical standards reflect the interests\, values and concerns of those participating in their elaboration\, with crucial ramifications for human rights. Technical standards for the Internet and digital technologies can generate human rights impacts in several ways\, and there has been a growing body of work and research on this topic\, including by OHCHR\, academia and civil society organizations. However\, given the complexity of the topic\, more understanding is needed about the nature and extent of the linkages between technical standards and human rights impacts in the context of emerging technologies\, including with respect to embedded biases that lead to or facilitate discriminatory outcomes\, or interfere with the rights to freedom of opinion\, expression\, privacy\, access information\, and effective remedy.  \nThis session will highlight the role of the private sector in ensuring a rights-respecting approach in developing emerging technologies\, including generative AI tools and systems\, as well as the role of governments in ensuring that the development and implementation of technical standards around these technologies are conducted in alignment with states’ obligation to respect\, protect and fulfil human rights. The session will consider strategies for integrating human rights concerns and safeguards into the technical standards development process\, building on the interlinkages between the multi-stakeholder approach to the governance of the Internet and digital technologies and a human rights-based approach to such governance. These interlinkages were explicitly highlighted in the Outcome Document of the multi-stakeholder conference NETmundial+10\, held on April 29th and 30th 2024.  \nThis session is a precursor to a more in-depth\, dedicated session\, co-organized by the Freedom Online Coalition under the Chairship of the Netherlands\, at the IGF in December 2024\, pending acceptance of the proposal\, in which some of the outcomes of this session can be taken forward.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/wsis20-forum-the-impact-of-technical-standards-on-human-rights-in-the-case-of-digital-technologies/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FOC-WSIS-Graphic-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240504T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240504T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240419T100641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240504T160631Z
UID:10000230-1714834800-1714838400@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:World Press Freedom Day Conference: "Shaping a Positive and Inclusive Vision for the Online Information Ecosystem"
DESCRIPTION:Time: Saturday\, 4 May\, 11.00 – 12.00 CLT / Hora: sábado\, 4 de mayo\, 11:00 – 12:00 CLT \nFormat: In-person (Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral\, Santiago\, Chile\, Room A2) and online. Join the live stream on Youtube. \nFor more information on the World Press Freedom Day Conference\, including the event program\, visit the following link.  \nSession Description:  \nThe spread of disinformation online\, which erodes information integrity\, and the use of Internet shutdowns undermine the enjoyment of human rights\, hinder the ability to seek\, receive and impart information\, as well as impede the realisation of civil and political rights necessary for democracy to flourish.  \nState-sponsored Internet censorship is particularly prevalent during electoral periods\, interfering with citizens’ participation in representative government and the conduct of public affairs\, and affecting the ability of different actors to participate fully and freely in the electoral process. These periods are also key milestones where the integrity of information online is essential for human rights and the democratic process\, but faces the most threats (including through the spread of disinformation and hate speech). \nTo address this\, FOC’s Task Force on Internet Shutdowns (TFIS) and the Task Force on Information Integrity Online (TFIIO) have both been leading on diplomatic joint statements denouncing the use of internet shutdowns and advocating for the promotion of information integrity during electoral periods.  \nThis panel will reflect on how the two issues are interlinked\, what the causal relations are (as internet shutdowns lead to further deterioration of information integrity\, but a lack of information integrity online can also be used as a reason for states to impose internet shutdowns) and how the two topics can be addressed in synergy.  \nThe panel will bring the discussion to a local level\, to discuss region-specific challenges faced. It will address the role the free media plays in efforts to promote freedom and human rights online. Outcomes will be fed into further work of both the TFIS and TFIIO under the FOC. \n\n“Dando forma a una visión positiva e inclusiva para el ecosistema de información en línea” \nDescripción de la sesión: \nLa propagación de la desinformación en línea\, que socava la integridad de la información\, y el uso de cortes de Internet minan el disfrute de los derechos humanos\, obstaculizan la capacidad de buscar\, recibir e impartir información\, así como impiden la realización de los derechos civiles y políticos necesarios para que florezca la democracia. \nLa censura de Internet patrocinada por el Estado es particularmente prevalente durante los períodos electorales\, interfiriendo en la participación de los ciudadanos en el gobierno representativo y la conducción de los asuntos públicos\, y afectando la capacidad de diferentes actores para participar plenamente y libremente en el proceso electoral. Estos períodos también son hitos clave donde la integridad de la información en línea es esencial para los derechos humanos y el proceso democrático\, pero enfrenta más amenazas (incluida la propagación de desinformación y discursos de odio). \nPara abordar esto\, el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Cortes de Internet (TFIS\, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Integridad de la Información en Línea (TFIIO\, por sus siglas en inglés) han estado liderando declaraciones diplomáticas conjuntas denunciando el uso de cortes de Internet y abogando por la promoción de la integridad de la información durante los períodos electorales. \nEste panel reflexionará sobre cómo los dos problemas están interrelacionados\, cuáles son las relaciones causales (ya que los cortes de Internet llevan a una mayor deterioro de la integridad de la información\, pero la falta de integridad de la información en línea también puede ser utilizada como motivo para que los Estados impongan cortes de Internet) y cómo los dos temas pueden abordarse de manera sinérgica. \nEl panel llevará la discusión a un nivel local\, para discutir los desafíos específicos de la región. Abordará el papel que juegan los medios de comunicación libres en los esfuerzos para promover la libertad y los derechos humanos en línea. Los resultados se incorporarán al trabajo adicional tanto del TFIS como del TFIIO bajo el FOC. \n\nOpening Remarks: \n\nCarmen Gonsalves\, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Chile \n\nModerator: \n\nMichel Roberto de Souza\, Public Policy Director\, Derechos Digitales \n\nPanellists: \n\nAgneris Sampieri\, LATAM Policy Analyst\, Access Now \nCostanza Sciubba Caniglia\, Anti-Disinformation Strategy Lead\, Wikimedia Foundation \nMaryia Sadouskaya-Komlach\, Chairwoman of the Board of Free Press for Eastern Europe 
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/world-press-freedom-day-shaping-a-positive-and-inclusive-vision-for-the-online-information-ecosystem/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240424T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240424T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240419T095901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T071150Z
UID:10000229-1713974400-1713978000@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Digital Rights & Inclusion Forum: "Advancing a Human Rights-Based and Multistakeholder Approach to Internet and Digital Technology Governance"
DESCRIPTION:Time: Wednesday\, 24 April\, 16.00 – 17.00 GMT \nFor more information on DRIF 24\, including the event program\, visit the following link.  \nSession Description:  \nWe find ourselves at a pivotal point to shape the governance of digital technologies\, which may have severe implications for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Around the world\, laws and policies are increasingly introduced to address a wide range of digital issues\, including those relating to censorship\, surveillance\, network shutdowns\, mis- and disinformation\, and new and emerging technologies. While a myriad of initiatives and processes are currently underway to harness the benefits of digital technologies\, establish norms and principles\, and ensure effective multistakeholder cooperation\, there is a need for more concerted efforts to ensure that outcomes are rights-respecting and ultimately advances Internet freedom globally.  \nKey processes such as the World Summit on the Information Society Review Process\, alongside processes ongoing in the UN system\, and leading up to the Summit of the Future and the Global Digital Compact\, are set to have significant implications for governance arrangements relating to the Internet and emerging technologies. The FOC is committed to further promoting the multistakeholder governance of digital technologies\, to work towards ensuring that the outcomes of these processes are human rights-respecting\, human-centred\, and inclusive\, and promote harnessing the benefits of digital technologies while mitigating harms stemming from their use.  \nThis session will be an opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders to share insights relating to opportunities and challenges in the global South linked to ongoing and upcoming processes\, in addition to regional fora\, from which the governance of the Internet and digital technologies will be shaped for the years ahead. The session will also explore the FOC’s role in these processes to advance a human rights-based and multistakeholder approach to the governance of the Internet and digital technologies. \nSession Speakers: \n\n(Moderator) Grace Githaiga\, Co-Convenor of the Kenya ICT Action Network \n(Opening Remarks) Luca Kuiper\, Policy Officer\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands\nEmmanuella Darkwah\, Senior Manager\, International Cooperation\, Cyber Security Authority\, Ghana\nAdeboye Adegoke\, Senior Manager at Paradigm Initiative \nElizabeth Orembo\, Research Fellow at Research ICT Africa\nEmilar Gandhi\, Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Policy Development\, Meta 
