digitalization

Human Rights in the Digital Age: Ensuring Access and Equality While Addressing Risks and Threats

This is an open invitation to a high-level virtual side event “Human Rights in the Digital Age: Ensuring Access and Equality While Addressing Risks and Threats” hosted by The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, which will take place on 27 September 2022 at 10:00-11:30 AM.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, among other dignitaries, experts, and civil society representatives, will deliver remarks

To register for the event, please RSVP to OHCHR (Ann Syauta, syauta@un.org) by 26 September.

Interpretation available in English, French, and Spanish.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Family/NY, please visit ngofamilyny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bobbinassar@yahoo.com or bknotts@uua.org. 

Invest in SDG 4.7 to Unleash the Transformative Power of Education

This side event sponsored by Salesian Missions, addresses the critical need for a holistic education focused on target 7 of SDG 4. Even though we are yet to achieve the various targets under Goal 4, considerable progress has been made in this regard. This has not resulted in a more equal world despite the fact education has always been seen as a great leveler. Globally inequality has continued to grow. What can make education truly transformative are the aspirational goals set out in target 4.7.

The World Program of Human Rights Education that followed the Decade of Human Rights Education, the Decade of Education to Sustainable Development, and the United Nation’s Gyeongju Action Plan for Education for Global Citizenship, not only add content to target 7 but also set the framework for Sustainable Development Goals and its overarching goal: Leave No One Behind. They have the power to make education transformative. The call of Pope Francis for a Global Compact on Education also reinforces the need for addressing target 4.7.
In conversation with experts from OHCHR, UNESCO, Development Cooperation Agencies, and field practitioners, this side event will attempt to deepen this understanding even as it examines the progress already made in this respect.

The side event while presenting good practices that highlight the transformative power of education where there has been a focus on target 4.7. will also strengthen the call for investment and commitment to pursue target 4.7.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0td-2trDgoEtIO29WYZajXTVG3O6m0N68H

__________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

High-Level Sessions of WSIS Forum 2022

Following the Opening Ceremony, join WSIS for three more high-level sessions

10:30–10:40 Remarks by the Chairman of the WSIS Forum 2022 and Announcement of the High-level Track Facilitators

  • Mr. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, ITU
  • Chairman Elect: H.E. Mr. Isa Ali Ibrahim, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Nigeria

– Mr. Antonio Vitorino, Director General, IOM (video message)

– Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN Habitat (video message)

– Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director, UN Women (video message)

 

10:40-11:40 High-level Strategic Dialogue with Partners: ICTs for Well-Being, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs

  • Mr. Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU (Moderator)
  • Ms. Mashael Ali Yousef Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology Affairs, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar (Gold Partner)
  • Mr. Yoichi Kanda, Director, Global Strategy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, Japan – Partner for Specific Activities
  • Mr. Alpesh Shah, Senior Director of Global Business Strategy & Intelligence Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – Partner for Specific Activities
  • Dr. Zhong Luo, Chair, ITU-T SG16 VP, Standards & Industry Development, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., China, Partner for Specific Activities
  • Ms. Janet Umutesi, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance – RURA & ITU Direct Focal Point, Rwanda – Contributing Partner
  • TBC, Confederation of Switzerland – Contributing Partner
  • Ms. Constance Bommelaer de Leusse, Vice President, Institutional Relations and Empowerment, Internet Society (ISOC) – Contributing Partner
  • EY – Contributing Partner (TBC)

–  Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UN ECE (video message)

– Ms. Armida Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, UN ESCAP (video message)

– Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director, UNITAR (video message)

 

11:40-12:40  High-Level Strategic Dialogue – WSIS+20: Multistakeholder Digital Cooperation for global development (WSIS Action Lines to achieve the SDGs)

  • Mr. Mario Maniewicz, BR Director (Moderator)
  • Ms. Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Acting Envoy on Technology, Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology UN Tech Envoy (video message)
  • H.E. Mr. Chris Philp, Minister for Technology and the Digital Economy, United Kingdom – Supporting Partner (video message)
  • H.E. Mr. Kwame McCoy, MP, Minister, Within Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana, Guyana
  • Mrs. Maitseo Ratladi, Director Broadband & Universal Access and Services, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA)
  • Mr. Mansour Al-Qurashi, Chair, CSTD (TBC)
  • Mr. Michael Hodin, GCOA – Supporting Partner
  • Ms. Moira de Roche, Vice President, IFIP – Supporting Partner

______________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Language and Languages, please email the co-chairs at tonkin@hartford.edu or fmhult@umbc.edu.

