Each year of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the GigaNet Annual Symposium is hosted on Day 0. This day, the event will take place both in-person in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and virtually.

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The Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet) is an international association of academic researchers in internet governance. The network was founded in 2006 by a group of scholars engaged in the WSIS, WGIG, and the IGF processes to establish internet governance as a field of study and support multidisciplinary scholarship on internet governance. Members include researchers from a wide range of disciplines and locations who are contributing to research, teaching, and engagement in local, regional, and international debates on internet governance worldwide. GigaNet seeks to broaden its membership in an inclusive way, with particular attention on welcoming scholars from the Global South and other under-represented communities in the academy.

2024 Theme

Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want

Global Internet Governance Academic Network
Jamal Shahin, Giganet, Academic, WEOG Berna Gur, UNU-CRIS and Giganet, Academic, APG Daniel Oppermann, Giganet, Academic, GRULAC Roxana Radu, Blavatnik School of Government Oxford University, Academic, WEOG

Targets: Our proposed symposium will develop links across academics from different parts of the world, who will be discussing issues pertinent to the SDGs. The symposium will also provide academic participants with the opportunity to share their research findings with members of other stakeholder groups present at the IGF, as well as provide a space for learning in the other direction. In relation to SDG 4.4, the symposium helps disseminate academic knowledge on the topic of internet governance, and supports training of younger scholars in this field. In relation to SDG 9.1, 9.5, the research presented at the GigaNet Annual symposium aims to strengthen research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for equitable access for all. In-depth research related to infrastructure, case studies highlighting technology and policy choices in developed and developing countries, as well as innovative technology governance solutions can contribute to achieving the SDGs at a time when digital technologies have become a key platform for their realisation. In relation to SDG 16.6, 16.8 and 16.10, evidence from robust research can enhance accountability and transparency of Internet governance-related institutions at all level, ensuring a diversity of voices from both developed and developing countries can be heard. Importantly, such research contributions also enhance access to information for the general public and protection of fundamental rights in areas for which regulation, legislation and case law is nascent.