Digital Governance and Rights

©Forus

Influence

Forus advocates for a human-centric approach to digital governance that upholds the rights of individuals and supports the work of CSOs.

Our Campaigns on Digital Rights and Governance

Discover #Let's Talk Digital and the Civil Society Manifesto for Ethical AI

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#Let's Talk Digital What will the future of digitalization look like? How can be part of it?

Civil Society Manifesto for Ethical AI Developed by over 50 civil society organisations from 30+ countries, the multilingual Civil Society Manifesto for Ethical AI includes 17 case studies on AI risks and benefits.

Digital Governance and Rights

Our Work

Forus as a network, focuses on human-centric digital governance, promoting digital rights and equitable access. We are a consortium member of the #CADE project support civil society in internet governance forums, as well as the #KeepItOn coalition against internet shutdowns. We raise awareness about emerging technology risks, providing CSOs with digital security and advocacy tools, and we engage with our members in global policy discussions to ensure inclusive, transparent decision-making and the representation of civil society visions.

Mon 3 Aug 2026

System Update: A New Podcast Series Exploring Emerging Trends in Technology is Out! From elections and public services to online platforms and access to information, digital technologies are reshaping our democracies, economies, collective and private existences at an unprecedented pace. Yet one critical question remains: who gets to shape the rules that govern these technologies? To help answer that question and trigger new forms of collaboration, Forus is launching System Update, a new 12-episode podcast series produced as part of CADE - a project co-funded by the European Union.

Fri 10 Jul 2026

#CADE: AI for good, but for whom? Reimagining AI Governance for the Global Majority - Recap video How do we build AI governance that redistributes power, protects human dignity, recognises labour, prevents harm and exploitation, and expands democratic agency, particularly in the Global Majority, where extractive AI value chains, informal economies, and diverse epistemic traditions are often erased from policy conversations? Discover the highlights from the event organised by the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), led by Diplo, to test an AI regulation sandbox on the sidelines of the ITU AI for Good Global Summit 2026. This side session, structured as an AI regulatory sandbox, convened technologists, policymakers, civil society, trade union and labour representatives, legal specialists, and other specialists to reframe the global AI governance debate and draw on diverse experiences to tackle the questions facing us today. In the session, justice was centered as the fundamental test of whether AI truly serves humanity, using realistic scenarios to test governance structures and bring together varying – sometimes opposing – perspectives on regulation. This event was organised in partnership with the Arab Reform Initiative, the feminist collective Pollicy, the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Women in Internet Governance, Tinuadeniyi Tech Foundation, and the Center for AI Ethics and Governance in Africa (CAIEGA). The video and interviews have been carried out by CADE partner #Forus. CADE is co-funded by the European Union. #DigitalWeek #D4D #CADE #AIregulation

Mon 7 Sep 2026

CADE’s July–August round-up - CADE – Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment Dear colleagues, In this edition, we’re bringing together the latest from across the CADE network – from new research and resources on digital rights and civic space to member updates, conversations on AI and internet governance, and opportunities to get involved. Inside: ⭐ In focus: Reimagining AI governance from a Global Majority perspective 🌍 Updates: Digital governance and rights work across the Pacific, Uganda and Zimbabwe 📚 Resources: New research, a podcast series and internet governance videos from CADE partners 📅 Coming up: Upcoming opportunities to connect, exchange and engage Dive in 👇

Sun 1 Mar 2026

Digital Harassment and Disinformation in West Africa: How Online Attacks Are Shrinking the enabling environment in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger The enabling environment for civil society in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is under growing strain. Amid security crises, political transitions and expanding military influence, human rights defenders, journalists and digital activists are increasingly targeted — not only offline, but online.

