As we celebrate 50 years of the internet, it is time to reflect on present challenges and their profound impact on our lives and communities. The internet is more than just a technological innovation—it’s about people and the connections we forge across digital spaces. The i50y initiative is spearheading the shift from 'The Internet We Have' to 'The Internet We Want' from a youth's perspective, aiming to create an internet that champions inclusivity, safety, openness, and shared digital benefits for all.

In this pivotal moment, we recognize the urgent need to reflect on the internet’s evolution and its significant influence on society. The i50y initiative, coordinated by Meoh, is driven by the belief that youth are equal stakeholders in defining the internet’s future. Our focus is on creating a human-centric internet that prioritizes well-being, digital literacy, and equitable access for all.

The i50y initiative is interactive and dynamic, empowering participants through workshops, storytelling, and open mic sessions. By collaborating with civil society, artists, policymakers, academia, and tech leaders, we’ll curate ideas to drive meaningful change at global forums.

Objectives:

1. Envision the Future Internet: Reflect on past and present challenges to inform strategies for an inclusive, secure, and equitable digital future.
   Expected Outcome: Key lessons and strategies will be documented and shared globally to inform future digital policies and initiatives.

2. Empower Youth: Engage youth in shaping the internet’s future through international collaboration and dialogue. Facilitate youth leadership via digital and data cooperatives anchored in a legal framework.
   Expected Outcome: Establish youth-led cooperatives that merge cooperative values with data as the currency of the digital economy, providing a platform for young people to lead and innovate.

3. Transition from Discussion to Action: Become a platform for cross-sectoral dialogue and collective action, addressing complex challenges through a human-centric digital future.
   Expected Outcome: Gather like-minded organizations to form an initial cooperative, developing actionable frameworks and pilot projects. These initiatives will be showcased at global forums as practical solutions to current digital challenges.

Read more at i50y.net