As the world convenes next week for the 2025 Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), under the theme ‘Building Digital Governance Together,’ Paradigm Initiative (PIN) is proud to join global stakeholders in shaping the future of a free, open, and inclusive internet. Taking place between June 23-27, in Lillestrøm, Norway, the 20th edition of the IGF presents an important platform for civil society, governments, private sector, and the technical community to deliberate on some of the most pressing digital challenges of our time. These range from access and equity to Artificial Intelligence (AI), surveillance, and content governance.
PIN’s presence at IGF 2025 will be both strategic and collaborative, as we continue to amplify our digital inclusion efforts, defend digital rights, and push for policies that prioritise inclusion, accountability, and meaningful connectivity.
Our team to the forum includes: ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director; Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, Chief Operating Officer; and Thobekile Matimbe, Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagement.
Key moments to watch out for
Here are some of the key sessions and spaces where you will find us contributing to the conversation at the IGF:
Session: Bridging the connectivity gap for excluded communities.
Participating: Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu(Moderator), Thobekile Matimbe (Speaker)
Date and time: Friday 27th June 2025, 10:15 – 11:30 (Norway Time)
Venue: Workshop Room 3 – Hall C
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Session: GNI Board meeting [Closed]
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe
Date and time: 23 June 2025
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Session: Global Digital Rights Coalition for WSIS (GDRC) Coordination Meeting [Closed]
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe
Date and time: 23 June 2025
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Session: Human Rights & Emerging Tech: Key Product Developments and Building for Everyone
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: 23 June 2025, 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: Google Norway
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Session: “Priorities for WSIS+20 and the IGF” – GPD
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu
Date and time: 9:15 to 10:45 (Oslo time), Tuesday 24th June 2025
Venue: Scandic Lillestrøm,
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Session: META meeting
Participating: ‘Gbenga, Nnenna, Thobekile
Date and time: 25 June 2025, 10:45am and 11:30am CET
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Session: Protecting the Free Open Internet – Freedom House
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe
Date and time: June 25, 12:15-13:15, Oslo
Venue: Vestfold room
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Session: GPD/UNESCO/BTech Project Partner Meeting
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu
Date and time: June 26, 12-4:00 pm
Venue: Scandic Lillestrøm – Stillverksveien 28, 2004 Lillestrøm
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Session: Global South Alliance Meeting
Participating: Thobekile Matimbe
Date and time: June 22
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Session: Freedom Online Coalition Strategy Coordination Meeting
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 22
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Session: Leadership Panel Meeting
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 23, 13:30 – 14:30
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Session: The AI Dilemma: Balancing Automation and Accountability in Content Moderation
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 24, 08:40 – 09:00
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Session: PIN Dinner with African Parliamentarians
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, Thobekile Matimbe
Date and time: June 24, 18:00 – 21:00
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Session: Nigeria Open Forum
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 25, 09:00 – 10:15
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Session: Open Forum: Shaping the Future with Multistakeholder Foresight
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 25, 12:00 – 13:15
Venue: Hall C
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Session: Leadership Panel and Multistakeholder Advisory Group Meeting
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 25, 2025
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Session: Leadership Panel Bilateral with WSIS Co-Facilitators
Participating: ‘Gbenga Sesan
Date and time: June 26, 2025
Connect with us!
PIN’s participation at IGF 2025 is part of our broader mission to ensure that digital rights are not an afterthought in global governance but a foundation built on grassroots voices. We look forward to connecting with fellow advocates, policymakers, and partners in Lillestrøm. Email us at hello@paradigmhq.org.