Thu 11 Dec 2025

Nigeria: Digital Dissent and Democracy- How CSOs Innovate to Protect Civic Space Online - Cameroon News Agency Nigeria’s digital dissent has come of age, and its true measure lies in the innovative and adaptive strategies that are gradually being developed by its civil society. Institutions like KeepItOn coalition ( Access Now) are battling censorship, Paradigm Initiative, PIN, and others are fighting for policy change, while theNetwork of Nigerian NGOs, NNNGO, is building grassroots resistance. This article examines the temperature through the above organizations; their battles, their victories, and how they are keeping the flames burning to ensure that the digital space remains an avenue for democratic participation and accountability.

Tue 16 Dec 2025

Digital Space, Artificial Intelligence, and the Struggle for Civic Life Across the globe, artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, governance, culture, and civic participation. Yet while the ethics of AI are debated intensely in boardrooms and policy circles in Europe and North America, communities across the Global South often encounter these technologies first as testing grounds rather than as co-architects of tAcross the globe, artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, governance, culture, and civic participation. Yet while the ethics of AI are debated intensely in boardrooms and policy circles in Europe and North America, communities across the Global South often encounter these technologies first as testing grounds rather than as co-architects of their digital futures. At the heart of this imbalance lies a fundamental question: who governs public life when the digital rules are still being written?heir digital futures. At the heart of this imbalance lies a fundamental question: who governs public life when the digital rules are still being written?

Thu 11 Dec 2025

Digital Freedoms in West Africa: A Landscape of Tragedies, Coups, Arrests and Resistance In West Africa, digitally connected citizens experience severe repression, from internet shutdowns in times of crisis to advanced digital surveillance technologies and disinformation. In some countries, the consequences of this growing form of authoritarianism can extend beyond censorship and economic harm to doxxing, arbitrary arrests, and even death. While the internet offers immense potential for democratic participation and economic growth, this surge in digital oppression mirrors a broader political instability. In less than a month today, the military takeover in Bissau and the attempted one in Benin, coupled with concerning patterns of arbitrary arrests in Mauritania, the return of violence in Senegal universities, all highlight the deterioration of civic space in the region. Yet, the region also witnesses how civil society and the judiciary in countries like Senegal lean on vibrant activism, dialogue and legal frameworks to push back against these restraints.

Mon 21 Sep 2026

Food sovereignty in the Sahel increasingly depends on digital sovereignty Countries in the Sahel were recently included in a socio-economic assessment of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a programme that has sought over the past two decades to increase agricultural productivity through improved seeds, fertilisers and market-oriented approaches. The assessment has renewed debate over the results of this model, particularly its impact on food security in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and northern Nigeria. Rather than presenting a direct causal link between AGRA and levels of undernourishment, the evidence points to a contested debate over which agricultural models are best able to strengthen food security and resilience.

Thu 31 Oct 2024

Call for Proposals: AI Artivism for Digital Rights Competition Forus, as part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), a project co-funded by the European Union, is launching a call for proposals aimed at civil society organisations, activists, artists and digital rights defenders. As part of our mission to strengthen the capacity and engagement of CSOs in digital governance and advocacy, we are launching a call for AI-driven artworks highlighting the critical role of civil society in shaping the digital landscape and challenges and opportunities when it comes to digital rights.

Mon 11 Dec 2023

Launch of the Civil Socety Manifesto for Ethical AI Recap of the Forus launch event for the Civil Society Manifesto for Ethical AI

Sun 7 Jul 2024

Social Media Strategies And Digital Advocacy for Civil Society Al margen del Foro Político de Alto Nivel que se celebró en Nueva York, Forus organizó un taller sobre estrategias de redes sociales y promoción digital en el que se presentaron diversas campañas e iniciativas en torno al espacio cívico, la cooperación internacional y la implementación y seguimiento de la Agenda 2030.

Thu 29 Jun 2023

Co-Creating a Civil Society Manifesto for AI The Forus network, together with over 40 other civil society organisations, is coordinating the co-creation of a Civil Society Manifesto for AI. Read more about this initiative and how to join in this article.

Wed 28 Feb 2024

Forus workshop on Digital Activism and AI narratives The most recent Forus ComsForUs Workshop on Digital Activism, Artificial Intelligence and Storytelling looked at the intersection of technology and digital activism.

