Description:

Access to basic internet and basic information has become a prerequisite in our digital societies. As societies evolve, their needs and mechanisms to meet them also evolve. Thus, while 'digital connectivity makes us, lack of it unmakes the essence of our becoming. In some parts of the world, the problem is the speed of the internet and the size of bandwidth. In other parts, the problem is that the internet does not exist at all.

Let's imagine that everyone is connected in all parts of the world, is essentially the same, and, therefore, has the same alienable rights. But the digital divide makes us very untrue to our essence, and bridging this divide through digital public goods brings us to our true selves. If we put SDGs at the core of human rights, the Former UN Secretary-general Ban Ki Moon's words ring true, "ICTs can be an engine for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They can power this global undertaking." Arguably, there is a link between digital public goods and human rights, for instance, to name a few:

Right to information
Right to education
Right to health
In theory, the SDG goal and several human rights dimensions are exciting, but some challenges seem impossible in practice. But not until we partner to connect and bring our experiences, expertise and ecosystem to explore and examine these issues:

What is the nexus between digital goods and human rights?
What challenges exist with digital connectivity, and what can be done?
How can access to the Basic internet be made a digital public goods and a human right?