Leveraging the FOC at International Organizations | IGF 2023 Open Forum #109

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The US government’s chairship of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) has played a pivotal role in bolstering international engagement and coordination in technology-related issues. Through collaborative efforts with global partners, the US has effectively addressed key technological challenges and promoted a rights-respecting approach to technology-related policies.

This positive sentiment is reinforced by the fact that the US government has shown strong commitment to the FOC, with both presidential commitment and the active engagement of the Secretary of State in the coalition’s activities.

One of the notable achievements of the FOC under the US chairship is its successful response to new issues concerning human rights online.

The coalition has issued a statement on the threat of surveillance technologies and has developed guiding principles on the government’s use of surveillance technology. These efforts demonstrate the FOC’s dedication to safeguarding human rights in the digital space.

However, there are challenges that the FOC needs to address.

Integrating human rights perspectives with digital sectors and increasing the visibility of the FOC are two issues that require attention. It is crucial to consider diverse perspectives when making decisions and to ensure that the FOC’s activities are visible and impactful.

To achieve a holistic impact on governments worldwide, there is a need for more diversity in the FOC’s member countries.

The challenge lies in bringing more countries from the global majority into the coalition. By including a broader range of countries, decisions made by the FOC will have a more comprehensive impact on governments globally.

The FOC also has potential as a key voice in the ongoing negotiations of the UN’s cybercrime treaty.

Alison Petters, an advocate for a tight scoping of the treaty, supports the FOC as a mechanism to coordinate perspectives among like-minded partners. This demonstrates the value of the FOC in shaping global discussions on cybercrime.

Additionally, the FOC recognizes the importance of protecting human rights and marginalized groups online.

Alison emphasizes the need to not undermine existing human rights frameworks and highlights the importance of continuous consultation with stakeholders to represent their perspectives.

The FOC supports the multi-stakeholder model in online governance processes, recognizing the need for meaningful engagement from various stakeholders.

Alison emphasizes the importance of getting the modalities right so that multi-stakeholders can effectively contribute to the decision-making processes.

Adapting to address new threats to human rights online is crucial for the FOC’s continued relevance. Surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence pose new challenges, and the FOC must stay ahead to effectively protect human rights in the digital realm.

While expanding the diversity of the advisory network is crucial, efficiency should not be compromised.

Balancing the inclusion of diverse voices with maintaining productivity is essential for the effective functioning of the advisory network.

The FOC has demonstrated successful engagement with global majority governments and has actively included non-FOC members in discussions about technology and human rights.

This intensive dialogue and ongoing engagement contribute to the FOC’s mission of promoting global cooperation on these critical issues.

Furthermore, the FOC recognizes that governments with limited resources can still be involved through support and by understanding the benefits they stand to gain.

This approach ensures that all governments have the opportunity to participate and contribute.

Lastly, civil society plays a crucial role in supporting the FOC’s mission. Beyond providing additional support, civil society organizations should also help expand networks and contribute to consultations.

The advisory network serves as a key source of support for the FOC, and the coalition has actively consulted civil society in key countries to gather diverse perspectives.

In conclusion, the US chairship of the FOC has strengthened international engagement and coordination in technology-related issues.

The coalition has successfully addressed new challenges concerning human rights online but faces obstacles in integrating human rights perspectives with digital sectors and increasing its visibility. There is a need for greater diversity in the FOC’s member countries to ensure a comprehensive impact on governments worldwide.

The FOC can also play a significant role in negotiating the UN’s cybercrime treaty and advocating for the protection of human rights and marginalized groups online. The multi-stakeholder model in online governance processes is supported, and the FOC must adapt to new threats to human rights in the digital space.

The advisory network is essential but expanding its diversity should be balanced with maintaining efficiency. The FOC’s engagement with global majority governments has been successful, and governments with limited resources can still participate with support. Civil society’s involvement goes beyond additional support and should contribute to network expansion and consultations.

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The discussion highlights the importance of including diverse voices in decision-making processes, emphasizing that it is crucial for creating inclusive and fair outcomes. The audience member, who works at the U.S. Department of State and has experience in chairing discussions and decision-making processes, stresses the significance of diverse perspectives in shaping policies and initiatives.

