Themes

Overarching Theme: Internet Governance for Good: Norms, Standards and Mechanisms

The multistakeholder model of Internet Governance affects the technical architecture of the Internet, its reliability, resilience and potential for further development; as well as complex public policy issues arising from the use of the Internet and its social, economic and political impact. To be ‘well/better-governed’, consensus building on norms (conventions) and standards is important. Equally important is to ensure greater impact of Internet Governance discussions, by translating them into concrete policies and normative frameworks to be implemented in appropriate platforms.

Sub-themes: APrIGF MSG has decided following 4 themes for APrIGF 2020

Cybersecurity, Safety and Trust

Cybersecurity covers protection of Internet infrastructure from innumerable cyberthreats that can cause harm to business processes and people. Strengthening cybersecurity requires that all stakeholders should understand cyberthreats and how to counter them. As the Internet is ubiquitous, every individual is entitled to feel safe in using the Internet to perform legitimate activities and transactions without the fear of loss of money, personal information, reputation or freedom. However, with the tremendous increase in human activities being mediated through digital platforms, many surveys show a large decline in trust in the Internet. Under this sub-theme,  APrIGF expects to receive proposals for sessions focusing on methodologies and tools  to help people use the Internet and digital technology  with confidence,  on regulatory approaches to increase trust between users and platforms, and on the roles of all stakeholders in building online trust.

Digital Inclusion, Gender Equality and Diversity

Everyone should be given the opportunity to use the Internet as a public good; to receive and impart information for legitimate purposes, regardless of their social status, gender, age, beliefs or financial status. Affordable and reliable access must be provided – using a range of different approaches – equally to all sectors of the community, whether rural or urban, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, vulnerable people and communities, more recently established populations, or new immigrants and refugees. Norms and standards-making must reflect the diversity of individual experiences, cultures and legitimate developmental needs in all societies, encouraging people to create local content on the Internet in their own languages. Under this sub-theme, APrIGF expects to receive proposals for sessions focusing on technical and organizational approaches for affordable and reliable access for all, methodologies and tools to make the Internet and digital technologies  more inclusive and diverse, regulatory approaches and best practices, the role of all stakeholders in access provision and inclusion, and the provision of education and training for information literacy and digital literacy, including the responsible exercise of these skills with respect for other people.

Human Rights and Ethics

Human rights (as defined by international human rights instruments and conventions and reflected in national laws) and ethics must be at the core when developing online applications and services as well as the design of regulatory approaches and normative frameworks governing the Internet. This is essential for ensuring accountability, trust and responsible infrastructure management across the Internet. Evidence of various violations gathered through Internet governance processes should form the basis for reviewing existing frameworks and practices towards enabling legal protections and the development and modernisation of laws and policies, as well as other regulatory approaches. Under this sub-theme, APrIGF expects to receive proposals for sessions focusing on digital rights, methodologies and tools for translating debates around human rights and ethics into practice. Areas which could be covered include refinement of definitions and interpretations under national law and regulations, ethical codes, standards and best practices as well as other regulatory approaches, and research to improve the lives of all persons with a specific focus on the role of governments in the protection of human rights online and the open participation of all stakeholders, including civil society and the technical community.

Innovation and Development

As development needs grow larger across the globe, the Internet and related technologies are now seen as a viable option to scale development solutions, to promote and underpin the Sustainable Development Goals. Technological innovation and the evolution of the Internet and its applications has facilitated the development of the digital economy and substantial advancement in science, agriculture, health and education. For innovation to benefit all, an understanding of incentives for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups and grassroots communities are important for design, development and use. With so many emerging technologies, it is also important to consider new frontiers such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and the Internet of Things. Under this sub-theme, APrIGF expects to receive proposals for sessions focusing on law, regulatory approaches, ethical codes, standards and best practices, research and the open participation of all stakeholders in digital innovation and development.