The global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be held in hybrid format this year in Lillestrøm, Norway, from 23 to 27 June. Under the theme of "Building Governance Together", this edition marks the 20th anniversary meeting and marks a milestone in shaping the future of IGF with the ongoing World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 20-year review process.
The APC community will be represented at IGF, contributing to discussions on key issues such as the model of internet governance, emerging challenges and the alternatives we need to strengthen. In preparation, we have listed below some recommended readings on key topics such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence, disinformation, environmental justice and community-centred connectivity. You can see the APC network's IGF schedule here and more details about APC's participation here.
In the spotlight
WSIS+20 Five-Point Plan Follow-up: Eight Practical Recommendations
This document offers practical recommendations to ensure transparency, inclusivity and meaningful stakeholder engagement in the WSIS+20 review process.
The IGF We Want
This global campaign calls for the IGF to be strengthened and for its mandate to be renewed. We cannot discuss the internet we want without a stronger IGF. We believe the forum remains at the heart of the internet governance ecosystem. While the limitations of the multistakeholder model can be debated and improved, they only reinforce the fact that what we need now is more participation from diverse sectors of society, not less.
Global aid in crisis: Can we find sustainability in a precarious funding climate?
This article analyses how funding landscapes have changed quickly, creating a climate of uncertainty for many civil society organisations and social movements. In this context, it also brings a reflection on how to assess and respond to these challenges.
WSIS+20 review
APC policy explainer: The WSIS+20 process
This review will assess progress made in implementing the original World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) vision and outcomes, and determine future directions for creating an inclusive information society.
Cross-community statement from civil society, the private sector and the technical community on WSIS, the IGF and the GDC
The statement calls on all governments, institutions and organisations to affirm the vision of WSIS for a people-centred and development-oriented inclusive information society.
An enabling environment for community-centred connectivity: A WSIS+20 agenda to leave no one behind
This policy brief shared at the 2025 annual session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) proposes a six-pillar plan for diversifying access markets to connect the unconnected.
Statement on gender in the WSIS+20 review process
This statement calls for a stronger and more explicit commitment to gender equality in the WSIS framework to ensure truly inclusive digital transformation in order to benefit societies as a whole.
The WSIS+20 review: A chance to advance the multistakeholder approach leveraging the Sao Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines
This article highlights that it is only by truly including the perspectives and priorities of all stakeholders, particularly from the Global South and underrepresented communities, that we give concrete meaning to the “people-centred, development-oriented and inclusive” information society that is the core vision of WSIS.
Global Information Society Watch: WSIS+20 special edition
This special edition of Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) considers the importance of WSIS as an inclusive policy and governance mechanism, and what, from a civil society perspective, needs to change for it to meet the challenges of today and to meaningfully shape our digital future.
Digital Justice, Now! A call to action for WSIS+20 and beyond
The Global Digital Justice Forum (GDFJ) call to action offers practical recommendations to ensure transparency, inclusivity and meaningful stakeholder engagement for the WSIS +20 review and other global digital cooperation processes, including the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and Global Digital Compact (GDC).
Tackling gender
Reimagining, broadening and expanding TFGBV and transnational solidarity
In the this cycle of the Feminist Internet Research Network (FIRN), 10 research partners from the Global South/Global Majority examined technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) from an intersectional feminist perspective.
Submission by the Association for Progressive Communications to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on the issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence against women and girls
The study seeks to develop a better understanding of TFGBV, highlighting good practices around the globe in tackling gender-based violence that occurs through or is amplified by the use of technology.
The Feminist Principles for including gender in the Global Digital Compact
The development of these feminist principles has been a dynamic and multifaceted process, drawing inspiration and guidance from a range of sources. They call for the recognition of the differentiated impact that information and communications technologies have on women, girls, and people of diverse genders and sexualities.
GenderIT.org: Our Voices, Our Futures elevates structurally silenced voices from across the Global South
This special edition brings together five powerful stories from OVOF project partners, capturing not only the harsh realities of gender-based violence, but also the fierce resilience and community-driven movement building aimed at advancing gender justice.
APC since Beijing 1995: Shaping a feminist internet
This year's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) coincided with the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – a milestone for gender equality work worldwide, and a critical moment in APC's own journey of feminist digital advocacy. Here we present a timeline depicting thirty years of APC’s evolution and commitment to gender justice and the acknowledgement that digital rights are human rights.
All eyes on community-centred connectivity
Principles for community-centred connectivity initiatives
These principles have been developed through an extensive consultation process with community-centred connectivity initiatives working in different communities across the Global South.
Innovative financing mechanisms to bridge the digital divide
As traditional strategies continue to fall short in closing digital gaps in the Global South, attention is shifting towards innovative financing mechanisms. With community-centred connectivity solutions gaining traction as effective approaches to bridging the digital divide, this article explores alternatives from them within this evolving landscape.
Community network regulation around the world
This paper provides a brief overview of the growing recognition of community networks at international, regional and national levels and the evolution of regulatory frameworks to enable their development.
What changes when connectivity is centred on the community? Hear local voices in the new season of our podcast
The second season of our Routing for Communities podcast takes a deep dive into community-centred connectivity initiatives and on what meaningful means for these communities in different life contexts.
Community networks with a gender perspective
This publication from Nodo TAU reflects on gender divides, as well as the challenges and alternatives to tackling them in community networks.
Insights for collective reflection
Stepping outside the algorithm
This piece features reflections from APC members on how the governance changes at X and Meta have affected their work – and, importantly, what they think civil society organisations should do about it.
The role of digitalisation in collective action to end plastic pollution
In this blog the APC Environmental Sustainability Group invites all stakeholders to reflect on the impacts of digital technologies on the planet, and their role in contributing to collective action to end plastic pollution.
This list may be updated until the IGF takes place, based on contributions from the APC community. If you are part of our community and would like to suggest a resource, please write to communications@apc.org.