IGF 2021 WS #83
Big tech and startups technology support for inclusivity

Organizer 1: Mateusz Kaczor, MSL Group
Organizer 2: Radosław Kędzia, Huawei
Organizer 3: Majka Lipiak, CEO of Leżę i Pracuję Foundation, the first marketing agency established to give people with disabilities a job.

Speaker 1: Michał Zdziarski, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Magdalena Wawrzyniak, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Hordyński Ryszard, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 4: Imelda Ngunzu, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 5: Justyna Orłowska, Government, Eastern European Group

Moderator

Majka Lipiak, Civil Society, Eastern European Group

Online Moderator

Radosław Kędzia, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Rapporteur

Mateusz Kaczor, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Format

Panel - Auditorium - 60 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?
Promoting equitable development and preventing harm: How can we make use of digital technologies to promote more equitable and peaceful societies that are inclusive, resilient and sustainable? How can we make sure that digital technologies are not developed and used for harmful purposes? What values and norms should guide the development and use of technologies to enable this?

In our proposition we would like to focus on answering to those important questions:

•How can we make use of digital technologies to promote more equitable and peaceful societies that are inclusive, resilient and sustainable?
•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?

Through discussion between governmental, two startups and two corporation representatives with inclusive-related experience we would like to show that today tech industry has to played a vital role in promoting national economic growth and boosting social welfare and happiness through culture of inclusion. It is very important as we see that this is issue that still exist. In many European cities the elderly might be unable to hail a taxi on the street, because taxis are now often booked via mobile phones. Still in many European rural areas inhabitants are in some way isolated from the outside world, because they had poor or no communications network. Activization of people with disabilities can be impactful for economy, but still they don’t have easy access to education, career or even medical assistance.

Our panel will explore inclusion as a contributor to stronger economies and enhanced economic development. It will point out sustainable business and regulatory models for the digital age that can lead to more widely shared wealth through improved livelihoods, income generation, and employment. What is most important our panel will strongly emphasize the role of corporation and startup’s collaboration as key engine for innovation creation and inclusive growth. It will draw on the link between them and internet governance, enabling regulatory frameworks and online economic activity showing also how governments can accelerate innovation and build inclusive economies together with startups and big techs.

What more, development of hi-tech solutions based on cloud computing, 5G, big data or AI which become easier to use, more convenient, and more affordable, can greatly reduce global inequalities, build more inclusive societies and drive the rapid attainment of SDGs. We will emphasize that in in this mission not only big tech companies can have their role. The future of the tech for good approach lies in the hands of everyday, local tech experts and new startups with a fresh pair of eyes and best understanding what is happening close to their local societies. In the same time startup innovations can be more democriticized – through new tech their solutions can widespread around the globe through one app-click.

SDGs

10.2


Targets: The aim of the session is to discuss strategies and tools to address the digital inclusion through presenting and exchanging examples of good practice on using the technology to support excluded communities or groups around the world. Inclusion is also about the activities related to the achievement of an inclusive information society, about engaging all stakeholders and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and treated equally in the decision-making processes and ensuring that everyone has the right access, skills, and motivations to reap the social benefits of going online and participate in the digital economy. Given the cross-cutting nature of the topic and the problem, we would like to emphasize that the session will mostly concentrate on direct startup case studies.

Description:

Today ICT industry has to played a vital role in promoting national economic growth and boosting social welfare and happiness. Development of hi-tech solutions based on cloud computing, 5G, big data or AI which become easier to use, more convenient, and more affordable, can greatly reduce global inequalities, build more inclusive societies and drive the rapid attainment of SDGs. In this mission not only big tech companies can have their role. The future of the tech for good approach lies in the hands of everyday, local tech experts and new startups with a fresh pair of eyes and best understanding what is happening close to their local societies. In the same time startup innovations can be more democriticized – through new tech their solutions can widespread around the globe through one app-click.

Expected Outcomes

The session is intended to produce policy recommendations with best practices based on perspectives of different kind of exclusions.

POSSIBLE AGENDA:
•Introduction and welcome
•Expert introductions from startup itself (5 minutes presentation – TED speech formula )
•During the main part of the session panellists will share the stories about how the technology supports inclusive culture and helps e.g. people with disabilities.
•Questions from moderator and attendees + discussion
•Final statements from panelists

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool.