CJFE-IFEX The current IFEX Network Strategic Plan (on file) covers the period 2010-2014.  It was approved by the membership at the 2009 IFEX General meeting and reflects a member-centric approach to strategy development and formulation.  The Secretariat at Toronto is responsible for operationalising the strategic plan and giving shape to its four key components.

The Strategic Plan clusters IFEXs workunder four headings:

(i)	Information and Awareness-Raising
(ii)	Campaigns and Advocacy
(iii)	Network Development
(iv)	Institutional Strengthening and Sustainability

Under (i), IFEX will continue providing up-to-date, user-friendly and relevant FoE information services.  IFEXs goal here is to leverage [its] members advocacy efforts by processing, disseminating and showcasing their information and producing original analysis that is of global relevance.   Activities include the IFEX website (www.ifex.org), which is carried in four languages (French, Spanish and Arabic, in addition to the English page), daily alerts, and a weekly digest.

 

IFEX is developing a digital transformation strategy with its membership, and this new area of programming has two components:


1)	Assisting members to enhance their communication strategies through the incorporation of digital tools, and

2)	Assisting members to understand and address the implications of internet freedom issues as they relate to free expression.

IFEX will provide grants in 2012 to its members to support their work in these areas. For example, during 2012, IFEX is already piloting small Digital Transformation Grants with members that are interested. In 2012, up to 4 grants (~$8500 USD) are available in the areas of communications strategy development, assistance with targeted multimedia strategies and/or to engage in Internet freedom issues. IFEX discusses the proposedactivities with each member to make sure the objectives are mutually understood and meet programme parameters. IFEX will be analysing the process and results of these grants in its work to plan a broader support strategy to members in this area starting in 2013.

Regarding the second component, IFEX will be focusing on building network capacity, nationally and regionally (Southeast Asia, Latin America and potentially one other focal region), for active, multi-stakeholder engagement in the evolving multilateral Internet governance debates.  It hopes to secure resources for a new three- year programme of policy and research, communications, stakeholder engagement and capacity-building, with the aim of broadening the number of IFEX groups active in Internet freedom issues and their practical implications for freedom of expression.  This effort is intended to result in a broader base of NGOs able to participate ingovernment debates, advise on related policy issues such as surveillance, liability, copyright, etc. as relates to developing overall Internet governance policy  so that local voices and experiences which are currently lacking, are informing and are considered integral to global discussions.

Under (ii) (Campaigns and Advocacy), IFEX will:
?	Establish 23 November as the International Day toEnd Impunity, following the successful launch of the day in 2011 , which has now also received the support of The UN Special Rapporteur on FoE.  The International Day feeds into ongoing efforts aiming for a United Nations joint Plan of Action on the Protection ofJournalists and the Issue of Impunity (coordinated by UNESCO ).  In the words of Annie Game, the IFEX Director,  "having a rallyingpoint like the International Day to End Impunity is designed to help focus global attention on the issues raised by the Special Rapporteur and the work being done by IFEX members and other human rights defenders to combat the culture of impunity". Building on thesuccess and the lessons learned from the inaugural International Day to End Impunity (IDEI) launched on November 23rd, 2011, IFEX has developed a strategy that will ground the campaign for the next three years.  Moving forward, the IDEI will go beyond the issue of murder with impunity to raise awareness about the culture of impunity, which encompasses a complexity of factors that contributeto a climate of injustice and insecurity for those practicing their right to freedom of expression. Ending a culture of impunity involves working to improve systems of governance, protection mechanisms for those expressing themselves, strengthening judicial systems; resolution of armed conflict, impartial investigations, and the list goes on.  Through the IDEI, IFEX will raise awareness aboutthe culture of impunity by focusing on some of the factors that contribute to the culture of impunity, and their impacts on societyand the individual.

Under (iii), IFEX programme support emphasises institutional strengthening of members  nationally and regionally  to contribute to their capacity and sustainability to defend free expression where they work. Two key focuses of work in this area are: developing and using a simple interactive, online multimedia 'organisational health check-up' tool for members to self-assess the strengths and weaknesses of their organisations to identify relevant areas of support;  and, developing support tools for approaches to financial sustainability planning in free expression organisations.