However, challenges arise in bringing together global majority voices due to the presence of multiple forums and processes.

The audience member’s experience at the U.S. Department of State reflects these challenges. Hence, it is essential to address these challenges in order to effectively listen to and represent the voices of the global majority.

During their chairship year, the Dutch government is advised to adopt a focused approach and actively engage with the existing global majority voices.

By doing so, they can ensure a more inclusive and representative decision-making process. The example of the Canadian government is cited, wherein consultations were conducted with every region to gather comprehensive and diverse input.

Moreover, it is emphasized that strengthening the existing voices in the coalition is crucial for encouraging new members to join.

By supporting and amplifying the existing voices, the coalition can attract a wider range of perspectives and enhance its impact. The value of collaboration and partnership is also highlighted as a means of strengthening the coalition.

Overall, the discussion underlines the significance of inclusivity in decision-making processes and addresses the challenges in bringing together global majority voices.

It suggests adopting a proactive and focused approach to engaging with and strengthening existing voices while attracting new members. In doing so, decision-making processes can become more equitable and representative.

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The analysis emphasises the importance of inclusivity and multi-stakeholderism within the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC). It showcases the diverse range of expertise that the FOC has within its membership, which greatly contributes to the development of digital rights and effective governance.

The involvement of stakeholders from various backgrounds, including governments, civil society organisations, and private sector actors, ensures that a wide range of perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.

One notable aspect of the FOC is its strong accountability demonstrated through the statement development and engagement process.

This process involves rigorous consultations with stakeholders and ensures that decisions are made collectively, thereby enhancing transparency and legitimacy. As a result, the FOC’s outputs are seen as reliable and trustworthy due to the inclusive and participatory nature of their development.

In contrast, the analysis raises concerns about the over-reliance on multilateralism as a solution to global challenges.

It highlights the potential for inequitable power dynamics in multilateral forums, which can lead to disproportionate influence by powerful nations. This imbalance may result in the limited ability of small or less powerful countries to shape global norms that align with their interests and needs.

Additionally, the complexity and sometimes contradictory nature of multilateral rules can make it challenging for countries to navigate and adhere to them effectively.

However, the FOC is presented as a potential solution to mitigate the challenges associated with multilateralism.

Due to the diverse range of stakeholders involved, the FOC is capable of providing a more balanced perspective on digital rights and governance issues. The coalition’s strong accountability system ensures that decisions and actions are held to high standards, further enhancing its credibility.

Moreover, the FOC’s active involvement in global processes has proven beneficial, as it leverages the inputs and expertise of its diverse members.

In conclusion, the analysis underscores the importance of inclusivity and multi-stakeholderism in the FOC for effectively addressing digital rights and governance challenges.

It acknowledges the strengths of the FOC, such as its diverse expertise, strong accountability, and legitimate outputs. While caution is warranted in heavily relying on multilateralism, the FOC can serve as a valuable platform for mitigating the risks and complexities associated with it.

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The analysis focuses on the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) and its efforts to promote human rights and digital cooperation. Various speakers expressed their support for the coalition and highlighted specific aspects of its work.

Ambassador Ernst Norman expressed his support for FOC’s initiatives in training policymakers on complex technical topics related to artificial intelligence.

For example, Canada has trained FOC policymakers and applied this knowledge in diplomatic negotiations. The FOC’s Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights was praised for its continued relevance.

The United States was commended for energising the coalition and bringing important issues to the table.

They played a significant role in including FOC in the Summit for Democracy and updating the coalition’s terms of reference, preparing it for the next decade.

The Netherlands emphasised the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance, with a strong focus on human rights.

The diverse membership and multi-stakeholder structure of the FOC were highlighted. The Netherlands aims to coordinate its positions in future digital governance forums through the FOC.

Ambassador Ernst Norman also advocated for expanding digital equality and connectivity. He proposed broadening the FOC’s membership, particularly with like-minded countries from the global majority.

The FOC’s global representation and network can support this endeavour.

