UNESCO IFAP

The rapid development of the information and communications technologies bring along transformational changes. The Internet has a great capacity to empower people, ensure the transparency of governments, and promote development and innovation. At the same time we are confronted by ethical challenges in the context of the notions of accessibility, digital gap, freedom of expression, digital identity, privacy, ownership, reliability, cyber security, copyright, piracy etc. In addressing them, effective international multi-stakeholder cooperation is crucial... However, cultural and ethical challenges cannot be used as pretext to limit internet freedom. Common understanding on the applicability of the existing international law to activities in cyberspace is essential to promoting an open, secure and accessible Internet. The view that the same human rights which apply offline must be also guaranteed and protected online should grow universal. The engagement of governments, private sector,..