Change Makers Two specific issues warrant detailed attention: ● Online harassment and hate speech. Unfortunately, the digital space has become a breeding ground for hate speech, bullying, and harassment. These behaviours can target individuals based on their identity, leading to silencing and psychological harm. Effective reporting mechanisms, strict enforcement of policies, and awareness campaigns are essential to counteract this issue. ● Digital divide. Unequal access to the Internet creates a digital divide, limiting the ability of marginalised communities to enjoy their rights online fully. This lack of access to technology and digital literacy creates inequalities in participation and access to information. Addressing the underlying causes of digital exclusion, including economic, social, political, and cultural factors, is crucial. Technical solutions alone will not bridge these divides, necessitating multi-sectoral initiatives that promote digital inclusion. To effectively address the challenges, we need to adopt a multi-faceted strategy that includes: advocating for robust legal and policy frameworks that encourage governments to enact and enforce laws safeguarding digital rights and promoting freedom of expression; promoting digital literacy among users, empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape safely and critically evaluate online information; and, collaborating with international organisations and other countries to tackle cross-border threats and promote global standards for Internet freedom. How can we build trust, promote partnership, and enhance regional collaboration among different African stakeholders in the Internet governance ecosystem, including governments, inter-governmental bodies, civil society, industry, media, and academia? Building trust and fostering collaboration among stakeholders is crucial to achieving Internet freedom. Dialogue platforms that are open and transparent, such as regular multi-stakeholder forums and roundtable discussions, including initiatives such as the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) and the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), serve as vital arenas where diverse voices can be heard. These platforms help to foster trust and collaboration by allowing stakeholders to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and work together to shape policies and practices. To enhance collaboration and build trust, involving under-represented and marginalised groups and investing in capacity building is essential. This investment helps to improve understanding of Internet -related public policy issues and the intricacies of Internet governance institutions and processes. Capacity-building initiatives are particularly beneficial for stakeholders from developing countries, enabling them to engage more actively and meaningfully in Internet governance at various levels. An exemplary capacity-building initiative is the African Internet Governance School, which equips stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex landscape of Internet policy issues. Collaboration and trust-building are not one-time efforts but long-term commitments. Stakeholders value partners who demonstrate sustained dedication to achieving shared goals. At Meta, we recognise the importance of collaboration and trust-building in developing our content policies. We have established a structured engagement methodology centered around inclusiveness, expertise, and transparency. Gathering stakeholder input is fundamental to refining our Facebook Community Standards and Instagram Community Guidelines. Our policies are shaped by feedback from community representatives and a diverse array of Facebook and Instagram users. We actively seek input from experts to ensure that our policies are well-informed and balanced. A CIPESA Series 21