The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an international meeting organized by the United Nations since 2006, enabling a global discussion on the development of the Internet. It is a place for the exchange of ideas and experiences in Internet management.

IGF 2021 will be held on December 6-10 at the International Congress Center in Katowice. Its organizer is the Chancellery of the Polish Prime Minister. The organization of this prestigious event by Poland shows the importance of our country in the most critical discussions related to the future of the digital world. IGF 2021 will be attended by: UN Secretary-General – António Guterres and Vice-President of the European Commission – Margrethe Vestager. Also, several dozen ministers of digitization from different parts of the world, business representatives from other continents, activists of non-governmental organizations and the scientific community will participate. At this event, key decisions regarding the future of the Internet will be made. Several thousand people from all over the world will discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by the Internet. They will try to find out how to fully exploit its potential, including the future of online platforms.

Internet United

The conference’s motto “Internet United” means uniting all Internet users into one community responsible for its shape and functioning. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Internet has proved to help organize life to the extent that was not anticipated a few months ago. It confirmed its great value because everyone needs freedom, openness and security to function digitally.

Program

We already know the program of the central segment of the Digital Summit (December 7-10) and the so-called “Day Zero” (December 6). It is over 300 different activities, including workshops, open discussion forums, group sessions and networking sessions. There are also high-level sessions with states and international organizations representatives and a parliamentary session.

People from all over the world proposed workshop topics, and anyone could submit their ideas. Ultimately, the United Nations selected 83 of them to be held during this year’s IGF. They concern, among other things, the protection of children online, sustainable consumption in the framework of e-commerce, digital rights and obligations, and freedom of speech online.

IGF Young

IGF Young operates within IGF – an initiative created to integrate and involve young people in a substantive discussion on Internet governance. IGF Youth Poland is a part of it, which took action in 2020. Its members actively participated in the IGF 2020 Youth Summit and began cooperation on a global level with young communities from other countries. The activities of the IGF Youth Poland community have been under the National Research Institute NASK from the very beginning.

IGF After Party

The UN Digital Summit officially ends on December 10. But on December 11-12, the IGF After Party will occur. It is a weekend full of innovative discussions and exciting activities for young programmers worldwide.

Participation

Anyone can participate in the Digital Summit, but you need to register!

More information about IGF 2021 is here