Day 1Day 2TwitterTell us

The programme will be updated continuously
Read the full brief here

Day 1 – TUESDAY 30 may

Time CEST (UTC +2) Programme
07:30 – 08:45 Venue opens & Registration
08:45 – 09:00 Take your seats
Room: Mässhallen
09:00 – 10:30 Opening of SIF23 Available on Stream
Read more
Room: Mässhallen
10:30 – 10:45 Orientation to SIF23
Read more
Room: Mässhallen
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:00 Scene Setter
Room: Mässhallen
Sub-Themes A. Tech Infrastructures, People and systems:
Access, agency, security and resilience
B. Information, data and media C. Normative Frameworks in times of Crisis
12:15 – 13:30 A1. Accessibility, connectivity and must come before a moment of crisis
Read more
Room: Riddarsalen
B1. Humanitarian Data, Information and AI: Exploitation and Possibility
Read more
Room: Mälarsalen
C1. Preparing for times of crises: Necessary safeguards to protect human rights in digital spaces and safe access to the internet
Read more
Room: Mässhallen
13:30 – 14:45 Lunch
14:45 – 16:00 A2. Crisis resilient connectivity and digital infrastructure
Read more
Room: Mälarsalen
B2. Disinformation and everyday surveillance: lessons from locally led responses to democratic crises, natural disasters, and conflicts
Read more
Room: Mässhallen
C2. Responsible use of data in humanitarian action
Read more
Room: Riddarsalen
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:00 Artist Available on Stream
Room: Mässhallen
17:00 – 17:55 World Cafe
Room: Mässhallen
17:55 – 18:10 Facilitated Highlights
Room: Mässhallen
18:10 – 18:40 Mingling
Room: Strindberg
Movement for the Workplace
Read more
Room: Fågelström
18:45 Dinner
Room: Mälarsalen andNobelterrassen
20:15 Buses leaves to the hotels

Day 2 – wednesday 31 may

Time CEST (UTC +2) Programme
08:00 – 08:45 Venue opens
08:45 – 09:00 Take your seats
Room: Mässhallen
09:00 – 09:25 Re-opening of SIF23 day 2Available on Stream
Room: Mässhallen
09:25 – 10:10 Fireside chat with UN Tech Envoy Available on Stream
Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill
Room: Mässhallen
10:10 – 10:45 Coffe Break
Sub-Themes A. Tech Infrastructures, People and systems:
Access, agency, security and resilience
B. Information, data and media C. Normative Frameworks in times of Crisis
10:45 – 12:00 A3. Internet shutdowns; Weaponizing of access
Read more
Room: Riddarsalen
B3. Targeted violence & resistance: age, gender and intersectional identities
Read more
Room: Mälarsalen
C3. Content governance and platform accountability in times of crisis: how can tech companies protect users and uphold human rights?
Read more
Room: Mässhallen
12:00 – 13:15 Lunch
13:15 – 14:10 World Cafe
Room: Mässhallen
14:10 – 14:30 Facilitated Highlights
Room: Mässhallen
14:30 – 14:45 Grab a Coffee
14:45 – 15:30 Closing of SIF 2023
Room: Mässhallen
15:45 Buses Leaves for the airport/hotels

Session Planning: Stockholm Internet Forum 2023


Sub-theme A: Tech Infrastructures, People and Systems: Access, Agency, Security and Resilience


A1: Accessibility, connectivity and digital inclusion must come before a moment of crisis

At this panel we will discuss the different angles accessibility and connectivity must cover in order to be prepared to provide support to communities before a moment of crisis happens.

  • Isabela Fernandes, The Tor Project
  • Raquel Renno, Article 19
  • Juliana Guerra, independent researcher
  • Dragana Kaurin, Executive Director, Localizationlab
  • Jane Coffin, Senior Advisor ,Connect Humanity
  • Erick Huerta, POLICY AND ADVOCACY COORDINATOR, Rhizomatica

A2: Crisis resilient connectivity and digital infrastructure

This session will look at innovative technological, financial, and regulatory/governance models through which connectivity and other digital public infrastructure can be built, protected, and restored to meet the pressing and longer-term needs of people affected by conflict and climate-hazards.

  • Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, GSMA (Facilitator)
  • Casey Torgusson,  Program Manager for Global Engagement of the Digital Development (DD) Practice, World Bank
  • Gustaff Iskandar, Director, Common Room Networks Foundation
  • Fabjan Lashi, Team leader of the SURGE Data Hub at the Crisis Bureau of UNDP
  • Olivia Vereha, Commit Global

A3: Internet shutdowns; weaponizing of access

This session will discuss the spread of internet shutdowns as a tool for repression, explore the negative effects of recent shutdown related events and pinpoint both strategies and needs among affected civil society actors and wider populations to reduce the consequences of internet shutdowns.

  • Marcin de Kaminski, Director for Security and Innovation, Civil Rights Defenders
  • Nighad Dad, Director, Digital Rights Foundation,
  • Adebayo Okeowo, Programme Manager and Human Rights Lawyer, Witness

Sub-theme B: Information, Data and Media


B1: Humanitarian Data, INFORMATION and AI: exploitation and possibility

ey themes: This panel will attempt to re-center the debates on humanitarian data around displaced communities and their lived experiences and needs. It will consider a myriad of ethical and moral questions regarding how data is sourced and stored, as well as questions regarding data ownership and sovereignty, potential data misuse and unintended consequences.

