IGF 2024 Networking Session #51 Code and Constitution: Empowering African Parliamentarians

    African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance
    Hon. Neema Lugangira Chair - African Parliamentary Network On Internet Governance / Member of Parliament Tanzania Africa Group, Goverment Stakeholder Gabriel Karsan Coordinator - African Parliamentary Network On Internet Governance Africa Group, Civil Society Stakeholder Dr. Monojit Das Researcher - PHD Internet Governance Asia Group - Academia Stakeholder Hon. Susan Dossi Member of Parliament - Malawi Africa Group - Government Stakeholder

    Speakers

    Hon. Deputy Minister Modestus Amutse Parliament of Namibia Africa Group, Government Stakeholder Hon. Sarah Ochieng Uganda National Parliament Africa Group, Government stakeholder Ernest Mafuta ITU Standards Expert Working Group Africa Group, Technical Stakeholder Hon. Catherine Mumma Senate of Kenya Africa Group, Government Stakeholder

    Onsite Moderator

    Hon. Neema Lugangira

    Online Moderator

    Dr. Monojit Das

    Rapporteur

    Abedi Bushira

    SDGs

    9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
    10. Reduced Inequalities
    16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    17. Partnerships for the Goals


    Targets: SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    Our focus on better governance directly resonates with SDG 16. By engaging parliamentarians and policy experts, we aim to strengthen institutions and enhance transparency in digital legislation. Effective governance ensures equitable access to technology and protects citizens' rights.

    SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    Digital Africa requires robust infrastructure and innovative solutions. Our session delves into the intersection of code and constitution, which underpins digital services. By bridging legislative gaps, we contribute to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

    SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    Inclusiveness lies at the heart of our session. We recognize the disparities in digital access across Africa. By involving parliamentarians from diverse backgrounds, we promote inclusive policies that empower marginalized communities.

    SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
    Our multistakeholder approach embodies SDG 17. Collaboration between parliamentarians, technologists, and civil society fosters collective action. Together, we can address challenges, share best practices, and drive positive change.

    Format

    Roundtable

    Our session will be an open dialogue, where African parliamentarians share their experiences, insights, and best practices. We encourage diverse narratives and equal participation from all attendees. Let’s collectively envision a digital Africa where code and constitution harmonize for the benefit of all.

    Duration (minutes)
    60
    Description

    The rapid evolution of technology has ushered in a new era of global connectivity. With over 5 billion people online, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed societies, economies, and governance. In this digital landscape, the intersection of code and constitution plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive policies. Our networking session aims to foster dialogue among African Parliamentarians, multistakeholder participants, and policy experts. Together, we'll explore the critical role of parliamentarians in developing a robust digital framework for Africa. Our focus will be on bridging the gap between legislative code and constitutional principles. Dissecting our theme under the context of the below 3 pillars : 1. Code as Legislation: Foundation of Digital Services: Code design is no longer confined to technical realms; it has become the bedrock of digital services. Legislation informed by code shapes how citizens interact with technology, data, and each other. Data-Driven Acts:Notable examples include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. We'll delve into how data-driven legislation impacts privacy, security, and innovation. 2. Collaboration and Multistakeholder Engagement: Parliamentarians' Role:Our session recognizes the agency of parliamentarians. They are not merely recipients of technology policies; they actively shape them. We'll discuss how collaboration across sectors can lead to effective digital legislation. Policy Makers and Technologists:By fostering collaboration between parliamentarians and policy experts, we can bridge the gap between legal frameworks and technological advancements. 3. Africa's Unique Challenges and Opportunities: Geopolitical Fabrication: Africa's diverse nations face unique challenges in shaping interconnectivity. We'll explore how geopolitical factors influence digital policies. Inclusive Policies: Africa's growth trajectory demands policies that empower all citizens. Our session will highlight successful approaches and identify gaps in digital legislation.

    Our session shall involve an interactive slide deck to boost engagement on site and online, inclusive of summarized facts and figures, case study and an implemented knowledge gap test with online Q&A features, A present Jam board of linking online ideas and an open doc of compiling ideas as we network and share resources with Parliamentarians