Youth IGF at IGF 2023

The Youth IGF crew had the amazing opportunity to meet with none other than the Father of the Internet himself, Prof. Vint Cerf. This was an incredible moment for the entire team, as they got to engage with one of the most important figures in the history of technology. The excitement was palpable as the crew got to ask questions and gain insights from Prof. Cerf himself. And, to top it all off, they were present for a live recording of an interview with Prof. Vint Cerf, which will soon be released to the public.

The purpose of the hosting the IGF in Japan was we wanted to demonstrate how important this forum is. And we, our government, put the highest importance on keeping the multi multi stakeholderism and inclusive internet as part of the our digital and internet policy. So Internet Governance Forum, it's the most important forum, but it is also it has a lot of difficulties in running smoothly and also effectively. So we wanted to show how this can be utilized and how this is working effectively, how people are gathering together and how actively they are discussing the importance of internet governance. So I think the result of one of the most important results from the IGF this year was so many people supported the importance of multistakeholderism. (...) — Yoichi Iida, Assistant Vice Minister at MIC, Japan.

SHORT SUMMARY OF THE FORUM

The IGF 2023 session centered on discussions about key global internet governance initiatives, including the Global Digital Compact (GDC), the Hiroshima Process, and the Declaration for the Future of the Internet (DFI). The session brought together the European Parliament delegation, the European Commission, youth leaders, and other stakeholders to emphasize the critical role of youth in shaping the digital future, with the Youth IGF playing a prominent part in driving meaningful dialogue and contributions.

1. Global Digital Compact (GDC)

The European Parliament delegation outlined its priorities for the GDC, focusing on promoting a human-centric, rights-based internet governance model. The Youth IGF was highlighted as an essential platform for channeling youth perspectives into the GDC discussions. Youth representatives presented recommendations such as the establishment of sustainable youth advisory frameworks and mechanisms for ongoing engagement with policymakers. The session celebrated the successful .eu Youth Advisory Committee as a tangible outcome of Youth IGF advocacy, demonstrating the potential of youth-led initiatives to influence policy and governance at both regional and global levels.

2. The Hiroshima Process

The Hiroshima Process, which seeks to enhance global collaboration on AI governance, was another focal point. European Parliament members shared insights into the EU’s AI Act, emphasizing its emphasis on ethical safeguards and risk-based regulation. The Youth IGF was commended for mobilizing young voices globally, ensuring their perspectives on AI’s impact—particularly in areas like education, employment, and equity—are heard. Youth representatives called for structured involvement in the Hiroshima Process, proposing initiatives such as youth consultations, advisory roles, and educational programs to make the process more inclusive and accessible.

3. Declaration for the Future of the Internet (DFI)

The session underscored the DFI’s commitment to ensuring a free, open, and secure internet, aligning closely with the priorities of the Youth IGF. Youth IGF members played an active role in consultations and workshops supporting the DFI, serving as rapporteurs and advocates for youth-led contributions. European Parliament members acknowledged the significance of engaging youth in advancing the DFI’s objectives, with the Youth IGF serving as a vital bridge between policymakers and young stakeholders globally.

Conclusion

The session demonstrated the transformative potential of youth engagement in shaping global digital governance. The Youth IGF emerged as a cornerstone in amplifying youth voices and fostering meaningful participation in initiatives such as the GDC, the Hiroshima Process, and the DFI. Stakeholders emphasized the need to institutionalize youth representation and create inclusive frameworks to ensure young people are recognized as equal contributors to the digital future. With the commitment of the European Parliament delegation and global stakeholders, the role of the Youth IGF in advancing multistakeholder collaboration and building a fair and equitable internet was firmly established.

The first day of the IGF was set in motion by meeting with Chris Buckridge and Joao Martins to gather their insights on the event thus far. They shared their thoughts on how the conference was living up to their expectations and talked about the progress that has been made in terms of digital connectivity since last year. Joao also offered his perspective on the role of youth in shaping the future of digital cooperation. Meanwhile, Chris Buckridge delved into the technical community's stance on the Hiroshima process and the ongoing WSIS 20+ review. For a deeper dive into our Day 1 experience at the IGF, be sure to tune into our podcast.

