"Self-determination" is more on point.

content/learning/_index.md

@@ -3,4 +3,4 @@ title: "Learning"
 cardView: true
 ---
 
-Resources for building technical skills and understanding digital sovereignty.
+Resources for building technical skills and understanding digital self-determination.

content/learning/git/index.md

@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 title: "Git: Distributed Version Control for Digital Independence"
 date: 2025-01-15
 featureImageCaption: Author unknown. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Linus-Torvalds.jpeg), “Linus Torvalds”, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
-summary: "Git is more than just a version control system; it embodies principles of decentralization, resilience, and user sovereignty. This article explores how Git's distributed architecture aligns with the values of civil society organizations, enabling them to maintain control over their digital infrastructure."
+summary: "Git is more than just a version control system; it embodies principles of decentralization, resilience, and user self-determination. This article explores how Git's distributed architecture aligns with the values of civil society organizations, enabling them to maintain control over their digital infrastructure."
 ---
 
 ## Introduction
 
-Version control systems are the backbone of modern software development, enabling collaboration, preserving history, and managing complexity. Among these tools, Git stands apart—not just as the most widely used version control system, but as a technology that fundamentally aligns with principles of decentralization, resilience, and user sovereignty.
+Version control systems are the backbone of modern software development, enabling collaboration, preserving history, and managing complexity. Among these tools, Git stands apart—not just as the most widely used version control system, but as a technology that fundamentally aligns with principles of decentralization, resilience, and user self-determination.
 
-For civil society organizations, Git represents much more than a development tool. It embodies a different way of thinking about collaboration—one based on distributed trust, transparent history, and resilience against centralized control. In this article, we explore what Git is, how it works, and why its approach to distributed collaboration matters for organizations committed to digital sovereignty.
+For civil society organizations, Git represents much more than a development tool. It embodies a different way of thinking about collaboration—one based on distributed trust, transparent history, and resilience against centralized control. In this article, we explore what Git is, how it works, and why its approach to distributed collaboration matters for organizations committed to digital self-determination.
 
 ## What Is Git?
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ Git's distributed nature means:
 
 In contexts where infrastructure may be unreliable or subject to interference, this resilience is invaluable.
 
-### 2. Sovereignty and Control
+### 2. Self-Determination and Control
 
 Git provides complete control over:
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ Git provides complete control over:
 - How contributions are reviewed and incorporated
 - What external dependencies are included
 
-This sovereignty means organizations aren't dependent on the policies or availability of any particular service provider.
+This self-determination means organizations aren't dependent on the policies or availability of any particular service provider.
 
 ### 3. Transparency and Accountability
 
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ By distributing repositories across multiple participants, these organizations e
 
 ## Conclusion
 
-Git represents more than just a tool—it embodies an approach to collaboration built on principles that civil society defends: distributed authority, transparent history, resilient systems, and user sovereignty. By adopting Git and its associated practices, organizations don't just improve their technical workflows; they align their operational methods with their values.
+Git represents more than just a tool—it embodies an approach to collaboration built on principles that civil society defends: distributed authority, transparent history, resilient systems, and user self-determination. By adopting Git and its associated practices, organizations don't just improve their technical workflows; they align their operational methods with their values.
 
 The Civil Society Technology Foundation recognizes Git as a foundational technology for independent civil society infrastructure, enabling transparent collaboration without creating new dependencies or vulnerabilities.
 

content/learning/language-models/index.md

@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 title: "Language Models: Understanding AI in the Context of Civil Society"
 date: 2025-01-15
 featureImageCaption: "dvgodoy (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:Transformer,-full-architecture.png), 'Transformer, full architecture', https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode"
-summary: "Language models are reshaping how we interact with technology, but they also raise critical questions about control, transparency, and the future of human agency. This article explores language models through the lens of civil society values, examining their implications for digital sovereignty and how organizations can navigate this complex landscape."
+summary: "Language models are reshaping how we interact with technology, but they also raise critical questions about control, transparency, and the future of human agency. This article explores language models through the lens of civil society values, examining their implications for digital self-determination and how organizations can navigate this complex landscape."
 ---
 
 ## Introduction
 
 Large Language Models (LLMs) have rapidly transformed from research curiosities to everyday tools. These systems, trained on vast corpora of human-written text, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in understanding and generating human language, powering applications from automated assistants to content creation tools. For civil society organizations, these technologies represent both opportunity and challenge—tools that can amplify effectiveness and reach, but also systems that raise profound questions about centralization, control, and the future of human agency.
 