[2022 WSIS Forum] Inclusiveness, Access to Information and Knowledge for All / Bridging Digital Divides

WSIS Forum 2022

High-Level Policy Session 7:

Inclusiveness, Access to Information and Knowledge for All / Bridging Digital Divides

Register here for this 7th session of the 2022 WSIS Forum (virtual and in-person participation available): itu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkf-ysqzsuGtMorqFMzRQ1zPPF0GurUgte

About the Session:

The ability for all to access and contribute information, ideas and knowledge is essential in an inclusive Information Society.

The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for development can be enhanced by removing barriers to equitable access to information for economic, social, political, health, cultural, educational, and scientific activities and by facilitating access to public domain information, including by universal design and the use of assistive technologies.

A rich public domain is an essential element for the growth of the Information Society, creating multiple benefits such as an educated public, new jobs, innovation, business opportunities, and the advancement of sciences. Information in the public domain should be easily accessible to support the Information Society, and protected from misappropriation. Public institutions such as libraries and archives, museums, cultural collections and other community-based access points should be strengthened so as to promote the preservation of documentary records and free and equitable access to information.

Read more about the Geneva Declaration of Principles here: itu.int/net/wsis/docs/geneva/official/dop.html

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Dr. Liberato Bautista (High-Level Track Facilitator), President, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), United States of America
  • Mr. Paul Donohoe (WSIS Action Line Facilitator), Digital Economy and Trade Coordinator Universal Postal Union, Switzerland
  • H.E. Mr. Mustafa Jabbar [R], Minister Posts and Telecommunications Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, Bangladesh
  • H.E. Mr. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Samoa
  • H.E. Mr. Bogdan Dumea, State Secretary, Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization, Romania
  • Ms. Aichatou Habibou Oumani, President, Niger Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communication and Postal Service, Niger
  • Mr. Dan Sjoblom, Director General, Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, Sweden
  • Mr. Bakhtiyar Mammadov, Deputy Head of Administration, Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Azerbaijan
  • Dr. Caterina Berbenni-Rehm, Founder & CEO, PROMIS@Service, Italy
  • Ms. Tatyana Kanzaveli, CEO, Open Health Network, United States of America
  • Mr. Ahm Bazlur Rahman [R], Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio & Communication (BNNRC), Bangladesh

______________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Language and Languages, please email the co-chairs at fmhult@umbc.edu or tonkin@hartford.edu. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org

WSIS Forum 2022 Opening Ceremony: CoNGO President Speaks

View the full list of speakers and register here: itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2022/Agenda/Session/252

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum is a multistakeholder platform to coordinate implementation activities, exchange information and knowledge, showcase innovation, share best practices and foster partnerships to ensure ICTs remain a key enabler in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under this year’s theme, ‘ICTs for Well-Being, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs’, the WSIS Forum continues to highlight the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The WSIS process is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is highly dependent on ICTs for its implementation.

The Opening Segment will inaugurate the Final Week of the WSIS Forum 2022 and will consist of opening statements from the WSIS Forum 2022 co-organizers, UN partners, sponsors, and representatives of stakeholders engaged in the WSIS Process.