In a recent talk with Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Yuliya Morenets discussed a variety of topics surrounding the eSafety Commissioner's office. The conversation touched on the personal experiences of Julie Inman Grant as the world’s first-ever eSafety Commissioner, as well as the topic of safety by design and whether it should be mandatory for private sector actors. Yuliya also raised concerns regarding regulatory fragmentation and cross-border cases, as well as the potential risks of Metaverse life for kids. This first episode of the interview painted a vivid picture of the important work of the eSafety Commissioner, and highlighted some of the pressing issues we must grapple with as we continue to navigate the digital world.

As Day 2 of IGF 2023 unfolded, the Youth IGF received two incredible guests to discuss emerging trends and insights from that day. Christopher Painter, a renowned global cyber expert and president of the GFCE, joined the conversation with Alexandre Bianquini do Amaral to delve into the latest developments in cyber and AI. Meanwhile, Natalie Tercova, a young researcher from the Czech Republic shared her thoughts and experiences on attending her first ever IGF. Amidst these enlightening discussions, the energy in the room was unmistakably optimistic and empowering.

On the second episode of her talk, Yuliya Morenets had a fascinating discussion with the eSafety Commissioner of Australia, Julie Inman Grant. They delved into the important work that Julie's team is doing to tackle abuse cases and the treatment of victims. One of the most interesting aspects was the verification procedure used by the Commissioner's office, ensuring only genuine cases are acted upon. The discussion also covered the valuable assistance provided to victims, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to learn about Australia's exceptional cyber-victim assistance program. If you're interested in online safety and helping victims of abuse, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Levy's Youth IGF visit to the dot EU booth proved to be a fruitful one as he engaged with Regina and Katerina on the exciting projects that dot EU has been developing lately. The team's participation at the High-Level Forum, organised by the Youth IGF and the EU Delegation to the IGF, proves their commitment to building and promoting youth participation in IG. However, what really caught Levy's attention was the innovative approach the team took in fighting cybercrime through art, and their inspiring work during the Code Week activities. It's amazing to witness such creativity and passion in tackling one of the biggest threats to our digital society.

The final Day 4 of the IGF was filled with insightful discussions. In particular, the ending talk with Einar Bohlin, VP of Government Affairs at ARIN, and Ananya Singh, Youth IGF Leader from India, shed light on their expectations and how they felt about this year's forum. Einar raised a burning question that's been on the minds of many in the DNS industry, namely, IPv6. Moreover, he highlighted the critical issue of securing routing, as half of the internet could go offline if it's not done correctly. Similarly, Ananya shared her interest in the international domain name system and the conversations around it at the IGF. Importantly, they both echoed the need for governance of the AI and the internet we need. Ananya advocated for "one single internet," and Einar mentioned the urgency to tackle this matter. All in all, their insights were insightful and empowering.

Nepal: "When crypto currency came up, the government in Nepal basically banned it because we didn't understand what it was. We didn't understand its volatility. We just didn't understand blockchain technology. So there are a lot of tools available to deal with rapidly changing technology, but I think the key is to remain proactive and remain connected with researchers, academia, with the Innovators to understand what's coming up on the horizon." — Sumana Shrestha, MP, House of Representatives, Nepal.

The 2023 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto, Japan, aimed to highlight the importance of multistakeholderism and inclusivity in internet governance, key principles of Japan’s digital policy. The forum was a resounding success, attracting over 6,000 onsite participants — a record high — along with nearly 300 sessions, including high-level discussions and workshops covering a wide range of topics. This lively engagement emphasized the global commitment to internet governance discussions.

While organizing such a large-scale event posed challenges, including accommodating diverse cultural and logistical needs, the historical and cultural appeal of Kyoto enriched the experience for attendees. The outcomes of IGF 2023 will serve as a foundation for future discussions on internet governance at the UN and beyond.

Yoichi Iida, Assistant Vice Minister at MIC, Japan & MAG UN IGF 2023 Co-Chair, Host Country, Japan.