Session
Organizer 1: Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Organizer 3: Intergovernmental Organization, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 4: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Organizer 3: Intergovernmental Organization, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 4: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Darya Korobova, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Milos Jovanovic, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Adrian Solis, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: David Otujor Okpatuma, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 5: Dina Santana Santos, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Milos Jovanovic, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Adrian Solis, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: David Otujor Okpatuma, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 5: Dina Santana Santos, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The chosen layout and 90-minute duration are suited for this sort of activity for several reasons. This session aims to be an open dialogue where every participant will have an opportunity to share their ideas. That is why speakers would be speaking only for 45 minutes sharing their perspectives and after which the moderator will announce the second part - open discussion. And Classrooms usually encourage people to engage more in discussion and free flowing conversation. A 90-minute duration allows for more time to cover broad areas without overwhelming both speakers and participants. And exactly half of the time as mentioned before will be provided for the Q&A session between participants and speakers.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The chosen layout and 90-minute duration are suited for this sort of activity for several reasons. This session aims to be an open dialogue where every participant will have an opportunity to share their ideas. That is why speakers would be speaking only for 45 minutes sharing their perspectives and after which the moderator will announce the second part - open discussion. And Classrooms usually encourage people to engage more in discussion and free flowing conversation. A 90-minute duration allows for more time to cover broad areas without overwhelming both speakers and participants. And exactly half of the time as mentioned before will be provided for the Q&A session between participants and speakers.
Policy Question(s)
1. How are online marketplaces and social networks reshaping consumer culture, particularly in terms of buying habits, trust, and customer loyalty?
2. How can digital platforms create an environment that supports innovation while also ensuring that young entrepreneurs have the resources and protections they need to thrive sustainably?
3. Is there a need for more government regulation of the marketplaces and tools for ‘digital bazaars’?
What will participants gain from attending this session? In this session, participants will gain valuable insights into the emerging and rapid changing world of digital entrepreneurship. The speakers will explore the latest industry trends and discuss how young people can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology and how governments, business and civil society can work together to create sustainable and responsible projects.
This session will also create a space for sharing diverse perspectives on the digital economy, fostering intercultural dialogue and collaboration. These interactions will enhance understanding and teamwork within the digital space. And the session aims to establish connections that can lead to international partnerships for new digital projects.
Organisers want each participant to leave with a clearer vision of how to build sustainable and responsible businesses in the digital economy while effectively navigating potential risks and regulatory challenges.
Description:
With the rapid development of digital technologies, young people are becoming not only active consumers, but also innovative entrepreneurs. At the same time, they are not at all afraid of various risks, including financial or reputational. They aim to create innovative products without looking back at the consequences. Nowadays, the level of development of e-commerce and social networks allows young people to easily start their own businesses, which has led to an explosive growth of the self-employed in the market. Modern trends, such as the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and big data, are fundamentally changing the rules of the game, providing young businessmen with tools to analyse the market and optimise their offerings. The "small business economy" – driven by the growth of self-employment and gig work – is becoming the dominant model for youth employment in the digital economy. This shift has significant social and economic implications for traditional employment structures, job security, and benefits. It highlights the need for young entrepreneurs to have adequate access to financial resources, legal protections, and training to ensure long-term success. As young entrepreneurs build their businesses on these platforms, it becomes clear that government regulations must play a crucial role in ensuring fair competition, privacy protection, and the ethical use of consumer data. How will the structure of the digital economy change in the future and how can we make the use of new digital tools for SMEs more sustainable and responsible?
With the rapid development of digital technologies, young people are becoming not only active consumers, but also innovative entrepreneurs. At the same time, they are not at all afraid of various risks, including financial or reputational. They aim to create innovative products without looking back at the consequences. Nowadays, the level of development of e-commerce and social networks allows young people to easily start their own businesses, which has led to an explosive growth of the self-employed in the market. Modern trends, such as the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and big data, are fundamentally changing the rules of the game, providing young businessmen with tools to analyse the market and optimise their offerings. The "small business economy" – driven by the growth of self-employment and gig work – is becoming the dominant model for youth employment in the digital economy. This shift has significant social and economic implications for traditional employment structures, job security, and benefits. It highlights the need for young entrepreneurs to have adequate access to financial resources, legal protections, and training to ensure long-term success. As young entrepreneurs build their businesses on these platforms, it becomes clear that government regulations must play a crucial role in ensuring fair competition, privacy protection, and the ethical use of consumer data. How will the structure of the digital economy change in the future and how can we make the use of new digital tools for SMEs more sustainable and responsible?
Expected Outcomes
This session is all about creating a more inclusive, sustainable and innovative IT landscape, where every idea can flourish and every person has the chance to succeed. The session will also generate actionable recommendations for policymakers to ensure a fair and supportive environment for young entrepreneurs that will be shared by every speaker in their respected region. Additionally, participants will identify key resources, including financial support, legal frameworks, and training programs necessary for sustainable business growth.
Ultimately, the workshop aims to leave participants motivated to build a strong network of digital entrepreneurs that can drive progress together.
Hybrid Format: During the session, both in-person and online moderators will ensure that all participants, whether attending physically or virtually, are well-represented and have equal chances to speak, ask questions, and engage in discussions.
The moderators will actively facilitate the conversation, making sure that everyone who wishes to speak during the second part of the workshop (open discussion) has the opportunity to do so, regardless of their mode of participation. The online moderator will focus on engaging virtual attendees, monitoring their contributions, and encouraging questions and interactions via the Zoom chat.
Both moderators will collaborate closely to foster a seamless and effective dialogue among all participants, utilizing instant messaging to share comments and insights from the audience. This coordinated effort aims to create a more dynamic and fruitful session, ultimately enhancing the quality of our discussions.