At-Large Community Session Proposal - Navigating the Complexities of Safeguarding Core Internet Values

Navigating the Complexities of Safeguarding Core Internet Values

Brief Description / Brève description / Breve descripción *

The concept of core Internet values, so central to the Internet’s architecture, has not been comprehensively revisited for over a decade. This oversight comes despite profound shifts in technology, governance models, and the global political landscape. The Global Digital Compact (GDC), held last September, underscored an increasing emphasis among some nation-states on national sovereignty over global agreements. This shift aligns with the rise of populism and nationalism, as reflected in recent global election outcomes. Such trends have led to policies and strategies that exacerbate e-frictions and contribute to Internet fragmentation. At the same time, the Internet—traditionally grounded in principles of openness, accessibility, and global interoperability—is under mounting pressure from emerging technologies and volatile geopolitical dynamics. This panel seeks to revisit and re-examine these core values, assessing their relevance and adaptability amidst these challenges, and exploring how to uphold them in today’s rapidly evolving environment. Proposal’s Alignment with ALAC and ICANN Initiatives

This session aligns directly with ALAC’s mission to advocate for end users. Because the core values of the internet—openness, accessibility, and security—directly impact their ability to connect, innovate, and express themselves freely online. When these values are undermined, it’s the end users who bear the brunt: restricted access to information, higher costs, fragmented services, and reduced trust in the systems they rely on daily. 

The session builds upon the All-Community Plenary Session at ICANN 81: Shifting Paradigms: Multistakeholderism, Geopolitics, and Emerging Internet Infrastructures. Building on that foundational discussion, this timely session aims to: This timely session will convene experts across fields to:

• Redefine core Internet values in the context of today’s geopolitical and technological realities.

• Analyze emerging policy trends that threaten these values and exacerbate e-friction.

• Equip stakeholders with actionable strategies to preserve an open and universal Internet.

• Foster collaboration to develop a collective response that ensures the Internet’s global integrity and openness.

This session serves as a crucial next step in empowering stakeholders to navigate shifting paradigms and protect the Internet as a secure, resilient, and inclusive resource for all. ________________________________________

Key Topics:

1. Revisiting core Internet values—their definition, relevance, and evolution over the last decade.

2. Emerging trends in digital sovereignty, data localization, and cybersecurity frameworks.

3. Strategies for mitigating geopolitical e-friction while safeguarding Internet collaboration.

________________________________________

Policies to Reference:

• GDPR and other Digital Sovereignty Policies (e.g., China, Russia, and European Union frameworks).

• Cybersecurity Frameworks: International agreements and national strategies.

• Outcomes of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and preparations for WSIS+20.

• The role of ICANN, IGF, ISOC, and the multistakeholder governance model.

________________________________________

Session Structure:

Duration: 90 minutes
Session Type: Plenary 

• Introduction by Moderator (5 minutes): Overview of the session’s purpose, objectives, and speaker introductions.

• Panel Discussion (30 minutes): A dynamic and interactive session structured around three key questions:

• Invited community input (20 minutes):

• Open floor for Q/A (20 minutes)

• Panelist Reflections (10 minutes): Each panelist shares key takeaways and actionable strategies.

• Closing Remarks by Moderator (5 minutes): A summary of key insights and next steps.

________________________________________  

Target Audience

This session is designed for end users, policymakers, regulators, technologists, academics, and stakeholders across the Internet governance ecosystem. The session will emphasize the critical role end users play in advocating for Internet values and shaping policies to ensure the Internet remains an open, interoperable, and resilient resource for all.

Rationale/Desired Outcomes - Justification/Résultats souhaités / Justificación/Resultados deseados *

By fostering a forward-looking, solution-driven dialogue, this session will strengthen collective efforts to protect the Internet’s core values and promote collaboration to navigate today’s complex and evolving geopolitical environment.

The key takeaways will be:

• Revisiting Core Internet Values: Redefine and reaffirm foundational principles (e.g., openness, global interoperability, security) to ensure their relevance in today’s shifting political and technological landscape.

• Understanding Geopolitical Impact: Provide participants with a clear understanding of how emerging trends in digital sovereignty, nationalism, and policy fragmentation are challenging Internet governance.

• Empowering End Users: Offer strategies and tools to help end users actively participate in governance discussions and influence decision-making processes that safeguard the global Internet.

• Collaboration Across Stakeholders: Identify opportunities for greater cooperation among governments, technical communities, civil society, and end users to mitigate geopolitical tensions and promote multistakeholder solutions.

• Practical Recommendations for Global Processes: Develop actionable insights to contribute to the WSIS+20 Review, the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, and ongoing ICANN discussions to strengthen global Internet governance.

Which, if any, other community groups do you plan to involve in your session? Please explain your plans for working cooperatively with the group(s), including your contacts, skill sets sought, etc. *

ALAC, Gac, RSSAC, and SSAC

Session Leaders/Facilitators and Panelists/Presenters - Facilitateurs de session et présentateurs - Líderes de sesión/facilitadores y panelistas/presentadores *

• Vint Cerf – Internet Pioneer

• Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN CEO

• Becky Burr, ICANN Borad

• Olivier Crepin-Leblond – Chair, Dynamic Coalition on Core Internet Values; Founder, EuroDIG; Chair, CPWG/ICANN

• Fadi Chehadé - was the President and CEO of ICANN from 14 September 2012 until 10 March 2016. He built a strong executive leadership team that transformed ICANN.

• Ana Cristina F. Amoroso das Neves – Chair, UN Commission on Science & Technology for Development; Head, Internet Governance Office, Portugal

• David A. Gross – International Telecommunications Policy Expert; Former US Ambassador to the ITU

• Wang Lang – Deputy Director, International Department, China Internet Information Center (CNNIC)

• John Crain – ICANN SVP & Chief Technology Officer

• Moderator: Pari Esfandiari, ALAC, EURALO, Dynamic Coalition on Core Internet Values, Global TechnoPolitics Forum

Under which At-Large Priority Activities 2025 work track area does this topic fall? / Dans quel domaine de travail ce sujet relève-t-il? - En qué área de seguimiento de trabajo de las actividades prioritarias de At-Large 2025 se incluye este ema?   ... See list of tracks: https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+FY25+Strategic+Priority+Activities *

Policy

Are you planning on inviting any ICANN Board members/Executives? If so, please list hereafter in order for Staff to work with Board Operations on invitations. *

Kurtis Lindqvist, Becky Burr

Additional information or comments /

This paper serves as a valuable starting point for exploring how Internet core values can adapt to today’s challenges. https://intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/4398/1133

This discussion is crucial for ICANN as it addresses the growing threats to the core Internet values that underpin ICANN's mission and the stability of the global Internet. With rising trends pointing to increased Internet fragmentation, there is an urgent need to refine Internet core values to meet today's realities and to align stakeholders on strategies to preserve a secure, resilient, and universal Internet.