Enhancing engagement with all stakeholders was deemed crucial. The FOC’s advisory network involves stakeholders providing advice on governance aspects. Ambassador Ernst Norman aims to ensure widespread support and realistic positions for the FOC in negotiations for Global Digital Cooperation (GDC).

The importance of agenda setting and internal coordination in addressing human rights and digital threats was highlighted.

It was suggested that the agenda for discussing human rights and digital threats should involve not only the presidency but also all stakeholders, including member states and the advisory board.

Inclusivity and the reduction of civic space were viewed as important topics that require extensive discussion.

There is concern about the diminishing civic space and the marginalisation of NGOs in many countries.

Furthermore, the decrease in online civic space was considered crucial given the digital threats to human rights. It was observed that the FOC needs to strike a balance between embracing diversity and maintaining its effectiveness in addressing these issues.

However, it was suggested that the FOC should avoid trying to mimic the United Nations.

Including all countries and engaging in impossible negotiations were viewed as an undesirable approach. Instead, the FOC should focus on maintaining meaningful exchanges and taking effective positions.

Overall, the analysis presented the support and opinions of various speakers on different aspects of the Freedom Online Coalition.

It highlighted the importance of training policymakers, energising the coalition, upholding human rights, expanding digital equality, and engaging stakeholders. It also underscored the need for agenda setting, internal coordination, inclusivity, addressing the decrease in online civic space, and maintaining a balanced approach within the FOC.

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During the discussion, the speakers highlighted the significant role played by the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in coordinating multi-stakeholder discussions on AI and Human Rights. The FOC served as a crucial platform for connecting various communities with differing levels of capacity and knowledge, facilitating the sharing of information and experiences.

The speakers emphasized the importance of inclusivity and a proactive approach in organizing these discussions, despite the challenges they presented. The process of organizing the multi-stakeholder discussions often took longer than expected due to the complexity of the issues involved.

However, it was acknowledged that although inclusivity can sometimes lead to discomfort, it is a necessary aspect of the process.

The speakers also discussed the tendency of governments to not naturally adopt a consultative approach. One speaker, Irene Xu, observed that governments often do not have a natural inclination towards being consultative.

This observation highlights the need for deliberate efforts to foster consultation and engagement between governments and various stakeholders.

The rise of digital technology has brought technical issues to the forefront of political discourse. It was noted that even developed countries like Canada find it difficult to track all digital and tech initiatives.

The complexity and ever-changing nature of these initiatives require continuous efforts to promote awareness and understanding.

Furthermore, there was a call for more specific guidance to engage with global majority countries and civil society. The importance of two-way communication and understanding the specific engagement requirements of these groups was emphasized.

It is crucial to develop strategies that take into account the unique challenges faced by these communities.

The speakers also discussed the value of capacity building, technical expertise, and understanding of international systems in engagement efforts. An improved understanding of international systems like the UN in New York can provide valuable insights and contribute to more effective engagement.

Efforts should be made to provide capacity-building opportunities and technical expertise to strengthen engagement and ensure meaningful and productive interactions.

It was suggested that being more creative with multi-stakeholder collaborations and multilateralism can help address capacity issues efficiently.

Collaborative initiatives such as the FOC, International Idea, and Media Freedom Coalition were cited as examples of successful partnerships that have enabled the development of important initiatives like the Global Declaration on Information Integrity.

In conclusion, the speakers expressed their overall support for multi-stakeholder collaborations as they lead to efficient outcomes.

The FOC, along with other collaborations, has shown that productive results can be achieved through such partnerships. These collaborations have facilitated the exchange of knowledge and the development of initiatives that contribute to the promotion of AI and Human Rights.

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The discussion held at the IGF focused on leveraging the experience of collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement to shape global norms and advocate for the rights of human rights defenders, civil society journalists, and other stakeholders. The importance of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) as a valuable platform was emphasized, with recognition of its capacity to progressively enlarge and welcome more diverse participants.

The discussion highlighted the need for interoperability and the use of existing frameworks, instead of establishing new regulations, to shape FOC priorities. Incorporating the inclusion agenda was seen as a key area for FOC to make an impact, promoting reduced inequalities and partnerships for the goals.