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/digital-rights-inclusion-forum-advancing-a-human-rights-based-and-multistakeholder-approach-to-internet-and-digital-technology-governance/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DRIF.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240319T050000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240319T063000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20240308T115532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240312T184419Z
UID:10000228-1710824400-1710829800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Summit for Democracy: "Upholding Information Integrity Online to Reinforce Democracy and Human Rights"
DESCRIPTION:Time: Tuesday\, 19 March\, 14:00 – 15:30 KST \nFormat: In-Person (Register via this link) \nSession Description:  \nIn recent years\, the importance of a healthy information ecosystem has become increasingly apparent. It’s vital for maintaining public trust in democratic processes and institutions\, fostering open\, pluriform and inclusive public debate\, and facilitating discussions on human rights\, public health\, and environmental issues grounded in a shared understanding of reality. The growing scope and sophistication of disinformation highlights the necessity for coordinated efforts among government\, private sector\, and civil society stakeholders. These efforts are essential to promote and protect the online information ecosystem. With a packed electoral calendar in 2024\, the urgency of addressing these challenges is clear. The 39 member states of the Freedom Online Coalition’s are committed to supporting global efforts to uphold information integrity online and to reinforce democracy\, human rights\, and the rule of law.  \nThis session will highlight the vision and goal of the FOC’s multistakeholder Task Force on Information Integrity Online\, and foster dialogue among Summit participants on collaborative efforts to uphold information integrity during electoral periods. We take notice of the many different efforts\, including recent industry initiatives such as the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections to address the challenges in particular caused by AI to election integrity. At this event\, we will discuss methods to collectively advocate for the promotion of a healthy online information ecosystem\, and how these initiatives can work in conjunction with each other. We will also discuss what further steps are needed to fully understand our different roles and responsibilities\, the functioning and the nature of the online information ecosystem\, and how we consequently can better design and govern it in a way that promotes democracy and human rights.  \nOpening Remarks: \n\nPeter van der Vliet\, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Korea\nUzra Zeya\, U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security\, Democracy and Human Rights\n\nGlobal Testimonies on Information Integrity:  \n\nKyung Sin “KS” Park\, Founder\, Executive Director\, Open Net Korea\nHyra Basit\, Senior Project Manager\, Digital Rights Foundation\nCamilo Arratia Toledo\, Project Analyst\, Internet Bolivia\n\nPanel Session: \n\nMoira Whelan (Moderator)\, Director\, Democracy & Technology\, NDI\nMia Møhring Larsen\, Senior Tech Advisor for Human Rights & Global Engagement\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark\nAmy Larsen\, Director\, Democracy Forward\, Microsoft\nAlex Walden\, Global Lead for Human Rights\, Google\nElonnai Hickok\, Managing Director\, Global Network Initiative\nAws Al-Saadi\, Founder & President\, Tech4Peace\nRachel Arinii Judhistari (Closing Remarks)\, Lead Public Policy Specialist\, ESEAP\, Wikimedia Foundation
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/summit-for-democracy-upholding-information-integrity-online-to-reinforce-democracy-and-human-rights/
LOCATION:COEX Convention & Exhibition Center\, 513 Yeongdong-daero\, Gangnam-gu\, Seoul\, South Korea\, Seoul\, Korea\, Republic of
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/S4D-III-TFIIO-Promo-Graphics.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231116
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230912T172444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T173409Z
UID:10000223-1699920000-1700092799@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:FOC Strategy & Coordination Meeting in Geneva
DESCRIPTION:The FOC’s third Strategy & Coordination Meeting (SCM) of 2023 will be hosted by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Geneva from 14 – 15 November. \nThe SCM will convene FOC Member States\, Observers\, the FOC Advisory Network\, and other stakeholders\, to share information and develop joint strategies to address the trends\, opportunities\, and challenges in relation to the promotion and protections of human rights\, both online and offline\, worldwide. \nFurther information about the SCM will be shared over the coming months.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/foc-strategy-coordination-meeting-in-geneva/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231012T083000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231012T093000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230912T142511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231004T091941Z
