Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Organizer 5: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Organizer 5: Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 1: Dorijn Boogaard, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Jannat Roshatey, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Andrey Aleinikov, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 4: Susan Mwape, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 5: Saba Tiku Beyene, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 2: Jannat Roshatey, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Andrey Aleinikov, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 4: Susan Mwape, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 5: Saba Tiku Beyene, Technical Community, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The round table layout is the most appropriate for this session because it offers a collaborative and inclusive environment, encouraging dialogue and interaction among all participants both onsite and online. This setup ensures that speakers and attendees can engage more conversationally, breaking away from the traditional top-down approach of panel discussions. The 60-minute duration is ideal for balancing in-depth discussions with interactive elements. It provides sufficient time for expert presentations and audience Q&A.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The round table layout is the most appropriate for this session because it offers a collaborative and inclusive environment, encouraging dialogue and interaction among all participants both onsite and online. This setup ensures that speakers and attendees can engage more conversationally, breaking away from the traditional top-down approach of panel discussions. The 60-minute duration is ideal for balancing in-depth discussions with interactive elements. It provides sufficient time for expert presentations and audience Q&A.
Policy Question(s)
1. How can digital access initiatives be redesigned to address the unique needs of indigenous, rural, and marginalized communities?
2. Should internet access be recognized as a basic human right, and what policy frameworks would be required to enforce this?
3. What roles should governments, Big Tech, and local communities play in ensuring equitable and sustainable internet access for the next billion users?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers preventing equitable internet access and learn about innovative, community-centered solutions that have successfully bridged the digital divide. They will leave with practical insights into designing and implementing inclusive digital access initiatives that respect cultural, linguistic, and local needs. The session will also provide a platform for networking and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, fostering partnerships to advance universal access and digital rights.
Description:
While global internet penetration is increasing, indigenous, rural, and marginalized communities continue to face significant barriers to getting online. This session will critically examine why many digital access initiatives fail to reach these populations and explore what needs to change to ensure no one is left behind. Experts from diverse sectors including policymakers, technologists, civil society, and community leaders—will discuss the multifaceted challenges to inclusion, ranging from inadequate infrastructure and affordability issues to discriminatory policies and cultural insensitivity. The session will also address the question of whether internet access should be redefined as a basic human right, considering its role in enabling education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and civic participation. Participants will brainstorm innovative solutions for bridging the digital divide, with a focus on culturally relevant, community-driven approaches. Data states that only 36% of people in least-developed countries have internet access and that many connectivity solutions ignore local cultural and linguistic needs. The session will also explore the potential for collaboration between governments, Big Tech, and local stakeholders to create sustainable and equitable connectivity solutions.
While global internet penetration is increasing, indigenous, rural, and marginalized communities continue to face significant barriers to getting online. This session will critically examine why many digital access initiatives fail to reach these populations and explore what needs to change to ensure no one is left behind. Experts from diverse sectors including policymakers, technologists, civil society, and community leaders—will discuss the multifaceted challenges to inclusion, ranging from inadequate infrastructure and affordability issues to discriminatory policies and cultural insensitivity. The session will also address the question of whether internet access should be redefined as a basic human right, considering its role in enabling education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and civic participation. Participants will brainstorm innovative solutions for bridging the digital divide, with a focus on culturally relevant, community-driven approaches. Data states that only 36% of people in least-developed countries have internet access and that many connectivity solutions ignore local cultural and linguistic needs. The session will also explore the potential for collaboration between governments, Big Tech, and local stakeholders to create sustainable and equitable connectivity solutions.
Expected Outcomes
1. Participants will gain insights into the systemic challenges of infrastructure, affordability, and cultural insensitivity that hinder internet access for marginalized communities.
2. Attendees will leave with practical, community-driven strategies to design inclusive digital access initiatives that respect local cultural and linguistic contexts.
3. The session will foster partnerships among governments, Big Tech, and local communities to create sustainable and equitable connectivity solutions for the next billion users.
Hybrid Format: To create an inclusive and engaging experience for both online and onsite participants, two dedicated moderators (Online and Onsite) will be assigned to actively monitor and facilitate interactions with onsite and virtual attendees. The online moderator will ensure that online participants’ questions, comments, and feedback are seamlessly integrated into the discussion. To further enhance engagement, the session will include interactive segments such as live polls, and Q&A sessions.
The session will leverage complementary online tools and platforms, including Mentimeter for real-time polling and feedback collection, allowing both online and onsite participants to share their perspectives instantly.