Stakeholders are invited to apply to organize different types of sessions at IGF 2023 within the deadline: 24 May 2023, 23:59 UTC. Proposals should focus on the eight subthemes of the meeting, held under the overarching theme, The Internet We Want - Empowering All People. All are welcome to learn more about IGF 2023's thematic approach and explore the session types open for application, as described below.
Hybrid IGF
IGF 2023 will be organized in a hybrid format and welcome participants at the physical venue in Kyoto, Japan, as well as online. The goal is for all participants, whether onsite or online, to engage in an equally meaningful way in IGF sessions. Workshop and session organizers are expected to consider elements of interactivity and accommodate the hybrid format in their proposals. For workshop proposals competitively evaluated by the MAG, these elements of hybrid interactivity will be a factor in a proposal's overall rating.
IGF Subthemes
The IGF 2023 programme will be organized according to the following eight subthemes:
- AI & Emerging Technologies
- Avoiding Internet Fragmentation
- Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety
- Data Governance & Trust
- Global Digital Divides & Inclusion
- Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
- Human Rights & Freedoms
- Sustainability & Environment
The subthemes above were decided on during the IGF 2023 First Open Consultations and MAG Meeting, after reviewing inputs from the IGF 2023 thematic and stocktaking calls. In their content and wording, and as in 2022, the subthemes retain alignment with the focus areas of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) envisioned by the UN Secretary-General. The GDC is intended to "outline shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for all" and will come under discussion during the UN's 2024 Summit of the Future.
The IGF's thematic inputs and stocktaking processes are open to everyone. They form the basis of the MAG's discussions and ensure programme topics are those deemed most critical and timely to Internet governance stakeholders and societies at large.
Session Types
As noted, there are several types of sessions for which stakeholders can apply. Please see below.
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How to submit your session proposal? Please browse the session types below and click on 'Learn more & Apply' to be directed to a dedicated page where an online application can be submitted. |
Workshops
Workshops are sessions in the IGF annual meeting on a specific Internet governance topic or question. Internet governance is defined as “the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet.” Workshops should offer expertise or insight on the topic and generate discussion among participants.
Who can apply?
- Any person, or group of persons, from any stakeholder group - civil society, the technical community, the private sector or government - may submit a workshop proposal.
- Organizing teams who are proposing a session for the first time, or are from developing countries, are especially encouraged to submit.
- It is also strongly encouraged to list a team that is diverse in terms of perspective, gender, region, stakeholder group, age (e.g. youth), and physical ability (e.g. persons with disabilities), as diversity is an important factor during proposal evaluation.
Open Forums
Open Forums are interactive sessions organized by governments and treaty-based international organizations. Open Forums should focus on a government or organization’s Internet governance-pertinent activities and allow sufficient time for questions and discussions.
Who can apply?
- Governments
- Treaty-based international organizations
- Global organizations from any stakeholder group with international scope and presence, with operations across regions, dealing with Internet governance-related issues
Town Halls
Town Halls are interactive sessions organized by entities dealing with Internet governance issues of international scope. Through town hall sessions, stakeholders exchange views on topical and even controversial Internet governance issues. This session type is particularly suitable for current and emerging issues.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Organizations dealing with Internet governance issues of international scope
- Organizations wishing to present their work in the global Internet governance ecosystem and who can clearly outline the Internet governance-related objective to be achieved through this session
Launches and Awards
Sessions to present and discuss Internet governance-related academic and/or research initiatives or outputs such as research or think tank work, to launch Internet governance-related books, and similar. Proposals should clearly state the relevance to Internet governance and to the IGF meeting themes. The session content must adhere to the UN Code of Conduct. This session type can also be suitable for award ceremonies.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Stakeholders with demonstrated interest in Internet governance
- Organizations wishing to present their work in the global Internet governance ecosystem and who can clearly outline the Internet governance-related objective to be achieved through this session
Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks are brief, to-the-point, prepared presentations on a specific Internet governance issue.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Stakeholders with demonstrated interest in Internet governance
- Organizations wishing to present their work in the global Internet governance ecosystem and who can clearly outline the Internet governance-related objective to be achieved through this session
Networking Sessions
These are interactive gatherings of stakeholders interested in a same or similar issue on Internet governance. Their open (in the case of face-to-face events - open-seating) formats are spontaneous and can serve as icebreaker, prompting quicker ways for people to get to know each other. Networking sessions are also a suitable session type for social gatherings, or for gatherings of people and organisations from a particular region, stakeholder group, or area of activity.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Any organization currently active in the Internet governance ecosystem
- Organizations wishing to present their work in the global Internet governance ecosystem and who can clearly outline the Internet governance-related objective to be achieved through this session
Dynamic Coalition Sessions
Dynamic Coalitions (DC) use individual sessions to discuss issues related to their DC topic, and in turn, related to the themes of the IGF meeting.
Who is eligible to apply?
- DCs recognized by the IGF Secretariat and who have provided an annual report, as well as a post-session report from their session at last year's IGF (if applicable)
- DCs recognized in 2022 who have submitted a 'light' activities report to outline any work done since their recognition
National, Regional and Youth IGF Initiatives (NRIs) Collaborative Sessions
In line with NRI network standard procedures, NRIs are in the process of submitting issues of priority that help understand mutual thematic interests within the network and on which NRI sessions may focus.
Who is eligible?
- NRIs recognized by the IGF Secretariat
Pre-events (Day 0 sessions)
These sessions take place on the day before the IGF official programme begins. Requesters are granted the space to hold the events if their content is IG-relevant and appropriate. Taking into consideration regional and stakeholder balance as well as relevance, space for these sessions is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis and requested durations are granted based on availability.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Stakeholders with demonstrated interest in Internet governance
- Organizations wishing to present their work in the global Internet governance ecosystem and who can clearly outline the Internet governance-related objective to be achieved through this session
FAQs- Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions
(i) Language
- Can I submit a session proposal in a language other than English?
Unfortunately, no. The working language of the IGF is English. While IGF strives to be as multilingual as possible, the internal resources do not exist to review proposals in different languages. Furthermore, interpretation is not provided as a standard feature in session rooms.
(ii) Sessions with mixed onsite/online presence
If the session is mixed, with some members of organizing teams and participants joining online and some onsite, the room's moderator(s) will act as a bridge between the two groups to ensure equality of interactivity.
- I don’t know yet if I will be able to travel to Kyoto. Can I still apply for a session?
Yes, but you must ensure that at least one moderator and two speakers will be present onsite.
- Some of my speakers won’t be able to travel to Kyoto. Can they still participate?
Yes, so long as two other speakers are present onsite.
- Will session rooms be virtual participation-ready?
Yes, rooms at the venue in Kyoto will already be technically configured to accommodate online participants. Meeting organizers will create the virtual participation links and share them with session organizers.
(iii) General technical support for sessions
- Will all sessions have the same level of technical support?
No. While all sessions will have a technical support person to assist them in the room onsite, and have virtual participation enabled (through Zoom), not all will have transcription or live webcasting. Please check the level of support linked to your session type on the session's Call page. Workshops will all have transcription and live webcasting.