Citizen Digital Sovereignty in Action: From a Civic Declaration to a Global Alliance


Fundación Cibervoluntarios

Session 201

Tuesday, 7 July 2026 15:00–15:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room G1, ITU Varembé Building Interactive Session 1 Document
Register »

Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation


Collaborative action spaces that transform Citizen Digital Sovereignty into proposals, projects and real impact

For 25 years, Fundación Cibervoluntarios has been working to help thousands of people turn technology into a tool for transforming their lives. one key idea has become clear: being connected is not enough. Having access to the Internet or knowing how to use a smartphone is not sufficient if, at the same time, citizens cannot make decisions, do not understand how technology works, and have no voice in shaping the rules of the digital world. This session is conceived as participatory and action-oriented space to introduce the concept of Citizen Digital Sovereignty (CDS), present its Declaration and 10 guiding principles, and invite, civil society actors, organizations, institutions and other stakeholders from the digital ecosystem to join the Citizen Digital Sovereignty Alliance

The session is not intended merely to explain the concept, but to spark a practical conversation on how to turn the principles of the Declaration into concrete actions across different sectors, including civil society, public institutions, academia, the technical community, businesses, international organizations and local communities.

The central idea of the Session is is:

Citizen Digital Sovereignty is not just a conceptual framework. It is a shared action agenda that enables people to access, understand, use, shape and participate in decisions about technology. The workshop is designed so that participants themselves generate the content. Facilitators will guide the process, explain the methodology and manage the timing, but each group will collaboratively build its own visual action map using post-it notes and collaborative boards.

Join and take part in collaborative action spaces that turn Digital Citizen Sovereignty into proposals, concrete actions and real impact. These groups are active and evolving; you can join an existing one or help create new ones. 

In interactive format Participants will be divided into small groups (4–6 people) to discuss:

• Why is Citizen Digital Sovereignty important today?

• What barriers prevent citizens from exercising it?

• What concrete actions could strengthen it locally?

Groups identify key ideas and propose initiatives such as digital skills programs, technological volunteering or civic participation tools fopr each of the 5 action spaces Choose yours and participate!

• Citizens’ rights and participation: We claim our place at the table to strengthen rights and ensure that citizens’ voices play a central role in the decisions that shape the digital ecosystem.

• Data, privacy and transparency: We build the capacity to protect our privacy and demand responsible environments in the use of our personal information.

• Artificial intelligence and the digital future: We promote ethical and inclusive AI that serves as a driver of social justice rather than a tool of control.

• Education and technological empowerment: We foster critical thinking so that technology becomes a capability that expands opportunities, not just a possession.

• Inclusion, opportunities and open technology: We build an accessible ecosystem connected across all territories to reduce inequalities and generate social value.

Let's build proposals, projects and real impact

 

 

 

 

Panellists
Mr. Antonio Pulido
Mr. Antonio Pulido Head of Social and Cultural Advocacy Fundación Cibervoluntarios Moderator

Antonio Pulido is Head of Social and Cultural Advocacy at Fundación Cibervoluntarios, a
leading organisation in technological volunteering that has worked for over 25 years to
bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion and citizen empowerment through
technology.

With a background in Sociology, he has over 15 years of experience in the management of
social impact projects, citizen participation and public policy advocacy. Previously, he
built his career in the field of civil rights and consumer rights, specialising in digital
financial consumption: financial literacy, fintech, over-indebtedness, e-commerce and
consumer protection in digital environments.

At Fundación Cibervoluntarios, he drives the organisation's advocacy agenda at national
and international level, focused on digital inclusion, territorial digital divides and citizens'
digital sovereignty as a foundation for the full exercise of rights in the digital society.
His work is also strongly oriented towards generating public debate on the social impact
of technology. He regularly contributes to media outlets, addressing issues such as the
risks of digital exclusion among children, the role of technology as a tool for rights, and
digital learning as a key lever for freedom and citizens’ digital sovereignty.

He has also recently contributed to the review of studies such as "Technology
Appropriation among Children and Adolescents in Spain" (Fundación Cibervoluntarios,
2026), on the impact of digital skills training.


Ms. Yolanda Rueda
Ms. Yolanda Rueda Social Entrepreneur - Founder and President of Fundación Cibervoluntarios Fundación Cibervoluntarios, Spain Co chair of the session

Yolanda Rueda. Social Entrepreneur. Founder and current President of Fundación Cibervoluntarios, a non-profit organization celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, focused on promoting the acquisition of digital skills among digitally vulnerable individuals, facilitating digital transformation, and advancing the social use of technology as a means to bridge social divides and foster social innovation and citizen empowerment. Recognized by the Financial Times as one of the 100 organizations driving digital transformation and leading Europe’s growth: Europe’s 100 digital champions

Previously, Yolanda co-founded the Campus Party 1997 – 2005, and the ICT consultancy Futura Networks. After selling her shares in both organizations, she focused on Cibervoluntarios. She previously worked at an institutional level for Red.es and the Instituto de la Juventud de España (Spanish Youth Institute).

