Unstoppable Together:Digital Grassroots Impact Report Launch | IGF 2023 Launch / Award Event #143

Estelle

In this extended summary, we have two individuals, Estelle and a team, who express positive sentiments about their achievements. The team’s hard work and dedication resulted in the completion of an impact report, showcasing their remarkable accomplishments. Their efforts have led to the creation of new young leaders from their side of the world, highlighting the team’s ability to make a lasting and positive impact on their community. Estelle, in particular, takes great pride in the team’s success.

Estelle also strongly believes in the importance of representation and recognizes its significance in creating a fair and inclusive society. To promote representation, Estelle initiated DIGRA programs with the aim of fostering increased representation from their side of the world. These programs are designed to empower individuals and provide them with opportunities to make their voices heard, aligning with the goals set forth by SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

The positive sentiments expressed by both Estelle and the team reflect the significance of their achievements. Through hard work and dedication, the team’s impact report serves as tangible evidence of their success. Moreover, the creation of new young leaders signifies the team’s ability to inspire and cultivate future talent. Estelle’s commitment to representation further emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in various domains, including the Internet governance ecosystem.

This analysis sheds light on the remarkable accomplishments of the team and Estelle’s dedication towards creating positive change. Through their efforts, they aim to reduce inequalities and create a more inclusive world. The success of their initiatives serves as an inspiration for others, encouraging them to follow suit and make a difference in their respective communities.

Audience

During the event, the audience expressed concerns regarding the lack of multilingualism and the predominance of English-speaking Africans at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The audience specifically highlighted the need for the IGF to promote a multilingual environment. One audience member from Cameroon expressed surprise at learning about the project for the first time at the event. This observation drew attention to the necessity of reaching out to countries where English is not the primary language of communication.

The call for a multilingual environment at the IGF aligns with the goals of inclusivity and reduced inequalities, as outlined in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By accommodating various languages, the IGF can ensure that individuals from diverse backgrounds have equal access and representation in shaping internet governance.

In addition to the language barrier, an audience member from Cameroon also highlighted the need for clarification on how to become an ambassador for the Digital Grassroots Movement. This request reflects an interest in actively participating and contributing to the movement’s objectives, particularly those related to quality education (SDG 4) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

Overall, the audience’s concerns and requests highlight the importance of promoting inclusivity, reaching out to non-English speaking countries, and providing clear guidelines for participation. Addressing these issues will enhance the effectiveness and impact of the Digital Grassroots Movement and create a more diverse and inclusive environment at the IGF.

Nancy Wachira

Nancy Wachira’s journey with the Digital Inclusion and Governance Research Alliance (DIGRA) has been instrumental in her growth as an advocate for digital inclusion. Since joining DIGRA in 2018, Nancy has actively engaged with the organisation and has become an essential part of its efforts to bridge the digital divide.

One of the key ways in which Nancy has contributed to DIGRA’s cause is by representing the organisation at various international events, such as the Commission on the Status of Women. This involvement has not only provided her with a platform to share her insights on digital inclusion but has also allowed her to network with like-minded individuals and organisations. Through these interactions, Nancy has been able to broaden her perspective on the issue and gain a deeper understanding of its global impact.

Furthermore, Nancy’s work with DIGRA has had a specific focus on reducing digital inequalities in rural communities. She recognises the importance of ensuring that people living in remote areas have equal access to digital technologies and opportunities. By actively working towards this goal, Nancy is actively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Reduced Inequality (SDG 10).

In addition to her involvement with DIGRA, Nancy also acknowledges the significant impact of her mentors and the supportive community within the organisation. Mentors such as Esther, Ufa, and Wadhangi have played a crucial role in guiding and shaping Nancy’s advocacy journey. Their expertise and guidance have provided Nancy with invaluable insights and teachings, enabling her to further develop her skills and knowledge in the field of digital inclusion.

