The Global Network Initiative (GNI) has provided its input to the open consultation process organized by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) in anticipation of NETmundial+10. The NETmundial+10 event is scheduled for 29-30 April this year in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will build on the outcomes of the first edition of the NETmundial meeting in 2014 to advance discussions on the further implementation of multistakeholder practices in the digital world. The consultation will serve as the basis for the development of the event’s final recommendations for the future of the digital governance ecosystem.
In its submission, GNI has welcomed the 2014 NETmundial Process Principles and the ten “Internet Governance Process Principles” as deeply relevant and enduring, and has expressed the importance of identifying appropriate guidance, good practices, and criteria for putting them into practice. Pertaining to the broader landscape of digital governance, GNI notes some gaps in coordination between different mechanisms and expresses its support instead for increasing the resources for processes that provide avenues to facilitate information sharing and coordination, such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). However, in light of the current challenges that the multistakeholder community, especially civil societies around the world are facing ahead of the IGF this year, GNI lays out concrete ways that it can be strengthened as a platform for meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Finally, GNI indicates that the NETmundial+10 is taking place in the context of significant other events this year, including the development of the Global Digital Compact, the Summit for the Future, as well as the G20 side event on information integrity, and points out how it can influence their outcomes to endorse and support multistakeholderism and related principles.
About GNI
The Global Network Initiative is a 16-year-old multistakeholder initiative comprising 100 members that has worked assiduously to build trust, foster collaboration, and facilitate accountability across academics, civil society, investors, and tech companies. The focus of its work is to collaboratively articulate and promote ways that technology companies should respect the freedom of expression and privacy rights of their users when addressing government requests and restrictions.