Proposal by Pari Esfandiari, Jul 18, 2024
Title: Navigating the Complexities of Safeguarding Core Internet Values and Addressing E-Friction Amidst Evolving Geopolitical Dynamics
Duration: 90 minutes
Session Type: Whole Community Session (Joint ALAC/GAC Session)
Objective:
This panel discussion aims to explore the intricate challenges that the internet faces today. As global elections and volatile geopolitical climates shape new policy trends, the core internet values and principles underpinning its architecture are increasingly under threat. Meanwhile, the upcoming decisions from the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and WSIS+20 are poised to have long-lasting impacts on Internet governance.
This timely panel discussion will bring together experts from various fields to define core internet values, identify policy trends that exacerbate e-friction, and propose strategies to mitigate these issues. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the evolving geopolitical landscape on the internet and its governance and to offer strategies to foster international collaboration, government policies, and technological innovations that maintain a secure, resilient, and free Internet.
This proposal aligns with ALAC's objective of advocating for end-users and complements the GAC/ALAC plenary session during ICANN 80, which focused on mobilizing end users for upcoming internet governance events. Building on that effort, this session aims to equip end users with a deeper understanding of how the internet is impacted by geopolitical trends and what actions they can take to influence its governance positively.
Key topics: Emerging trends in digital sovereignty, data localization, and cybersecurity.
Policies to be Referenced: GDPR, Digital Sovereignty Policies (for example national policies from China, Russia, and the European Union). Cybersecurity Frameworks (International agreements and National cybersecurity strategies). As well as the GDC and WSIS+20, the Multistakeholder Governance Approach, and the role of ICANN, IGF, and ISOC.
Speakers:
- Vint Cerf, Internet Pioneer
- Olivier Crepin-Leblond, chair at the Dynamic Coalition on Core Internet Values, founder and board member at EuroDig, chair at CPWG/ICANN, and numerous other positions.
- Alejandro Pisanty, ICANN board member (1999-2006), and numerous internet governance positions.
- Ana Cristina F. Amoroso das Neves - chair of the UN Commission on Science, Technology for Development and head of the Internet Governance Office in Portugal.
- David A. Gross - Ambassador Gross is an international telecommunications and Internet policy expert. He has addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and led numerous U.S. delegations to major international telecommunication conferences.
- Wang Lang is the Deputy Director of the International Department of the China Internet Information Center (CNNIC).
- John Crain, ICANN SVP & Chief Technology Officer.
Moderator: Pari Esfandiari, ALAC, EURALO
Session Structure:
- Introduction by Moderator (5 minutes)
Briefly introduce the session's purpose, objectives, speakers, and the topic.
- Panel Discussion (65 minutes)
The panel discussion is designed to be an open and interactive session, fostering active engagement from both the panelists and the audience. Three sets of overarching questions will be posed, each round will have panelist interference an opportunity for audience participation. Here is an example of overarching questions.
- What are the current geopolitical trends that are impacting core Internet values?
- How do these geopolitical trends contribute to e-friction, and what strategies can we employ to mitigate these challenges?
- What measures can internet end users take to foster international collaboration to ensure a secure, resilient, and universally accessible internet in the face of these geopolitical dynamics?
- Reflection by each panelist. (15 minutes)
- Closing remarks by the moderator. (5 minutes)
Target Audience and Expected Outcomes:
This session is crucial for end users, regulators, policymakers, technologists, legal experts, academics, and other stakeholders in the Internet governance community. This diverse audience will gain a comprehensive understanding of how evolving geopolitical trends impact core internet values and contribute to e-friction, and their respective roles and responsibilities, both within the internet governance ecosystem and the broader political landscape. The critical role of end users in shaping geopolitics and, consequently, the digital future, while also bearing the consequences of these changes is underscored. Importantly, strategies for Internet end users to foster international collaboration to safeguard a universal and resilient internet will be offered.