Overall, Nancy Wachira’s involvement with DIGRA has been transformative. Her active participation in the organisation, representation at international events, and focus on reducing digital inequalities in rural communities highlight her dedication to the cause of digital inclusion. Furthermore, the influence of her mentors and the supportive DIGRA community has significantly contributed to Nancy’s growth and success as a digital inclusion advocate. Through her efforts, Nancy is making tangible contributions towards achieving the SDGs and creating a more equitable digital future for all.

Grace Zawuki

Grace embarked on her DIGRA journey in 2022 when she participated in the Digital Rights Learning Exchange, which proved to be a transformative experience for her. This opportunity equipped her with valuable knowledge and skills in the field of digital rights. Recognising her potential, Grace was subsequently selected to join the prestigious Community Solutions Program, solidifying her dedication to addressing digital rights issues in the United States.

Grace expresses her profound gratitude for the DIGRA community, which has shaped her perspective and fostered her personal and professional growth. She acknowledges the invaluable impact DIGRA has had on her journey and credits it for her positive transformation.

Collaboration emerges as a crucial factor in this context, with Grace highlighting its potential to make a significant difference in communities and elevate Africa’s global standing. Emphasising the power of collective efforts, Grace and her fellow advocates strive to effect positive change by addressing digital literacy and digital rights issues.

Grace’s own experiences serve as evidence supporting the argument for collaboration and its benefits. By working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, they can adopt a comprehensive approach to solving complex challenges. Furthermore, their collective efforts not only improve their own communities but also position Africa as a hotbed for innovative solutions in digital rights.

In summary, Grace’s involvement in DIGRA and the Community Solutions Program is a testament to the transformative power of such initiatives. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to enhancing digital literacy and digital rights, Grace and her team make a meaningful impact in their communities, propelling Africa into the spotlight as a catalyst for positive change.

Stanley Junior Bernard

During the discussion, the speakers delved into several topics pertaining to digital rights, internet governance, and internet accessibility. They underscored the importance of advocating for digital rights and internet governance, recognizing that these areas play a crucial role in shaping the future of the digital landscape.

One notable point raised was the positive impact of the training received through Digital Grassroots in understanding digital rights and internet governance. This training not only enhanced the participants’ knowledge but also equipped them with the necessary skills to actively advocate for these rights.

Moreover, the speakers highlighted that the advocacy for digital rights and internet governance led to significant recognition. For instance, one speaker mentioned being awarded a scholarship by the One Young World due to their involvement in championing digital rights. This achievement underscores the recognition of the importance of such advocacy efforts on a global scale.

The significance of an open and accessible internet was also emphasized during the discussion. It was noted that although internet connectivity remains challenging in countries like Haiti, there is a shared belief that the internet should be accessible to all, not only in developed nations but also in the global South. This argument stems from the understanding that a more equitable and inclusive internet access can help foster reduced inequalities and promote innovation worldwide.

Additionally, the speakers expressed their support and admiration for the work of Digital Grassroots in building digital capacity for marginalized youth. Specifically, they praised the innovative program called the Digital Rights Learning Exchange, which was highly regarded for its ability to empower marginalized youth.

Overall, the discussion provided valuable insights regarding the significance of digital rights, internet governance, and internet accessibility. It highlighted the importance of advocacy efforts, the need for an open and accessible internet for all, and the crucial role that organizations like Digital Grassroots play in building the digital capacity of marginalized youth globally.

Hanna Pishchyk

Hanna Pishchyk, who is currently based in France, is the Communications Lead at Digital Grassroots. She plays a crucial role in acknowledging the efforts and impacts of DIGRA community members. Digital Grassroots is a community of Internet governance advocates focused on sharing knowledge and experiences. They aim to achieve global digital inclusion, reduce digital inequalities, and promote digital literacy. Nancy Vachira, a member of DIGRA since 2018, works towards reducing digital inequalities in rural communities and represents DIGRA in various events and initiatives. Stanley Junior-Burner has been an impactful member of the DIGRA community, contributing to various projects and leading a successful DIGRA mini-hackathon in Haiti. Stanley also promotes digital literacy and mitigates gender-based violence through platforms like the Young Girls Empowerment Initiative in Haiti. The efforts of Hanna, Nancy, and Stanley highlight the importance of industry, innovation, and infrastructure in achieving Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Uffa Modey

Digital Grassroots is a youth-led non-profit organization founded in 2017, with a focus on promoting digital citizenship and advocating for internet rights in underrepresented regions. The organization conducts advocacy programs and digital rights learning exchange programs as part of their efforts. One of their flagship initiatives is the Digital Grassroots Ambassadors program, which aims to raise awareness and advocate for the internet in local communities. By engaging with young individuals in underrepresented regions, Digital Grassroots aims to bridge the digital divide and reduce inequalities.

