As part of efforts to advance the conversations on Internet Governance and examine the interplay of technology and public policy, IGF 2022, held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, drew several participants from all sectors, including the academia, civil society, private sector and Government. Participants to diagnose issues related to governance of the internet and craft legal, academic, and governmental solutions. These conversations were geared toward reimagining policy solutions that support a more open, secure, and inclusive internet around the world.
Ethiopia is undoubtedly a melting pot of culture; known for its finest coffee beans, many historians contend that coffee originates from here. Addis Ababa alsoplayed significant roles historically, politically and diplomatically for the African continent, such that it is often referred as the political capital of Africa. The city hence offered a wonderful atmosphere for such a global discussion with pertinent repercussions on the African continent.
The IGF
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a global multi stakeholder platform that brings stakeholders of the Internet together to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet. The forum is convened by the United Nations in line with the mandate set out in paragraph 72 of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.
The 17th IGF officially commenced on 29th November and ended on 2nd December 2022, under the theme “Resilient internet for a shared sustainable and common future”. This overarching topic comprised five sub-themes: connecting all people and safeguarding human rights; avoiding Internet fragmentation; Governing data and protecting privacy; enabling safety, security and accountability; and Addressing advanced technologies, including AI. All aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s envisioned Global Digital Compact. It drew a total of 5,720 participants from 170 countries and had over 300 sessions. Stakeholders all over the world were invited to apply and organize sessions on varying themes and/or topics. The hybrid IGF had thematic area tracks; keenly featured IGF community tracks, IGF community sessions, IGF High-level leaders track IGF Youth Track, IGF Parliamentary track and IGF intersessional work.
High on my agenda was the IGF Youth Track and IGF parliamentary tracks, mainly because my work centres on youth., but I also wanted to understand the political contexts and geopolitical nuances that shape the Internet. Consequently, I sought to gain full insight of how national legislatures address digital policy issues, especially issues that have enormous effect on the youth.
Takeaways
The opening ceremony saw speeches from the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, reiterating the importance of the multi stakeholder approach and how Ethiopia as a country is committed to deepening this through its Digital Strategy set to be launched in 2025. A message from the youth was delivered by my very good friend, LilyEdinam Botsyoe from Ghana. She exercised brevity with her speech. Perhaps, the following statement from her captures the essence of her message: “Young people are ever ready to sit as equals, to learn, contribute in shaping our digital future’.
In all, the following are some of the take away messages from the various speakers and discussions:
Youthful approach at data protection in messaging apps: One of the sessions I moderated focused on data protection pertaining to messaging apps. In particular, we explored topics such as the intricacies involved in quantum computing and if it is a threat to messaging applications. The session established vital points through the dialogues on varioustopics. For instance, we resolved that Big Tech must be transparent, open and accountable to end users especially how their personal data must be encrypted. in messaging applications are encrypted. We also brought to the fore how education, sensitization, and awareness are vital in ensuring protectionof personal data.
The role of parliamentarians in addressing cyberthreats. What stood out during the parliamentarians’ roundtable was the call by some African parliamentarians on the ratification of the Malambo convention. Already only fourteen (14) countries have signed this convention, which has been described by many analysts as disappointing. The Malambo convention essentially envisions Africa as a single entity in terms of data and privacy protection thus calls for a unionised, independent and robust legal framework which protects all people from data processors and controllers.
Digital Grassroots; Digital Grassroots is 5! Five years. Remarkable, truly remarkable and for all the years they have been increasingly excellent in building capacity among young people all over the world. And being part of the community and a past Fellow, I feel big, not big in terms of weight, like colossal to be associated with such an organization. I volunteered to be part of the Digigrassroots booth at the IGF village. Digigrassorts is a youth and female led non-profit. It has Uffa Modey and Esther Mwema as founders. Both are individuals of impressive intelligence who have demonstrated impressive acumen and industry in curating Digigrassroots. The focus of Digital grassroots is to increase digital citizenship and rights among youth from underrepresented communities globally. Through open leadership, community engagement programs and mentorships, they promote youth activism in shaping the Internet ecosystem.
Way forward
As asserted by Kieron O’Ohara and Wendy Hall in the book Four Internets, the Internet is not a monolithic technological creation, patented and run by a single company or government, but a congeries of systems, protocols, standards, hardware, and organizations. This statement clearly underscores the need for synergy and the Internet Governance multi stakeholder approach. The Internet is one infinite resource and issues bordering Internet Governance are more fluidly circular than strictly linear. An old friend asked, “what next after these conversations?”. There was something sinister about the question, yet I understood his concerns. What is next after the IGF?
Before outlining what I think should be next, I should mention that the IGF must not provide a ground for an annual ritual of flowery speeches, or lip service or window dressing. It should not be sessions where monologues are exchanged, and vague reassurances given. It should not be borne out of talk shops and coffee breaks. There must be action after these discussions. The talks, the advocacies should not end at these conferences.
In an ineffably complex world, different perspectives must be taken with respect to the governance of the internet; the national and regional IGFs must continually provide a robust fertile ground for advancing the conversations while identifying new Internet Governance concerns. National IGFs must fully engage those stakeholders and must reflect the IGF model. In the case of Ghana, to name but one example, the Youth IGF represents the interests of young people at grassroot level therefore regular engagements should be held with a wide range of design issues to inform, shape and articulate the full range of issues. A clarion call should be made on all stakeholders to actively engage and work towards an open, interoperable, inclusive internet.
For most people there is a moment that stands out as pivotal to the awakening of their consciousness. Often that moment can feel like a harbinger of disaster. It is a moment in which you suddenly become aware of who you are; you become aware of the fragility, bias and how unequal the world in which you live is. May the just ended IGF awaken our consciousness. May it be a watershed moment. May it change our lives and may it influence all the moments that follow. May the fresh and revelatory insights provided further enhance the multi stakeholder approach and conceptualising the internet. May it pave the way for a resilient internet for a shared sustainable and common future.
Evolve- Journal is committed to the spread of ideas that will shape the social, economic and political development of Ghana, and the African continent. One of the major tenets of the journal is to ensure the security of every individual that uses the internet, in any capacity. The journal therefore commends the organizers of the IGF for their efforts in driving most of the diagnosis, and resolution of the major matters that threaten a secure and easily accessible internet for all.
The journal has discussed some of these issues in the past. Listen to these discussions below:
The writer works at the nexus of technology and society. As a technology policy analyst/ consultant
Osei M. Kagyah
Kagyahosei@gmail.com