Access Now staff will be at the 12th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 18 to 21, 2017.
The gathering comes just days after a critical vote on Net Neutrality in the U.S., with implications for human rights around the world, and amid a disturbing and growing trend of states’ intentional attempts to shut down and interfere with internet networks and communications platforms.
This year’s IGF will bring together diverse stakeholders in internet governance, including representatives from government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the technical community, for discussion around the theme Shape your Digital Future!
As an organization dedicated to extending and defending the digital rights of users at risk, Access Now will participate in a number of sessions, workshops, and parallel meetings on internet disruptions, encryption, online extremism, and business and human rights.
Every day at IGF 2017, Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline staff will hold a Digital Security Clinic. We’re here to help any conference participant with questions or concerns about digital security practices, needs, and capacity. We assist civil society globally, and can provide one-on-one consultations in several languages, or set up future trainings to enable your organization to audit and harden its digital security infrastructure.
Here’s a guide to the public panels and events we’re organizing, co-organizing, or participating in:
Throughout the conference
Access Now Digital Security Helpline staff will be hosting a Digital Security Clinic in the U.N. premises.
Sunday, December 17
APC Disco Tech on Criminalization of Technical Expertise
Time: Starting at 8.00 pm and going until 10.00 pm (and probably beyond)
Location: Mr. Pickwick’s Pub, Rue de Lausanne 80, Genève, GE 1202
Note: Please RSVP to [email protected] or here.
Monday, December 18
Staff: Melody Patry (London)
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Main Hall – Room XVII – E
Critical Issues in Improving Cyber Security Incident Response (WS39)
Staff: Gustaf Bjorksten (Berlin)
Time: 11:50 am – 12:20 pm
Location: Room XXV – E
Resolved: Technical bodies must recognize their responsibility to public policy in the digital age
Staff: Peter Micek (New York)
Time: 14:40-15:00 (Lightning Talk)
Location: IGF Village
Tuesday, December 19
The future of Internet governance: submarine cables and global interconnectivity (WS128)
Staff: Peter Micek (New York)
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm
Location: Room XII
Dynamic Coalition on Net Neutrality
Staff: Estelle Masse (Brussels)
Time: 10:40 pm – 11:40 pm
Location: Room XXIV – E
Staff: Estelle Masse (Brussels), Melody Patry (London)
Time: 10:40 pm – 11:40 pm
Location: Room XII-A
Assessing implications of Internet Shutdowns According to Internet Governance Principles (WS178)
Staff: Peter Micek (New York)
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: Room IX – A
Tackling Violent Extremism Online: New Human Rights Challenges for States and Businesses (OF80)
Staff: Brett Solomon (New York)
Time: 4:10 pm – 5:10 pm
Location: Room XXV – E
Wednesday, December 20
State-led Interference in Encrypted Systems: a Public Debate on Different Policy Approaches (WS201)
Staff: Estelle Masse (Brussels)
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Location: Room XXI – E
Terrorism: Freedom v Security? (WS164)
Staff: Estelle Masse (Brussels)
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Location: Room XXI – E
Thursday, December 21
A Look at World Trends in Freedom of Expression Online (WS33)
Staff: Peter Micek (New York)
Time: 10:20 am – 11:50 am
Location: Room XXIV – E