{"id":31851,"date":"2026-04-30T14:23:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T17:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tedic.org\/?p=31851"},"modified":"2026-04-30T14:23:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T17:23:41","slug":"our-summary-international-advocacy-efforts-from-january-to-april-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tedic.org\/en\/our-summary-international-advocacy-efforts-from-january-to-april-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Our summary: International advocacy efforts from January to April 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we do every year, TEDIC is presenting a quarterly summary of our international advocacy efforts, in accordance with our internal transparency policy, which we have followed since 2015. Find out everything we\u2019ve been doing on the international stage so far this year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

January<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the first month of the year, we participated in the \u201cEnhancing the Resilience of Communication Infrastructure\u201d<\/a> workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, an international event organized under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), from January 21 to 23. The event brought together more than 190 officials, specialists, and representatives from governments and industry across at least 26 countries and regions. Among the official guests was our Director, Maricarmen Sequera, who was invited by the Taiwanese Embassy in Paraguay. The workshop addressed key issues related to the governance, protection, and recovery of communications infrastructure in the face of natural disasters, cyber risks, and geopolitical pressures. Additionally, discussions focused on public policy trends, incident response mechanisms, and the protection and repair of submarine cables\u2014which are critical for global connectivity\u2014as well as the importance of exploring alternative technologies and strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector to enhance the resilience of telecommunications networks and other critical communication systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agenda also included exchanges of practical experiences, such as visits to key infrastructure facilities at submarine cable landing stations. These tours were accompanied by presentations from senior executives and international experts, highlighting how different countries are addressing challenges such as cable protection, the operational continuity of terrestrial, satellite, and airborne systems, and regional and international coordination to respond to failures or attacks. Taken together, these discussions underscored the need for stronger legal and operational frameworks, improved public-private cooperation mechanisms, and the integration of both technical and public policy considerations to strengthen resilience capabilities against current and emerging threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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February<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From February 9 to 13, we participated in the pre-sessions of Paraguay\u2019s Universal Periodic Review (UPR)<\/a> in Geneva, a key forum for presenting our main concerns and recommendations regarding human rights in the digital sphere to UN member states. Our executive director, Maricarmen Sequera, drafted the three reports that Paraguay submitted in 2025 and, at the event, took the floor to present findings on state surveillance, lack of transparency in the use of technologies, gaps in personal data protection, and risks associated with public policies that affect privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information in Paraguay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the official presentation, TEDIC held bilateral meetings with various diplomatic delegations to delve deeper into the prioritized issues and promote concrete recommendations that could be included in the next UPR cycle. This participation aimed to strengthen our organization\u2019s international advocacy and ensure that the digital rights agenda is included in the commitments Paraguay must make before the UN Human Rights Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, over the following weeks in Asunci\u00f3n, the schedule of meetings continued with countries that expressed interest in hearing detailed reports on the UPR from TEDIC and the other organizations that participated in Geneva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details, read our full blog post<\/a> on this work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A week later, we attended one of the most important global gatherings on artificial intelligence: the AI Impact Summit 2026<\/a> in New Delhi, India, held from February 16 to 20. Our Executive Director, Maricarmen Sequera, represented the organization at this event, where thousands of participants\u2014including technology leaders, diplomats, and government representatives\u2014gathered to discuss the future of AI governance. At TEDIC, we have a central concern: current debates on artificial intelligence and sovereignty are increasingly being shaped by state security agendas and geopolitical competition, while human rights, environmental justice, and the voices of the most affected communities continue to be sidelined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the week of the Summit, TEDIC, along with other civil society organizations, contributed to the debate from a perspective that prioritizes justice, equity, and human rights. Our participation sought to underscore the importance of having policies and regulatory frameworks that integrate economic development, environmental sustainability, democracy, and labor rights. This forum also highlighted the urgency of increasing the representation of historically excluded groups and ensuring real mechanisms so that vulnerable communities can influence the development of global AI governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event concluded with a final declaration<\/a> signed by 89 countries, which proposes seven fundamental pillars, including building trust, developing human capital, and democratizing access to technology. However, its non-binding nature and the lack of clear commitments reflect the tensions surrounding how to translate these aspirations into concrete actions. The experience in India demonstrated the importance of these international dialogues, but also the persistent challenges in ensuring that AI governance truly prioritizes rights, meaningful participation, and a critical analysis of structural inequalities. More details on our participation here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also this month, TEDIC is joining the international \u201cKeep Android Open\u201d<\/a> campaign, an initiative aimed at ensuring that Android remains an open, interoperable operating system free from practices that limit competition, innovation, and users\u2019 rights. This campaign was launched in response to Google\u2019s announcement<\/a> that, in order to verify APKs uploaded to its repository, developers must pay Google a monthly fee or a fee per download. The campaign warns of the risks of an increasingly closed ecosystem, in which a few companies can control which apps we use, how we access information, and what options we have to protect our privacy. Joining this effort is essential because an open Android benefits everyone: it promotes greater transparency, more technological alternatives, better conditions for independent developers, and, above all, strengthens the digital autonomy of those of us who use mobile devices every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This month began with a special recognition for our Executive Director, Maricarmen Sequera, who was selected for the Recognition and Exchange Program for Ibero-American Women Leaders<\/a>, sponsored by Spanish Cooperation and the Carolina Foundation. This program, created in 2008 and revived three years ago, annually honors women from the region for their careers, leadership, and contributions in various areas of social, political, and cultural impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its 11th edition, held from March 9 to 13 in Madrid, the Spanish Embassy in Paraguay nominated Maricarmen Sequera, whose profile was ultimately selected to join this year\u2019s group of recognized leaders. Throughout the week, an exchange took place between the participants and Spanish authorities, institutions, and programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That week, the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN Women, invited Maricarmen Sequera to participate in the launch event for the study \u201cWomen in the Platform Economy: Challenges and Opportunities in Ibero-America.\u201d<\/a> At the event, our Executive Director led the panel discussion following the report\u2019s presentation, where she spoke about Paraguay\u2019s experience with the Fairwork<\/a> ecosystem and the specific challenges faced by platform workers in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report examines the opportunities and barriers affecting women\u2019s labor participation in location-based platforms and online work platforms. It also identifies key recommendations for advancing decent working conditions, promoting gender equality, and strengthening public policies that ensure a fairer and more inclusive digital economy for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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