YOUthDIG 2017

Programme overview YOU^thDIG 2017 | Programme overview EuroDIG 2017

The Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance (YOU^thDIG) is the youth programme of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), and features a two-day, pre-event track that prepares youth participants (between the ages of 18-30) for the EuroDIG process. Participants have the opportunity to:

• Experience peer-learning and networking with youth residing in Europe
• Learn about Internet governance and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) process
• Discuss and exchange ideas with experienced Internet politics practitioners
• Develop youth messages and present them at EuroDIG and the global UN IGF

The YOU^thDIG programme is partially shaped by the interests of the chosen participants. According to Sociologist Roger Harts Ladder of Youth Participation ([1]) it would be classified as an adult-initiated, shared decisions with young people initiative (Rung 6 of the ladder).

Although Internet governance and the general IGF process is a required module in the programme, this year's participants were most interested in:

1. Human rights
2. Security
3. Media

In addition the Young Pirates of Europe are organising a concurrent youth programme called Copyfighters [2], which is focusing more specifically on copyright. Together, these programmes replace the New Media Summer School (NMSS), which was organised since 2011.

People

For each of the categories there is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) ready to share the knowledge. From the fellows side there are Focal Points collecting questions and input from the group to be forwarded to the SME for preparation. The idea is that the SME and the Focal Point are jointly organising an interactive session.

• Subject Matter Experts (SME)

1. Internet governance – Sorina Teleanu
2. Human rights – Mart Susi
3. Security – Tatiana Tropina
4. Media – Yrjö Länsipuro

• Focal Points

1. Internet governance – Oliana Sula
2. Human rights – Elisabeth Schauermann
3. Security – Michael J. Oghia
4. Media – Daniel Waugh

Programme

You can find the programme at: Programme overview YOU^thDIG 2017

YOU^thDIG KEY MESSAGES

From these messages are translations available in:
Albanian | Armenian | German | French | Greek | Italian | Romanian | Russian | Serbian | Turkish | Ukranian

MEDIA AND CONTENT

1. Fake News

• “Fake news” undermines democracy, trust in the media, and content published on the Internet because “fake news” misleads citizens and lowers trust in content publishers. All stakeholders should make digital literacy a priority, which includes critical thinking skills to recognise fake news.

2. Right to Publish Content

• Freedom of expression is valued, and citizens should be able to publish content without government restriction. This should be in accordance with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

HUMAN RIGHTS

3. Access to the Internet

• Although access to the Internet is not universally recognized as a human right at this point in time, it should be considered a crucial enabler for rights such as but not limited to: freedom of expression and assembly, and right to information and education. Also, it should be at the heart of discussions around connectivity and digital inclusion.

4. Net Neutrality

• Economic interests should not be the single defining factor in who can access what Internet content and services, where, and when.

5. Intermediary Liability

• Content takedown should not be the lowest common denominator between regulators and intermediary service providers. Controversial content is also not inherently harmful.
• The lack of transparency of intermediary service providers’ business practices and algorithms should be addressed in order to ensure users’ rights are respected.

6. Human Rights Instruments

• What applies offline also applies online.
• Instruments that govern digital rights should not be a matter of states alone but be based on multistakeholder collaboration.

CYBERSECURITY

7. Critical Internet Infrastructure Security

• We call on all stakeholders, in collaboration with each other, to ensure the security and stability of critical Internet infrastructure, and safeguard it against both physical and cyber threats without violating human rights.

8. Emerging Technology Security

• We urge all stakeholders to emphasize security issues of emerging technologies, such as the Internet of things, artificial intelligence, and botnets. With the proliferation of these technologies into everyday life, end user vulnerability to numerous threats can – and does – jeopardize life, health, property, and human rights.

9. Child Safety Online

• We call on law enforcement agencies, Internet service providers, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in combating online sexual exploitation of children.
• Parents, schools, and educators should collaborate on cyberbullying awareness and prevention.

10. Data Security

• All stakeholders should respect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data. Improving cybersecurity literacy of end users and developing related information and communications technology skills is critical, especially among youth, and we call on all stakeholders to advocate for the use of updated software and secure connections.