Freedom Online Coalition at 15 Years: Multistakeholderism in Practice
27 May 2026 | 13:00 - 13:45 CEST | Room B
Consolidated programme 2026
Session description
Global digital governance processes increasingly recognise the importance of multistakeholder participation, yet translating commitment into meaningful, consistent practice remains a persistent challenge. As WSIS+20 follow-up, the Global Digital Compact, and emerging AI governance frameworks move from agreement to implementation, there is an urgent need for practical models that demonstrate how inclusive multistakeholderism strengthens legitimacy, accountability, and policy outcomes.
The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) has spent 15 years promoting multistakeholder approaches to internet freedom and digital rights. As the FOC marks its 15th anniversary in 2026 under the Chairship of Switzerland, it is convening a series of structured regional consultations to reflect on lessons learned and generate concrete resources for strengthening multistakeholder approaches in digital governance globally. Following on from Africa regional dialogues at DRIF in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and RightsCon in Lusaka, Zambia, this EuroDIG session is the first Europe regional dialogue, bringing a European lens to a process that will shape the FOC's contribution to the wider digital governance landscape in the years ahead. Learn more about the FOC's 15th Anniversary activities here.
The regional dialogue will surface practical insights, tools, and lessons from the region on how multistakeholder approaches can be implemented more effectively. Those findings will feed directly into the FOC's anniversary outcomes and its broader engagement with global digital governance processes.
The dialogue will be guided by a set of questions:
- Opportunities & challenges: What are the key trends shaping digital governance and digital rights in the region today?
- Performance: How are current multistakeholder approaches working in practice - where are they effective, and where are they falling short?
- Improvements: What concrete steps can be taken to make these processes more inclusive, legitimate, and impactful?
- Role of the FOC: What role should the Freedom Online Coalition and other multilateral/international organisations play in supporting multistakeholder digital governance in the region and globally?