The International Digital Rights Days (IDRD) 2024 marked a significant milestone in the global effort to promote digital human rights. With the participation of 22 cities across 14 countries, the campaign demonstrated the growing commitment of local governments to ensuring ethical and human-centered technologies. 

Successful first Participation 

Led by the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights and coordinated by Bordeaux Métropole and Porto, this year's edition brought together more than 2 350 in-person participants and reached over 22 000 people online. The initiative united 20+ cities and 30+ partner organisations, including the European Commission, the Centre for Civil Liberties,  the Rio Technology Society Institute and various digital rights foundations. 

Key Themes and Impact 

The events focused on five crucial areas of digital rights: 

• Digital divide (37% of events) 

• AI, Ethics & Human Rights (25%) 

• Data protection & privacy (20%) 

• Digital child rights (12%) 

• Digital participation (6%) 

Cities Leading the Way 

Several initiatives stood out among the diverse range of events: 

Bordeaux Métropole organised a conference gathering international speakers, discussing the importance of addressing global challenges linked to digital rights at local level. 

Porto hosted a hackathon "Hackacity" focused on digital privacy rights, where 100 participants developed practical solutions for personal data protection. Four outstanding projects were awarded for their innovative approaches. 

Helsinki organized a seminar exploring the human rights dimensions of AI, bringing together 100 participants to discuss responsible AI application in everyday urban life. 

Toronto marked the occasion with a mayoral proclamation of Digital Rights Days and hosted a panel discussion for public service workers on technology modernization and human rights. 

Belo Horizonte celebrated the graduation of 585 students from their Digital Inclusion Program, demonstrating practical commitment to bridging the digital divide. 

Global Impact Through Local Action 

The IDRD 2024 generated significant engagement across multiple channels: 

• 30 social media posts 

• 25 articles on city and media websites 

• 10 videos on streaming platforms 

• 140% increase in online engagement during the campaign period. 

Looking Forward 

The success of IDRD 2024 sets a strong foundation for future editions. The next International Digital Rights Days will take place on 10-11December 2025, continuing the crucial work of promoting digital rights at the local and global levels. 

Cities and organizations interested in participating in the 2025 edition can contact le.lebon@bordeaux-metropole.fr or visit internationaldigitalrightsdays.com for more information. 

The Cities Coalition for Digital Rights continues to support cities in their mission to protect, promote, and monitor residents' digital rights. The IDRD represents a crucial step in this ongoing journey toward more equitable and rights-respecting digital futures. 

Author: Léa Lebon

Report IDRD