Indigenous participation, practical tools, and Universal Acceptance take center stage in Lillestrøm
Language as a Foundation for Inclusion
At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm, Norway, global experts came together to examine how internet governance can better reflect linguistic and cultural diversity. In particular, a session reviewing the WSIS+20 process highlighted long-standing gaps in participation, especially among African and indigenous communities.
Moderated by Anne Rachel Inne of Niger, the panel emphasized that meaningful inclusion must go beyond visibility. Instead, it requires long-term investment, structural reform, and platforms that adapt to the realities of local communities. Without these, internet governance will continue to exclude the very groups it aims to serve.
UNESCO’s Guilherme Canela de Souza stressed that multilingualism is not merely a desirable feature—it is a digital right. Similarly, ICANN’s Theresa Swinehart introduced the Universal Acceptance initiative as a practical path forward. This initiative ensures that domain names and email addresses function correctly in all scripts and languages, helping close fundamental gaps in digital infrastructure.
Global Advocacy, Local Impact
Throughout the session, panelists shared real-world examples of how language inclusion can create tangible change. In Bahrain, university-led hackathons bridged technical expertise with the needs of local communities. Meanwhile, in Latvia, Valts Ernstreits described how international collaboration helped raise the profile of the Livonian language, leading to positive shifts in national policy.
Despite such progress, many barriers remain. Bureaucratic processes often prevent indigenous communities from engaging in digital policymaking. Moreover, a disconnect persists between technical experts and policy actors. To address these issues, panelists proposed mentorship initiatives, community-based infrastructure, and tools that align with everyday communication practices, such as WhatsApp groups.
What Comes Next for a Multilingual Internet
Looking ahead, speakers identified two major opportunities to advance inclusion: UNESCO’s multilingualism roadmap and ICANN’s upcoming domain name support program. Both were framed as essential for building a digital future that is truly representative.
The closing remarks underscored a collective recognition that language equity is essential for a truly global internet. Achieving equitable internet governance requires more than global ambition. It demands that all voices—across languages, geographies, and technical backgrounds—are not only heard but actively empowered.
