Internet Governance

The nature of evolution of the Internet is an important determinant of social change. The Internet is no longer simply a technical platform about which technical experts are best placed to take important decisions. Who then should shape the evolution of the Internet, and how? Users determining the Internet's trajectory is largely a myth, though some remarkable oases of alternative practices amongst committed techies and other 'power users' do exist. To the extent the user has a role, it is in her capacity as a consumer, which capacity is very unequally distributed between affluent and marginalised groups. Largely, it is corporatist and statist powers that are shaping the Internet. We believe that ordinary people and communities must have greater control in shaping the Internet for a future society that is egalitarian. Towards this end, we undertake research, and advocate national and global norms and policies that recognise, and underpin, the Internet as a force for equality and social justice.

RECENT


IT for Change’s Executive Director, Anita Gurumurthy, participated in a roundtable discussion at the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024, titled, ‘Unlocking Multistakeholder Cooperation within the UN System: Global Partnerships for Open Internet,’ on 29 May 2024. The roundtable discussion aimed to facilitate a policy conversation and offer…

IT for Change's Executive Director Anita Gurumurthy and Research Associate Merrin Muhammad Ashraf submitted a response to the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology's (OSET) AI Risk Pulse Check survey as part of a horizon-scanning exercise on AI. The purpose of the Pulse check is to understand AI risks globally, as well as fine…

IT for Change’s Executive Director, Anita Gurumurthy, participated in a panel discussion at the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024, titled, ‘Digital Policy Perspectives’ on 30 May 2024. The panel analyzed how digital policies can foster an environment that champions both equity and inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind. The speakers…

Our Research Assistant, Merrin Muhammed Ashraf, represented IT for Change at a virtual meeting convened by the co-facilitators of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) on 21 May 2024. The goal of the meeting was to provide an update on the GDC process while giving stakeholders the opportunity to exchange views on the Rev1 (Revised Text 1) of the…

The Global Digital Justice Forum (GDJ Forum) was invited by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to submit a civil society statement to the Chairperson and organizers of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024, which was held from 27 to 31 May 2024, co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and…

The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence (AIAB) published an interim report on Governing AI for Humanity in December 2023. The initial proposal aimed to strengthen the international governance of AI by carrying out seven critical functions, which would contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development…