GLOBAL DIGITAL COMPACT IN AFRICA

An ongoing proposal for a Workshop at the Internet Governance Forum 2023.

iNTRODUCTION

The Global Digital Compact (GDC) is a proposed framework for international cooperation on digital issues. It was first proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General in his 2021 report Our Common Agenda. The GDC aims to promote an open, free, and secure digital future for all It is based on the following principles:

  • Human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected in the digital age.

  • The digital divide must be bridged.

  • The digital economy must be inclusive and sustainable.

  • Digital technologies must be used to address global challenges such as climate change and poverty.

  • Digital security must be ensured.

The GDC is still under development, but it has the potential to be a major step forward in global digital cooperation. It could help to ensure that the benefits of digital technologies are shared more widely and that the risks are mitigated.

Here are some of the key areas where the GDC could promote cooperation:

Data governance: The GDC could help to develop international standards for data governance. This would help to ensure that personal data is collected, processed, and used in a way that respects privacy and human rights.

Cybersecurity: The GDC could help to strengthen international cooperation on cybersecurity. This would help to protect countries and individuals from cyberattacks.

Artificial intelligence: The GDC could help to develop international standards for the development and use of artificial intelligence. This would help to ensure that AI is used in a way that is beneficial to society.

Internet governance: The GDC could help to promote a more inclusive and democratic internet governance system. This would help to ensure that all countries have a voice in the development of the internet.

The GDC is a complex and ambitious initiative, but it has the potential to be a major force for good in the digital age. By promoting cooperation on key issues, the GDC can help to ensure that digital technologies are used to benefit all of humanity. This is the reason why we should discuss it more to get a clearer picture especially in Africa. And the SENDIWSA Workshop at the IGF is one of the ways to do that.

Current Situation

DNS Africa Media and Communications initiated the Stakeholder Engagement Digital Webinar Series for Africa (SENDiWSA), a not-for-profit, multipurpose platform for deliberation and sharing of all ICT-Related Goods, Services, Best Practices, and the pillars of Digital Transformation across Africa.

The objective is to deliberate on engagement strategies and showcase products and services within and by Africans to address all digital-related issues across sectors and industries towards reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as a non-commissioned, non-profit platform in Africa. 

With issues spanning Data Governance, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet Governance, the platform would be able to address the difference in development across the African continent with attention to educational platforms such as Community Networks, sharing Financial Technologies (Fintech), and advanced solutions without borders. The proposed Workshop on Global Digital Compact in Africa: Challenges and Solutions will enhance what SENDIWSA is doing and it will also elicit recommendations from the speakers during the workshop.

Objectives

  1. To  Increase cooperation and competition (co-ompetition) to sustain effective and deliberate economic growth and development.

  2. To create, promote and strengthen cooperation among corporate bodies, institutions of learning, research organizations, media organizations, governments, and nonprofits.

  3. To elicit solutions from experts that will be discussing the Global Digital Compact and cooperation within the African Community Context. 

  4. To stimulate the African community via organic discussion bringing organic solutions which are pragmatic for the African scenario among others.

  5. To bring African context into Global DIgital Compact through organic recommendations from African Speakers.

IGF Workshop

The GDC has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people in Africa. By working together, governments, businesses, and civil society can build a more inclusive and secure digital future for Africa. In order to do so, it's pertinent that stakeholders understand the need for lower-cost ways to produce their digital products and services which can lead to healthy competition, which drives prices down and creates a larger variety of choices for consumers in the digital ecosystem.

This can be done when the policy questions are addressed. This is the reason why SENDIWSA is taking this initiative in a Workshop to discuss the policy question so as to find solutions for the African Community on the Global Digital Compact and Cooperation. The Workshop seeks to address the challenges and proffer solutions to the African situation.

Media Update: DNS Global | Papers, DNS Africa Online | Research.

Workshop Proposal Update: DNS Global | Papers, DNS Africa Online | Research.