  • Sarah Fathallah, Independent (facilitator)
  • Liam Nicoll, Product Lead Emergency Unit, International Rescue Committee (facilitator)
  • Adam Harvey, Director VFrame
  • Kristy Crabtree, Technology for Programs Strategy Lead, International Rescue Committee
  • Masud Rana, Humanitarian Content and Social Media Advisor, Internews
  • Nichlas Hellmark, Gaming Lead, Save the Children

B2: Disinformation and everyday surveillance: lessons from locally led responses to democratic crises, natural disasters, and conflicts

Key themes: This panel will explore lessons learned in developing multi-stakeholder, locally led responses to disinformation and surveillance. It will specifically address such responses in high-risk and volatile situations, such as election periods, moments of democratic transition and emergency.

  • Digital Rights Foundation: Hyra Basil 
  • Meedan: Ed Bice 
  • Teyit: Gülin Çavuş 
  • Lupa Brazil: Leandro Becker 
  • Engage Media: Katerina Francisco

B3: Targeted violence & resistance: age, gender and intersectional identities

Key themes: This panel will look at the relationship between global trends and local or regional patterns of targeted violence. It will shed light on the strategies of resistance and networks and solidarity that have been or are being developed in different contexts and with different communities, especially those based in the Larger World as a site of disproportionate impact.

  • AWJP: Catherine Gicheru – Executive Director (Founder)
  • Fundación Multitudes: Paulina Ibarra – Executive Director
  • Jeem: Dalia Othman
  • Global Network of Sex Work: Jules Kim
  • Thai Netizen: Darika Bamrungchok

Sub-theme C: Normative Frameworks in Times of Crisis


C1: Preparing for times of crises: Necessary safeguards to protect human rights in digital spaces and safe access to the internet

While many states have humanitarian plans in place for times of crises and disasters, most have not critically considered how to best protect human  rights in the digital space while ensuring safe access to the internet during these times. This session will discuss the approaches that should be put into place to best protect human rights in digital spaces, and in particular protection of people’s data and prevention of state surveillance and repression (especially as these populations are some of the most vulnerable to surveillance), before a crisis or conflict begins.

  • Aki Enkenberg, Team Lead, Innovation and Digital Cooperation at Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
  • Gayatri Khandhadai, Head of Technology & Human Rights, BHRRC
  • Quinn McKew, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19
  • Victoria Welborn, Senior Program Manager, DIAL Global
  • Lillian Nalwoga, Programme Manager, CIPESA

C2: Responsible use of data in humanitarian action

Humanitarian organizations rely more than ever on digital technologies and data to assist and protect people in crisis. They enable humanitarian actors to understand and respond to the needs of affected people, and offer new channels to deliver aid. However, as organizations collect and manage increasingly large volumes of data and sophisticated technologies, they also face new risks. In this session, we will highlight not only the existing global frameworks for data responsibility, but also the work that is being done to ensure the safe, ethical and effective use of data and technologies in humanitarian action. This session also provides an opportunity to exchange on what additional processes, tools and support are needed to drive adoption of data responsibility during times of crises, conflicts and disasters.

  • Ilia Siatitsa, Programme Director and Senior Legal, Privacy International, moderator
  • Philippe Stoll, Senior Techplomacy Delegate,  ICRC
  • Stijn Aelbers, Senior Humanitarian Advisor, Internews
  • Mariam Jamal, Digital Rights Program Officer, Haki na Sheria
  • Stuart Campo, Team Lead for Data Responsibility, OCHA Centre for Humanitarian Data

C3: Content governance and platform accountability in times of crisis: how can tech companies protect users and uphold human rights?

The past few years have shed light on the increasingly important role and impact of social media platforms in situations of armed conflict and crisis. On the one hand, people us digital platforms to document human rights abuses or war crimes, access and share information, mobilize for national and global action, and crowdsource humanitarian assistance and relief. On the other hand, state and non-state actors leverage these same platforms to spread disinformation and “hate speech”, incite violence, and attack or surveil activists, journalists, and dissidents. The response of tech companies to these situations has been varied, and often non-transparent and inconsistent, which has negatively impacted people and communities on the ground, particularly marginalized communities in the Global South. The session aims to unpack the responsibilities of ICT companies, under international human rights law and international humanitarian law when they engage or operate in situations of crisis and armed conflict —How should tech companies effectively respect human rights online and offline in such contexts? It also aims at identifying existing normative gaps, and help advance new human rights based approach to crisis response and engagement in conflict affect countries and regions.

  • Tetiana Avdeieiva, Legal Counsel, Digital Security Lab Ukraine
  • Adeline Hulin, Project Coordinator of ‘Social media 4 Peace’, UNESCO
  • Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)
  • Ramsha Jahangir, Senior Policy & Communications Associate, Global Network Initiative (GNI)

Program information


Opening of SIF23

Welcome address by Carin Jämtin, Director General, Sida
Opening speech  by Cecilia Ruthström-Ruin, Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law
Panel discussion:

  • Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, OHCRC
  • Philippe Stoll, Senior Techplomacy Delegate ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Htaike Htaike Aung, Lead Curator of the Myanmar Internet Project

Musical performance by Ramy Essam.


Orientation to SIF23

  • Anna Karin Eneström, co-facilitator Global Digital Compact & UN Ambassador of Sweden

Movement for the Workplace

If you don’t use it, you lose it and we all know how sitting at a desk all day feels in your body.  Our bodies were made for moving!  Come and join this 25 minutes movement class and learn a few movements you can do to increase your energy, mobility, and productivity without leaving your desk (unless you want to).  Sometimes you need to take a break to get more accomplished!  International Wellness Practitioner Sahara Leigh will lead you through this simple movement class and send you on your way to releasing your shoulders, hips and low back pain.


Back to Top