Session
Organizer 1: Ihueze Nwobilor, Paradigm Initiative
Organizer 2: Sarah Armstrong, 🔒
Organizer 3: Miriam Beartrice Wanjiru, Paradigm Initiative
Organizer 4: Khadijah El-Usman, 🔒
Speaker 1: Sarah Armstrong, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: 'Gbenga Sesan, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Onica Makwakwa, Civil Society, African Group
Ihueze Nwobilor, Civil Society, African Group
Khadijah El-Usman, Civil Society, African Group
Miriam Beartrice Wanjiru, Civil Society, African Group
Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The session will take a panel format, giving the panellists room to interact well with the audience. That amount of time is required so that the panellist will have enough time to discuss the talking points and entertain questions and input from the audience to make the session engaging and interactive.
1. How can international organisations collaborate with national governments and local communities to develop and implement effective policies to bridge the global digital divide and ensure equitable internet access?
2. What strategies and incentives can be employed to encourage private sector investment in expanding broadband infrastructure and deploying affordable internet solutions in underserved regions, particularly in low-income countries?
3. How can digital literacy programs be tailored to address the needs and challenges of marginalised communities, including women, persons with disabilities, and indigenous populations, and what role should governments, civil society, and the private sector play in supporting these efforts?
What will participants gain from attending this session? By the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of digital exclusion and how it manifests along the north-south global divide line. Explore actionable strategies for promoting digital inclusion in their communities. Additionally, the session will foster networking opportunities and collaboration among stakeholders committed to bridging the digital divide.
Description:
In an increasingly digitised world, access to the internet has become essential for education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement. However, digital exclusion persists, leaving behind marginalised communities and exacerbating existing inequalities. This menace has been exacerbated by different factors, including geopolitics, the lack of will by international, regional and national standard-setting, regulatory and policy-making bodies to act on recommendations made in various treaties and policies on the subject matter and the paying lip service to the issue of declaring the ever-widening digital divide a global emergency.
This session explores the causes and consequences of digital exclusion and discusses strategies to bridge the gap.
The session will start by helping participants understand digital exclusion by defining it and its various dimensions and examining the demographics most affected by it. It will further identify the impacts of digital exclusion, such as its economic implications and social consequences, and how it has created disparities in educational opportunities. The session will also consider barriers to inclusion, such as infrastructure challenges, affordability issues, and digital skills gaps. It will propose solutions to these barriers by identifying best practices that should be adopted by all stakeholders concerned.
Finally, it will make recommendations on strategies that could be applied to combat this menace of global digital exclusion, including a call to declare the widening global digital divide a global emergency.
1. Increased Awareness: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the global digital divide, including its causes, consequences, and implications for sustainable development goals.
2. Knowledge Sharing: The session will facilitate the exchange of best practices, innovative solutions, and lessons learned from diverse stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
3. Policy Recommendations: The session will make policy recommendations and proffer strategies for bridging the digital divide, addressing digital exclusion, and promoting digital inclusion at the local, national, and international levels.
4. Capacity Building: Participants will identify opportunities for capacity-building initiatives, digital skills training programs, and community-led interventions to empower marginalised populations and bridge the digital divide.
5. Advocacy and Action: The session will inspire participants to advocate for digital rights, equitable access to the internet, and policies that prioritise digital inclusion as a fundamental human right and driver of sustainable development.
Hybrid Format: 1. The session will have engaging content that includes a mix of interactive activities and audience participation opportunities.
2. We will create opportunities for interaction and collaboration between in-person and virtual participants through Q&A sessions to foster dialogue and exchange ideas.
3. We will work with the organisers of IGF to ensure that there is technical support and assistance to both in-person and remote participants to ensure a smooth and seamless experience. We will test all technology platforms and equipment in advance to address any potential issues.
4. We will ensure that remote participants have equal access to information and participation opportunities as in-person attendees through the use of inclusive language, provide closed captioning or interpretation services as needed, and actively encourage virtual participation.
5. Additionally, we will ensure that three speakers are physically present on location.