Open Discussion Forum 
				14 November  

CHILD PROTECTION ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR GREATER DIALOGUE  WITH FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ADVOCATES AT IGF TO ESTABLISH A PLATFORM FOR EXCHANGE 

Following the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s statement of the importance of protecting children online at the inaugural session of the second IGF in Rio,  members of child protection organisations present have been active in contributing to the sessions of the Forum, demonstrating a range of ways in which various stakeholders can take practical steps to better protect children under the issue of internet governance. 

Today, at the IGF workshops on protecting children against sexual exploitation through ICTs children’s organizations regretted that so few industry representatives and freedom of expression advocates were present.  One representative from the industry underscored the need for face to face open dialogue around the regulatory measures being undertaken and proposed for child protection and the imperative to protect freedom of expression. 

In view of this, children’s organizations attending the IGF invite representatives of the industry and others concerned with the issues to a roundtable discussion to be organized in one of the Open Slots of the Internet Governance Forum on Wednesday 14 November at 12:30 a.m. at the Versaille II.