Advancing the WSIS Vision Together – Internet Society

The Internet is a powerful tool for humanity, connecting the most remote parts of the world, educating billions, and unlocking new economic opportunities. As we approach the World Summit on the Information Society’s 20-year review (WSIS+20), it’s time to reaffirm our commitment to a people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented information society.
We at the Internet Society believe that to advance the WSIS vision, we must focus on what works. The Internet’s success is due to its core principles: open standards, collaboration, and innovation. These principles have enabled the Internet to become a global infrastructure that drives digital transformation for the benefit of all.
The WSIS action lines have guided our progress towards an inclusive digital future. However, to ensure they remain relevant and actionable, we must sharpen their focus and align them with the Global Digital Compact’s (GDC) commitments. The GDC should complement, not redefine, the WSIS framework.
This means:
The multistakeholder approach is fundamental to the success of both WSIS and the GDC. This collaborative model, ingrained in the Internet’s DNA, has enabled us to address evolving challenges and find resilient solutions.
To ensure a true multistakeholder approach:
The technical community, with its expertise and experience working across sectors, is indispensable in this process.
The IGF is the primary platform for multistakeholder dialogue on Internet governance. Its value lies in its ability to inspire local action and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.
To ensure the IGF can continue to fulfill its mandate:
The Internet is not just a tool; it is a fundamental enabler of progress. By upholding the principles that have made the Internet successful—openness, collaboration, and innovation—we can ensure it remains a force for good in the world.
We must sharpen the WSIS action lines, embrace a true multistakeholder approach, and evolve the IGF to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Only by working together can we realize the full potential of the WSIS vision and build a better Internet for everyone.
The Internet Society is committed to working with all stakeholders to advance these goals. In the coming weeks, the Internet Society will launch our WSIS Community Group, a dedicated space for our members to collaborate on how we would like to shape the future of the WSIS process together. Your voice matters. Together, we can ensure that the Internet continues to empower people and communities around the world.
The Internet Society remains committed to working with all stakeholders to advance these goals and ensure that the Internet continues to be a force for good for everyone!
Image © Yann Forget / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA.

Disclaimer: Viewpoints expressed in this post are those of the author and may or may not reflect official Internet Society positions.
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