IGF 2020 WS #128 Global crises and socially responsible data responses

Information

Session

Thematic Track:

Topic(s):

Data for Good
Data Sharing
Digital Cooperation

Organizer 1: Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 2: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 4: Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 5: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization

Speaker 1: Nnenna Nwakanma, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Rudolf GRIDL, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Carolyn Nguyen, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Christoph Steck, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Format:

Break-out Group Discussions - Flexible Seating - 90 Min

Online duration reset to 60 minutes.

Description:

*** The issue *** The current crisis caused by the rapid spread of COVID-19 raised important questions on the role of data in global crisis situations. With many governments around the world caught unprepared, healthcare professionals unsure of treatments or a possible cure, and analysts left wondering how to best track, trace and predict the spread of the virus or what precautionary measures to recommend, we are all reminded of the value of data. Data not only serves as information, but also allows experts to perform analyses and create predictive models that help authorities make decisions. Thanks to predictive models, companies can adapt, public service institutions can make arrangements, and governments can spring into action to take measures commensurate with the severity of the given situation. In the wake of the crisis, numerous data sharing initiatives were launched, both by public and private sector actors, as well as through multistakeholder partnerships, to pool pandemic-related information in an effort to help mitigate the crisis. These initiatives have also brought to the forefront considerations on data protection and security as well as privacy and human rights concerns regarding the use of personal data. Of course, these conversations are not new. Similar discussions arise in the wake of major environmental and humanitarian emergencies, with important considerations on how data can help predict, prepare for and mitigate such global crises situations. However, the rapid spread of the current crisis around the globe reminded us of the dire need for global cooperation in face of a common threat. Collaboration through responsible data-sharing, could provide organizations (both public and private) around the world with access to the variety, quantity and quality of data to enable further progress in all areas, including research, new products and services innovation, as well as policy development. *** Discussions *** There needs to be more discussion on the use of data-driven innovation in policy-making, e.g. exploring the role of public-private partnerships and how private-sector data can be leveraged, voluntarily, to provide evidence for informed policy-making. This session aims to uncover how data sharing can provide relevant tools for prevention and management of such global crises. How can we encourage all stakeholders to cooperatively put data to work for the benefit of all? What are the risks involved? What barriers are holding stakeholders back from engaging in such initiatives? Organizations that are interested in possibilities of sharing data responsibly and selectively with others, need to consider different models to share the benefits of data, as well as various degrees of openness in data-sharing, while enabling compliance with applicable regulatory concerns such as privacy and security. What policy and technical tools are needed to enable this? How can we encourage a broader and more holistic discussion with different stakeholders on data collaboration? Invited speakers, from across stakeholder groups and geographies, will share perspectives on what opportunities and challenges they see in sharing data for managing a global crisis. They will focus on impact specific to their sector, group or region to bring in various policy positions and expand the considerations of fellow pannelists and audience members, and strive to formulate balanced policy responses, based on these learnings. *** Session format *** Through break-group discussions the workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to meet one another, share experiences and identify opportunities for multistakeholder collaboration. The break-out group discussion will facilitate distilling opportunities and challenges, deliberate appropriate responses as well as sharing best practices and lessons learned from deploying data sharing initiatives. These will be collected and shared in the workshop report as a tool for those aiming to launch such initiatives in the future. *** Agenda *** 1. The workshop will open with a roundtable exchange between experts (30 minutes) 2. Break-out discussions (30 mins) Participants will be invited to split into groups and will be asked to: - Share their views and experiences on existing initiatives they participated in, know of or helped launch. - Survey examples of where data was put to work to help predict, prevent or manage a major crisis - Evaluate opportunities and challenges faced. Experts will join each break-out group to lead the conversation and co-organisers will explore the use of a hand-out (with specific questions) for each break-out group to facilitate discussion. 3. Reporting back and plenary discussion (20 mins) All participants will then have the opportunity to: - Report back on their break-out group discussion - Identify mechanisms and initiatives that can be leveraged for international multistakeholder cooperation. 4. The moderator will sum-up discussion, confirm the key take-aways with the participants and close session (10 minutes).