Tue 26 Sep 2023

TechTalks: Digital Strategies for Civil Society How can civil society organizations conduct public education and awareness campaigns to combat disinformation and misinformation, which have the potential to erode public trust in their work? How can they measure the effectiveness of these initiatives? How can websites serve as informative platforms to showcase the impact, narratives, and collaborations of civil society organizations?

Tue 18 Jul 2023

Civil society calls on EU to protect people’s rights in the AI Act ‘trilogue’ negotiations - European Digital Rights (EDRi) As EU institutions start decisive meetings on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, a broad civil society coalition is urging them to prioritise people and fundamental rights.

Tue 28 Mar 2023

Are barriers to digital technology preventing civil society organisations from achieving their potential? 95% of CSOs say internet is critical to their ability to do their work; however, as much as 78% lack the digital technology tools to do so.

Tue 23 May 2023

State of Digital Inequity Report This report explores the results of the largest ever survey of civil society’s digital haves and have-nots.

Wed 25 Jan 2023

Digital Politics: “Disconnected Citizens Are Kept Away from Opportunities” In 2022, Saudi Arabia “quietly” sentenced Salma al-Shehab to 34 years in prison over her Twitter activity, marking the longest Saudi sentence ever for a peaceful activist. Fast forward and award-winning Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was charged with two counts of “offensive communication” after making unflattering remarks about the president and his son on Twitter. …

Thu 29 Dec 2022

Digitalisation in Rwanda: "interaction with other platforms is not a luxury but rather a necessity" Assisted by a Consultant, a local expert in communication, CCOAIB members exchanged on technologies, models of communication and on practices of collaboration.

Wed 6 Jul 2022

New report looks at the power of positive narratives and digital rights to support activism worldwide The sustained and multifaceted critique of civil society, and of activists in particular, by a growing number of political regimes who outbid themselves in calling into question the legitimacy, independence, and credibility of NGOs and civic actors mobilising around the world, represents a significant and increasing threat.

Key Areas of Focus

Human-Centric Digital Governance: Forus advocates for policies that prioritize human rights in digital spaces, ensuring that digital transformation is aligned with democratic values and social justice principles. We raise awareness about the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with emerging technologies, such as AI and machine learning.
Digital Rights and Access: Promoting digital rights, including the right to privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information, is central to our work. Forus supports initiatives that address online censorship, internet shutdowns such as the #KeepItOn coalition, and other forms of digital repression. We advocate for equitable access to digital technologies and the internet, particularly for communities in the Global Majority, to bridge the digital divide and enhance civic participation both online and offline.
Capacity Strengthening: Forus provides its members with the tools and resources needed to navigate digital environments safely and to support the work of civil society organisations in the digital sphere. This includes trainings on digital security, AI, digital rights, strategies to counter internet shutdowns, data protection, and digital communications. We support members in developing digital advocacy strategies and engaging in digital governance processes at national, regional, and international levels.
Global Advocacy and Policy Engagement: From the IGF to RightsCon and global discussions on digital governance in UN spaces, Forus works with international organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to ensure that civil society voices are heard in internet governance forums. Particularly, Forus is part of the CADE consortium enahcing civil society's participation in internet governance.

©Forus

Discover the CADE project

Enhancing civil society's participation in digital governance

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CADE Forus is part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE supports civil society's capacities for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. It advocates for inclusive participation, particularly from the Global Majority, and promotes a human-centric policy approach in shaping digital policies and standards.

Mavalow Christelle Kalhoule, Forus Chair and President of SPONG, the Burkina Faso NGO network: “Digitalisation touches the lives of billions of people around the world, but how many are consulted and informed? We believe in the power of strengthening capacities and creating new links between civil society organisations around the globe to influence internet governance forums and bring forward the needs of communities – especially of those left behind. Our commitment and meaningful engagement is indispensable.”

/ Podcasts & Videos

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Fri 10 Jul 2026

#CADE: AI for good, but for whom? Reimagining AI Governance for the Global Majority - Recap video

Bibbi Abruzzini Forus