 

Mr. Houlin Zhao
Mr. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-GeneraI
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

 

Ms. Isabelle Durant
Ms. Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

 

Dr. Tawfik Jelassi
Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

 

Mr. Haoliang Xu
Mr. Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (RBPPS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP
H. E. Engineer Majed Sultan Al Mesmar
H. E. Engineer Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General,
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), United Arab Emirates (Platinum Partner)

 

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi, Governor
Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Saudi Arabia (Gold Plus Partner)

 

Mr. Masahiko Metoki
Mr. Masahiko Metoki, Director General
Universal Postal Union (UPU)

 

Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton
Ms. Pamela Coke-HamiltonExecutive DirectorInternational Trade Centre (ITC)

 

Mr. Edward Kwakwa
Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General
World Intellectual Property Organization

 

Rev. Dr. Liberato “Levi” C. Bautista
Liberato C. Bautista, President
Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (USA/Switzerland/Austria)

View the full list of speakers and register here: itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2022/Agenda/Session/252

______________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Language and Languages, please email the co-chairs at fmhult@umbc.edu or tonkin@hartford.edu. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org

 

The Contribution of Digital Literacy for Older Persons to the Decade of Healthy Ageing

The Contribution of Digital Literacy for Older Persons to the Decade of Healthy Ageing

Join us on Friday, October 29th, at 15:00 GVA time 9:00am (NY) within the Global Media and Information Literacy Week (October 24-31, 2021). This event is organized by the Group of Friends of Older Persons in NY in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and will aim to explore the ways in which the Information and Communication Technologies can contribute to the implementation of the Decade of Healthy ageing, when it comes to ensuring the development of digitally inclusive communities that contribute to the wellbeing of all in all stages of life.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

World Maritime Day: Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the professionalism and sacrifice of the two million seafarers who serve on the world’s merchant fleet. Shipping has continued to transport more than 80% of world trade, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery – but hundreds of thousands of seafarers face a humanitarian crisis as they have been stranded at sea, unable to get off the ships they operate with contracts extended by many months. This needs to be addressed urgently, through Governments designating seafarers as essential workers and ensuring safe crew changes can take place.

The theme for this year, “Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future,” reflects a clear need to raise awareness of seafarersʹ crucial role in world trade and increase their visibility. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew change crisis in 2020 has highlighted seafarersʹ exceptional contribution as key and essential workers on the front line of delivering vital goods through a pandemic and in ordinary times. The international community has seen how the ability for shipping services and seafarers to ensure the functioning of the global supply chains has been central to responding to, and eventually overcoming, this pandemic. This could not happen without the professionalism and dedication of the world’s seafarers.

The World Maritime theme for 2021 will provide the opportunity to focus on seafarers as the people at the heart of shipping, while also allowing for activities to delve into specific topics relevant to the role of the seafarer in safety, maritime security, environmental protection and seafarersʹ well-being; and the future of seafaring against a backdrop of increased digitalization and automation. The theme also links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on education and training; SDG 8 related to decent work; SDG 9 on innovation and industry, which links to the promotion of a resilient maritime sector; and SDG 5 on gender equality, linked to efforts to promote seafaring as a career for all, including women, in particular.

To learn more about the IMO, the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and why/how the UN commemorates World Maritime Day, please visit un.org/en/observances/maritime-day.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com

Digital Equity for all Ages: Connect, Respect and Protect Older People in Digital Technologies

This year, the International Day of Older Persons 2021 will provide a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and serve as a call to action. The #UNIDOP2021 will adopt a person centered, human rights approach to ensure digital equity including adequate policies, access, digital literacy and safety for individuals of all ages.

This particular side event from the NGO Committee on Ageing in Vienna’s program will address cyber security, especially for older persons. The virtual program will take place on October 1st from 7:30—9:15am EDT.

Objectives of #UNIDOP2021:

• To address digital availability, connectivity, design, affordability, capacity building, infrastructure, and innovation in the areas of public and private interests

• To bring awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons, while tackling stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination associated with digitalization taking into account sociocultural norms and the right to autonomy

• To highlight policies to leverage digital technologies for full achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

• To explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety of older persons in the digital world

• To promote an intersectional person-centered human rights approach for a society for all ages taking into account existing/non-existing legal instruments in the field of digitalization

Register hereus06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GqD_gJ4OTtymbzNWk5x-rw

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

Sustainable Ageing in a Digital World

Objectives:

An increasing number of concerns have been raised regarding the risks of leaving vulnerable groups behind in a hyper-digitalised world which includes older and marginalised populations. Therefore, digital inclusion needs to be a top priority in terms of public policy making from a human rights and from an economic productivity point of view. The latter is of particular importance for countries that do not yet have an adequate social safety net for their citizens and also for countries faced with the challenge of older persons soon outnumbering the younger population. Responsive policies could empower the older population who are not yet digitally proficient to reap the potential benefits of the digital technology and support their participation in an increasingly digitalized economy and society.