UID:10000222-1697099400-1697103000@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2023 | "Leveraging the FOC at International Organizations"
DESCRIPTION:As Internet Freedom continues to decline globally\, the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) has a vital role to play in promoting values of democracy and human rights online. The FOC\, established in 2011\, is a group of 38 countries committed to protecting and promoting human rights online\, including freedoms of expression\, association\, and peaceful assembly\, and privacy rights. The FOC\, the only multilateral organization solely dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights online\, facilitates multistakeholder engagement at the intersection of technology and human rights by bringing government members into dialogue with technology companies\, civil society organizations\, and academics through the FOC Advisory Network (FOC-AN). The FOC is thus uniquely positioned to empower a diverse range of stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring the Internet and digital technologies remain free\, open\, interoperable\, secure\, and reliable. \nIn this session\, Canada\, the U.S. and the Netherlands\, the past\, current\, and future government Chairs of the FOC\, will be joined by two non-governmental FOC-AN stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges of using the FOC to advocate for human rights defenders (HRDs)\, civil society\, journalists\, and other stakeholders in multilateral institutions and processes. FOC advocacy tools include issuing joint statements and engaging in international organizations and multilateral processes and fora. Canada\, the 2022 FOC Chair\, will speak to the FOC’s engagement at the United Nations (UN)\, including in shaping UNESCO’s recommendations for “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.” The United States\, as the current chair of the FOC\, will highlight capacity building efforts within the FOC to strengthen existing coordination efforts in diplomatic networks. The Netherlands will reflect on how to use the lessons learned over the past two years to enhance the FOC’s ability to shape global norms. FOC-AN stakeholders will share their perspectives from the civil society and/or private sector on the FOC’s advocacy efficacy within the UN system. \nRead more by visiting https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-open-forum-109-leveraging-the-foc-at-international-organizations.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2023-leveraging-the-foc-at-international-organizations/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231011T083000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231011T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230912T173653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231004T082418Z
UID:10000225-1697013000-1697018400@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2023 | "Donor Principles for Human Rights in the Digital Age: Turning Principles into Action"
DESCRIPTION:This event will officially launch the Donor Principles for the Digital Age and begin a multistakeholder engagement process to bring them to fruition. International development actors have an outsized impact on technological innovation\, use and governance around the world through digital programming and related engagements. Despite increased cooperation on technology and democracy engagements overall\, donors have yet to collectively articulate and adopt comprehensive safeguards that can help to ensure that donor-supported programs do not inadvertently facilitate the weaponization of\, or adverse impacts caused by\, data driven technologies and information. This is a gap in the development sector that international and local civil society stakeholders have called on donors to fill. \nThese voluntary\, non-binding donor principles will provide an opportunity for donor nations to negotiate and agree upon a set of normative parameters for rights-respecting\, democracy-affirming investments and engagements in digital contexts. They will be negotiated and agreed upon by FOC member governments from June – October 2023\, with inputs from the FOC’s multistakeholder Advisory Network. This session will launch the principles\, and kick off the process of implementing them. The Donor Principles for the Digital Age will reflect the high-level principles articulated in the Declaration for the Future of the Internet\, but will be specific to international development. \nVisit the IGF session page: www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-open-forum-157-donor-principles-for-the-digital-age-turning-principles-int.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2023-donor-principles-for-human-rights-in-the-digital-age-turning-principles-into-action/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231010T094500
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231010T104500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230912T142143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231004T092138Z
UID:10000221-1696931100-1696934700@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2023 | "Elections and the Internet: free\, fair and open?"