Highlights: Since 2026, she has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fundación Cultura de Paz-Federico Mayor Zaragoza. In 2021, named by Forbes as one of “Spain’s Other 100 Greatest Fortunes”. Since 2018, she has been one of the COTEC 100 as a specialist in the Fourth Sector. Additionally, Yolanda was selected as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain three times: in 2016, 2012, and 2011, recognitions that have made her an honorary women leader. She was also awarded in 2011 by Revista Mía magazine con el the Real Women Award (Premio Mujeres Reales) for innovation. In 2013, she was named by Madrid Woman Week y la the Asociación Procom como una de “Las Influyentes” for her 2.0 leadership. In 2012, she was selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program International by the U.S. Government.

Yolanda also founded in 2006 Empodera.org, a collective intelligence platform designed to foster civil society engagement with the 2030 Agenda: a collaborative space to debate and redefine the global innovation ecosystem and create solutions to existing social challenges using open and inclusive technologies. It has the support of the United Nations through UNITAR. Through Empodera.org, she has championed the Collective Declaration for Citizen Digital Sovereignty, which she presented at the United Nations in 2025 on the occasion of WSIS+20. Over the past 20 years, she has also developed EmpoderaLIVE: an internationally recognized event in civic technology.

A journalist with a Master’s degree in the Management and Administration of Foundations and other non-profit organizations, and specializations in Marketing and European Projects. She has authored several publications, with notable contributions to books such as Cómo la tecnología cambió mi vida o The Authentic Digital Natives: Are We Ready for Generation Z?. She is the content curator of a publication on digital transformation, social innovation, technology for good, and citizen empowerment, with nine editions to date, the two most recent being: Citizens’ Digital Sovereignty: Under Construction y  Dismantling Digital Colonialism 


Linkedin.com/in/ciberyolanda/

 

 


Mr. Angel Sola Lopez
Mr. Angel Sola Lopez Director of Brand, Institutional Relations and Public Affairs España Co moderator of the session

Ángel Sola is Director of Brand at Fundación Cibervoluntarios, a non-profit organization
promoting the social use of technology to foster citizens' rights, opportunities and
participation. He leads the organization’s brand strategy, ensuring coherence, impact and
purpose across all communication and projects. His work focuses on connecting
technology, storytelling and social innovation to drive engagement and amplify impact,
with all actions aligned to guarantee citizens’ digital sovereignty.

He is also one of the organizers of the international event EmpoderaLIVE, a global space
for dialogue and action around social innovation, citizen participation and the
transformative power of technology.

Previously, Ángel Sola was Head of International Programs at Fundación Cibervoluntarios,
coordinating the communication area of European projects (Horizon Europe, Erasmus +)
and managing branding and creative concepts from the perspective of social action,
NGOs and Digital Social Innovation. He has actively contributed to the development of
multiple national and European initiatives, always focusing on how technology can
positively transform people’s lives through digital skills training.

Ángel Sola is a regular speaker at international conferences as a social innovation expert
and has participated in events such as 4YFN at MWC and the WSIS Forum.


Topics
Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Digital Divide Digital Inclusion Digital Skills Digital Transformation Education Ethics Global Digital Compact (GDC) Human Rights WSIS+20 Review
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C1 logo C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
  • AL C3 logo C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C4 logo C4. Capacity building
  • AL C5 logo C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
  • AL C10 logo C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation

The session aims to showcase how to advance inclusive digital transformation and guarantee that the benefits of digital technologies reach all people:


1. Bridging digital divides through meaningful digital inclusion.

Despite progress in connectivity, important inequalities persist between and within countries. Dealing with these gaps needs not only infrastructure but also affordable access, relevant services and digital skills that enable people to participate in digital society. This corresponds particularly with Action Line C3 (Access to information and knowledge) and A.L. C4 (Capacity building).


2. Human-centred digital transformation grounded in rights and trust.

As emerging technologies reshape societies, digital development should be firmly based in human rights, ethical systems and user trust. Making sure that digital technologies are designed and deployed in ways that protect fundamental rights and support social wellbeing is essential. This connects with A.L. C10 (Ethical dim. of the Information Society).


3. Multistakeholder cooperation for sustainable digital development.

The WSIS framework emphasises cooperation between governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and the technical community. Developing these partnerships is essential to translate digital strategies into practical initiatives that expand digital opportunities and support inclusive innovation. This reflects A.L. C1 (The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development) and A.L. C11 (International and regional cooperation).


4. Ensuring digital transformation benefits vulnerable and underrepresented groups.

Special attention should be given towards initiatives that support youth, older persons, women and persons with disabilities, making sure that digital technologies contribute to social inclusion and sustainable development.

 

Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 4 logo Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Goal 5 logo Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 8 logo Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  • Goal 10 logo Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Goal 16 logo Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
GDC Objectives
  • Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
  • Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
  • Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity