Youth-Led Forums Strengthen Multistakeholder Digital Governance
The 2026 Call for Topics deadline has closed, marking a key step in the creation of the 2026 Canada Youth Internet Governance Forum. Every year, the Call represents YDLC’s commitments and responsibilities to respect transparency, multi-stakeholder input, and youth-led dialogue on key internet governance issues affecting young people today. The Call for Topics includes an extensive list of digital policy issues, challenges, and conundrums. The respondents had the opportunity to select the issues they believe are the most important to explore this year. These selections are then carefully considered to be developed into the Canada Youth IGF Agenda.
While the above process might sound technocratic and boring in comparison to the flashier topics in the digital space, it is incredibly important. Of course, many topics in digital policy, especially surrounding emerging technologies like AI, have huge ramifications for society. Policy decisions on topics like age verification, mis- and disinformation, and privacy have long-lasting impacts on end-user experiences, and ultimately end up shaping the way that digital tools are used.
This is the reason why a public Call for Topics is so essential to the spirit of the Canada Youth IGF. Having explicit opportunities for multistakeholder input and collaboration ensures that everyone impacted by digital policy, government, the private sector, academia, civil society, technical communities, and of course, youth, can influence the future of digital policy.
It is more important than ever to protect the multistakeholder model, especially within spaces for youth. The Internet and digital technologies are changing the way we work, learn, and socialize. Ensuring that conversations about the digital space are reflective of all types of expertise protects us from leaving out essential contributions. When multistakeholder spaces are protected and true collaboration is fostered, technical experts and academics provide counsel on feasibility and technical knowledge. Private sector representatives provide insight into how changing technologies will be integrated into workspaces. Civil Society Organizations advocate for equal opportunities to benefit from digital tools and raise issues with harmful technologies. Government and policy experts bring a holistic perspective and a willingness to listen. As digital natives, youth bring new ideas, a familiarity with technology, and the desire to take on the mantle of digital issues. What makes youth such a unique stakeholder group, however, is that it is not mutually exclusive from the others.
The Canada Youth IGF centers youth voices and focuses on issues that matter to youth, while recognizing that there are incredible young leaders in every stakeholder group. Our dual identity allows us to support each other across stakeholder groups, while strengthening youth voices collectively.
The Call for Topics may seem like another line in the long checklist of conference planning, but it represents something far more meaningful. It is the reminder that multistakeholder input is the only way to have effective conversations about the future of the digital landscape. By reaching out to young people, we hear from policy analysts, cyber security experts, students, advocates, and everything in between, coming together to indicate which issues matter to the current generation of digital leaders.