About GIP

Engaging digital actors – Fostering effective digital policy – Monitoring digital governance The Geneva Internet Platform is an initiative of the Swiss authorities operated by Diplo

Internet governance is presently at a crossroads; it is a decisive time for the future of digital policy. The international community must address the risks and vulnerabilities of technology, while still ensuring digital growth and innovation.

The Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), initiated by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) of Switzerland in 2014, provides a neutral and inclusive space for digital policy debates, recognised by the majority of global actors as a platform where different views can be voiced. The GIP is operated by DiploFoundation.

Geneva’s role in digital policy

Geneva is one of the main hubs where digital policies are debated, evaluated, and adopted. It is a hub where innovations are fostered, where policies are debated, where leaders, experts, and decision-makers meet regularly – and a place where solutions are born and implemented.

Responding to particular needs

The GIP was created in response to the following needs:

  • Small and developing countries need a centre for Geneva-based digital policy processes, where they can find resources and formulate strategies for success.
  • A neutral and inclusive space for digital policy debates must be available to Geneva’s international stakeholders.
  • Activities of the Geneva-based digital policy and ICT institutions and initiatives deserve to be supported and reinforced.
  • Outreach beyond and among the existing policy silos (e.g. technology, security, human rights) in research must have a comfortable, risk-free home.
  • International Geneva will benefit from tools and methods for in situ and online engagement that could be used by other policy spaces.

The GIP’s functions and pillars

The GIP’s functions are to:

  • Provide a neutral and inclusive space for policy discussions
  • Undertake digital policy monitoring and analysis
  • Provide capacity development

The activities are implemented based on several pillars, including: a physical platform in Geneva; the GIP Digital Watch observatory providing the latest updates, overviews, instruments, resources, events, and actors, on each of the 40+ Internet governance and digital policy issues and processes; a dialogue and innovation lab.

Serving the policy community

The GIP serves permanent missions based in Geneva with tailored briefings and briefings on developments in Geneva IG politics. The GIP also works to strengthen the participation of small and developing countries (including those which – due to limited resources – have no permanent representations in the city) in Geneva-based digital policy processes, and supports the digital policy initiatives of Geneva-based institutions. The support includes tailored individual consultations, and online meetings to maximise resource use.

The GIP facilitates research for an evidence-based, multidisciplinary digital policy approach beyond existing policy silos, and provides tools and methods for in situ and online engagements that can be used in other policy spaces in International Geneva and worldwide.

The GIP’s structure

The GIP’s Steering Committee members are: the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), and the Republic and State of Geneva.

Get in touch

Get in touch with the GIP:

  • By visiting us: Diplo, World Meteorological Organization Building (2nd floor), 7bis, Avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
  • By calling or emailing us: +41 22 730 8625 or gip@diplomacy.edu
  • By subscribing to our mailing list

Contact person:

Ms Sorina Teleanu | Director of Knowledge | geneva@diplomacy.edu

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