RightsCon 2025

Each year, RightsCon hosted by AccessNow convenes business leaders, policy makers, general counsels, government representatives, technologists, academics, journalists, and human rights advocates from around the world to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of human rights and technology. In engaging fireside chats, hands-on workshops, strategic roundtables, private meetings, and a lively exhibition space, RightsCon is where a global movement comes together to build strategies and drive forward change toward a more free, open, and connected digital world.

'Human Rights: The insurance for multistakeholder digital governance'

Over the years, the multistakeholder model for digital governance has been diluted and efforts to advance the role of governments have become more coordinated. In only two years, the number of UN-related processes have increased exponentially and multilateral governance is on the path to displace multistakeholder processes and fora. This move has implications for human rights. Collaborative governance ensures participation, a precondition for the exercise of human rights and the only means to ensure accountability and transparency. The recent Global Digital Compact (GDC), for instance, though it had at its core human rights, it was characterized by a lack of openness & participation by civil society was challenging. This session discussed how best to sustain & evolve the multistakeholder model & how best civil society can participate in this new multilateral reality.

From the GliaNet blog: RightsCon 2025 Taipei

There was a palpable urgency at RightsCon Taipei 2025—a recognition that the rules shaping our digital future are being decided now, often behind closed doors, without those most impacted at the table.

Conversations about AI, democracy, and digital governance weren't abstract debates. They were personal, pressing, and, at times, unsettling—a reflection of the world as it stands today. As Tech Policy Press captures in their article, "At RightsCon, Human Rights and Democracy Advocates Grapple With Profound Change in World Order" we are in a moment of profound transition—and the question isn't just what comes next but who gets to decide?

Against this backdrop, we were grateful to engage with so many dedicated advocates, technologists, and policymakers throughout the week.

Where was GliaNet Alliance?

Monday, Feb 24 – At Project Liberty's DSNP Convening, we explored the path toward sustainable, decentralized governance—a conversation that is more urgent than ever as centralized platforms tighten their grip.
Tuesday, Feb 25 – Our Founder, Richard Whitt, joined The Atlantic Council's panel, moderated by Konstantinos Komaitis, PhD, to discuss the challenges and choices shaping the future of tech.
Wednesday, Feb 26 – Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at GliaNet Estefanie J Govea, and Founder Richard Whitt met with industry leaders and change-makers at the Private Sector Industry Meet-Up—people who are not just experts in their fields, but also advocates for a more ethical web.
Tuesday to Thursday, Feb 24-27 – Throughout the summit, our Community Village booth became a hub for dialogue—where we met many newcomers eager to engage, learn, and build.

A special shoutout to our table-mate, Val Elefante from Metagov and Head of Community at Reliabl, one of our Founding Members at the Alliance, for making this experience even more meaningful. Beyond reconnecting with old friends and forging new ones, we're deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet like-minded peers who are boldly fighting for a better world every day.

That's you!: Asma Derja (Ethical AI Alliance), Timid Robot Zehta (Creative Commons), Nicki Kalfas (International IDEA), Mophat Okinyi (Techworker Community Africa), Manpreet Dhillon (CHAYN), Simon Sun, (and countless others! ♥️)

What's next? The work ahead is clear: we must turn these conversations into action. If you are working at the intersection of technology, governance, and human rights, we'd love to talk to you.