Meri Baghdasaryan is a human rights attorney from Armenia, focused on international human rights litigation and research. She has served as an expert for the Council of Europe and UNDP Armenia. Currently she is an LL.M Candidate at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (USA). In the Internet governance (IG) ecosystem her expertise and interests include issues related to privacy and data protection, freedom of speech and youth participation in IG.

Yohannes is a PhD Candidate at the Faculty of Law, Monash University in Australia. His project looks at internet freedom in Africa. He was a Lecturer in Law at School of Law, Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia where he was teaching and researching on Media Law and Human Rights. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Human Rights Law (University of Groningen), and LL.M in Public International Law (Addis Ababa University). His research interest lies in the areas of Internet Freedom, Intermediary Liability, and International Human Rights Law.

Margaret López is a journalist with a decade of experience. She holds a Diploma in Economics for Journalists from Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV). Her interest in science and economics topics led her to get involved in Data Journalism, and the Open Data movement. She won the second place in Chicas Poderosas Hackathon with “My Open Vote” proposal in 2016. She is a member of the Creative Commons Global Network. She has been recently interested in Digital Rights, and the possibilities offered by Open Data to strengthen journalism.

Kudakwashe Hove is Legal and Digital Policy Lead at the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe Chapter. Kuda leads his organisation’s work on digital policy in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region. He is also tasked with information and communications technologies sectors engagement to foster the exercise and enjoyment of freedom of expression, digital rights and the right to information.

Mary-Jean is a writer and often writes for The Global Communiqué, a current affairs digital magazine, and contributes written pieces to other media platforms. She is a co-panelist for Declarations, a podcast from the Centre of Governance and Human Rights at the University of Cambridge that explores issues on human rights. Mary-Jean spent four years engaged in work that straddles socio-legal and development issues; and in 2017, she executive-produced a documentary on access to affordable internet for students in African public schools, with a particular case-study on Malawi.

Thato Mochone is a Specialist at Vodacom Lesotho, a leading telecommunications company. She also currently serves as a Commissioner to the Lesotho Law Reform Commission whose function is to review laws of Lesotho with a view towards systematic development and reform. Previous to her work in the private sector, she has over five years of experience in media and broadcasting, which includes working as a broadcast journalist for Lesotho’s state owned radio station.

OgheneVwede Gift Agboro has a multifunctional background in law, internet and technology policy, programme design, and advocacy. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Law at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She has gained professional experience in law, consulting, technology and the non-for profit space through internships at firms such as Aluko &Oyebode, ThistlePraxisConsulting, Linux Professional Institute(Innovation Hub), and LEAP Africa.

Olga holds a PhD degree in International Law and is CEO & Founder of The Influencer Platform – a Ukrainian-based organization that trains and unites influencers of all generations who stand for digital rights, equal opportunities, and the open Internet.

For over five years, Talal Raza has worked with renowned media organizations and NGOs including The Nation, Geo News, IREX, United States Institute of Peace, and Privacy International. He has researched and written on various policy issues including terrorism, cyber terrorism, digital rights and the local bodies system.

With a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, Rose recently founded Womenpowered Institute, an organization that provides opportunities for women to excel in the digital economy through training and community events. Rose has spent the majority of her career as a program manager, gaining experiences in community development, project and event management. She started her journey as an Internet Governance champion in 2013 when she implemented a healthtech project for community health workers.