IGF 2024 WS #138 Empowering End Users Voices in Internet Governance

Session Highlights

The session explored three core questions: defining and identifying end-users, understanding barriers to their inclusion, and developing actionable solutions for effective participation or representation in Internet governance. The discussions were rich and multifaceted, covering a range of perspectives and strategies. Key highlights included:

1. Defining End-Users and Barriers to Inclusion: Panelists emphasized the vast diversity of end-users, extending beyond frequent internet users to include occasional users, non-users, and those indirectly affected by internet policies. They underscored the importance of broadening representation in governance discussions to reflect these varied experiences and needs. Significant barriers to inclusion were identified, including:

• Lack of Awareness: Many potential participants are unaware of opportunities to engage in governance discussions.
• Resource Constraints: Financial limitations and the absence of accessible infrastructure disproportionately affect users from underprivileged or rural areas.
• Language Constraints: Non-native English speakers often face challenges in contributing meaningfully to global dialogues.
• Accessibility Issues: Barriers related to disability, education, and digital literacy further limit participation.

2. Expanding Participation and Accountability

• Panelists called for stakeholder mapping to identify underrepresented groups and ensure targeted inclusion. An iterative approach was recommended to refine strategies for engagement, adapting methods based on feedback and results.
• Grassroots Capacity Building: Training and resources were highlighted as critical to empowering communities, particularly in developing regions, to participate effectively in governance processes.
• Ensuring accountability within the multistakeholder model was discussed as a priority. Mechanisms should be established to hold all participants, including governments, private sector actors, and civil society, responsible for their roles and commitments.

3. Role of Governments in Multistakeholderism

• Governments were acknowledged as key players with significant influence but often limited direct interest in the nuances of end-user needs.
• Panelists stressed the importance of governments proactively reaching out to various stakeholders, including marginalized households and communities, to understand their priorities and ensure they are reflected in policy-making.

4. Leveraging Technology: The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) was a recurring theme, particularly its ability to:

• Bridge language gaps through real-time translation tools.
• Simplify complex governance concepts for broader understanding.
• Enhance participation by providing accessible platforms for interaction.

However, caution was raised about over-reliance on AI, emphasizing the need to address:

• Bias in Data: Ensuring that datasets reflect diverse populations and experiences.
• Equitable Representation: Designing AI systems that serve all users, particularly underrepresented groups.

5. Creating Effective Channels for Dialogue: The panel strongly advocated for using the IGF and its National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs) as central platforms for fostering communication and collaboration among stakeholders. These channels were highlighted as:

• Inclusive spaces for dialogue, accommodating diverse perspectives.
• Opportunities for stakeholders to engage directly with policymakers and decision-makers.
• A means to ensure local and regional voices are integrated into global governance discussions.

Proposed Actions

1. Capacity Building:
   
   • Improve users’ ability to access information and participate in governance discussions.
   • Equip grassroots organizations with resources and skills to facilitate meaningful involvement.
2. Government Engagement:
   
   • Encourage governments to collaborate with stakeholders, fostering mutual understanding and shared goals.
   • Promote mechanisms for governments to receive and act on community input.
3. Utilizing IGF as a Communication Hub:
    
   • Leverage the IGF and its NRIs as central platforms for stakeholder dialogue and consensus-building.
   • Develop clear, inclusive procedures to ensure all voices are heard.

Summary of Panel Discussion

The session, moderated by Pari Esfandiari at the IGF in Riyadh, brought together distinguished panelists and community leaders to explore how to create a more inclusive and representative framework for Internet governance. The discussion emphasized the importance of prioritizing the voices of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups and addressing systemic barriers such as resource constraints, lack of awareness, language limitations, and accessibility challenges.