An ageing workforce poses a known dilemma to companies. Older employees who hold more manual and less highly skilled jobs tend to be less familiar with ICT and less equipped to participate in today’s digitalised workplace. Excluding older workers and employees from acquiring digital literacy and minimal competence to work in an ICT dense workplace would reduce retraining costs but might jeopardize productivity and externalise social costs. For example, in service sector where companies’ productivity might actually increase with age due to accumulation of tacit knowledge and abilities to network across age groups with clients. This will take younger employees more time, emotional intelligence and social capital. Hence productivity might be higher for a socially skillful older staff. While many routine works continue to be necessary within an ICT integrated work environment, older workers, arguably with greater patience, are better equipped to carry out the more routine data processing tasks with less errors and need for rework.

Inclusion of older workers in the development of digital competence would also make sense since many of the customer services and other more routine type of work connected to data platform interactions will continue to require a human touch for all age groups. A later life work pattern will become the norm in many of the ageing societies. Hence, acquiring digital literacy would enable older workers to remain active and productive longer. The aim of this panel is to broaden the public’s understanding about the impact of digital technology on ageing in the context of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) which has accelerated the coverage and depth of digitalization in both public and private domains.

The key note speech will be based on the newly published policy brief on “Ageing in the Digital Era” by the UNECE and highlight the barriers to digital technology adoption and the use of digital tools in later life and suggest action areas for policy makers. Panelists will discuss various policy considerations for governments to adopt.

Learn more and register here: https://hopin.com/events/unisa-iasia-hybrid-conference

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

A gathering to foster the basic principles of a new approach for a fairer and more inclusive Digital Society

Grand Conversation: 

A gathering to foster the basic principles of a new approach for a fairer and more inclusive Digital Society

21 June 2021, Monday

Opening 6:00 AM PDT | 9:00 AM EDT | 2:00 PM WEST | 3:00 PM CEST | 4:00 PM EAT

Watch live on facebook.com/occam.milano.

This year 2021 is turning out to be rich in mutations. People are taking back their hopes and activities after the dark months of the Covid confinement. The great rendezvous of G7, G20 and COP26 are proving to be rich in contents and looks promising in terms of a step towards new global assets. The “Next Generation EU” Plan aims at reinforcing not only the new generation, but also at reforming countries in a more just and efficient way. The wind of digitalization blows strong and gives the feeling of a new world in gestation. All of us understand that we can be the protagonists: this is the reason for this Grand Conversation and the invitation to take part to actively discuss how to build the future rather than being a passive audience

21 June 2021

Live on facebook.com/occam.milano

This year 2021 is turning out to be rich in mutations. People are taking back their hopes and activities after the dark
months of the Covid confinement. The great rendez-vous of G7, G20 and COP26 are proving to be rich in contents and
looks promising in terms of a step towards new global assets. The “Next Generation EU” Plan aims at reinforcing not only
the new generation, but also at reforming countries in a more just and efficient way.
The wind of digitalization blows strong and gives the feeling of a new world in gestation. All of us understand that we can
be the protagonists: this is the reason for this Grand Conversation and the invitation to take part to actively discuss how to
build the future rather than being a passive audience.

Preliminary Agenda

Opening 6:00 AM PDT 9:00 AM EDT 2:00 PM WEST 3:00 PM CEST 4:00 PM EAT
Greetings: Daniela Bas, Director, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Division for Inclusive Social Development, USA
Maurizio Molinari, Director, European Parliament Office in Milan, Italy
General introduction: Pierpaolo Saporito, President, OCCAM and Infopoverty Programme, Italy

Session 1: Policies and Strategies Fostering the Next Digital Society

We are living in a moment of gestation towards new forms of society that are arising all over the world in different shapes, operated by digital
innovations that are now part of the common practices of life, work and governance. They are growing up in their global assets to give life to the Next Digital Society.