-In this article, we examine language models through the lens of civil society values, exploring how these technologies work, their implications for digital sovereignty, and pathways to harnessing their benefits while minimizing risks to autonomy and independence.
+In this article, we examine language models through the lens of civil society values, exploring how these technologies work, their implications for digital self-determination, and pathways to harnessing their benefits while minimizing risks to autonomy and independence.
 
 ## What Are Language Models?
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ These capabilities can be particularly valuable for organizations with limited r
 
 ### Critical Concerns
 
-At the same time, language models raise serious concerns for organizations committed to digital sovereignty:
+At the same time, language models raise serious concerns for organizations committed to digital self-determination:
 
 1. **Centralization of Power**: The most capable models require resources only available to large corporations or governments
 2. **Data Extraction Risks**: API-based access creates dependency and potential surveillance
@@ -77,13 +77,13 @@ At the same time, language models raise serious concerns for organizations commi
 
 These concerns connect directly to civil society's core focus on distributed power, accountability, and human agency.
 
-## Sovereignty Considerations
+## Self-Determination Considerations
 
-For organizations committed to digital sovereignty, language models present particular challenges:
+For organizations committed to digital self-determination, language models present particular challenges:
 
-### The Sovereignty Paradox
+### The Self-Determination Paradox
 
-The most capable language models currently exist in a paradigm that conflicts with sovereignty principles:
+The most capable language models currently exist in a paradigm that conflicts with self-determination principles:
 
 - Trained on massive datasets that no individual organization can replicate
 - Requiring computational resources beyond most civil society organizations
@@ -92,9 +92,9 @@ The most capable language models currently exist in a paradigm that conflicts wi
 
 This creates a paradox: using these tools can advance an organization's mission while simultaneously reinforcing dependency on centralized technological infrastructure.
 
-### Sovereignty-Respecting Approaches
+### Self-Determination-Respecting Approaches
 
-Several approaches exist for using language models while maintaining alignment with sovereignty principles:
+Several approaches exist for using language models while maintaining alignment with self-determination principles:
 
 1. **Self-hosted smaller models**: Running smaller but still capable models on local infrastructure
 2. **Federated improvement**: Pooling resources to improve open models without centralizing data
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ Before implementing language model technologies, organizations should evaluate:
 4. **Alignment Check**: Does the model's training and operation align with the organization's values?
 5. **Resource Analysis**: What local capabilities exist to understand, deploy, and maintain the system?
 
-This assessment helps determine the appropriate balance between capability and sovereignty for each use case.
+This assessment helps determine the appropriate balance between capability and self-determination for each use case.
 
 ### Recommended Approaches by Context
 
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ A human rights organization uses language models to help draft, organize, and tr
 - Cloud APIs for translation of already-public information
 - Clear data policies regarding what can be sent to external services
 
-This hybrid approach balances practical needs with sovereignty concerns.
+This hybrid approach balances practical needs with self-determination concerns.
 
 ### Scenario 2: Community Legal Aid
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ A legal assistance organization develops a system to help explain legal concepts
 - Create specialized interfaces for common questions
 - Maintain human review of all substantive advice
 
-This sovereignty-first approach prioritizes control and alignment with the organization's values.
+This self-determination-first approach prioritizes control and alignment with the organization's values.
 
