The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) collectively administer the Open Internet for Democracy Initiative—a collaborative effort connecting individuals from private sector, civic, and media organizations across the Global South in advocating for digital rights. Part of this Initiative includes the Open Internet for Democracy Leaders Program - a non-resident leadership program that empowers emerging leaders from across the globe to build their advocacy and organizing skills to protect internet freedom. Read more about our current cohort of Open Internet Leaders and their projects here: https://openinternet.global/2020-open-internet-leaders
Resources:
The Democratic Principles for an Open Internet: https://openinternet.global/read-principles
The Democratic Principles for an Open Internet are primarily designed for citizens and civil society organizations in fragile and emerging democracies, who are new to the digital rights space, are beginning to engage more regularly online, and who may be more likely to encounter deliberate internet disruptions as a result of government interference. We hope this guide will help activists working for democracy in an internet age and connect them in global peer networks to exchange best practices. The guide also serves as an advocacy tool that organizations can utilize in pushing governments, the private sector, and civil society to adhere to universal human rights through open internet principles and standards.
Open Internet for Democracy Advocacy Playbook: https://openinternet.global/playbook
This Playbook serves as a companion piece to the Democratic Principles for an Open Internet. This Playbook provides practical strategies on how to advocate for these principles using best practices. It also provides tips on developing global peer networks of reformers. The initial draft of this Playbook was developed by the 2018-2019 Open Internet for Democracy Leaders and outlines priorities including the need for inclusivity and multi-stakeholder strategies in advocacy efforts, preserving freedom of expression, and linking the human rights and economic impact of internet disruptions and restrictions.
Select Research from the Open Internet for Democracy Leaders:
- https://openinternet.global/news/twist-fate-or-all-you-need-know-about-facial-recognition-democratic-post-gdpr-europe, written by 2019-2020 Open Internet Leader Olga Kyryliuk
- https://www.cima.ned.org/publication/mapping-online-disinformation-around-pakistans-2018-general-elections/, written by 2018-2019 Open Internet Leader Talal Raza
- https://www.cima.ned.org/publication/how-social-media-taxes-can-burden-news-outlets-the-case-of-uganda/, written by 2018-2019 Open Internet Leader Juliet Nanfuka
Engage with Us:
IGF participants can sign up for the Open Internet for Democracy Mailing List by visiting https://openinternet.global/join-open-internet-community.
You can also follow us on Twitter (@OpenNetGlobal) or email us at [email protected].
Finally, we'll be available to answer your questions during the joint tours of the IGF Village on the following dates: 6 November, 16:00-17:00 UTC, and 11 November, 14:00-15:00 UTC. Please add the tour to your personal IGF calendar to join us! We look forward to seeing you there.