DESCRIPTION:Facilitated by the Freedom Online Coalition Taskforce on Internet Shutdowns\, this Town Hall session will explore how the multi-stakeholder community (countries\, civil society and the private sector) can work together to anticipate\, prepare for and where possible prevent Internet shutdowns before they occur\, in particular ahead of elections\, building on progress to date. \nThe session will feature a panel discussion and Q&A\, bringing together experts to look at causes\, trends and impacts of Internet shutdowns\, including on human rights\, information integrity and democratic participation (particularly in the context of wider attempts to control the information space around elections). Through the session the Task Force will seek to identify practical steps that can be taken\, drawing lessons from elections during 2023 and looking towards ‘high risk’ elections in 2024. \nDuring 2023\, the UK is chairing the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Taskforce on Internet Shutdowns (TFIS) alongside FOC Advisory Network (AN) members Access Now and the Global Network Initiative. TFIS serves as a multi-national and multi-stakeholder coordination and response mechanism on Internet shutdowns. \nThrough TFIS\, we are working to improve coordination among like-minded countries\, civil society\, and the private sector to anticipate and respond to Internet shutdowns. As the biggest multilateral\, multi-stakeholder forum dedicated to internet governance\, the UN IGF is the ideal platform to bring partners together to drive this forward. \nThis event will support and deliver on the TFIS’ four key lines of effort: knowledge sharing; response – preventative and reactive (especially the former); shifting global norms – elevating Internet shutdowns up the international policy agenda (in line with the aspiration Japan set out to when hosting a session on Internet shutdowns at the UN UGF 2022); and improving data collection (e.g. trends around Internet shutdowns around elections). \nView the IGF session page: https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-town-hall-39-elections-and-the-internet-free-fair-and-open
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2023-elections-and-the-internet-free-fair-and-open/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231009T083000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20231009T093000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20231004T082120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231004T092537Z
UID:10000227-1696840200-1696843800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:IGF 2023 | "(Re)-Building Trust Online: A Call to Action"
DESCRIPTION:The Action Coalition on Trustworthy Information Online is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark\, Wikimedia\, Witness\, Global Voices\, and Salesforce. It aims to develop and advocate for strategies and policies that strengthen constructive and trustworthy online information. The coalition focuses on policy solutions to increase information integrity online. Technology is a significant source of societal transformation in promoting human rights\, bringing people closer to the decisions that influence their lives\, and making democratic institutions more robust and responsive. Yet online\, expectations and aspirations for democracy have not fully been met. Digital technologies increasingly offer tools and channels for severe threats to democracies globally and our democratic practices. \nIn this session\, the Action Coalition will present recommendations to identify political\, regulatory\, and technical approaches to enabling and protecting human rights to create\, collect\, share\, and access trustworthy information. We will discuss how to advocate for better regulation in multiple jurisdictions. From members of the Coalition\, we will hear about the importance of encouraging policymakers to understand community-based models for information creation and sharing\, citizen journalism\, and non-profit public interest journalism rooted in local communities. The recommendations set priorities for action by offering specific and actionable policies focusing on community-based models and putting forward concrete proposals for a healthier global information ecosystem. Participants will have access to the Action Coalition’s call for action and the possibility to get involved further after the launch of the recommendations. \nThe outcomes of this session will feed into the activities of the recently established FOC Task Force on Trustworthy Information Online (TFTIO)\, which will be continuing the work of the Action Coalition within its mandate in 2023. In its new role under the FOC\, and with the aim to engage the broader mutlistakeholder community\, TFTIO will work to develop and propose policy recommendations for governmental institutions and lawmakers with the goal of safeguarding a healthy online information ecosystem\, ensuring people everywhere have the ability to participate in the creation of online information\, and access to a broad range of trustworthy information. \nView the IGF 2023 session page: https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-launch-award-event-144-re-building-trust-online-a-call-to-action
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/igf-2023-re-building-trust-online-a-call-to-action-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20230928T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20230928T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230914T094303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230914T094303Z
UID:10000226-1695898800-1695902400@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Global Conference for the Celebration of the International Day for the Universal Access to Information 
