IGF 2020 WS #259 Building Inclusive Digital Economies in Emerging Markets

Information

Session

Thematic Track:

Topic(s):

Digital Transformation
Economic Development

Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Civil Society, African Group

Speaker 1: Mieczysław Bąk, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Mary Rose Ofianga, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Juliet Nanfuka, Civil Society, African Group

Additional Speakers:

The originally proposed speakers have re-confirmed interest to participate in this session.

Furthermore, as originally mentioned in the proposal, the session organizers extended an invitation to the Digital for SMEs Initiative at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The session organizers have confirmed Nicole Primmer, Senior Policy Director, at Business at OECD, as an additional speaker for the session. Primmer co-leads the Digital for SMEs Initiative. The addition of this speaker is also in response to the MAG’s feedback to improve stakeholder diversity in this session.

*Due to technical difficulties, the session organizers were unable to add Nicole Primmer to the "Community Profiles" page of the IGF website at this time. The organizers will reach out to [email protected] to resolve this technical issue and add Nicole as an additional speaker to this session, per the instructions from the IGF Secretariat.

Format:

Round Table - Circle - 60 Min

Description:

Over the past few decades, the rapid adoption of digital technologies has transformed how people engage with one another socially, politically, and economically. This transition is particularly notable in times of crisis that restricts personal movement, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when internet connectivity and the digital ecosystem around it becomes indispensable for access to information, communication, and ability to work remotely and conduct e-commerce. The pandemic underscored the gaps in the digital divide, both globally and within countries, particularly felt by local businesses in emerging markets. Entrepreneurs traditionally engaged in the informal economy, especially women and small businesses throughout the Global South, continue to face numerous barriers in utilizing online marketplaces to maintain and expand their operations. Barriers such as accessibility and affordability of the internet, insufficient resources and tools to upskill businesses, and the inadequate national-level digital policies and frameworks that facilitate competitiveness and access to global markets continue to undermine the shared United Nations goal to leave no one behind by 2030. Business resiliency and new opportunities to engage in digital commerce are paramount to building an inclusive economy. To realize an equitable post-COVID-19 recovery, the global community must build consensus around key priorities impacting the development of more inclusive digital economies. This requires coordinated multi-stakeholder efforts that provide opportunities to share locally-sourced priorities and solutions, establish new partnerships with common goals, and ensure diverse participation in policy development and implementation. Such efforts should include local business communities, women, and marginalized groups that are often excluded in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and livelihoods. This participatory workshop will explore how diverse actors are reimagining and rebuilding their local communities and how the global community can help ensure inclusive, digitally enabled economic growth in the post-COVID-19 era, with an emphasis on expanding digital inclusion across emerging markets. While the session speakers will provide key insights on resiliency and how to build inclusive frameworks, the core of the discussion will be dedicated to highlighting perspectives from the broader IGF community through in-person and online participation. Intended Agenda 1. Brief Introduction to the Discussion - 4 minutes 2. Introduction of Speakers - 2 minutes 3. Discussion among Speakers - 20 minutes 4. Questions and Inputs from IGF participants (Though in-person and online participation) - 30 minutes 5. Wrap Up - 4 minutes

Issues:

This workshop will explore how diverse stakeholders are participating in and contributing to creating opportunities for inclusive growth online, especially local businesses from the Global South. The session will also highlight how the IGF community can help address policy barriers at the local, regional, and international levels that impede a resilient and inclusive digital economy.

Policy Question(s):

• What policy barriers exposed by the COVID-19 crisis are entrepreneurs, particularly women, and small businesses urgently facing in emerging markets to participate in the digital economy? • How can resources be mobilized to expand digital skills among local business communities operating in emerging markets? • At a local or regional level, what are successful examples of diverse stakeholders working together to identify key priorities to facilitate inclusion in digital commerce? • At a global level, how can local businesses communities, civil society, government, and multilateral institutions work together to develop a common framework that builds an enabling environment for inclusive digital economies?

Expected Outcomes:

With insights and experiences from diverse speakers, this session will explore the barriers that local business communities are facing to reopen post-crisis and transition to the digital economy, and how different stakeholders can work together in addressing these economic and policy challenges. Furthermore, the convener of this session, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), intends to highlight key recommendations identified in this participatory session with its global partner network engaged in public-private policy dialogues and advocacy focused on building enabling environments for inclusive prosperity in a technology-reliant future.

Relevance to Internet Governance: While there is no complete global consensus on how to advance digital economies around the world, multi-stakeholder processes that harmonize priorities, rules, and best practices are key to ensuring the inclusion of diverse economic actors. The shaping of frameworks and norms that facilitate and sustain digital inclusion, particularly across emerging markets, also requires the participation of diverse stakeholders in internet governance policy fora at the national, regional, and global levels.

Relevance to Theme: For digital transformation to be meaningful, concerted efforts must be made to ensure sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. Ensuring that everyone has the necessary access and digital skills to participate in the digital economy is essential for digital inclusion. A successful digital economy is underpinned by laws, policies, and regulations that democratizes economic growth and inclusive e-trade. Therefore, the development and implementation of national legislation focused on the digital economy should take into account key priorities voiced by diverse stakeholder groups. At the same time, internet governance policy fora that build consensus on how digital policy frameworks should be shaped must include diverse perspectives, including representatives from emerging markets, to ensure that everyone has the ability to participate.

Discussion Facilitation:

While the speakers will provide perspectives on the key topics outlined, the moderator of the session will also encourage additional insights and questions from IGF participants attending the online session.

Online Participation:

Usage of IGF Official Tool. Additional Tools proposed: The session organizers intend to use Twitter as a key platform to promote the discussion and encourage additional perspectives from the international community.

SDGs:

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Reference Document

Agenda:

1. Brief Introduction to the Discussion - 4 minutes

2. Introduction of Speakers - 2 minutes

3. Discussion among Speakers - 20 minutes

4. Questions and Inputs from IGF participants - 30 minutes

5. Wrap Up - 4 minutes