IGF 2021 WS #263
Covid19, Digital Rights and Impacts on Communities in Africa

Organizer 1: Christian Nzhie, CAPDA
Organizer 2: Cameroon IGF, IGF Cameroon
Organizer 3: Charlie Martial Ngounou, AfroLeadership
Organizer 4: Michel TCHONANG LINZE, CAPDA
Organizer 5: Serge ENGAMBA, ART

Speaker 1: Jean Louis FENDJI EBONGUE, Government, African Group
Speaker 2: Yves Mbono SAMBA, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 3: MOUSSA NENE , Government, African Group
Speaker 4: Neema Iyer, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 5: Kulesza Joanna, Civil Society, Eastern European Group

Moderator

Charlie Martial Ngounou, Civil Society, African Group

Online Moderator
Rapporteur

Serge ENGAMBA, Government, African Group

Format

Round Table - Circle - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

Economic and social inclusion and sustainable development: What is the relationship between digital policy and development and the established international frameworks for social and economic inclusion set out in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Conventions on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, on the Rights of the Child, and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? How do policy makers and other stakeholders effectively connect these global instruments and interpretations to national contexts?
Inclusion, rights and stakeholder roles and responsibilities: What are/should be the responsibilities of governments, businesses, the technical community, civil society, the academic and research sector and community-based actors with regard to digital inclusion and respect for human rights, and what is needed for them to fulfil these in an efficient and effective manner?

In order to tackle and effectively address the policy questions, we intend to elaborate more on the following aspects of the proposal:
• Types of Covid19 contact tracing technologies
The imperative is to know what types of technologies are used and what are their specific characteristics. It is already necessary to improve the understanding on the functionalities of different technologies identified on the African continent specifically and in other parts of the world, where these technologies have been deployed.
• State of legislation on tracing technologies
Technological developments move, as history teaches, faster than the legislative adjustments to provide a framework for such technologies. It is necessary to assess the state of legislation and regulation in all African countries, in comparison with the situation in the most developed countries.
• The preservation of citizens' rights
Depending on the types of technologies deployed, it will be interesting to determine the condition of collection of user data, the types of data collected, data use , data storage, third parties who access the data, accountability and transparency among data operators.
• Adoption of contact tracing tools by citizens and communities
In various nations, the availability of contact tracing software is no guarantee for their use by citizens and communities, as citizens’ concerns about data privacy may reduce their adoption of COVID-19 contact tracing apps, making them less effective. The session will explore best possibilities to build trust between citizens, states and tech companies; as trust is a precondition for a more massive adoption of medico-technologies.

SDGs

3. Good Health and Well-Being
5. Gender Equality
10. Reduced Inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions


Targets: In order to achieve our goals as set in the proposal, it will address various issues link SDG 3, 5, 10, and 16. These selected SDG are directly connected to the focus points of our proposal as listed above such as :
1. Types of Covid19 contact tracing technologies
2. State of legislation on tracing technologies
3. The preservation of citizens' rights
4. Adoption of contact tracing tools by citizens and communities

Description:

With the onset of the Covid19 pandemic, nations often preceded by major technological platforms, have undertaken to implement all medical and technological means in the hope of stopping the pandemic, which however continues in earnest in the world. Among the technological tools used, Covid19 tracking applications have emerged and raised many social, ethical and legal questions. This session is an opportunity for experts to provide all participants with the keys to understand different technologies used, answers to the concerns and worries of citizens and communities, regarding the use of these technologies, that have often been adopted by countries without clear regulations.
• Types of Covid19 contact tracing technologies
The imperative is to know what types of technologies are used and what are their specific characteristics. It is already necessary to improve the understanding on the functionalities of different technologies identified on the African continent specifically and in other parts of the world, where these technologies have been deployed.
• State of legislation on tracing technologies
Technological developments move, as history teaches, faster than the legislative adjustments to provide a framework for such technologies. It is necessary to assess the state of legislation and regulation in all African countries, in comparison with the situation in the most developed countries.
• The preservation of citizens' rights
Depending on the types of technologies deployed, it will be interesting to determine the condition of collection of user data, the types of data collected, data use , data storage, third parties who access the data, accountability and transparency among data operators.
• Adoption of contact tracing tools by citizens and communities
In various nations, the availability of contact tracing software is no guarantee for their use by citizens and communities, as citizens’ concerns about data privacy may reduce their adoption of COVID-19 contact tracing apps, making them less effective. The session will explore best possibilities to build trust between citizens, states and tech companies; as trust is a precondition for a more massive adoption of medico-technologies.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of this session, we would like to do the following:
• Press release
• Publication
• Government recommendation
• Subsequent Workshops for ensure follow up on the outcome of the topic discussed
• Regional Follow up events

Well,
This year IGF is very special.
First, we intend to have an online and onsite moderators who will ensure coordination
online moderator: to ensure all is fine online
onsite: to ensure coordination on site and online is synchronize
Second, We intend to have do more adverts in the days preceding the event in order to have more participation
Third, The proposal has been prepared by stakeholders since January so, we intend to encourage cross organizations participation, collaboration and share of experience. It will be more like cross sharing and participation in order to better resolve major challenges we face with infrastructure in our regions and even globally.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool.