Globethics wins WSIS award, leads AI dialogue
Globethics is proud to announce that we have been named a WSIS Prizes Champion 2025 by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) for our project Amplifying the Voice of the Global South for Ethical Knowledge and Education in the Information Society. The recognition, awarded during the WSIS Champions Ceremony, celebrates our work in bridging digital divides and empowering voices from the Global South in shaping ethical, inclusive digital futures.
Out of 973 global submissions, Globethics’ initiative stood out for its innovative approach to embedding ethics in knowledge systems, education, and digital policy. Our Executive Director, Fadi Daou, and Founder and Honorary President, Christoph Stückelberger, accepted the award in Geneva. This milestone reaffirms Globethics’ mission to promote sustainable, people-centered, and ethically grounded digital societies rooted in justice, dignity, and solidarity.
High-Level Engagement on AI Governance at WSIS Forum 2025
Beyond this prestigious recognition, Globethics also led a high-level policy dialogue panel on International AI Frameworks for Safeguarding Human Rights and Dignity. In a world grappling with fragmentation and weakened multilateral cooperation, the session underscored the urgency of sustained, multi-stakeholder engagement to establish robust safety standards and independent oversight mechanisms in AI governance.
The session brought together diverse experts to reflect on how ethical principles in AI can be effectively operationalised. Key themes included:
- Ethical convergence across borders: There is growing alignment around values such as fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness, but turning principles into practice remains a global challenge.
- Bridging global norms with local realities: Participants from the Global South emphasised the importance of culturally and contextually responsive AI policies.
- Safeguarding democracy in the algorithmic age: With AI increasingly shaping public services and decision-making, frameworks must ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of human rights.
- Capacity building and literacy: The discussion highlighted initiatives like Microsoft’s AI skilling programs as models for public-private cooperation to build inclusive, ethical AI capacity.
Towards WSIS+20 and Beyond: A Call to Action
The session concluded with a forward-looking action plan calling on WSIS+20 to:
- Champion human-centred digital governance grounded in justice, dignity, and global solidarity.
- Advance participatory frameworks that involve civil society, youth, academia, and vulnerable communities in policy-making processes.
- Promote policy toolkits adaptable to national and regional contexts, especially in underserved regions.
- Invest in AI ethics education, digital literacy, and inclusive access to technology.
- Strengthen accountability and implementation mechanisms, including open data, peer learning, and regular reviews of ethical AI commitments.
What’s Next?
Globethics will continue this vital conversation at the upcoming Global Ethics Forum 2025, held from 8–10 October 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme Reinventing Responsible Governance. The Forum will offer a platform to deepen global cooperation on ethics in governance, peacebuilding, and AI, building on the momentum from WSIS.
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