How does International law apply in an online world? It’s a tricky question, because most international law was created before the Internet. Currently countries don’t have agreement on how to interpret and apply global legal frameworks in the age of the Internet, including around cyberattacks, obligations to protect and respect human rights online, online business and the myriad of online aspects of our lives, especially in a global pandemic where the Internet is more critical than ever.

At the end of 2020 the New Zealand Government made a statement on the application of international law online (found at https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/application-international-law-state-activity-cyberspace), which includes the commitment to International law applying online as it does offline. But what does that mean, for example when responding to malicious cyber activity coming out of other countries or for New Zealand sovereignty online, more broadly?

Join us at InternetNZ for a lunchtime discussion forum to explore how the New Zealand government thinks this challenge can be best navigated, in conversation with technical experts, civil society and researchers on what it might mean for New Zealanders.

Speakers will include participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and representatives from the tech sector, legal and academic perspectives, with a focus on discussion among participants.

Discussion-starter Speakers (additional speakers tbc):
Megan Addis, Senior Legal Adviser, Legal Division, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

Paul Ash, Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Cyber and Digital Cyber Coordinator, National Security Group, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Kate Hannah, Deputy Director, Equity and Diversity Te Pūnaha Matatini, Executive Manager and Associate Investigator Te Pūnaha Matatini, Research Fellow Department of Physics, University of Auckland | Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau

Chris Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe), Kaihuawaere Matihiko, Catalyst

Dr Ellen Strickland, Chief Advisor, International, InternetNZ (Facilitator)

Timing:
12 noon: a light lunch will be provided on arrival
12.30pm: session commences
1.45pm-2pm: session finishes

Note: due to circumstances related to the recent Covid-19 Level alert changes, this event was rescheduled from original date of Tuesday 23 February to Friday 19 March