Issues:

Access to relevant information extracted from data can help governments, public service institutions and companies predict, prevent and mitigate major crises, be that health, humanitarian or environmental. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous data sharing initiatives were launched, both to pool and share data at the disposal of various stakeholders to help mitigate the crisis. These initiatives have also brought to the forefront considerations on data protection and security as well as privacy and human rights concerns regarding the use of personal data. The rapid spread of the current crisis around the globe reminded us of the dire need for global cooperation in face of a common threat. This workshops aims to assess the opportunities offered by models of data sharing for the mitigation of global crisis situations, while also considering the policy challenges of doing so, by exploring questions below:

Policy Question(s):

How can all stakeholders best cooperate to put data to work for the benefit of all? What are the risks and challenges involved? What barriers are holding stakeholders back from engaging in such initiatives? What policy and technical tools are needed to enable such cooperation?

Expected Outcomes:

The workshop will provide participants with an improved understanding of both the technical and policy elements necessary to support responsible data sharing to provide tools in predicting, preventing and finding appropriate responses to mitigate global crises. The summary of the workshop will feature a list of case studies mentioned by speakers and participants and will provide a menu of good practices for policy approaches. Lastly, the workshop will aim to highlight areas for future action and potential questions to be explored in future IGF sessions.

Relevance to Internet Governance: When talking about the Internet, either in the context of its benefits, challenges or overall governance, a conversation about data cannot be avoided. Data sits in the front and centre of economic opportunities, technological innovation, social progress and sustainable development. It is, at the same time the main component of the more contentious issues like security, privacy, or localization. Getting the policy right around multistakeholder collaborations for data sharing in crisis situations is essential to safeguard the open, free and interoperable Internet, and uphold its safe, secure, sound and resilient architecture. Considerations around data governance should be built starting from commonly shared global values and principles, developed in collaboration with all stakeholders. This workshop will look at what policy elements are necessary to encourage data sharing as a trusted channel for collective action and societal benefit. It will also aim to identify and provide options for policy response to the main challenges posed.

Relevance to Theme: The workshop directly addresses one of the main themes of IGF 2020: data. It aims to bring IGF participants closer to identifying policy best practices around enabling data sharing and consider what policy elements are needed to ensure such initiatives are secure, respect human rights and are in the service of equality and inclusion. The workshop will uncover how data sharing can help mitigate global crisis situations. What are the data protection and privacy considerations that must be kept in mind?

Discussion Facilitation:

The list below provides examples of the ways discussion will be facilitated amongst speakers, audience members, and online participants and ensure the session format is used to its optimum: * Seating: Participants will sit in classroom format, with easily movable chairs (room permitting). Initially, speakers will sit facing the audience. Then, during the break-out portion of the workshop, participants will be asked to move their seats to form three circles, suitable for group discussion. Speakers will join these groups to animate discussions. Remote participants will be asked to form their own break-out group. This will facilitate discussion by creating an enabling and comfortable atmosphere where all speakers and participants are given an equal footing in the discussion. The moderator will have a prominent seating position and may walk around the room to engage participants. *Preparation: A preparation call will be organised for all speakers, moderators and co-organisers in advance of the workshop so that everyone has a chance to meet, share views and prepare for the session. Given the varied background of discussants and audience members, organisers will advertise the session and introduce questions to animate discussion on social media in the run up to the workshop. This will introduce the subject, encourage conversation and create links to other dialogues on the topic taking place in other forums to create awareness and help prepare in-person and remote participants for the workshop. Social media will also be used to generate wider discussion and create momentum for online participation as the workshop is unfolding. Co-organizers will ensure that the workshop is promoted in advance to the wider community to give remote participants the opportunity to prepare questions and interventions in advance and to generate interest in the workshop. Organizers will also explore the possibility of connecting with remote hubs around the globe and organize remote interventions from participants. * Moderator: The moderator will be an expert well-informed on the topic and experienced in animating multistakeholder discussions. During the break-out phase of the discussions questions will be incorporated to encourage responses from participants and everyone will be given equal weight and equal opportunity to intervene. The remote moderator will play an important role in moderating the online break-out group and sharing the ideas of remote participants and will encourage their interventions through video during the final plenary portion. *Reporting: Following the discussion, participants will be encouraged to share their key takeaways from the session through online tools and social media. This will help ensure diverse perspectives raised during the discussion are included in the reporting.

Online Participation:

Usage of IGF Official Tool.

SDGs:

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-Being
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships for the Goals