2026-09-07
CADE’s July–August round-up - CADE – Civil Society Alliances for Digital EmpowermentDear 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 👇
Numérique
2026-09-03
System Update - Episódio 12: Quando a Sociedade Civil Molda a Agenda da IAEm grande parte do Sul Global, as políticas de inteligência artificial estão a ser elaboradas a um ritmo acelerado — muitas vezes sem uma participação significativa da sociedade civil. A experiência de Moçambique mostra como pode ser uma advocacia informada e baseada em coligações: assente em evidências, articulada entre diferentes setores e atenta à forma como a IA pode reforçar ou desafiar desequilíbrios de poder já existentes. As organizações da sociedade civil em Moçambique estão a mobilizar-se para garantir que a governação da IA reflita o interesse público. Então, como se constrói uma boa governação da IA desde o início? Neste episódio, Rita Leote, da Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD, conversa com Pedro Muiambo, Diretor de Programas da JOINT – Liga das ONGs em Moçambique, a plataforma nacional que representa e coordena as organizações da sociedade civil moçambicanas. A JOINT submeteu recentemente contributos técnicos para a Estratégia Nacional de Inteligência Artificial de Moçambique, defendendo uma participação significativa da sociedade civil na formulação de políticas digitais e promovendo a responsabilização, a transparência e os direitos humanos como pilares fundamentais de uma IA responsável. “System Update” - “Atualização do Sistema” é produzido pela Forus no âmbito do CADE – as Alianças da Sociedade Civil para a Capacitação Digital – um projeto cofinanciado pela União Europeia. O objetivo do CADE é apoiar a capacidade das organizações da sociedade civil para uma advocacia eficaz nos processos de governação da internet multilaterais e multissetoriais. Este podcast foi cofinanciado pela União Europeia. O seu conteúdo é da exclusiva responsabilidade da Forus e não reflete necessariamente as opiniões da União Europeia. EN Across the Global Majority, AI policies are being drafted at speed — often without meaningful civil society input. Mozambique's experience shows what informed, coalition-based advocacy can look like: grounded in evidence, connected across sectors, and alert to how AI can either reinforce or disrupt existing power imbalances. Civil society organisations in Mozambique are stepping up to ensure that AI governance reflects public interest. So, how do you get AI governance right from the start? In this episode Rita Leote from the Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs (Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD) speaks with Pedro Muiambo, Programme Director at JOINT Liga das ONGs em Moçambique — the national platform representing and coordinating Mozambican civil society organisations. JOINT recently submitted technical contributions to Mozambique's National AI Strategy, advocating for meaningful civil society participation in digital policymaking and pushing for accountability, transparency, and human rights as the foundations of responsible AI. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes.
2026-08-31
System Update - Épisode 11: Quand l’accès façonne les inégalitésDans de nombreux contextes, les fractures numériques constituent un phénomène mondial récurrent : elles reflètent et renforcent des inégalités sociales, économiques et géographiques déjà existantes. Au Sénégal, l’accès inégal à Internet continue de déterminer qui peut participer, qui peut se faire entendre et qui est laissé de côté, en particulier entre les zones urbaines et rurales. Garantir un accès significatif exige des services abordables, des politiques inclusives et un engagement actif de la société civile pour assurer la redevabilité des systèmes. Dans cet épisode, nous nous entretenons avec Malick Ndome, conseiller principal en politiques publiques et membre du conseil d’administration de CONGAD, la plateforme nationale des ONG au Sénégal. Ensemble, nous explorons le rôle de la société civile dans la promotion des droits numériques, la réduction des inégalités et la construction d’un paysage de gouvernance de l’Internet plus inclusif. System Update ou « Mise à jour du système » est produit par Forus dans le cadre de CADE – les Alliances de la société civile pour le renforcement des capacités numériques – un projet cofinancé par l’Union européenne. L’objectif de CADE est de soutenir le renforcement des capacités numériques des organisations de la société civile afin de favoriser un plaidoyer efficace dans les processus de gouvernance de l’internet multilatéraux et multipartites. Ce podcast a été cofinancé par l’Union européenne. Son contenu relève de la seule responsabilité de Forus et ne reflète pas nécessairement les opinions de l’Union européenne. EN In many contexts, digital divides are a recurring global pattern: they reflect and reinforce existing social, economic and geographic inequalities. In Senegal, unequal access to the internet continues to shape who can participate, who can be heard and who is left behind, particularly between urban and rural communities. Ensuring meaningful access demands affordable services, inclusive policies and active civil society engagement to hold systems accountable. In this episode, we speak with Malick Ndome, Senior Public Policy Advisor and Board Member at CONGAD, Senegal’s national NGO platform. Together, we explore the role of civil society in advancing digital rights, addressing inequalities, and shaping a more inclusive internet governance landscape. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-28
