The African Union Commission plans to host the 2024 AU Open Forum in a hybrid format, with a thematic focus on 'Enhancing the Digital Contribution to Peace, Development, and Sustainability'. This forum aims to delve into digital inclusion, particularly concerning Capacity Building, Digital Transformation, Data Policy, Cybersecurity, and Digital Cooperation. Additionally, discussions will revolve around Internet Governance activities at the national, regional, and continental levels. A significant highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Africa Digital Compact, recently ratified by the African Union STC, during a dedicated session. Furthermore, the host country chair of the Africa IGF 2024 will provide insights into the Africa School of IG, Africa Youth IGF, African IGF, and the Africa IGF Parliamentary session, inviting feedback from participants. The African Union Open Forum expects a diverse representation of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, academics, technical experts, civil society organizations, ministers, parliamentarians, media professionals, and regional/international organizations. To ensure inclusivity, the forum will adopt a fully hybrid approach, accommodating both in-person and online attendees. The event will be extensively promoted at national and regional levels, including during the Africa IGF. To facilitate smooth discussions, there will be two moderators—one online and one onsite—who will work in tandem to ensure that all participants, whether online or onsite, have their voices heard. All contributions from participants will be carefully considered in shaping the dialogue.

Facilitating Interaction between Onsite and Online Speakers and Attendees: We will ensure that both onsite and online participants have equal opportunities to contribute to discussions by implementing a hybrid-friendly session format. Speakers and moderators will be briefed on how to engage with both onsite and remote attendees effectively, including techniques for acknowledging and integrating input from virtual participants. Technology will be utilized to create seamless communication channels between the two groups, such as dedicated video conferencing platforms and interactive chat features. Designing the Session for the Best Possible Experience for Online and Onsite Participants: The session format will be carefully crafted to accommodate both onsite and online participation, with consideration given to factors such as timing, presentation materials, and audience engagement methods. Clear instructions and guidelines will be provided to speakers and moderators to ensure that they are prepared to adapt their presentations and interactions to suit a hybrid audience. Efforts will be made to foster a sense of inclusivity and belonging for remote attendees, such as incorporating virtual networking opportunities and providing access to supplementary materials in advance. Complementary Online Tools/Platforms for Increasing Participation and Interaction: We plan to utilize interactive polling tools to gather feedback from both onsite and online participants in real-time, allowing for dynamic engagement and audience participation. By implementing these strategies and leveraging appropriate online tools and platforms, we aim to create a hybrid session experience that is inclusive, interactive, and engaging for all participants, regardless of their location or mode of participation.