Uffa Modey, the co-founder and global lead at Digital Grassroots, strongly supports the creation of pathways for young individuals to understand and navigate the internet ecosystem in their communities. She believes in collaborative work towards digital rights and internet governance with others in the global internet ecosystem. This demonstrates the organization’s commitment to fostering partnerships and creating a collective impact.

The Unstoppable Together report summarizes Digital Grassroots’ work over the past five years. Collaboratively created with the community, the report provides an ownership perspective and showcases the experiences and challenges related to digital rights abuses. It highlights the importance of community engagement and inclusivity in sustaining the work of Digital Grassroots. The organization recognizes the crucial role of community resources and contributions in their digital rights advocacy efforts.

Digital Grassroots also extends its reach to Francophone-speaking countries in Africa, running a specific training program on internet governance and digital rights for these regions. This demonstrates the organization’s dedication to addressing regional needs and empowering individuals in Francophone-speaking communities.

Additionally, Uffa Modey acknowledges the language barrier as an issue in internet governance. This shows the organization’s awareness of the challenges faced by different communities and its commitment to creating accessible platforms and materials.

Finally, Uffa Modey emphasizes that Digital Grassroots is continually looking for innovative ways to involve more people in internet governance. Their commitment to openness and a proactive approach ensures that the organization remains dynamic and responsive to changing needs and circumstances.

In summary, Digital Grassroots is a youth-led non-profit organization focused on promoting digital citizenship, advocating for internet rights, and bridging the digital divide in underrepresented regions. Through their advocacy programs, initiatives like the Digital Grassroots Ambassadors program, and collaborations, they strive to make a positive impact and empower communities in their digital journey.

Rachad Sanoussi

Rachad Sanoussi, a technical support member of Digital Grassroots, introduces himself as he takes the stage to present the impact report. He expresses his optimism and excitement for the launch, firmly believing in the collective force of the organization and the community in effecting change in the digital space. Rachad’s deep-rooted faith in the team’s abilities and capabilities shines through his speech.

During his presentation, Rachad graciously acknowledges the team’s hard work and dedication in delivering the impact report and successfully executing DIGRA programs. He expresses gratitude towards his fellow team members for their active engagement and valuable contributions. The significance of the impact report launch is highlighted by Rachad, emphasizing its importance to the organization.

Looking to the future, Rachad anticipates further progress and eagerly looks forward to continuing the journey with the team. He expresses his belief that together, they are unstoppable, and he is determined to build upon the current foundation for even greater accomplishments.

Notably, Rachad emphasizes the inclusive nature of Digital Grassroots programs. He shares his own experience of hailing from a French-speaking country, Benin, and stresses that the organization welcomes participation from individuals regardless of their language or country of origin. This underscores the importance of inclusivity and promotes the message of accessibility and universality within the digital grassroots movement.

In conclusion, Rachad’s introduction of the impact report is marked by his optimism and excitement for the launch, showcasing his belief in the collective force of the organization and community. His gratitude towards the team and anticipation for future progress reflects his dedication and commitment to the cause. Furthermore, his emphasis on inclusivity and the organization’s open invitation to participants from all languages and regions highlights the significance of diversity and accessibility in digital grassroots programs.