Highlighted approaches included grassroots capacity building, proactive stakeholder engagement, and iterative strategies to ensure meaningful participation. Panelists stressed the pivotal role of governments in adopting active outreach and collaboration to integrate diverse perspectives into policy-making. The discussion emphasized that the multi-stakeholder model's effectiveness depends on its ability to adapt to the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Panelists highlighted the potential of technologies like AI to bridge gaps and enhance participation while cautioning that safeguards are necessary to prevent bias and inequality. Platforms like the IGF and its National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs) were recognized as crucial for fostering dialogue, aligning global and local priorities, and ensuring governance reflects the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

Key Themes:

1. The Essential Role of End-User Inclusion:
   
   • Pari Esfandiari opened the discussion by highlighting the internet’s transformation from a tool into the backbone of interconnected societies, economies, and cultures. She stressed the critical need for end users, the most impacted stakeholders, to be integral to governance processes. Without their perspectives, governance risks being dominated by narrow interests, perpetuating inequalities, and stifling innovation.
   • David emphasized the diversity of end users, including individuals, organizations, and non-users who are indirectly impacted. He noted the importance of drawing expertise from sectors like health, education, and the environment to address the internet's societal impacts. He also proposed citizen assemblies and large-scale opinion polls as tools to bring underrepresented voices into governance discussions.
   • Carol pointed out that offline systemic barriers, such as economic inequality and disabilities, are mirrored in online spaces, leaving many end users unrepresented. She further stressed that strategies to include these voices must be iterative, constantly reevaluated, and adapted to evolving circumstances.
   • Olga highlighted language barriers, lack of resources, and limited awareness as significant obstacles for users, particularly in developing countries. She emphasized the need for structured communication and capacity-building programs to ensure effective participation in governance processes.
2. The Evolving Multi-Stakeholder Model:
   
   • Pari framed the discussion around the urgent need to reform the multi-stakeholder approach, which, despite its achievements, faces challenges like inefficiency and a lack of inclusivity. She stressed the importance of adapting the model to the rapidly changing digital landscape while ensuring end-user perspectives remain central.
   • Wolfgang reflected on decades of multi-stakeholder efforts, pointing out that civil society and end users were once excluded entirely but are now recognized as key stakeholders. However, he warned that mere recognition is not enough and that procedural improvements are needed to ensure genuine participation.
   • Olivier highlighted the systemic tendency to oversimplify stakeholder groups into rigid categories, which hinders effective collaboration. He called for a more nuanced understanding of stakeholders’ interests and influence.
3. The Role of Technology in Inclusion and Governance:
   
   • Olivier expressed optimism about the potential of AI and emerging technologies to address barriers like language and geographic distance, making governance processes more inclusive. He envisioned tools that could simplify complex discussions and amplify underrepresented voices.
   • In contrast, Ellen cautioned that AI, while promising, could perpetuate inequalities if its models are built on biased datasets. She stressed the importance of designing technologies with inclusivity in mind from the outset.
   • Wolfgang underscored the need to balance technological optimism with practical governance mechanisms that ensure equitable access and accountability.
4. Grassroots and Civil Society Engagement:
   
   • Amrita emphasized the importance of engaging grassroots communities, particularly in developing countries. She argued that narratives must resonate with local realities to drive participation and ensure governance processes reflect diverse needs.
   • Pari reiterated that end users are not a homogenous group and that meaningful inclusion requires tailored approaches that address specific barriers, such as resource constraints and lack of digital literacy.
5. Additional Reflections from Panelists:
   
   • Carol added that one of the biggest obstacles to inclusion is the lack of awareness among end users about their ability to participate in governance processes. She stressed the need for targeted outreach and education campaigns to demystify these processes and empower users to engage effectively.
   • Olga elaborated on the importance of localizing governance processes, pointing out that regional and national IGFs could help reduce barriers such as travel costs and language challenges. She suggested governments and organizations invest in regional capacity-building initiatives to enable broader participation.
   • David called attention to the power dynamics within multi-stakeholder groups, noting that vested interests within stakeholder categories often influence outcomes. He argued for more structured mechanisms to ensure diverse voices, particularly from underrepresented groups, are genuinely heard and integrated into policy decisions.

Concluding Thoughts:

Pari Esfandiari closed the session by emphasizing the pivotal role of the multi-stakeholder approach in navigating the complexities of Internet governance. She highlighted the upcoming WSIS+20 review as a critical opportunity to reaffirm the importance of end-user perspectives and ensure they remain at the heart of decision-making. She called for ongoing collaboration to build a more adaptable, inclusive, and accountable governance model.

The session underscored the collective responsibility to ensure that the internet reflects the aspirations of all global communities. It served as both a reflection on past progress and a call to action for stakeholders to embrace innovative solutions while addressing systemic challenges in Internet governance.