DESCRIPTION:FOC and Advisory Network Members will participate in a panel session during the Global Conference for the Celebration of the International Day for the Universal Access to Information on 28 September. This year’s Conference will focus on the importance of the online space for Access to Information. For more information and to view the session live\, visit www.unesco.org/en/articles/international-day-universal-access-information-2023. \nPanel: “Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development” (in cooperation with Access Now\, Freedom Online Coalition and technology companies) will shed light on the complex dynamics and evolving landscape surrounding access to information in the digital era. This theme will encompass discussions on the challenges and opportunities posed by the internet\, the significance of accessing information online\, and the implications of internet shutdowns and online censorship. \nModerator: \n\nMs Mahsa Alimardani\, Oxford University\, (Iran).\n\nSpeakers: \n\nMr Bret Solomon\, Executive Director\, Access Now\, (United States of America);\nMs Emilar Gandhi\, Head of Stakeholder Engagement\, Strategic Policy Initiatives at Meta (Zimbabwe and United Kingdom);\nMr Kanbar Hossein Bor\, Head Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department at the Foreign\, Commonwealth and Development Office\, (United Kingdom);\nMr Preetam Maloor\, Head of the Emerging Technologies Division at the International Telecommunication Union\, (ITU) – online;\nMr Hilmi Ghalib\, Executive Director\, Yemeni Organization for Development and Technology (YODET)\, (Yemen) – TBC.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/global-conference-for-the-celebration-of-the-international-day-for-the-universal-access-to-information/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230920T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230920T153000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230912T172924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230914T095157Z
UID:10000224-1695218400-1695223800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Ministerial Meeting | "Advancing the 2030 Agenda through Inclusive and Rights-Respecting Digital Policy"
DESCRIPTION:On Wednesday\, 20 September\, the United States\, 2023 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)\, will convene High-Level Representatives of FOC member states\, key Group of 77 (G77) partners on technology policy\, and other relevant stakeholders in New York on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. \nThe Ministerial meeting will feature opening remarks from U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security\, Democracy\, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya\, keynote remarks from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken\, and will be followed by moderated roundtable discussion with country representatives and members of the FOC’s independent multistakeholder Advisory Network\, moderated by U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick. \nThe roundtable discussion will explore methods to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive and rights-respecting digital policies. Panellists will explore challenges and opportunities related to advancing connectivity\, promoting access and inclusion\, and using technology as an enabler of rights. \nWatch the discussion live at 2PM (ET) on Wednesday\, September 20 by visiting www.freedomonlinecoalition.com/ministerial-meeting.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/ministerial-meeting-advancing-the-2030-agenda-through-inclusive-and-rights-respecting-digital-policy/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230919T094500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230919T104500
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230903T065809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T140532Z
UID:10000218-1695116700-1695120300@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Africa IGF | "The FOC Presents: Collective Efforts to Counter the Misuse of Surveillance Technologies"
DESCRIPTION:In the past decade\, the potential of a free\, open\, interoperable\, secure\, and reliable Internet has been increasingly under threat in numerous regions around the world. The growing risk of fragmentation\, the use of state-sponsored disruptions and shutdowns\, content moderation and censorship\, the spread of disinformation online\, and the growing misuse of digital technologies\, threaten the potential for digital technologies to promote and protect human rights\, both online and offline. The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is an intergovernmental coalition of 38 Member States spanning from Africa to Asia\, Europe\, the Americas\, and the Middle East\, deeply committed to the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. \nAs it advances into its second decade\, the role of an intergovernmental coalition that enables like-minded democracies – supported by civil society\, academic\, and industry expertise – to advance strategies that promote and protect human rights has never been more vital in this evolving landscape. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities facing human rights online in 2023 and beyond\, with a focus on collective efforts to counter the misuse of surveillance technologies. \nTo learn more and register your attendance\, visit www.igf.africa/2023-program/.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/africa-igf-abuja-nigeria/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230605
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230606
