Session
Organizer 1: Hanna Wetters , Center for International Private Enterprise
Organizer 2: Morgan Frost, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
Speaker 1: Arda Batu, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Rachel Muthoga, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 3: Anteneh Tesfaye, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Coco Alcuaz, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 5: Rachel Muthoga, Private Sector, African Group
Hanna Wetters , Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Morgan Frost, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Morgan Frost, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Other - 60 Min
Format description: This session will involve both hearing from the panelists as well as incorporating real-time audience feedback from the Menti-platform. While the session may feel like a traditional panel, it is incorporating elements that are non-traditional, like Menti.
1. How can local business communities, civil society, governments, and the technical community work together to address key barriers that hinder the advancement of economic inclusion online?
2. What approaches, tools, or resources have been/could be instrumental in supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises to build the knowledge and skills necessary to meaningfully participate online?
Connection with previous Messages: This session addresses key topics discussed during the 2021 IGF within the broader themes of social and economic inclusion (theme 3) and universal access and meaningful connectivity (theme 4). This session will explore concrete ways in which diverse stakeholder groups can work together to build enabling environments that foster digital and economic inclusion. Speakers and participants will also identify and explore key barriers that preclude the achievement of universal access and meaningful connectivity, particularly in the context of local business communities. Finally, the session will discuss potential recommendations for governments, business, and civil society to consider in order to reduce digital divides and ensure equitable access to the internet for all.
1. No Poverty
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
10. Reduced Inequalities
Targets: This proposed session will address Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1, 8, and 10. Promoting digital and financial inclusion, as well as increased stakeholder coordination on the issue can help to alleviate poverty and promote decent work as developing economies digitize. Promoting digital enabling environments that seek to reduce inequality wrought by digital transformation is just as important and relevant to the above SDGs.
Description:
Over 60% of the global population is now online and this figure continues to grow as societies increasingly rely on digital tools and platforms to connect and participate in the global economy. While this digital acceleration has unleashed new opportunities, those without technical knowledge, skills, or internet access are at risk of being further socially isolated and economically disadvantaged. This is especially relevant among local business communities, including small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As providers of essential goods and services and important job creators, SMBs connect local communities with regional, and ultimately global economies. In countries where the digital economy is in the early stages of development, there is a growing demand for digital services, but the rollout of products, services, and programs to support inclusive digital transformation is not always able to meet demand. For instance, in a recent survey of Ethiopian SMBs conducted by the Center for International Enterprise (CIPE) in five major cities, 99% of surveyed businesses reported that they received customer payments in cash, and 93% said that if they had access, they would use digital platforms for customer payments. A further 73% of SMBs said they did not have access to digital skills training, reflecting the broader situation in the Global South.
This participatory workshop will explore strategies for engaging local business communities and other stakeholders in setting priorities for inclusive digital transformation, with examples from Ethiopia, Kenya and countries in other regions drawing on CIPE’s experience with local partners. It will also explore how to translate grassroots priorities into policies that shape the digital economy.
The session will highlight successful methodologies of engaging businesses in digital economy policy discussions. It will raise awareness about the findings of CIPE's recent digital economy survey of SMBs and the resulting policy recommendations to support digital inclusion. It will also share guidance on effective multistakeholder approaches to help government, private sector, and civil society actors create a more inclusive digital economy. Following the session, CIPE will organize follow-up events in Ethiopia and Kenya (and potentially in other regions) to continue the conversation.
Hybrid Format: The session organizers intend to ensure equal opportunities for speakers and participants to actively take part in the hybrid discussion, regardless of how participants choose to attend. The session will begin with opening perspectives from the speakers on the key topics outlined. The remainder of the session will be dedicated to a roundtable discussion where IGF participants (online and in-person) will be encouraged to share additional insights and questions.
The organizers plan to use Menti, a software application that promotes audience engagement during presentations to increase participation and interaction during the session.
Usage of IGF Official Tool.