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IGF 2021 Newsletter: September 2021
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In this Newsletter
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Register for IGF 2021
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All stakeholders wishing to participate in IGF 2021, including its preparatory and engagement phase, as well as the 16th IGF in Katowice, are required to register through the IGF website.
:: :: REGISTER FOR IGF 2021 :: ::
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IGF 2021 Programme
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The IGF 2021 process is composed of a preparatory and engagement phase and the 16th annual IGF, hosted by the Government of Poland in Katowice from 6 to 10 December 2021 under the overarching theme ‘Internet United’.
The issue-focused programme of the 16th IGF in Katowice features different types of sessions organized by various stakeholders from different regions, around six areas: Economic and Social Inclusion & Human Rights; Universal Access & Meaningful Connectivity; Emerging Regulation; Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change; Inclusive Internet Governance Ecosystems & Digital Cooperation; and Trust, Security, Stability.
Visit the IGF website, learn which sessions are selected through a competitive evaluation process, and start building your own personal IGF 2021 schedule.
See the IGF 2021 Programme
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IGF 2021 Preparatory and Engagement Phase
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The preparatory and engagement phase is underway through November and includes several engagement opportunities linked to IGF 2021 issue areas, as well as to intersessional work and NRIs. A diverse offering of capacity development sessions will help you prepare for Katowice and maximise your participation. All IGF stakeholders registered for the annual meeting are strongly encouraged to join.
See the IGF 2021 Preparatory
& Engagement Schedule
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High Level Leaders & Parliamentary Tracks
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Information is available on the annual IGF’s High Level Leaders and Parliamentary tracks. The High Level track will be composed of seven special panels, and will take place on December 6th and 7th. Building on a successful tradition of engaging international legislators, this year’s IGF Parliamentary track will explore Data, Content Policy, and AI Governance. A parliamentary debate will be held on Day 1 the Forum, December 7th.
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New IGF Website Launched!
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A new IGF website was launched September 29th during the Third Open Consultations & MAG Meeting and inaugurated with a message from UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Liu Zhenmin. Our new online home, made possible with support from the UK Government, will better present the rich information and many outputs that emanate from the IGF. IGF community members can start logging into the site as of October 4th.
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Preparing a Hybrid IGF
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IGF 2021 will take place in a hybrid format. "Hybrid" means blending participation in the IGF so participants in all sessions will be able to contribute equally as peers whether they are online or onsite. The objective is to make participation in the IGF meaningful and inclusive for all participants. A Town Hall was held on September 20th to engage the community on the hybrid approach.
Prepare for your own hybrid participation by:
IGF 2021 session organizers are especially encouraged to prepare.
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Call for IGF 2021 Volunteers
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We’re looking for volunteers for the IGF 2021! People passionate about the Internet are invited to help support our virtual meeting rooms. Whether you plan to participate online or onsite, whether you’re an IGF newbie or seasoned participant, volunteering is a great way to engage and get an in-depth exposure to IGF issues. Sign up until October 15th.
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3rd Open Consultations & MAG Meeting Held
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The Third IGF 2021 Open Consultations and MAG Meeting took place on 29 September - 1 October 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland, in a hybrid format. Ongoing programming for the annual Forum in Katowice was discussed, including special high-level, parliamentary and youth tracks, sessions dedicated to main issue areas, and critical planning for IGF outputs.
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Intersessional Activities
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Policy Network on Environment (PNE)
The Policy Network on Environment is focusing on the drafting of the report planned for release at the IGF 2021. Six workstreams are underway: Additional co-authors can signal their interest to contribute to a chapter until October 4 to the respective workstream leads (contact on the PNE website). In terms of outreach, the PNE has featured in a UNGA multi stakeholder virtual side event on climate change & digitalization organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark in New York. The recording of the session is available at https://media.un.org/en/asset/k16/k1629ltl9h.
Policy Network on Meaningful Access (PNMA)
What does meaningful and universal Internet access mean to you? Share your experience to build sound recommendations for achieving meaningful access, aligned with the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals. Join the mailing list!
Best Practice Forum Cybersecurity (BPF) on the use of norms to foster trust and security
The work streams of the BPF Cybersecurity on the use of norms to foster trust and security focus on the drivers of cyber norms; testing norms concepts against Internet events and BPF outreach (WS3). An update on activities was presented at the 3rd Open Consultations and MAG meeting. To get involved in the BPF work, participate in the 14 October meeting or join the mailing list. More information is available on the BPF webpage.
Best Practice Forum (BPF) on Gender and Digital Rights
The BPF Gender and Digital Rights on gendered disinformation provided an update on activities at the 3rd Open Consultations and MAG meeting. The BPF is now shifting focus to developing its draft output document, all interested in contributing to the draft BPF output are warmly invited to join the next call on 14 October. More information is available on the BPF webpage; join the mailing list here.
Dynamic Coalitions (DCs)
Dynamic Coalitions are collaboratively working on shaping their main session at IGF 2021, to focus on (a) discussing how DCs could contribute to digital cooperation efforts and a more strategic and impactful IGF, and (b) exploring the linkages between DCs work and the IGF 2021 issue areas. In parallel, the coalitions are about to finalise the paper which documents their experiences and looks at their current and future role in the IGF ecosystem; the paper will soon be made publicly available. Stay up to date with news from individual DCs and the DC Coordination Group.
National, Regional and Youth IGF initiatives (NRIs)
Annual NRIs coordination session to take place in Katowice on 6 December. Everyone is invited to advise on advancing sustainability of NRIs and their policy impact. Also, preparations for the NRIs main session and five collaborative sessions are underway. Learn more about the nature of these sessions.
A brochure on why parliaments should engage with NRIs is now translated into Italian, making it available in 9 different languages.
Several NRIs together with the IGF Secretariat are e-heading to the South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) to exchange views on how NRIs ecosystem can improve. Everyone is invited.
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IGF Capacity Development
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The IGF is collaborating with Youth Latin America and Caribbean IGF to host the next capacity development workshop on ways of engagement in IGF 2021! Everyone is invited.
The ‘Our Digital Future’ series of capacity development workshops on safe digital transformation has a new website, donated by Microsoft: www.igf-odf.org
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Still Open: Host Country Competition “My Internet of the Future”
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The global youth competition, "My Internet of the Future", organized by the Government of Poland, is open until October 8th.
The competition is aimed at young people ages 18-28 from all over the world. Submissions under3 categories are accepted: poster, film or essay.
Visit the competition website to submit your work! More information is available on Facebook, Facebook Event, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok.
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For Your Action!
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Coming to Katowice for the 16th annual IGF?
Make sure to register as soon as possible.
Take part in the Preparatory & Engagement Phase.
Come to the IGF ready to tackle the issues! Once you’re registered, you’ll have access to all preparatory sessions.
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Key dates and deadlines
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7 October, 13:00 UTC
13 October , 13:00 UTC
14 October, 06:00 UTC
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Youth Engagement at IGF 2021: Focus on Environment
IGF 2021 Intersessional Activities – Taking Stock & Community Engagement
BPF Cybersecurity Update Meeting
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14 October, 13:00 UTC
14 October, 13:00 UTC
20 October, 15:00 UTC
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BPF Gender & Digital Rights Meeting VII
PNMA MWG Call #5
Health Matters and the UN Sendai Framework
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See also: Full IGF calendar
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