 ### Scenario 3: Environmental Data Analysis
 
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ A climate advocacy group uses language models to analyze environmental impact re
 - Implement clear boundaries on sensitive strategic discussions
 - Contribute to open model development in their domain
 
-This pragmatic approach uses available tools while working toward greater sovereignty.
+This pragmatic approach uses available tools while working toward greater self-determination.
 
 ## The Future Landscape
 
@@ -226,14 +226,14 @@ Models continue to decrease in size while maintaining capabilities:
 - Specialized models outperform general models in specific domains
 - Browser-based models enable client-side processing
 
-These trends make sovereignty-respecting approaches increasingly viable.
+These trends make self-determination-respecting approaches increasingly viable.
 
 ### Decentralized Research and Development
 
 Alternatives to centralized AI development are emerging:
 
 - Research collaboratives pooling resources for model development
-- Federated learning approaches that preserve data sovereignty
+- Federated learning approaches that preserve data self-determination
 - Community-governed models with transparent decision making
 - Regional training efforts creating linguistically diverse models
 
@@ -263,12 +263,12 @@ For organizations navigating language model adoption, we recommend the following
 7. **Document and share learnings**: Help build collective knowledge about responsible use
 8. **Regularly reassess**: Technology and best practices are evolving rapidly
 
-These guidelines help organizations balance practical benefit with long-term sovereignty.
+These guidelines help organizations balance practical benefit with long-term self-determination.
 
 ## Conclusion
 
 Language models represent a profound technological shift with particularly complex implications for civil society. While these tools offer significant benefits for organizations with limited resources, they also present risks of creating new dependencies and reinforcing centralization of technological power.
 
-The Civil Society Technology Foundation advocates for a sovereignty-respecting approach to language models—one that leverages their benefits while working toward a future where such capabilities are available through community-governed, transparent infrastructure. This means making thoughtful choices today about how and when to use these tools, while supporting the development of alternatives that better align with civil society values.
+The Civil Society Technology Foundation advocates for a self-determination-respecting approach to language models—one that leverages their benefits while working toward a future where such capabilities are available through community-governed, transparent infrastructure. This means making thoughtful choices today about how and when to use these tools, while supporting the development of alternatives that better align with civil society values.
 
 The path forward is neither uncritical adoption nor blanket rejection, but rather principled engagement that shapes these technologies to serve human agency, community autonomy, and distributed power—the core values that define civil society itself.

content/learning/linux/index.md

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 ---
-title: "Linux: The Operating System for Digital Sovereignty"
+title: "Linux: The Operating System for Digital Self-Determination"
 date: 2025-01-15
 featureImageCaption: "Photo by <a href=\"https://unsplash.com/@wwarby?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">William Warby</a> on <a href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-penguin-is-standing-on-a-rocky-area-mlDxrRUuDxc?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash</a>"
-summary: "Linux is more than just an operating system; it is a cornerstone of digital sovereignty for civil society organizations. This article explores how Linux empowers communities to reclaim control over their technology, ensuring independence, security, and adaptability in an increasingly centralized digital landscape."
+summary: "Linux is more than just an operating system; it is a cornerstone of digital self-determination for civil society organizations. This article explores how Linux empowers communities to reclaim control over their technology, ensuring independence, security, and adaptability in an increasingly centralized digital landscape."
 ---
 
 ## Introduction
 
-Linux stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of computing—an operating system built by a global community, freely available to all, and powering everything from the smallest embedded devices to the largest supercomputers. For civil society organizations seeking digital sovereignty, Linux represents both a practical tool and a powerful symbol of what's possible when technology development is driven by community needs rather than corporate interests.
+Linux stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of computing—an operating system built by a global community, freely available to all, and powering everything from the smallest embedded devices to the largest supercomputers. For civil society organizations seeking digital self-determination, Linux represents both a practical tool and a powerful symbol of what's possible when technology development is driven by community needs rather than corporate interests.
 