Rachad Sanoussi:
Okay, good morning, everyone. Good morning, participants. I don’t know if they can hear me online. Okay, perfect. Okay, perfect. I think we will start our session, and welcome everyone for this session. My name is Rashad Zanussi. I am technical support at Digital Grassroots, and today we will start our session. It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome you all for this significant event to launch our impact report. So today we gather here not only as a community, but as a collective force driving change in the digital space. So as we start this journey since 2017, our organization do a lot of things. So today we are happy to have you all for this launch. So I’m here with my colleagues, and I will let them introduce themselves. So over to you, Ufa. Can you hear me online? Yes, can you hear me?

Uffa Modey:
Hi. Yeah, we can hear you. Thank you. Hi, yes. Thank you, Rashad. Good day, everyone, and thanks for joining us here today. My name is Ufa. I am the co-founder and global lead at Digital Grassroots. I am a software engineer and technology potency analyst currently residing in Newcastle, UK from Nigeria. I don’t know if I can put on my video as well. Okay. Yes, that works. So, yeah. Thank you so much for joining us. And unfortunately, I can’t be present at the IDF in Japan, but we’re really, really happy to have you here with us today. As many of you know, Digital Grassroots is a youth-led nonprofit organization that is focused on increasing digital citizenship for young people from underrepresented regions with respect to internet governance and digital rights. We were founded in 2017 as one of the outcomes of the Internet Society Youth at IDF Fellowship. And since then, we have been doing a lot of work around digital literacy for young people to enable them access the services that they need to excel in the digital age, as well as engaging them in community engagement projects with regards to digital rights and internet governance, enabling them to understand the internet ecosystem in their local community in order to properly advocate for various instances and challenges of digital rights and internet governance abuses in their own local communities. And because of that, we are now, at the end of every year, we like to congregate at the IDF to highlight the good work that has been done in our communities, to talk about how we go around and navigate these digital rights issues in our communities as well. So today, we’re here to talk about our impact report. We would be showing how we have engaged in the last five years and the work that we have been doing with regards to building our communities, engaging in our programs. We have two flagship, we have a flagship program called the Digital Grants and Ambassadors program, which we run in coordination with our community leaders for advocacy programs, as well as our digital rights learning exchange programs. All of these programs are avenues and pathways that we are using as a method of getting more young people to be aware of how to advocate for the internet in their local communities, as well as how to connect and collaborate with other participants in the global internet ecosystem where they can come together and do this amazing work. So that is why we’re here today. And I’m really looking forward to presenting this impact report to the global community and getting everyone’s input. Thank you very much for joining us today. And over back to you, Rashad.

Rachad Sanoussi:
OK, thank you so much, Ufa. And I think we can move forward for the session. I would let you. I don’t know if Esther is already online. Yeah, let me check. OK, I will give the floor again to Ufa to present the impact report further before we launch it. Thank you, Ufa. Over to you.

Uffa Modey:
All right, thank you very much, Rashad. So as many of you who have had a chance to pass by our booth at the IJF Village, you should be able to scan a copy of our report and download it. I’m sure Rashad also has some copies of the report that can be passed around to be scanned. And this report is called Unstoppable Together. It is a summary of the work that we have been doing in the past five years. It highlights so many of our community members. Digital grassroots is not just an organization, it’s a community. And why is this community based learning important? This is important because as young people from underrepresented regions, every single resource that goes into doing the digital rights advocacy work that we do is very, very crucial to us. So this report will enable us to tell our stories from an ownership perspective, to be able to put out the work that our amazing community has been doing in their various capacities and the various resources that have been made available to them. This report was made in collaboration with the community. It was done in a bottom up way, using stories, highlighting the work, showcasing the experiences and the lived challenges and different instances of digital rights abuses that has been occurring in these various communities, talking about freedom of expression and privacy, surveillance, hate speech, inclusion, accessibility and other issues that would hinder the open access of the Internet in so many local communities. Us, the people together, is not just a one off report that we want to put out. It’s an entire journey that shows a pathway to what where we are going towards the digital future that we are trying to build. And we want this to be something that we can build upon. So we want your feedback. We want your input. We want you to use this as a channel to get to know more about our work and how you can be a part of it. Us, the people together, also highlights the key ways that you can be a part of our community and how people can contribute to our community, which is very crucial to us. The work that we do cannot be sustained if it is not open and if it is not inclusive. That is something that is super important to us as well. So please engage with the report. We want to hear from you. We want your feedback. We want your contribution. We want your collaboration in every single instance of the way. And yes, we’re also going to use this as a platform to highlight some of our community members who are doing so many amazing work in the communities. And we want to use this as a platform to also recognize this work that they are doing. And please, again, before I tap out, make sure you engage with the report and you engage with the work that we do and that’s coming out of our communities. Thank you very much.