System Update - Episode 10: When tech mirrors injusticeMore often than not, offline inequalities are reproduced online, forming a broader system of violence, intimidation, and exclusion that undermines democratic participation. Risks like these prove that technology should not be seen merely as innovation but as tied to social development and the health of democratic life, especially in the Global South. Understanding this trend is essential to design digital inclusion beyond connectivity: meaningful online participation requires safety, accountability, and fair representation to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen democracy. In this episode we speak with Fernanda K. Martins, Strategy and Advocacy Director at Fundación Multitudes: a Chile-based organization with regional and international reach that works to improve governance and reduce inequality through advocacy and open government. Digital rights are a core focus of their work. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/campaign/let-s-talk-digital https://fundacionmultitudes.org/ This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-26
System Update - Episode 9: When accessibility and disability strengthen the digital futureWhen internet policies and platforms are designed without considering the needs of persons with disabilities and diverse global users they create systems that are uneven, difficult to use, or even exclusionary. Ensuring accessibility affects whether people can meaningfully participate in education, work, civic life, and public debate. Without inclusive design and policy, the digital promise as a universal resource is weakened, reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them. Today we are joined by Dr. Muhammad Shabbir an Internet governance and public-policy professional with extensive experience in board governance, multistakeholder processes, and global digital policy, particularly from a Global South perspective. Dr. Shabbir is also engaged in ICANN community processes, including the At-Large and non-commercial stakeholder spaces. He currently coordinates the Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability (DCAD), contributing to global policy dialogue on inclusive and trustworthy Internet governance. Drawing on his lived experience of disability as being blind, today with him we are going to look at accessibility and inclusion as a governance consideration and at how we can reinforce attention to usability, robustness, and real-world impact of Internet policies and systems for the full diversity of all users. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/campaign/let-s-talk-digital This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-25
Trapped in Fragility – An Assessment of Civil Society Landscape in Nigeria (Abridged Version) – WACSICommissioned by WACSI NODE Nigeria and led by the Nigeria Network of NGOs, this report provides a snapshot of Nigeria’s civil society ecosystem, a vital force for democratic governance facing significant structural challenges. It reveals a “starvation cycle” where persistent underfunding weakens organisational capacity and limits impact. Based on a 2025 mixed-methods study, the report examines key capacity areas and highlights the interconnected vulnerabilities affecting over 19,000 CSOs, raising critical questions about the sector’s sustainability and future.
2026-08-24
System Update - Episode 8: When we fight against platforms controlling the narrativeSocial media platforms have become central to public discourse: shaping what we see, what we say and ultimately, what we believe. Yet behind this influence lies a system that is often opaque, where content can be restricted, amplified or removed without clear accountability. These dynamics raise urgent questions about who controls online narratives and how. Platform governance, the rules and systems that shape visibility and operations online - from algorithmic amplification to content moderation - can deepen inequalities, restrict freedom of expression, and weaken democratic participation, particularly in contexts where oversight is limited or inconsistent. In this episode, we speak with Nenden Sekar Arum, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet). Together, we explore how platforms shape socio-political discourse, the risks of arbitrary content moderation and what it will take to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of free speech in the digital age. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/campaign/let-s-talk-digital https://safenet.or.id/ This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-18
MÓDULO 1 – SEGURIDAD DIGITAL PARA LA SOCIEDAD CIVIL - Sesión 3: Buenas prácticasEn esta tercera y última sesión, vamos a ver algunas buenas prácticas para reforzar nuestra seguridad digital en el día a día, como la protección de las cuentas, las contraseñas, la autenticación de dos factores y el cifrado.
El objetivo es, sobre todo, comprender mejor los riesgos a los que podemos estar expuestos y adoptar hábitos sencillos para proteger nuestros datos y nuestras comunicaciones.