 In this article, we explore what Linux is, why it matters for civil society, and how it provides the foundation for technological independence in an increasingly controlled digital landscape.
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ These characteristics reflect Linux's organic development process, where improve
 
 ## Why Linux Matters for Civil Society
 
-For civil society organizations seeking digital sovereignty, Linux provides several unique benefits:
+For civil society organizations seeking digital self-determination, Linux provides several unique benefits:
 
 ### 1. Freedom from Corporate Control
 
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ Linux's accessibility removes barriers to participation:
 
 This accessibility aligns with civil society's commitment to inclusion and equitable access to technological tools.
 
-### 5. Sovereignty and Control
+### 5. Self-Determination and Control
 
-Perhaps most importantly, Linux enables genuine sovereignty over computing infrastructure:
+Perhaps most importantly, Linux enables genuine self-determination over computing infrastructure:
 
 - Organizations can inspect and modify any aspect of their systems
 - Technical knowledge builds internal capacity rather than dependency
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ Perhaps most importantly, Linux enables genuine sovereignty over computing infra
 - Systems can be fully understood rather than treated as black boxes
 - Community governance replaces corporate decision-making
 
-This sovereignty is not just a technical preference but essential for organizations that need to control their own digital infrastructure.
+This self-determination is not just a technical preference but essential for organizations that need to control their own digital infrastructure.
 
 ## Linux Distributions for Civil Society
 
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ The Civil Society Technology Foundation can provide guidance on distribution sel
 
 ## Beyond the Operating System: The Linux Ecosystem
 
-Linux has inspired a broader ecosystem of tools and practices that support digital sovereignty:
+Linux has inspired a broader ecosystem of tools and practices that support digital self-determination:
 
 - **Container technologies** like Docker and Kubernetes (themselves Linux-based) enable flexible, portable deployments
 - **Configuration management** tools allow systematic administration of multiple systems
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ By providing a free, adaptable foundation, Linux enables these initiatives to fo
 As digital technology becomes increasingly central to all aspects of civic life, the relationship between Linux and civil society grows more important. Several emerging trends highlight this connection:
 
 - **Edge computing** brings computation closer to communities, often using Linux on small devices
-- **Software sovereignty** movements advocate for public control of critical code
+- **Software self-determination** movements advocate for public control of critical code
 - **Digital commons** initiatives build shared technological resources
 - **Community cloud** approaches offer alternatives to corporate infrastructure
 - **Digital public infrastructure** creates essential services outside market logic
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ In each of these areas, Linux provides a foundation that enables community contr
 
 ## Conclusion
 
-For civil society organizations committed to digital sovereignty, Linux represents both practical infrastructure and a compelling vision. By choosing Linux, organizations assert control over their fundamental computing environment, build internal capacity rather than dependency, and join a global community developing technology for human needs rather than market demands.
+For civil society organizations committed to digital self-determination, Linux represents both practical infrastructure and a compelling vision. By choosing Linux, organizations assert control over their fundamental computing environment, build internal capacity rather than dependency, and join a global community developing technology for human needs rather than market demands.
 
 The Civil Society Technology Foundation recognizes Linux as essential infrastructure for robust civil society in the digital age. By building on this foundation, organizations can create resilient, independent systems that genuinely serve their missions and communities.
 

content/learning/software-development/index.md

@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 title: "Software Development: Building Digital Infrastructure for Civil Society"
 date: 2025-01-15
 featureImageCaption: Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Kelly Sikkema</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-wearing-black-t-shirt-holding-white-computer-keyboard-YK0HPwWDJ1I?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>
-summary: "Software development is a critical aspect of civil society's digital sovereignty. This article explores how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of building independent, adaptable, and resilient software systems."
+summary: "Software development is a critical aspect of civil society's digital self-determination. This article explores how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable self-determination, emphasizing the importance of building independent, adaptable, and resilient software systems."
 ---
 
 ## Introduction
 
 Software development is not merely a technical activity but a form of infrastructure building with profound implications for human freedom and agency. As digital systems increasingly mediate civic life, the ability to create, modify, and control software becomes essential for civil society's independence and effectiveness.
 
