Thoughts on Policy, Advocacy and Research for IFF 2018

The IFF Fellows are the empowering voices that create and curate the programming that inspires Internet Freedom defenders internationally.

These 20 community leaders, from all over the world, have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the Internet Freedom space. And that’s something we think you should hear.

Each week, our fellows will share their views on their themes, and the topics they are most excited to discuss during the Internet Freedom Festival this March.

This time around, we’re focusing on policy, advocacy and research:

Andreas Reventlow, International Media Support (Andreasr)

Andreas Reventlow is the Programme Development and Digital Freedom Adviser at International Media Support (IMS) where he works with journalists and human rights defenders to promote standards of professional journalism, digital security and Internet Freedom. He is responsible for developing new programmes in countries in conflict and fragile states, with a focus on the MENA region. He has published on issues such as media and conflict, internet governance and free speech online.

Mahsa Alimandari, Article19 (@maasalan)

Mahsa is an Internet researcher focusing on human rights and technology in Iran. Mahsa did her undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Toronto, and her Masters degree on social movements and technology in Iran. She is currently doing her PhD at the Oxford Internet Institute, while working on digital rights projects in Iran with Article 19.

Tawanda Mugari, Digital Society of Zimbabwe (@tawmug)

Tawanda Mugari is a Zimbabwean based Digital Security Trainer and co-founder of Digital Society of Zimbabwe, a voluntary network of technologists and trainers that specializes in building the digital resilience of human rights defender communities at risk. He has a background in management information systems and is a researcher of ICT innovations for developing countries. Passionate about Human Rights & Gender issues, Tawanda also is a lecturer at a local women’s university covering Management Information Systems, and Internet Fundamentals.

Why do you think it’s important to create a conversation space for people involved in Policy, Advocacy and Research?

There are so many of us–– campaigners, researchers, and activists working on different topics at different organizations. Yet we’re working towards very similar goals: freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

It’s important for us to have a space to come together and show off our work. This is how we learn from each other, form partnerships, and learn strategies that we can incorporate into our work.

We really enjoy the IFF because it’s where we meet allies and colleagues working on similar projects from all over the world. Learning, growing and networking is what makes the IFF special.

What are the biggest advocacy challenges you think the Internet Freedom community will face in the coming years?

The big advocacy challenges lie in how we can help governments and decision makers view the activist community as allies, rather than antagonists. This is why using research for strategic engagement and advocacy is one of the most important topics to tackle!

Why is encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration between policy, advocacy and research important? What can be done to further this goal?

This is such an incredible community with diverse expertise and backgrounds. I think if we magnify our various achievements and share them, we can accomplish our goals more quickly. Mahsa works on Iran specifically, increasing engagement and digital rights inside of the country. She’s constantly learning from her Tunisian, Egyptian, Mexican and Venezuelan colleagues. She looks forward to the IFF every year to expand her knowledge and awareness, and incorporate new strategies into her projects.

While academic research has its place, community members play a crucial part in providing practical insights and applications. What can individuals do to help researchers better monitor nation state threats to Internet Freedom?

The IFF is certainly a start, since it brings together researchers from academia and folks in the activist world. This balance of knowledge and practicality is necessary. Being aware of the threats and what individuals are facing on the front lines is needed to shape the direction of research. That will not only expand the body of existing knowledge about threats to Internet freedom, but also how it can be used to help with advocacy and countering threats.

What are the titles of some sessions that you would like to see in your theme at IFF 2018?

Some topics along the lines of “bridging the technology and policy divides,” and topics around more cross-regional engagement.

This interview was lightly edited for brevity and clarity with consent.

Reminder: The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2017. Send us your proposals today!