The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event is scheduled to be held from 27 to 31 May 2024, co-organised by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD and co-hosted by ITU and the Swiss Confederation, with the support of remote participation. The event will serve as a platform for the WSIS+20 review to provide an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation, and sharing of best practices while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving information and knowledge societies. For more information about the event, please visit the official web page.
Diplo and GIP will participate in the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event in various ways, co-organising with partners, hosting their own sessions, and providing just-in-time reporting on its dedicated page on the Digital Watch Observatory.
Diplo @ WSIS+20 Forum
Session 239: How African knowledge and wisdom can inspire the development and governance of AI
29 May | 14:00 – 14:45 CEST | Co-organised by Diplo, GIP, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations and other international organizations
Africa, with its young population and significant potential for digital and societal development, holds a promising digital future. It also has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom encapsulated in local traditions, customs and philosophies. However, African wisdom and knowledge are underrepresented in AI technology and governance, which are predominantly shaped by Western perspectives.
Against this backdrop, the session will revolve around the following key question: How can African knowledge and wisdom inspire the development and governance of AI? It will start with a reflection on why and how Ubuntu, a philosophy deeply rooted in African culture, can provide valuable input into global discussions on the governance of AI, by reflecting the continent’s ethos and social wisdom.
The session will then continue with an open-ended discussion on concrete steps that would lead to a clearly articulated promotion and reflection of Africa’s knowledge, realities and interests in the development and governance of AI.
Speakers:
- Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director, DiploFoundation (Moderator)
- H.E. Mr James Waweru, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Kenya
- Mr Moctar Yedaly, Africa Region Director, GFCE (TBC)
For more information about the session, please visit the official event page. For our just-in-time coverage, please check our reporting page.
Session 333: GDC and WSIS+20 processes: What’s in it for Africa?
30 May | 15:00 – 15:45 CEST | Organised by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations and other international organizations
Diplo experts will contribute to this session in the capacity of moderators.
For more information about the session, please visit the official event page. For our just-in-time coverage, please check our reporting page.
Session 339: Stocktaking exercise of the Global Digital Compact process and how to link it to the WSIS +20 process
30 May | 17:00 – 17:45 CEST | Organised by Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
This session will examine how WSIS features in the current versions of the Global Digital Compact, and how to ensure an effective role for WSIS in the follow-up of the GDC. The session will also examine how the issue of cultural and linguistic diversity should be dealt with both in the GDC and the WSIS+20 processes.
For more information about the session, please visit the official event page. For our just-in-time coverage, please check our reporting page.
Session 191: Enhancing CSO participation in global digital policy processes: Roles, structures, and accountability
31 May | 10:00 – 10:45 CEST | Organised by Diplo
During this session, Diplo will launch the four-year Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) project, co-founded by the European Union. The CADE project, led by Diplo, will be implemented by a consortium of civil society organisations from various regions in hopes of bringing forth inclusive, evidence-based internet governance policymaking.
Panellists:
- Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director, DiploFoundation
- Radka Sibille, Digital Affairs Advisor, EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva
- Sadhvi Saran, Strategy and Policy Advisor, ITU
- Adam Peake, Civil Society Engagement Sr. Manager, ICANN
- Karolina Iwańska, Digital Civic Space Advisor, ECNL
- Abed Kataya, Digital Expert, SMEX
Moderator:
- Stephanie Borg Psaila, Director Digital Policy, DiploFoundation (CADE project lead)
For more information about the session, please visit the official event page. For our just-in-time coverage, please check our reporting page.
