This post was originally published on contractfortheweb.org.

It’s been almost a month since we launched the Contract for the Web — a global plan of action to make our online world safe and empowering for everyone, not just a privileged few.

In this time, we’ve seen overwhelming support from across the world, with thousands endorsing the Contract and committing to building a better web.

Launching the Contract for the Web

Speaking at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Berlin, Sir Tim outlined a choice between two webs. One that is a threat to all of our rights and safety. And another that is open, safe and supports the best in humanity.

Launching the Contract for the Web, he called on the audience to act urgently to harness the web’s power as a force for good and avoid plunging the world into a digital dystopia.

The incredible support we’ve seen for the Contract shows the passion people have for the open web and their commitment to stand up and fight for it.

Momentum builds for the web we want

So far, 1,100+ organisations from over 50 countries have backed Contract for the Web and promised to take action to uphold the commitments it sets out.

These backers include the government of Ghana; tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, Telefonica, DuckDuckGo and Reddit; and leading rights defenders including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Access Now, Reporters Without Borders, Public Knowledge, CIPESA and Paradigm Initiative.

These groups are joined by 9,000+ individuals from around the world, including entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, US congressman Ro Khanna, tech pioneers Rebecca Enonchong, Martha Lane Fox, Mo Ibrahim, Mariéme Jamme and Craig Newmark, founding leader of The New Now Roya Mahboob and actor and writer Stephen Fry. 

Fighting for the web in 2020

The launch of the Contract for the Web is milestone to celebrate — but it is just the beginning of the fight for the web we want.

In the new year we’ll be working hard to win even more backing for the Contract among companies, civic groups and particularly governments.

To further develop the commitments outlined in the Contract, we will once again convene experts to craft specific, evidence-based solutions to the problems facing the web and champion civil society organisations undertaking important work on specific issues.

The Contract is a powerful tool to hold organisations accountable for their decisions and actions. To keep their status as backers of the Contract, endorsers must demonstrate action on their commitments and stay actively involved in developing concrete solutions.

We’ll be announcing next steps on the accountability framework and measuring endorsers’ implementation of the Contract in the new year.

We all have a part to play to ensure the Contract for the Web drives real change. Join us to build a web that works for all humanity by backing the Contract. Together, we can make the web we want a reality. 

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