[Webinar] Is Brazil leading a new revolution in global digital policy?

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Brazil is playing an increasingly important role in global digital policy. Recent events continue to shape Brazil’s position on many issues, including political developments in reaction to the NSA leaks, its bilateral relations with the United States, news about the deployment of a BRICS-only undersea cable, and its renewed ability to influence the global Internet governance (IG) regime. Is Brazil then leading a new revolution in global digital policy. 

[Update] The digest and webinar recording are available here.

DiploFoundation and the Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation of Brazil (CTS/FGV) will present a just-in-time webinar addressing the latest development in digital politics. Our speakers, Marília Maciel, director of the Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (CTS/FGV), and Diego Canabarro, doctoral student in IG at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and visiting researcher at the University of Massachusetts, will explore among other issues:

• Whether the Brazilian president’s cancelled US visit is a sign of dissatisfaction? Will this impinge on Brazil’s bilateral relations with the USA?
• How will the NSA disclosures impact Brazil’s political and regulatory landscape?
• Will the latest developments influence Brazil’s strong support of multistakeholderism? How will it influence global digital policy?
• What developments can we expect from initiatives in South America, and joint initiatives with Russia, India, China, and South Africa?

Join us on Thursday, 26th September, at 13:00 GMT for our not-to-be-missed September IG webinar. Webinar participants will be able to discuss the topic with our speaker. Other special guests may be invited to the webinar. Attendance is free; registration is required.

Background note

Brazil is no newcomer to global policy-shaping. In the Internet governance (IG) arena, it has fostered the development of IG principles; expressed great support for the IGF; advocated for a less US-centric approach to governance, and an independent ICANN; proposed the much-discussed ‘seventh opinion’ on the role of governments during the recent World Telecommunications Policy Forum; and hosts CGI.br, a national multistakeholder model for IG.

Brazil has now made concrete proposals related to the regulation of the Internet, including controversial amendments to the current text of the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet (Marco Civil). It has also looked for concerted political actions: in South America, UNASUR’s infrastructure council has been tasked by member countries to promote the development of regional connectivity and technology. The cancellation of the Brazilian president’s visit to the USA, following allegations of surveillance of the president’s personal communications and that of a national oil company Petrobras, has generated shockwaves.

Registrations are now closed.