The WSIS High-Level Event (HLE) is a global meeting co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other UN agencies to review progress on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) action lines. It serves as a platform for governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations to assess the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) development and their impact on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies.
We are long-time participants in the WSIS events, and this year we are sponsoring the WSIS+20 HLE. As a trusted partner and expert in the Internet Governance community, we will lead discussions about the WSIS+20 review, the changes in the IGF, and the GDC implementation, to which engaging with the community and partners will be key to our success during the WSIS+20 Review process.
Our delegation, led by CEO Sally Wentworth and staff from the Internet Society and Foundation, will join members of our community and partner organizations to participate in sessions, panels, bilateral meetings, and other activities, engaging with governments, in this 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). In this critical and urgent time for the Internet, we believe the best way to navigate today’s challenges is to build upon the success of the WSIS framework, which has enabled it to evolve beyond our imagination, having a positive impact on the world.
Our key objectives include:
- Leveraging our ties with like-minded actors leading to the WSIS+20 review, we will join forces on common positions
- Exploring further opportunities with middle-ground countries, leveraging existing partnerships
- Reinforcing the Internet Society as a key source of thought leadership
- Strengthening our ties with the WSIS stakeholders and leveraging our narrative on the WSIS Action Lines
- Utilizing data-driven success stories to demonstrate the value Internet Society Pulse adds to stakeholders’ decision-making
- Promoting community-centered connectivity solutions
- Empowering the new generation of Internet leaders
Our Activities and Engagements
Over the WSIS HLE week, we will participate in over 15 activities. In roundtable discussions, panels, and workshops, we’ll cover topics such as community-centered connectivity, Internet governance through the multistakeholder approach, and collaborative approaches to strengthening online trust. See a full list of our activities with links to session descriptions.
These are just some of the activities we’ll organize or participate in. Come see us in our booth, where you’ll find a lot of information and engage with us and members of our community.