From 6-10 June, the FOC joined the RightsCon 2022 summit to host discussions on advancing digital inclusion, addressing Internet shutdowns, and the Coalition’s mechanisms for multistakeholder engagement. During the summit, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, launched the FOC’s Global Campaign on Digital Inclusion by inviting all stakeholders to respond to the question ‘What does Digital Inclusion mean to you?’.
The summaries of the FOC’s RightsCon sessions can be found below, including Antony Blinken’s (United States Secretary of State) announcement of the US Chairship of the FOC in 2023. Session recordings are linked below each summary and are available to be viewed by registered RightsCon participants.
1. Advancing Digital Inclusion Through the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC): Upholding Democracy and Human Rights in the Digital Age
June 7, 2022
Moderator:
Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco
Keynote Speech:
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada
Panellists:
Jan Gerlach, Public Policy Director, Wikimedia Foundation
Juan Carlos Lara, Executive Director, Derechos Digitales
Julie Owono, Executive Director, Internet Sans Frontières (Internet Without Borders); Executive Director, Content Policy & Society Lab, Stanford University
Kaja Ciglic, Senior Director, Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft
Summary:
This session focused on the Freedom Online Coalition’s (FOC) vision for tackling the leading human rights issues in the digital age. Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs provided opening remarks to launch the FOC’s Global Campaign on Digital Inclusion, and a multistakeholder group of panellists were invited to provide insight into the four pillars of digital inclusion; connectivity, digital literacy, civic participation and online safety.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, FOC Chair 2022, Mélanie Joly, highlighted the rapidly evolving digital landscape and noted the ability of technological advancements to further enrich society. Minister Joly also drew attention to shrinking civic spaces online and the rise of digital authoritarianism that has led to the Internet becoming less free, safe and equitable. The Minister emphasised Canada’s commitment to build a future where digital progress benefits everyone, ensuring that all users can participate online safely and meaningfully.
While discussing steps to bridge existing digital divides, panellists emphasised that connectivity infrastructure needs to reach everyone regardless of geographical location, taking into consideration underserved and rural areas. To address a lack of connectivity, panellists suggested exploring and supporting initiatives outside of the framework of large private companies providing Internet access and to consider support for community networks, including through regulatory frameworks. It was suggested that governmental action can concentrate on tackling these gaps with a specific focus on programs that uniquely affect marginalised groups and underserved communities.
Panellists highlighted current initiatives working to advance digital literacy, specifically through Wikimedia, which actively advocates for policies that promote people’s ability to participate in knowledge. The panel also emphasised the need to provide resources in multiple languages to increase accessibility, and for governments and lawmakers to ensure policies promote Wikipedia as a tool to advance digital literacy worldwide.
On the topic of civic participation, the speakers highlighted the rising use of shutdowns, surveillance and censorship from both governments and private companies including attempts to prevent participation from certain types of users, all of which further shrinks civic space. It was noted that the role of the FOC in raising awareness among fellow states is vital.
Online safety was discussed in relation to actions that undermine peace from a safety and security perspective, with a specific focus on the current conflict in Ukraine which introduced the first hybrid war of this scale. Panellists noted that this is a new frontline, and any defence today in this space requires unprecedented private and public partnerships. The panel emphasised the important role the FOC can play in bringing together private sector, governments and civil society in new multistakeholder models that can work to address challenges in security and safety while reimagining and strengthening global governance institutions and making them fit for purpose.
Panellists underscored the importance of inclusive participation, and strengthening cooperation among all stakeholders with a focus on empowering civil society organisations and providing the resources to support bottom-up solutions to existing and emerging challenges in the digital age.
To view the session recording, visit the following link.
2. In Conversation with Antony J. Blinken and Maria Ressa
June 7, 2022
Speakers:
Antony J. Blinken, United States Secretary of State
Maria Ressa, Co-founder & CEO, Rappler; Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Summary:
This session featured a discussion on the role of governments in protecting human rights defenders online, the use of technology and information in crises, and ensuring democratic approaches to our digital world.
Antony J. Blinken, United States Secretary of State, announced that for the first time, the US will assume the Chairship of the FOC in 2023, noting that the US will aim to strengthen the Coalition and expand its membership, making it a centre for action for ensuring a free and open digital future.
To view the session recording on YouTube, visit the following link.
3. Community Voices: Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network
June 9, 2022
Speakers:
Elonnai Hickok, Independent Expert; Co-Chair of the FOC Advisory Network
Verónica Ferrari, Global Policy Advocacy Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications (APC); FOC Advisory Network member
Summary:
The session provided a short overview of the work of the FOC’s Advisory Network (FOC-AN), an independent multistakeholder network, composed of members from civil society organisations, academia and industry across the globe. In addition to providing advice to the Coalition, the FOC-AN collaborates with the FOC through issue-based working groups and task forces that focus on key Internet freedom issues, such as artificial intelligence, Internet shutdowns, digital equality and the relationship between the FOC and the global technology sector.
The speakers further provided insight into the Task Force on Digital Equality, which builds on the FOC’s Joint Statement on Digital Inclusion, translating the recommendations from the Joint Statement into concrete action. The Task Force focuses on advancing digital equality and promoting diversity, equity, non-discrimination and inclusion in the FOC, including in its communication tools, language, venues and policy discussions.
To view the session recording, visit the following link.
4. Joining Forces Against Shutdowns, with the Freedom Online Coalition’s Task Force on Internet Shutdowns
June 10, 2022
Facilitators:
Laura O’Brien, Senior UN Advocacy Officer, Access Now
Jesse Dunietz, AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, U.S. Department of State
Idan Ben Yakir, Operations Associate, Global Network Initiative
Paul Edwards, Deputy Head, Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom
Summary:
This session invited stakeholders to partake in a RightsCon community lab discussion to identify gaps and barriers that affect coordination between different stakeholder groups on the topic of Internet shutdowns. The panel further explored how the FOC Task Force on Internet Shutdowns (TFIS) can contribute to initiatives and processes working to address Internet shutdowns. The session also focused on methods for the measurement community, and other diplomatic and advocacy efforts to collaborate when addressing Internet shutdowns.
The session complemented the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) discussion on ‘How can governments, civil society and industry better collaborate to address Internet shutdowns?’, which invited participants to share insights, advice and suggestions on what works and what doesn’t in advocating for keeping the Internet on, open and inclusive.
During the discussion, it was noted that introducing more consistency when building channels of communication between the measurement community, civil society organisations and other actors would be valuable for improving the exchange of information. Attendees also noted the importance of identifying relevant stakeholders in the field to gain a greater sense of the actors working on these issues. Participants flagged a desire to improve the fidelity of their measurements of network disruptions, particularly via better IP geo-location, and discussed the potential of embassies around the world to play an important role in supporting the work of the measurement community by actively monitoring Internet shutdowns. Additionally, the need to provide training and resources to civil servants was emphasised in order to create new opportunities for collaboration. Participants expressed interest in developing a rapid coordination mechanism where organisations would be able to share information on ongoing Internet disruptions efficiently, and further amplify relevant updates to the broader community. Questions, however, remain, specifically around efforts to clarify the definition of Internet shutdowns and the measures that can be taken to address the risk of Internet fragmentation.
