[NRIs] Overcoming barriers to bridge digital divides

Time
Wednesday, 11th October, 2023 (02:00 UTC) - Wednesday, 11th October, 2023 (03:30 UTC)
Room
WS 1 – Annex Hall 1
About this Session
Digital inclusion is of paramount importance in today's interconnected world. It refers to equitable access and meaningful participation in the digital ecosystem, ensuring that no one is left behind. The significance of digital inclusion lies in its potential to empower individuals and communities, enabling them to thrive in the digital age. Access to digital technologies and the Internet opens doors to a vast array of opportunities, including education, employment, healthcare, media and information, financial services, and civic engagement. Digital inclusion aims at bridging the digital divides, addressing disparities based on factors like socioeconomic status, geography, age, gender, and disabilities.
By fostering digital inclusion, societies can unlock the potential of their citizens, promoting social and economic development. It enhances educational outcomes, supports entrepreneurship, expands job prospects, improves healthcare delivery, and amplifies civic participation. Digital inclusion also nurtures digital literacy, multilingualism and skills, empowering individuals to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.
In a rapidly evolving digital world, embracing digital inclusion is not just a matter of access, but also a matter of equity, social justice, and human rights and civil liberties. It paves the way to a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
Through the interactive exchange of inputs between national and regional IGF initiatives, this session will address several important policy questions from the digital inclusion point of view:
  • What are the primary global barriers to digital inclusion, and how can they be addressed through policy and technology?
  • How can policy initiatives prioritize digital literacy and capacity development, especially in education, to ensure equitable access to digital skills?
  • What strategies can be employed to promote the digital inclusion of vulnerable groups, addressing issues like gender stereotypes and limited opportunities?
  • How can government-led initiatives collaborate with private sectors, civil society, technical communities and international organizations to develop comprehensive digital inclusion policies?
  • In what ways can policy frameworks foster multi-stakeholder collaboration and partnerships to enhance digital inclusion and address diverse needs, including accessibility?

Speakers and moderators will be announced.

Zoom link 

https://intgovforum.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqd-uurT4pHdOZQlsMfXIGyRXeyUFB-8SV

 

This session is co-organized by the following NRIs:
 

Digital divides & Inclusion

NRI Name

Your name as the NRI coordinator

Experts delegated by the NRIs multistakeholder organizing committee to join the organizing team

Armenia IGF

Katarina Gevorgyan

Kristina Hakobyan

Bangladesh IGF

Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu

Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu
Bazlur Rahman

Bolivia IGF

Roberto Zambrana

Roberto Zambrana

Barbados IGF

June Parris

June Parris

China IGF

Rui ZHONG

Rui ZHONG

Colombian IGF

Julián Casasbuenas G.

Antonio Medina Gómez, Asociación Colombiana de Usuarios de Internet
Francisco Javier Rigual Cótua, Corporación Cambio Sostenible
John Jairo Garzon, Fundación MGM
Laura Palacios, El Rosario University
Lina Paola Sorza Rodríguez, Sabana University
Evelyn Díaz, Sabana University
Julian Casasbuenas G., Colnodo

DR Congo Youth IGF

Athanase Bahizire

Athanase Bahizire

Ethiopia IGF

Samuel Lemma

Samuel Lemma

Ecuador IGF Carlos Vera Francisco J. Montesdeoca

Ethiopia Youth IGF

Saba Tiku

Saba Tiku Beyene

EuroDIG Sandra Hoferichter Sandra Hoferichter

FGI Québec

Pierre-Jean Darres

Pierre-Jean Darres

France IGF

Lucien Castex

Lucien Castex

Ghana IGF

Wisdom Donkor

Wisdom Donkor
Francis Amaning

Haiti IGF

Obed Sindy

Obed Sindy

India Youth IGF

Ihita Gangavarapu

Ihita Gangavarapu

Italy IGF

Concettina Cassa

Concettina Cassa

Liberia IGF

Peterking Quaye

Peterking Quaye

Lebanon IGF

Zeina Bou Harb

Zeina Bou Harb

Nigeria IGF

Igonor Oshoke Samson

Igonor Oshoke Samson

Panama IGF

Lia Hernandez

Lia Hernandez
María Elena García 
Abdias Zambrano

Peru IGF

Elaine Ford

 

Portugal IGF Ana Neves Ana Neves

South Sudan Youth IGF

Denaya Dennis

Denaya Dennis

Tanzania IGF

Nazar Nicholas

Nazar Nicholas

The Gambia IGF

Poncelet Ileleji

Poncelet Ileleji

United Kingdom IGF

Ellice Mansfield

Ellice Mansfield

Vanuatu IGF

Jackson Miake

Jackson Miake

Youth IGF Nepal

Ananda Gautam

Bibek Silwal 

Zambia Youth IGF

Levy Syanseke

Levy Syanseke