Daniela Rondinelli, Member of the European Parliament, Commission on Employment and Social Affairs, Belgium
Uma Rani, Senior Economist, International Labour Organization (UN-ILO), Switzerland
George Hara, Special Advisor, Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister of Japan
Liberato C. Bautista, President, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), USA

Session 2: The New Post-Covid Paradigm

The Covid-19 emergency is still pressing, imposing a hard change of behaviour to the society. After the pandemic, other priorities will emerge in the field of health security and in the expansion of human relationships, thanks to the increased digital opportunities. The whole world is now connected, and the ancient North-South gap can be easily overcome, changing the paradigm from charity and support, to transferring knowledge and competences. Africa woke up and started producing many innovations adaptable to its context without the influence of big, for-profit multinational enterprises. This should be a further motivation to renew win-win collaborations. How can emerging countries enter the digital development process? How to exploit human and material resources that are pivotal for the industrial development?Tony Ojobo,

President, African ICT Foundation, Nigeria
Nicolas Boissez, Head of Communication and External Relations, Fondation Hirondelle, Switzerland
Sofia Khadiri, Innovation Manager, LDV20 – Sparkasse, Italy
Andrea Cuomo, President Sacertis Knowledge, IW Bank, Switzerland

Session 3: e-Services for Development

The flow of change is exposed to different accelerations: enterprises are putting in place codes of conduct; governments are understanding how to use them, especially in the post-pandemic phase; consumers are still very much depending on the global supply. Much space can and must be covered by digital innovations to tackle the needs of consumers and the society as a whole, in fields such as health, education, jobs, agriculture, creative production. The aim is to ensure an e-welfare able to grant a dignified lifestyle and access to jobs for every individual.

Food Security and Agriculture
Jawoo Koo, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA
Giulia Bartezzaghi, Director, Food Sustainability Observatory – Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Giovanna Seddaiu, Project Coordinator, EWA-BELT EU Horizon2020 Project, Italy

Telemedicine
Francesco Sicurello, President, International Institute of Telemedicine, Italy
Claudio Azzolini, Professor Emeritus, University of Insubria, Italy
Fabrizio Conicella, General Manager, OpenZone, Italy
Hassan Ghazal, Founder and President, Moroccan Society for Telemedicine and e-Health, Morocco

Education

Toky Ravoavy, NGO Ligne Verte, Madagascar
David Neely, President, Affecting Change International, USA
Michael Mathews, Vice-President for Innovation and Technology, Oral Roberts University, USA

Session 4: How the Digital Communication can Drive the Process to Envisage a New, Better Digital Society

Cinema always anticipated new, visionary societies: what we live now was already done in films. The audio-visual language became universal, a new koiné, and everyone can be a producer, diffuser and consumer. Billions of movies are uploaded every day on the platforms, and the virtual world creates the reality. How to empower this collective creativity towards trends able to register and feed new aspirations of young people, in open dimensions that even democracy can benefit of?

Melita Zajc, Associate Professor of Media Communication, AMEU ISH Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jasmina Bojic, Founder and Director, UN Association Film Festival, USA
Firdaus Kharas, Founder, Chocolate Moose Media, USA
Giacomo Mazzone, Secretary-General, Eurovisioni, Italy

Roundtable: New Approaches to Build the Next Digital Society

The ancient régime is dying, and we need to find new perspectives, opening to younger generations to allow the growth of a world based on their vision. Traditional, hierarchical systems based on archaic powers are inconsistent with the new digital nature. This new DNA shall be made explicit and become the instrument for the development of the new SDG-inspired society, where software and hardware merge for the transformation of ideas into things and for the creation of correct actions enhanced by artificial yet intimately human intelligences.Participants to the Conversation, plus:

Heidi Tworek, Senior Fellow, Center for International Governance Innovation, USA
Nicol Turner-Lee, Senior Fellow, Brookings, USA
Giuseppe Enne, Founder and Scientific Advisor, Desertification Research Centre, Italy

Conclusion 10:15 AM PDT | 1:15 PM EDT | 6:15 PM WEST | 7:15 PM CEST | 8:15 PM EAT

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org

1 2