-In this article, we explore software development through the lens of civil society values—examining how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable sovereignty. We'll address both practical aspects of creating software and the broader implications of development choices for organizational autonomy and mission.
+In this article, we explore software development through the lens of civil society values—examining how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable self-determination. We'll address both practical aspects of creating software and the broader implications of development choices for organizational autonomy and mission.
 
 ## Why Software Development Matters for Civil Society
 
@@ -50,9 +50,9 @@ Software development builds crucial organizational capabilities:
 
 These capacities extend beyond software itself to strengthen overall organizational resilience.
 
-## Sovereignty-Respecting Development Practices
+## Self-Determination-Respecting Development Practices
 
-Software development practices can either enhance or undermine digital sovereignty. We advocate for approaches that:
+Software development practices can either enhance or undermine digital self-determination. We advocate for approaches that:
 
 ### 1. Focus on Simplicity and Maintainability
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ This purpose-driven approach ensures technology serves human needs rather than t
 Tool selection should balance multiple considerations:
 
 1. **Community health**: Is there an active, diverse community supporting the tool?
-2. **Sovereignty implications**: Does the tool create new dependencies?
+2. **Self-determination implications**: Does the tool create new dependencies?
 3. **Learning curve**: Can your team develop and maintain expertise?
 4. **Longevity**: Is the tool likely to remain viable over your project's lifetime?
 5. **Resource requirements**: Does the tool work within your constraints?
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ Programming languages and frameworks establish fundamental constraints:
 
 ### Database and Storage Technologies
 
-Data storage choices have significant sovereignty implications:
+Data storage choices have significant self-determination implications:
 
 **Key considerations**:
 
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ Several examples illustrate effective approaches to civil society software devel
 
 ### Case Study 1: SecureDrop
 
-SecureDrop, an anonymous whistleblowing platform, demonstrates several sovereignty-respecting practices:
+SecureDrop, an anonymous whistleblowing platform, demonstrates several self-determination-respecting practices:
 
 - **Air-gapped architecture** protects sources even from sophisticated adversaries
 - **Clear documentation** enables independent verification and deployment
@@ -432,17 +432,17 @@ The local-first approach prioritizes user control while enabling collaboration:
 - Data lives primarily on user devices, not in the cloud
 - Synchronization happens peer-to-peer when possible
 - Applications work offline by default
-- User sovereignty over data is a foundational principle
+- User self-determination over data is a foundational principle
 - Collaboration happens without centralized control
 
-This paradigm aligns closely with civil society's sovereignty principles.
+This paradigm aligns closely with civil society's self-determination principles.
 
 ### 2. Small-Scale Machine Learning
 
 Machine learning is becoming accessible to smaller organizations:
 
 - Pre-trained models reduce resource requirements
-- Federated approaches preserve data sovereignty
+- Federated approaches preserve data self-determination
 - On-device inference enables privacy-preserving intelligence
 - Transfer learning makes specialized applications viable
 - Community datasets enable alternatives to corporate AI
@@ -477,6 +477,6 @@ These approaches make software development accessible to more civil society orga
 
 Software development for civil society is not merely about creating tools but about building infrastructure for human freedom and agency. The technical choices organizations make have profound implications for who controls the digital systems mediating civic participation.
 
-The Civil Society Technology Foundation advocates for development approaches that prioritize sovereignty, resilience, and community control—recognizing that software created with these values will better serve civil society's mission than technologies that create new dependencies or vulnerabilities.
+The Civil Society Technology Foundation advocates for development approaches that prioritize self-determination, resilience, and community control—recognizing that software created with these values will better serve civil society's mission than technologies that create new dependencies or vulnerabilities.
 
 By building software with these principles in mind, civil society organizations don't just solve immediate problems but contribute to a digital ecosystem that reinforces rather than undermines human agency and collective action—the foundation upon which civil society itself rests.