2026-08-17
System Update - Episode 6: When young people shape the future of the digital worldAs younger generations spend increasing amounts of time online, issues such as youth participation in digital policy, online safety, misinformation, and digital literacy have become central to building a safer and more inclusive internet. These topics are important because they address the need to ensure that young people are not only protected from digital risks but are also recognised as active participants in shaping the future of the online environment. Involving youth in decision-making processes allows governments, regulators, and technology companies to better understand the challenges they face and develop solutions that reflect the needs of different communities. Online safety remains a critical concern as young people encounter risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy threats, and online exploitation. The growing spread of misinformation and disinformation also presents significant challenges, particularly as digital platforms become major sources of news and information. Strengthening media literacy is therefore essential to help young people critically evaluate online content, identify unreliable sources, and engage responsibly in digital and democratic spaces. Today we are joined by Diya Aravinthan an active BIK Youth Ambassador and panelist for the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) initiative, where she advocates for youth participation, digital citizenship, and online child safety. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/campaign/let-s-talk-digital This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-17
PACK DE VISIBILITÉ NUMÉRIQUE FORUS POUR LES PLATEFORMES NATIONALESNous sommes ravis de proposer aux membres de Forus une nouvelle opportunité de renforcer leur présence numérique et de rendre leurs travaux plus faciles à trouver, à consulter et à partager en ligne.
2026-08-15
System Update - Episode 5: When digital policies need to reflect a changing ecosystemHow is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ICANN responding to the current challenges and future direction of internet governance, responding to major shifts in the digital ecosystem? Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are influencing online behaviour, cybersecurity threats, domain name management, and policy-making processes. There is a need to look at how internet governance organisations balance the need for security, accessibility, innovation, and stability while coordinating decisions among diverse stakeholders. Policies are now being developed, when new rules are required while existing commitments need to be upheld, so which issues are likely to shape the evolution of the internet ecosystem in the years ahead? Today we are joined by Rafik Dammak engineer currently the chair of the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group in ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. He has been involved in ICANN community for many years, works in Japan and improves awareness and capacity building about Internet Governance in Tunisia and the MENA region in general. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/campaign/let-s-talk-digital This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-14
System Update - Episode 4: When AI Ethics Come FirstWhat is the role of civil society, governments, startups, and technology developers in shaping responsible AI governance, particularly within the African context? A central theme of this debate is the gap between policy and implementation. While many countries are beginning to introduce legal frameworks and strategies for AI governance, enforcement remains a significant challenge: stronger institutions and greater public engagement are necessary to translate ethical principles into real-world protections. This also comes with a practical definition of AI ethics: the safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and values that guide how AI systems are designed, deployed, and governed. In this episode we are joined by Mapalo Lukashi is Head of AI Lab and Data and Artificial Intelligence Lead at BongoHive - Zambia's first and leading technology and innovation hub. Mapalo works at the cutting edge of AI development and application on the continent, bringing a grounded, Africa-first perspective. "System Update", is produced by Forus as part of CADE - the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment - a project co-funded by the European Union. CADE’s objective is to support the capacity of civil society organisations for effective advocacy in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes. https://cadeproject.org/ https://www.forus-international.org/en/pdf/civil-society-manifesto-for-ethical-ai-106205 https://bongohive.co.zm/ This podcast was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Forus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
2026-08-12
MODULE 1 – SÉCURITÉ NUMÉRIQUE POUR LA SOCIÉTÉ CIVILE - Session 3 : Bonnes pratiquesDans cette troisième et dernière session, on va voir quelques bonnes pratiques pour renforcer notre sécurité numérique au quotidien, notamment la protection des comptes, les mots de passe, l’authentification à deux facteurs et le chiffrement. L’objectif est surtout de mieux comprendre les risques auxquels on peut être exposé et d’adopter des réflexes simples pour protéger nos données et nos communications.
2026-08-12
MODULE 1–SÉCURITÉ NUMÉRIQUE POUR LA SOCIÉTÉ CIVILE Session 2 Il faut prendre soin des communicationsDans cette deuxième session, on va parler de la manière de mieux protéger nos communications et de réduire les risques liés à la sécurité numérique, notamment dans le travail des ONG et des défenseur·euses des droits humains. On va aborder des menaces comme le phishing, les logiciels espions, le doxxing et le harcèlement en ligne, ainsi que quelques outils et bonnes pratiques pour communiquer de manière plus sûre, notamment grâce au chiffrement et à la protection de notre vie privée.