WACC is deepening its partnerships and advocacy on digital justice through the Digital Rights Exchange Programme with ARTIGO 19 Brasil e América do Sul on 8–10 November.

The exchange is organized by Forus and ECNL and is being held as part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) project, co-funded by the European Union.

Bringing Global Majority and Global Minority perspectives together, WACC and ARTIGO 19 are holding their dialogue in Geneva in collaboration with the World Council of Churches. The aim is to strengthen joint advocacy and build stronger coalitions for AI accountability, nationally and internationally.

Sara Speicher, Deputy General Secretary, is participating in the exchange on behalf of WACC. She notes that the impetus for the focused exchange is that AI governance is being decided in venues and vocabularies that exclude the constituencies who face its consequences.

“The ecumenical organizations and networks that are a key part of our constituency have a real moral and communication authority that, if effectively mobilized, can have a huge positive impact in making sure the ever-increasing digital transformation involves and benefits people and planet, not just a powerful elite,” says Speicher.

“We are keen to learn more about ARTIGO 19’s effective advocacy nationally and regionally and how to better link our networks to promote joint action for our shared vision of justice.”

Raquel da Cruz Lima, Head of the Legal Reference Center for ARTIGO 19, says that the material infrastructure of AI is a growing source of concern in Brazil, where data centres, their energy and water demands, and the locations where they are sited are national policy questions.

“At ARTICLE 19, we examine how the concentration of power in digital markets is reshaping the conditions under which people exercise their rights,” she says. “In Brazil, a small number of dominant actors increasingly influence AI governance, while the perspectives of affected communities, including faith-based groups, grassroots organisations, and community communicators, remain underrepresented.”

“This exchange with WACC is an opportunity to address that gap,” de Cruz Lima continues. “I hope to contribute insights from ARTICLE 19’s work on digital rights and AI governance to ecumenical networks that are currently reflecting on AI, while learning how faith constituencies deliberate and engage in public advocacy. Together, we aim to develop a shared advocacy strategy and explore practical approaches for advancing accountability and participation in AI governance.”

Speicher concludes: “We know there is common ground among our networks of what we would like to see in terms of protecting people and communities. We’d like to build the best way to learn and speak and act together.”

As part of the discussions in Geneva, WACC and ARTIGO 19 will also host a roundtable on Faith–Secular Approaches to AI, sharing from experiences in Brazil and other examples. The discussion will take place online on Tuesday, 10 November, at 15:00–16:30 CET (UTC+1). Individuals interested in taking part in this discussion should contact WACC Deputy General Secretary Sara Speicher.

Image generated by WACC using Canva Magic Studio