Making Disability Rights Real in Southeast Asia: Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in ASEAN

Editors: Derrick L. Cogburn and Tina Kempin Reuter

Published March 2017

This book evaluates the national implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Working with country-specific research teams, the contributors compiled detailed case-studies of CRPD implementation in each of the 10 countries in ASEAN. This book presents a detailed overview of the problem, the relevant literature, the conceptual framework, and then explores the implementation of the CRPD in each of the 10 countries. Details include the factors that influenced each country to ratify the CRPD, the focal point structure of implementation, the independent mechanism established to monitor the implementation, and the civil society organizations involved. Full Synopsis

Transnational Advocacy Networks in the Information Society

Author: Derrick L. Cogburn

Published January 2017

This book examines the role of transnational advocacy networks in enabling effective participation for individual citizens in the deliberative processes of global governance. Contextualized around the international conference setting of the United Nations-sponsored World Summit on the Information Society in 2003 and 2005, the book sees epistemic communities and information and communication technologies (ICTs) as critical to the effectiveness of this important organizational form. This book asks: are transnational advocacy networks active in the global information society influential partners in these global governance processes, or merely symbolic tokens—or pawns? Dr. Cogburn explores the factors that enabled some networks—such as the Internet Governance Caucus—to persist and thrive, while others failed, and sees linkages with epistemic communities—such as the Global Internet Governance Academic Network—and ICTs as critical to network effectiveness. Full Synopsis

Disability Rights Advocacy Online: Voice, Empowerment and Global Connectivity

Author: Filippo Trevisan

Published October 2016

This book charts the recent digitalization of disability rights advocacy in the U.K. and the U.S., and discusses the implications of this transformation for disabled citizens and other traditionally under-represented groups. In just a few short years, disability rights groups have gone from using the Internet much less than other advocacy organizations to pioneering new uses of social media to foster a deep sense of agency and unify a very diverse community. Through the examination of social media content, Web link analysis, and interviews with leading figures in grassroots groups on both sides of the Atlantic, Dr. Trevisan reveals the profound impact that the Internet has had on disability advocacy in the wake of the austerity agenda that followed the 2008 global financial crisis. Full Synopsis

The Turn to Infrastructure in Internet Governance

Editors: Francesca Musiani, Derrick L. Cogburn, Laura DeNardis, and Nanette S. Levinson

Published January 2016

This edited volume brings together experts from around the world to provide coverage and analysis of infrastructure's role in Internet governance, both now and in the future. Never in history have conflicts over Internet governance attracted such widespread attention. Much of the Internet governance ecosystem—both technical architecture and coordinating institutions—is behind the scenes but increasingly carries significant public interest implications. An area once concealed in institutional and technological complexity is now rightly bracketed among other shared global issues—such as environmental protection and human rights—that have considerable global implications but are simply incongruous with national borders. This transformation into an era of global governance by Internet infrastructure presents a moment of opportunity for scholars to bring these politicized infrastructures to the foreground. Full Synopsis