Rachad Sanoussi:
Thank you so much, Ufa. As she was saying earlier, we have some community members who are doing a good job in our community, so I would like to invite Anna to present this community member. Thank you. Over to you, Anna. And also, I have some copies of the impact report, so hard copies, you can come to take some if you want. Thank you. So, Anna, over to you.

Hanna Pishchyk:
Thank you, Rashad. I hope you all can hear me. My name is Hannah. I’m a communications lead at Digital Grassroots. I’m coming from Belarus, but I’m currently based in France. Yeah, and I think we’re coming to the most exciting part of this session for us at DIGRA, where we get to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing impact that our community members have been doing, because as Ufa mentioned, we are an organization, but we’re also a community of people who are driving the knowledge and experiences that we get to, that we try to transfer to the communities across our global network. And the stories of the people that we are happy to recognize today, they are testament to DIGRA’s spirit and values of fostering digital literacy, advocacy and impactful leadership in Internet governance. The first person I would like to recognize, and importantly, do not hesitate to and be very generous with the clapping emojis. When we recognize people, I think it’s a very cool option that we have here. Yes, the first person I would like to acknowledge is Nancy Vachira. Since joining DIGRA in 2018, Nancy has magnified her impact in the digital space, leveraging her journey from a participant to a youth leader in global Internet governance initiatives. Nancy utilized DIGRA experience to become a global digital inclusion advocate, working towards reducing digital inequalities in rural communities through her international engagements and representing digital grassroots at the events like Commission on the Status of Women, to involvement with IGF, ISOC and other key initiatives. Nancy has been advancing DIGRA mission at a global stage, ensuring that the efforts to bridge digital divides resonate across different communities and inspire active participation in the digital space. Nancy, I would like to give you space. It’s OK now, you can speak.

Nancy Wachira:
Hello, everyone. Thank you for this opportunity. And I’m so grateful to be part of this event and to be able to share my experience with you. And I would like to invite you to join me in welcoming Nancy Vachira to the stage. Thank you. Hello, everyone. Thank you for this opportunity. And I’m so grateful to be part of this community since I began and joined the community in 2018. It was the first I was in the first cohort when DIGRA just began and I didn’t know much about the digital space or what to really expect as I began my journey. But out of curiosity, I just followed through and participated in the digital space. I had done information technology back in my university, but I didn’t know where to begin to grow myself, to be able to speak up and to champion issues that can bring positive changes to people in the community. So DIGRA was my first community. I’m really grateful for my mentors, Esther Ufa and Wadhangi. They really held my hand and showed me what to really do in this space. And as I kept growing on, I have been in IGF space and I have contributed. And recently this year, I represented DIGRA community at International Women’s Day in New York. It was a great platform to share my story and how I began, where I am and the impact I’m still creating. So I’m really grateful for this community and together we can be able to achieve much and to do much as we keep on growing and growing young people, helping a hand and showing the way. Thank you, everyone. And I hope we both participate and get to grow ourselves to the better.

Hanna Pishchyk:
Thank you so much, Nancy, and thank you to everyone who’s reacting with the emojis. The next person I would like to introduce and acknowledge is our community member from Haiti, Stanley Junior-Burner. Stanley has magnified his impact as a DIGRA community member, championing youth empowerment and Internet governance on a worldwide stage. Actively engaging with DIGRA across years, Stanley has shown leadership in several of our projects, notably leading a DIGRA mini-hackathon, which has been a huge success for DIGRA in Haiti. Stanley is also the co-founder of the DIGRA several of our projects, notably leading a DIGRA mini-hackathon. Stanley’s leadership in his home country also drives the Young Girls Empowerment Initiative, where he tirelessly works towards mitigating gender-based violence and fostering digital literacy through various platforms, including the local chapter of the Internet Society and Youth Observatory. Stanley has transitioned his insights into action advancing our cause of building youth Internet leaders, both within his community and on a global stage. Stanley, please, the floor is yours.

