Conference program

Freedom Online Coalition 2013: Tunis Conference Themes

 As indicated in its founding declaration, the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is committed to advancing internet freedom – free expression, association, assembly, and privacy online -- worldwide.  In its first year, the Freedom Online Coalition has pursued this mission in the U.N. Human Rights Council, in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, at the International Telecommunications Union, at the Internet Governance Forum, and elsewhere, and has worked to elevate the voices of civil society in these forums. While the FOC continues these efforts, we identify three themes for discussion in Tunis which will inform the Coalition’s work going forward.  These are areas where the focus of a rights-based group of governments working with other stakeholders can add to the global effort to advance Internet freedom.

Theme 1: Towards an internet free and secure   

Coalition members support the principle that all people enjoy the same human rights online as they do offline. In recent years debates about digital rights and internet freedom have highlighted the need for an internet both safe and secure in balance with the free exercise of those rights.  While threats of cybercrime and cyber security are real, some approaches to counter those threats could potentially undermine civil liberties and balkanise the internet. It is necessary to pursue approaches to cyber security which upholds human rights standards and values. This thematic discussion will explore how governments and other stakeholders can assure ample cyber security measures to protect citizens operating online, while working from the basis of an open, accessible and transparent internet

Theme 2: Digital development and openness

For human rights to be exercised online, people need affordable access to the internet.  If the internet is to sustain democracy and human rights, governments and civil society organizations committed to these principles must step up their efforts to push the digital development agenda to ensure the inclusion of all voices in shaping the Internet’s future. In doing so, it is important to consider what approaches to development will support and protect human rights and an open Internet.  This thematic discussion will look at digital development issues through this human rights lens, addressing concerns of those in the global south who currently feel excluded from policy debates on the national and international level.

Theme 3: Supporting privacy and transparency online       

As the instigators and builders of the technology and infrastructure that form ICTs and the internet, industry has a large and growing impact in debates about rights online. Companies increasingly have access to a wide range of user data. They respond to government requests on law enforcement and lawful interception, which can raise important questions about transparency and civil liberties protection for users.  There are also important questions about how privacy can be integrated into the development and innovation of technology. This thematic discussion will explore the roles and responsibilities of companies in interacting with users and governments.