Participants observed the importance of lifting up voices often unheard and of representatives of faith communities standing up to provide a moral guiding voice but also of moving into concrete advocacy and action before the issues at hand are beyond control. 

Ensuring that all are seen and heard is foundational, according to Baca (pictured). He said that the ecumenical movement, rooted as it is in solidarity and sustained engagement with local communities, has a vital role to play in ensuring that “conversations are informed by the voices and experiences of those who remain on the margins of digital societies.”

Annika Lindé of ACT Church of Sweden underlined the opportunity to draw on knowledge and experiences gathered through other civil society engagement in similar or adjacent fields such as climate justice advocacy or gender justice methodologies. 

At the same time, it is also important to value more deeply the small acts taken already by agencies and communities around the globe, noted Emy Osorio Matorel, an advisor for digital analysis and strategy at the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO). 

“We often want to go to the United Nations and in one step try to change the world, but even in the absence of that, there is so much that we can do in our spaces and communities,” she noted.

WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm observed that we are challenged to act with urgency. 

“The speediness of these developments,” Bedford-Strohm reflected, “are such that we cannot simply think we will take another two years to reflect and then come up with something. I believe we all agree this is so important and so urgent, that we need to be much, much faster, and I do hope we can be successful in this.” 

It is a moment for stronger alliances because collaboration with civil society, and particularly with community communication and community network movements, offers concrete pathways to advance digital justice, Baca stressed.

“These movements remind us that connectivity is not an end in itself, but a tool to strengthen community life, cultural identity, and democratic participation,” the WACC partner said.

“Together, we can move toward a more inclusive digital future where no one is left behind – not only in access, but in agency and voice.”

Real impact comes from collaboration across sectors, echoed Todua (pictured).

She sees hope for the future when “youth have a voice and influence” as active participants in moving from awareness to action.

Collectively, our networks profoundly impact local communities as well as reach millions of people around the world, WACC Deputy General Secretary Sara Speicher observed.

“We see how effective community-grounded advocacy, critical literacy, and connectivity are in achieving digital justice. If we can together scale these approaches through our diverse networks, we will have a profound impact for a just and people-centred information eco-system.”

All photos: Albin Hillert/WCC