Stanley Junior Bernard:
Hello, everyone, and thank you. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Yes, we can. OK, thank you. Thank you, Ashna. Welcome. Hello, everyone. And thank you for this introduction. I am Stanley Junior Bernard. I am from Haiti and I am also part of the DIGRA community. And it’s an excellent opportunity for me to be here present at the IGF 2023, even if I’m not present physically. But I think being part of it online is an amazing thing. And also today is the best day for me because it’s my birthday and I have the opportunity to talk about digital grassroots, how that community has impacted my life. Since I’ve joined the digital grassroots in 2019, I think this is the first time I’ve met things related to Internet governance. And that has delved me into Internet governance. I joined the Internet Society and took many courses online with the Internet Society that helped me build also my knowledge and my skills on infinite issues. And I could say now that the digital grassroots was one of the best things that could happen to me because that has played a significant role in shaping my understanding on digital rights and Internet governance. And that has provided me with the tools and knowledge that I needed to succeed in the digital world. Because nowadays, Internet, the technologies are the new. new trend, and people in my country doesn’t really have access to technology, to Internet, to connectivity. And even now, I still struggle to go online because of Internet connectivity. And I think the Internet should be open, free, accessible to everyone, not to only the North country, but also to global South. People should benefit from opportunities that are online. And I can say, through Digital Grassroots, I was awarded a scholarship of the One Young World this year. And I think this is one of the things that made the impact of Digital Grassroots in my life, because through Digital Grassroots, my work and ideas have been recognized, and I was granted a scholarship from the One Young World, one of the global events in the world. So, I would say that—I’m sorry. I would say that I believe that Digital Grassroots has an important role to play in building digital capacity for marginalized youth around the world. Because of its innovative program, I would say that the Digital Rights Learning Exchange was one of the best programs that I’ve ever attended that is based on digital rights, on digital activism, on digital advocacy, because we need this kind of training to reinforce the capacity of young people from the global South. So, I would encourage everybody to support the work of Digital Grassroots, because the work that they are doing is impeccable. Thank you.

Hanna Pishchyk:
Thank you so much for sharing, Stanley. I’m not sure if it’s appropriate space and place to sing happy birthday collectively, but happy birthday to you. I hope you’re going to have a wonderful day. And, yeah, last but not least, we have Grace Zawuki from Zimbabwe. Embarking on her leadership journey with DIGRA, Grace has forged her path in the community from a learner to a mentor and advocate, exemplifying DIGRA’s values of community elevation and knowledge translation. And her efforts at the Zimbabwe Information and Technology Empowerment Trust have been instrumental in embedding digital rights and literacy within local framework. Her translation of capacity building skills and DIGRA knowledge translated into actionable initiatives, not only uplifting her community and acquiring crucial digital literacy skills, but also has been playing a crucial role in the learning experience of DIGRA newcomers, she has been supporting our learners, creating a repo of empowered digital advocacy and literacy across our DIGRA network. Grace, the floor is yours.

Grace Zawuki:
Thank you so much. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Hi, everyone. Yes, my name is Grace and I’m from Zimbabwe. And I’m so pleased to be part of this event to launch the impact report. My journey with DIGRA started in 2022 when I participated in the Digital Rights Learning Exchange. And I can actually openly say that that was more like an eye-opener and not only an eye-opener, but it propelled me in my leadership journey in the internet and digital rights landscape. Because soon after participating in the Digital Rights Learning Exchange, I actually got spotlighted by the opportunity and I could have never had an opportunity to be part of this prestigious community solutions program. So currently, I’m in the United States, still carrying on the same issue, working on the same issue when we’re looking at digital literacy and also increasing digital safety and digital rights awareness amongst our communities. So, well, yeah, we are really unstoppable together. And through DIGRA, I actually learned that instead of looking for what’s wrong in any other situation, we should look at what we are strong at. And if we maximize on that, we can continue to have impact in our communities. So, yeah, I’m actually happy to be part of this community and I would like to continue to be part of the DIGRA community. Based on the work that we are doing, it’s actually similar work. And working together can actually make us have more impact in all our communities. And we are also putting Africa on the spotlight. So thank you so much, DIGRA, and I’m so happy that you invited me to be part of this event. Thank you.

