Session
Digital, Media, and Information Literacy
Debate - 60 Min
This session organized by the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA) and youth peacebuilders from the ‘Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia’ initiative will explore concrete steps to strengthen cross-border ties through digital literacy education and emerging technologies. Youth will examine the impacts of internet fragmentation, filter bubbles, hate speech, disinformation, and prejudice online, and explore ways to create mechanisms to facilitate healthy exchanges and connectivity between institutions and people in Northeast Asia. What are the potential risks of an unregulated digital environment, and what roles might various actors play in regulating emerging technologies? What are the prospects and difficulties of AI-based knowledge creation, including on historical awareness, for the region?
Youth peacebuilders will present their recommendations, including leveraging public-private partnerships to create regional digital literacy programs in line with the concept of lifelong learning, and measures to promote the development of inclusive algorithms and Northeast Asian Metaverse platforms. Join us for a dynamic discussion on how emerging technologies and digital literacy programs can be leveraged to build peace and foster connectivity in Northeast Asia.
United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
- Ms. Yukako Ban (Japan), Youth Peacebuilder in UNDPPA’s ‘Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia’ initiative
- Ms. Manjiang He (China), Youth Peacebuilder in UNDPPA’s ‘Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia’ initiative
- Ms. Oyundalai Odkhuu (Mongolia), Youth Peacebuilder in UNDPPA’s ‘Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia’ initiative
- Mr. Jerry Kit Hoi Li (China), Youth Peacebuilder in UNDPPA’s ‘Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia’ initiative
4. Quality Education
4.5
4.7
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.1
9.b
9.c
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
16.1
16.10
16.5
16.6
16.7
16.a
Targets: This session is closely aligned with several SDGs, including SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By exploring the impacts of internet fragmentation and the potential risks and benefits of emerging technologies such as AI and the Metaverse, this session promotes digital literacy and lifelong learning opportunities that are inclusive, accessible and will contribute to the broader goal of building a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future for Northeast Asia and beyond. SDG 4: Quality Education and Lifelong Learning - The session's focus on regional digital literacy education directly links to SDG 4. By exploring concrete steps for the establishment of regional digital literacy education programs, the session is promoting access to lifelong learning and education, building skills for the future, and the development of a knowledgeable and informed society. It examines the potential of intergenerational education and cross-border exchanges to foster greater understanding, empathy, and collaboration among different age groups and communities. The aim is to promote a culture of peace and appreciation of different regional cultures, to combat the rise of hate speech and online violence, nationalism, prejudice, and misogyny online. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The session's focus on the development of inclusive algorithms and Northeast Asian Metaverse platforms, as well as the emphasis on the potential geopolitical risks of an unregulated digital environment, align with SDG 9 by leveraging innovation and resilient digital infrastructure for social and economic development. The focus on public-private partnerships to create regional digital literacy programs, the use of emerging technologies to enhance connectivity, and policies and regulations that encourage innovation while minimizing negative impacts on societies, promotes exploring new avenues for innovation and development of knowledge-based economies. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - The session's emphasis on creating mechanisms to facilitate healthy exchanges and connectivity between institutions and people in the region aligns with SDG 16 by promoting effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions and communities at various levels. By exploring ways to prevent hate speech, disinformation, and prejudice online and leveraging multi-stakeholder collaboration to create digital literacy programs, the session is promoting peace and participatory practices, tolerance online, and public access to information.
Report
Comprehensive Digital Literacy Programs: One of the key takeaways from the session was the need for comprehensive digital literacy programs in Northeast Asia. While there were existing programs offered for instance by private entities, they often lacked inter-regional and public-private coordination. It was emphasized that addressing digital literacy should involve collaboration between the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government entities. The goal was to equip both young people and older generations, that are both more vulnerable online, with digital knowledge, access, and tools, in order to bridge skill gaps and provide cross-border capacity building. Contents should include understanding of tech concepts, how to engage effectively online, recognizing disinformation and misinformation, and fostering an open and inclusive mindset. It was suggested that arbitration or mediation skills be included in these programs as tools to solve conflicts in both the virtual and physical worlds.
The Metaverse and Internet Governance: The discussion highlighted the emergence of the metaverse sphere and the importance of shaping its development at its infancy. Participants noted concerns about the lack of educational content, the need for balance between state powers and bottom-up approaches, accessibility and the need for privacy and data protection. They stressed the need for regional platforms to counterbalance the influence of Western tech giants and for a code of conduct to be developed. It was also recognized that historical issues in Northeast Asia have led to limited cross-border interactions and shared narratives, which needed to be addressed through inclusive algorithms and multistakeholder dialogues.
Increased Youth Engagement in Internet Governance: The session underscored the importance of actively involving youth in policy discussions at early stages of policy-making processes. It was noted that the internet should not inherit the challenges of the physical world. As younger generations are “digital natives”, perspectives of age diversity needed to be considered when developing policy regulations and codes of conduct.
Carving out Space for Diversity: Noting that countries are at different stages of development, youth called for increased public-private collaboration and intergenerational engagement. Noting increased fragmentation in the region, speakers called on instead giving it a positive spin and calling it diversification, in order to constructively seek different angles of cooperation. To bridge differences and facilitate cooperation, youth called for digital literacy programs that carves out space for regional diversity and respect the nuances of Northeast Asian societies and cultures.