The FOC’s role in coordinating international discussions on cybersecurity and its commitment to inclusivity through diverse stakeholder engagement were also emphasized. The use of sub-entities within the FOC to shape priorities, improving diplomatic network coordination, and government coordination for capacity building and inclusivity were identified as critical.

In summary, the FOC’s work should be prioritized and improved to enhance inclusivity, ensure the implementation of global norms, and promote the rights of all stakeholders.

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The analysis explores a range of important points discussed by the speakers. One significant topic highlighted is the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in shaping Internet policies. Both APC and FOC support and encourage people to use and shape the Internet.

This involvement ensures that policies are representative and inclusive, taking into account the diverse needs and perspectives of different stakeholders.

Another key point raised is the significance of incorporating the voices of marginalized groups in decision-making processes. APC, FOC, TIFER, and the Digital Equality Task Force are actively working towards this goal.

They have made commendable efforts to include and amplify the voices of marginalized communities who are often underrepresented or marginalized in decision-making arenas. Recognizing that decision-making should be inclusive and inclusive of marginalized voices is crucial for reducing inequalities and promoting gender equality.

The discussion also highlighted concerns regarding AI and emerging technologies.

APC draws attention to the fact that these technologies have the potential to create or exacerbate existing inequalities. It is crucial that norms and frameworks governing the use and development of AI and emerging technologies take into account the potential societal implications, ensuring that they do not reinforce inequalities or promote discrimination.

FOC’s role in coordinating international discussions on cybersecurity and cybercrime is recognized as pivotal.

The importance of taking a human-centric approach to cybersecurity, one that prioritises human rights and builds on international human rights frameworks, is emphasised. The Joint Statement on the Human Rights Impact of Cybersecurity Laws, Practices, and Policies from 2020 underscores this need.

It is suggested that FOC could build on existing language and positions where consensus already exists, further strengthening its role in promoting cybersecurity while safeguarding human rights.

The speakers also touch upon the significance of prioritising cybercrime treaty negotiations.

It is agreed that this should be considered a key priority, given the growing threat of cybercrime and the need to ensure effective international cooperation to combat it. Furthermore, concerns are raised regarding the weakening of human rights language in cybersecurity negotiations.

This observation highlights the importance of maintaining strong human rights principles within the context of cybersecurity discussions.

The need for multi-stakeholder and civil society participation in the GDC (Global Digital Cooperation) negotiations is strongly advocated. It is argued that inclusive participation from different stakeholders, including civil society, is essential to ensure that decisions and policies are informed and representative of global perspectives.

A civil society meeting held on day zero of the GDC is mentioned, indicating efforts to coordinate and include civil society voices in the negotiation process.

Visa issues are identified as a barrier to global majority voices participating in the conversation.

The inability of staff from APC and others to attend the event due to these issues highlights the need for more inclusive and accessible processes to allow for the equal representation of all voices in global discussions.

The analysis also reveals support for regional inclusivity in multi-stakeholder representation.

The experience with Canada during the chairship, which involved organising regional consultations, is cited as evidence of this support. Regional representation ensures that the perspectives and needs of specific regions are taken into account when formulating policies and making decisions.

Another important observation made during the analysis is the need for better coordination between different forums and initiatives.

The presence of numerous organisations following similar processes suggests the potential for duplication and inefficiency. Improved coordination can enhance collaboration and avoid unnecessary overlaps, enabling more effective and streamlined progress towards common goals.

In conclusion, the analysis highlights the significance of multi-stakeholder engagement, the inclusion of marginalized voices, the potential inequalities associated with AI and emerging technologies, the importance of a human-centric approach to cybersecurity, the prioritisation of cybercrime treaty negotiations, concerns over weakening human rights language in cybersecurity negotiations, the need for multi-stakeholder and civil society participation in the GDC negotiations, the impact of visa issues on global majority voices, support for regional inclusivity, and the necessity for better coordination between different forums and initiatives.

These insights underscore the importance of inclusivity, representation, and cooperation in shaping Internet policies and digital cooperation globally.