IGMENA
IGMENA is a program formed by the international organization Hivos, which that brings voices together from the MENA region (Middle East and North African region) on Internet Governance and policies.[1]
In response to the importance of internet during the "Arab Spring", and the limited amount of legal framework for Internet freedoms that exist in most of those countries, IGMENA believes in assuring freedom of expression and information within MENA counties. As a result, IGMENA believes that Internet Governance should be confined to the government, technical experts, and business representatives, and aims to attract wider participation from a wide-ranging number of civil society individuals, including bloggers, journalists, students, public sector employees and members of the private sector. It encourages those individuals to come together, share knowledge, and create national and regional action plans.[1]
Objective & Actions
IGMENA's two main objectives are:[1]
- Improved Knowledge on Internet Governance in the MENA region
- Building stakeholder capacity on the Internet Governance process by conducting awareness-raising activities both on-site and online
- Empowering stakeholders to take the lead in advancing Internet policy agendas in their countries and to be engaged in regional policy dialogue at the Arab Internet Governance Forum, as well as global discussion at the IGF.
- Enhanced Legislation on Internet Policies in the MENA region
- Raising stakeholder awareness on how to influence the decision-making process and play an active role in promoting and safeguarding local Internet freedoms
- Drafting Internet-related policies through a participatory approach that engages multiple stakeholders
To meet those two objectives, IGMENA focuses on the three areas of Technology, Policy, and Advocacy, by preparing civic actors to take the lead in advocating for online human rights and Internet policy, while working closely with other concerned stakeholders.[1]