Forus
Enabling environment
PROJECT
The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - CADE
Civil society in digital governance
Forus is part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), a project co-funded by the European Union, supporting civil society's capacities for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes.
CADE advocates for inclusive participation, particularly from the Global Majority, and promotes a human-centric policy approach in shaping digital policies and standards.
PARTNERS
- DiploFoundation: Specialising in comprehensive capacity development for over 20 years, Diplo plays a key role in global IG processes.
- European Center for Non-for-profit Law (ECNL): Advocates for human rights and freedoms in technological development.
- Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA): Promotes inclusive ICT policy for improved governance and human rights in Africa.
- Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet): Advocates for an open, human rights-based approach in ICT policy-making.
- Sarvodaya Fusion: Focuses on empowering rural and semi-urban communities in the Asia Pacific through digital literacy.
- Social Media Exchange (SMEX): Advocates for digital rights in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC): Provides technical assistance in the Pacific Islands region.
- Fundación Karisma: A Colombian organisation ensuring that digital technologies protect fundamental human rights.
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CADE
Why this work
Civil society organisations have played a key role in the development and evolution of the internet and the digital sphere. As emerging technologies proliferate, CSOs are and have been crucial in advocating for an open, free, and secure internet, supporting principles like net neutrality, privacy protection, and freedom of expression online. However, despite their significance, CSOs face barriers that prevent their impactful engagement in Internet Governance processes.
- Limited voice in discussions and processes: CSOs encounter financial, social, and political challenges to significant participation in digital policy and rights discussions. Fragmentation in approach and priorities and lack of access to global forums pose significant obstacles.
- Lack of knowledge and capacity: Many CSOs lack the knowledge and capacity to engage effectively in international Internet Governance forums. Bridging the gap between the digital aspects of their work and engaging in digital governance processes is a significant challenge.
- Lack of participation from the Global Majority: Even in open forums, CSO participation is often skewed towards the Global North. This imbalance hinders diverse voices and perspectives in crucial discussions.
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CADE
The CADE project has three main objectives
- Increased capacity of CSOs for meaningful advocacy
- Increased engagement of CSOs in global, regional, and national Internet Governance Forums
- Strengthened cooperation between CSOs in the Global North and Global Majority
Join us on this digital journey!
If you would like to support the work of Forus as part of this consortium, do not hesitate to get in touch!
Contact [email protected] for partnership opportunities.
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