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230524T111330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230524T111330Z
UID:10000207-1685923200-1686009599@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:FOC Strategy & Coordination Meeting (Costa Rica)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/foc-strategy-coordination-meeting-costa-rica/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230605
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230609
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230524T111234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230524T111305Z
UID:10000206-1685923200-1686268799@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:RightsCon Summit 2023
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/task-force-on-digital-equality-monthly-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230328T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230328T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230326T174229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230326T174229Z
UID:10000203-1680008400-1680019200@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:FOC Strategy & Coordination Meeting (Day 2)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/foc-strategy-coordination-meeting-day-2-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230327T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230327T183000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230326T174625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230326T175930Z
UID:10000204-1679938200-1679941800@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:Panel Session: 'Live from the Freedom Online Coalition: How the FOC works for people around the world'
DESCRIPTION:The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab\, in partnership with the 2023 Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)​ Chair the United States\, will present a live streamed panel session from Washington\, D.C. during Day 1 of the FOC’s Strategy & Coordination Meeting. \nJoin us on Monday\, March 27th at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) / 11:30 a.m. (PDT) / 7:30 p.m. (CEST)\, to hear from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State\, Wendy Sherman\, Alissa Starzak from Cloudlfare\, and FOC Advisory Network Members Boye Adegoke (Paradigm Initiative) and Juan Carlos Lara (Derechos Digitales). \nFor further information\, and to register for the session visit the Atlantic Council’s website. \n 
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/panel-session-live-from-the-freedom-online-coalition-how-the-foc-works-for-people-around-the-world/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230327
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230328
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230228T133057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230326T174246Z
UID:10000200-1679875200-1679961599@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:FOC Strategy & Coordination Meeting (Day 1)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/foc-strategy-coordination-meeting-3/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230321T164500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230321T183000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230307T133339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230307T133536Z
UID:10000202-1679417100-1679423400@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:GDC Welcome Breakfast - FOC Silicon Valley Working Group
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, 21 March | 8:45 – 10:30 PST | W San Francisco | 181 3rd Street\, San Francisco CA 94103 \nThe European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and the Freedom Online Coalition Silicon Valley Working Group cordially invite you to a welcome breakfast to kick off the 2023 Game Developers Conference (GDC). Join us to meet international gaming representatives attending GDC\, as well as local industry\, civil society and tech policy stakeholders. \nOver breakfast\, we’ll have an informal conversation that will touch on online harms and what companies can do to make their products and platforms safer for users\, including as they grow in size and scope. Bring along your tough questions and challenges! Some ideas we’ll look at: \nWhat sort of online harms can occur in gaming products and platforms? Can user safety be a competitive advantage? What industry best practices should companies try to replicate? What do I need to do\, and who can help me? \nTo dig into these questions\, we’ll hear from experts from industry\, civil society\, and academia who will talk about best practices for meaningful stakeholder engagement. We’ll learn about ECNL’s framework for stakeholder engagement in the design\, development and deployment of social media platforms for gamers\, as well as the benefits this engagement can have for your company/organization and users. Speakers will be announced soon! \nRegister your attendance by Monday\, 20 March via this link.
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/gdc-welcome-breakfast-foc-silicon-valley-working-group/
LOCATION:181 3rd Street San Francisco\, CA 94103 United States\, 181 3rd Street\, San Francisco\, CA\, 94103\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230202T113000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230202T133000
DTSTAMP:20260403T212854
CREATED:20230216T145258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230216T145258Z
UID:10000197-1675337400-1675344600@freedomonlinecoalition.com
SUMMARY:FOC Geneva Diplomatic Network: Kick-Off Meeting
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/event/foc-geneva-diplomatic-network-kick-off-meeting/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR