Hybrid Forum: 1 August 2024, via Zoom, and Physical
Theme: “The Internet We Want – Empowering All Kenyan People“
1. Introduction
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder forum where public policy issues are related to key elements of Internet governance, such as the Internet’s sustainability, robustness, security, stability, and development. The United Nations Secretary-General formally announced the establishment of the IGF in July 2006 and the first meeting was convened in October 2006.
The purpose of the IGF is to maximise the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and contribute to capacity building for Internet governance.
The event brings together stakeholders representing government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, media, and the public in an informal setting for policy dialogue on Internet governance issues on an equal basis through an open and inclusive process. This type of cooperative engagement is usually called the multistakeholder model of Internet Governance, which is one of the key features of the Internet’s success. This model is paramount to ensure that the Internet remains sustainable for economic and social development.
The forums are localised and their outcomes feed into each other from country to sub-regional then regional level finally culminating in a report that is presented at the global level. The outcomes of the country level (Kenya IGF) feed into the regional level (East Africa IGF), continental level (Africa IGF), and ultimately at the global level (IGF). Previously, Kenya hosted the East Africa IGF in 2009 and thereafter, the global IGF in 2011 in Nairobi.
The 19th Global IGF on “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future” will be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 15 to 19 December 2024.
2. The Kenya IGF Week
a) Kenya IGF
The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) is an open and inclusive multistakeholder forum that annually brings together over 250 industry stakeholders representing the government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, and the public to discuss Internet Governance. KICTANet has convened the Kenya IGF every successive year since 2008 in partnership with industry stakeholders, and this year commemorates the 17th Edition. The outcomes of the Kenya IGF will feed into the African IGF and Global IGF later this year. See the Kenya IGF Report 2023. Alongside the national IGF, a youth IGF shall be convened a day before the event to bring in the voices of young Kenyans to the national discussions.
This year’s global IGF theme is ‘Building our Multi Stakeholder Digital Future’. The Kenya IGF theme is aligned with the global IGF theme and will respond to the local context. The Forum programme will be developed in line with the following sub-themes:
- Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space – The Internet and digital technologies are an intrinsic part of every country’s development, spurring innovation in many areas such as healthcare, distance learning, and socio-economic growth. However, this centrality of the digital space also creates global vulnerabilities that call for collective action, as individual actions alone cannot effectively address them. This theme aims to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange on success stories and best practices in reaping the benefits of digital innovation for all, as well as efforts of all stakeholders to tackle the risks arising from this rapid transformation.
- Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability – Some of the biggest challenges facing the world are the need to improve sustainability and work together for peace, and at the same time work for social and economic development in our countries and regions. Harnessing the transformative potential of digital technologies and the Internet can be an important ally to achieving global progress that promotes peace, drives sustainable development and addresses pressing environmental challenges. This theme will explore the multifaceted ways in which digitalisation can drive socioeconomic change and development for present and future generations.
- Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age – The digital environment is an increasingly important facet of daily life all around the world. Therefore, discussions about how to empower all people and drive genuine inclusion of all communities in shaping its development are vital. This includes efforts to connect and empower all populations, in particular marginalized communities and vulnerable groups to reap the benefits that the Internet has to offer and ensure that the same rights they enjoy offline also apply online. This theme will delve into the innovative solutions, frameworks and initiatives that foster universal meaningful connectivity and ensure the protection of human rights in the digital realm.
- Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want – The very nature of the global Internet requires effective models of multistakeholder governance to be at its core, garnering continued efforts by all stakeholders to address digital issues and the promotion of greater cooperation. This theme is about identifying ways to strengthen and support the open, transparent, inclusive and bottom-up governance process related to the use and evolution of the Internet, working towards the vision of achieving the Internet We Want.
b) Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG)
The Kenya Internet Governance (KeSIG) is a capacity-building initiative of KICTANet together with its partners with the main objective of empowering a critical mass of people to meaningfully engage, contribute and participate in ICT policy-making discourse in Kenya, regionally and globally. This year will be the 9th edition. See the previous fellows from the training here.
3. Outcomes
The main outcome of the Kenya IGF is to maximise opportunities for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues. Others include:
- Creation of opportunities to share best practices and experiences;
- Identification of emerging issues and bringing them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and,
- Contribution to capacity building for Internet governance.
4. Participants
The participants will consist of over 300 individuals representing various sectors including government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, and the general public. Further, the Kenya IGF will feature an award ceremony for the participants of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG).
5. Methodology
The format of the Forum will be a hybrid event that shall include:
- Thematic moderated the online discussion prior to the face-to-face meeting
- Thematic moderated panel sessions
- Moderated plenary discussions
- Remote online participation
Desk registration for the KIGF will start at 8.30 a.m. on the material day and the discussions will run between 0900 – 1700. The online registration will commence two weeks earlier. A networking lunch and coffee breaks will be provided. It is also expected that a fireside event (evening panel session) will take place followed by a networking cocktail. The event is free to attend for registered participants.
6. About KICTANet
KICTANet is a multistakeholder platform for people and institutions interested in ICT policy. The network acts as a think tank that catalyses policy reforms in the ICT sector, and it is guided by four pillars: policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and research. KICTAnet’s guiding philosophy is that of encouraging synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. The network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry, technical community, academia, media, development partners, and Government.
Kenya IGF Week 2024 Progam – 24 June – 1 August 2024.
| 2024 KIGF WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – 24th June 2024 – 1st August 2024 | |||
| EVENT NAME | DATE | LOCATION | PARTICIPANTS |
| Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG) | 10 – 27 June 2024 | Online | 70 Pax |
| Children’s IGF | 22 June 2024 | ||
| Privacy and Cybersecurity Roundtable | 25 June 2024 | TBC | 40 pax |
| Training on Gender and IGF | 25 June 2024 | TBC | 40 pax |
| Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG) – Industry Event | 25 June 2024 | TBC100 pax | 70 pax |
| Data Protection Training and Assessment for NGOs | 25- 26 June 2024. | TBC | 50 |
| Kenya Youth IGF | 26 June 2024 | TBC | 70 pax |
| Kenya IGF 2024 | 1 August 2024 | 300 pax physical, 700 virtual | 300 pax physica, 700 virtual |
Click here to view the Kenya IGF 2024 Program