The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is hosting a session on “Unpacking and Expanding Multistakeholderism in Practice” on 30 May, 17:00 CET (Room L1, ITU Montbrillant Building) at the World Summit for Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High Level Event in Geneva. The session will comparatively examine the adoption of the criteria for effective multistakeholderism in various Internet governance and digital policy processes, as articulated in the São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines.
Join GNI for a dynamic discussion moderated by GNI Executive Director Jason Pielemeier and the following expert panelists:
The session can be attended virtually and in-person. Registration is mandatory and can be done here: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2024/Home/Registration
Description of the Session
Over the last decade, the use of the term “multistakeholder” has proliferated in the context of diverse projects, initiatives, and organizations focused on Internet governance and digital policy. And yet different lines of effort seem to understand and apply the concept of “multistakeholderism” differently. Recognizing this, the NETmundial+10 conference was convened in April 2024 to bring together “relevant stakeholders to deliver concrete, non-binding recommendations on
how to strengthen the multistakeholder approach as the basis for consensus-building and democratic governance, including in existing multilateral and other relevant decisional fora.” The Multistakeholder Statement issued as the outcome of that event articulated the São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines for multistakeholder consensus-building and decision-making.
This session will provide a comparative look at various Internet governance and digital policy processes and examine the ways these processes attempt to address the criteria for effective multistakeholderism as set out in the São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines. The session will feature speakers representing different stakeholder groups who have participated in and can speak from first hand experience about engagement in several critical initiatives, including GNI, the WSIS +20 review, the Global Digital Compact, and ICANN.
About GNI
The Global Network Initiative (GNI) brings together a unique alliance of 96 companies, civil society organizations, investors, and academics from around the world to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy rights in the tech sector. We are the leading forum for accountability, shared learning, engagement, and collective advocacy on government and company policies and practices at the intersection of technology and human rights.