Hanna Pishchyk:
Thank you very much, everyone. And just before we go, I would like to just say a big thank you to everyone. And I don’t know if any other member of the team would just like to say a few words before we pass on back to Rashad.

Rachad Sanoussi:
I think Estelle would like to say something. I don’t know.

Estelle:
I just wanted to say big congratulations to all of you. This impact report would not have been possible without your hard work and also the dedication. When we started DIGRA programs, just through volunteering and collaborating, it was really in the hope that we can create new leaders, new young leaders from our side of the world so that we are more represented in the internet governance ecosystem. I’m just so proud to see what you’re all doing and the good success you’ve achieved. And just huge congratulations. We are very proud of you. And thank you for being part of our community. Thank you, Rashad.

Rachad Sanoussi:
Okay. Thank you so much, everyone. As we are going to the end of this session, I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your active engagement and also your contribution. So in the coming month and coming year, we hope to build upon this foundation and go forward. Together, we are truly unstoppable together. And I look forward to our continued journey together. Thank you. And until we meet again, keep the digital grassroots movement alive. Thank you. Thank you, Rashad. Thank you, everyone. I’m sorry. Aren’t there any questions? Yes, yes. You can ask questions. You can use this mic to ask your question. Yeah.

Audience:
Good morning, everyone. My name is James. I’m from Cameroon. So I want to thank you for your well-articulated presentation and for your report. But going through the presentations and from all the guests, you know, speaking, I realized one similarity. They were predominantly from, you know, say, English parts of Africa and, you know, other African countries. And the IGF is really struggling to promote multilingual, you know, environment. So I come from Cameroon, for example. Today is the very first time I hear about this lofty project. So what – firstly, what are the conditions to become an ambassador? And the second question is, what are people doing to get into other countries which do not express themselves in English? Thank you very much.

Rachad Sanoussi:
Okay. Thank you so much for your question. I will give you a little answer, and my colleague also will help me. So, you know, as I was saying, I am Rashad Tanusi, and I am from Benin. And you know, Benin is also a French-speaking country like Cameroon. So my journey also in digital grassroots started in 2019, where I attended IGF, like you are attending now, in Berlin, and I met digital grassroots in Ubud. So it’s where I hear about digital grassroots, and I decided to join one of the programs, which is the community leadership training. So I joined this program, and over the year, I learned a lot. And after now, I joined the team. So even I am not English-speaking from English country, I was able to learn through this journey together. So I learned a lot. And I think our program is also open for everyone, even you are not from English country. I have a lot of ambassadors from Benin as well, who joined our program. But I will let my colleague to give more answers. So, Ufa, would you like to comment?

Uffa Modey:
Yes, thank you very much, Rashad. And like you’ve already said, digital grassroots, we do a lot of work in the Francophone-speaking countries in Africa. And we have a couple of applications when we are running our ambassadors program. Admittedly, the language barrier in Internet governance is an issue. So we’ve historically run a specific cohort of training for Francophone-speaking countries, where we try to run the entire training program on Internet governance and digital rights in French. The whole program is delivered in French. You can engage with us. Talk to Rashad after this session to visit our website, learn more about our work with our reports, to stay in touch with us, join our mailing list and see how you can be part of our community. We are 100% open and always looking for new ways to innovate around engaging more people in Internet governance.

Rachad Sanoussi:
Thank you, Ufa. We can engage further after. Thank you. I don’t know if you have questions also online. No? So thank you all for joining us. And it’s really great to have you all. So have a good day. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye.