Aapti Institute’s Post

Join Paradigm Initiative and partners at the Global South Alliance Open Meeting as we discuss Global Digital Compact and policy issues like digital public infrastructure, digital IDs, and data-driven public policies in the Global South. Formed at the beginning of 2023, the Alliance’s key mission is to unify NGOs dedicated to the promotion of mutual learning and the advancement of digital rights with a perspective from the Global South. Serving as  a space for mutual strengthening, dialogue and listening between a small group of organisations, the alliance’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 18th June, 2024. Register to participate: https://lnkd.in/etjenuPW #GlobalSouthAlliance #ParadigmInitiative

The EU & empowerment of its citizens in the digital world 🌐 Watch a video made by European Commission about our rights in the digital age and discover how the EU digital principles ensure them to form a human-centered, sustainable digital future, shaped around six main themes:   😎Putting people and their rights at the centre of the digital transformation 🫶🏼Supporting solidarity and inclusion 👩🏻💻Ensuring freedom of choice online 👩🏻💻 🤳🏻Fostering participation in the digital public space 🔏Increasing safety, security, and empowerment of individuals 🌎Promoting the sustainability of the digital future   🎯 The goal of implementing these changes is to empower people to fully enjoy the opportunities that the digital decade brings. The proposed set of European digital rights and principles therefore also reflects EU values by promoting a sustainable, human-centric vision for the digital renovation. https://lnkd.in/esQDksv5 🕵️♀️ For more information on this topic visit: https://lnkd.in/exxhT_KW #EU #DigitalTransformation #DigitalEmpowerment #DigitalRights #SustainableTech #EuropeanUnion #EuropeanCommission

What can be improved in the Global Digital Compact, considering the needs of the Global South? This position paper is the result of the collaboration between the partner organisations Paradigm Initiative, Data Privacy Brasil, Pollicy, Research ICT Africa, Fundación InternetBolivia.org, and Digital Rights Foundation - all part of the Global South Alliance. This initiative stemmed from the meetings between members of the Alliance, although it does not represent the views of all of its members. With this paper, we seek to address some of the pressing issues for civil society in the field of digital rights, highlighted by the experiences of these organisations, considering the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) process and the Summit of the Future.

Back to 25 March 2021 - during the Portuguese Presidency of the #EU - the European Council underlined the importance of digital transformation for EU’s growth, prosperity, security, and competitiveness, as well as for the well-being of our societies. It was one of the priorities for the Portuguese Permanent Representation to the European Union. Then, the European Commission proposed on 26 January 2022 a "European declaration on #digitalrights and principles for the #digital decade". Today, the Council of the European Union approved relevant conclusions on digital empowerment to protect and enforce fundamental rights in the digital age. Member states must take actions such as: promoting adequate media and digital literacy; taking measures to ensure that everyone can equally access online public services; raising awareness on the importance of protecting privacy; allocating funding to support media and digital education, training and skills development tailored to the needs of different groups of persons. Digital education is a way to a digital transformation that respects fundamental rights. #Europeanunion is taking the lead. 

Following the International Day for Universal Access to Information held on 28th September, we reflect on the pivotal role of the Internet in ensuring access to vital information for all. Access to information is not just a right; it's a cornerstone for transparency, accountability, and democracy. However, the digital divide poses challenges, with billions still offline. Bridging this divide is a collective responsibility, with the Kenyan government's Digital Superhighway initiative and corporate efforts like Safaricom, Mozilla, and Huawei playing crucial roles. In this article, we reflect on the need to work together to make access to information a reality for everyone, fostering progress and equality worldwide. #AccessToInformation #DigitalDivide #InformationEquality #InternetAccess https://lnkd.in/dkz_R8cw

📲Media and information literacy is essential for individuals to practice and protect their right to freedom of expression and opinion. A wide range of possibilities to access information allows people to access diverse information, develop critical thinking and engage in active discourse on any topic they hold dear. But this freedom comes with the growing need to be skilled at safeguarding privacy and validating information. ‘Freedom of expression in the digital age [is] threatened by online disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and gender-based violence, which [has] serious consequences for human rights, democracy and sustainable development, as well as public trust in the integrity of information.’– Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, speaking at the UN Human Rights Council 💬Digital media empowers many to exercise and be heard on matters of human rights and fundamental freedoms, but with more use, it makes it even more necessary to learn how to navigate among its potential threats. 🌍It is a long process and one that we do not all experience at the same level. The digital divide between different age groups, backgrounds, communities and cultures, together with the amount of accessible resources, shapes our experiences differently. Actors on the national and international level aim to improve media literacy in general to support a democratic, accountable and transparent digital environment. #CERV #IdeasforEurope #EU #medialiteracy , #TheDandelionGroup, The Centre for Democratic Competences, and alda* - European Association for Local Democracy.

The United Nations and its member states are working on a so-called Global Digital Compact that shall "outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all." It is expected to be agreed upon this September at the Summit for the Future.   DW Akademie and other organizations of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) support a #humanrights-based approach to #internetgovernance within this Global Digital Compact.   From the statement: It "must reflect and enhance international human rights standards - particularly concerning access to information, freedom of expression, and media freedom - and consider the media community as a key stakeholder in internet governance discussions." Read more: https://lnkd.in/d5tWUvii

On December 4th, I had the privilege of participating as a panelist in a roundtable discussion on Digital Rights hosted by WIDEF in collaboration with Civil Society. The panel session focused on "Ensuring human rights in the digital era: a review of the legal policy frameworks on digital rights, internet governance, government oversight, and the implications of these practices for digital rights and civil liberties in the evolving digital landscape." ✍🏻During the first session of the roundtable consultation, we delved into the Voluntary United Nations Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms by Oluseyi Soremekun, PhD the representative of the Country Director of the United Nations Information Center, facilitated the session. ESTHER BALAMI representing the Senior Human Rights Advisor of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, delivered a keynote presentation on digital rights. 🙏As a panelist, I emphasized that #digitalrights are fundamental rights that already exist, but now extended to the digital platform. Referring to our constitution (the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Section 37 highlights citizens' rights to privacy, covering homes, telephone conversations, telegraphic communication, and correspondence. Similarly, Section 39 emphasizes the freedom of expression. These encompasses the right to privacy, freedom of expression, data protection, access to information and cybersecurity and digital literacy. In an era dominated by technology and connectivity, the concept of digital rights has become increasingly significant. #digitalrights encompass our ✅right to privacy, ✅the right to use technologies and the internet for self-expression, and ✅the protection of our data collected by the government. For instance, government agencies like INEC, banks, Federal Road Safety Corps (FIRS),Nigerian Immigration Services etc collect biometric information for various official purposes. World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF)’s Executive Director Kingsley Godwin conducts a weekly radio broadcast on Ray Power (100.5) every Tuesday at 5 pm, providing greater insights into digital rights. I am Debby Solomon, the founder of Lawworld Corporate Services. I am always ready to lend my voice for the betterment of society. Follow the conversation, share your insights, and let’s make a positive impact together. #digitalrights #dataprotection #lawworld #humanrights #fundamentalrights #digitaladvocacy #onlineprivacy #digitalempowerment

A small grant can be a powerful tool for change, especially in the Pacific, where rapidly increasing connectivity and the lowering of costs associated with access to the digital space have been a game-changer. Increasing access, however, is not a panacea, and improvements to the region’s ICT infrastructure also see the Pacific grappling with the use of digital tools in ways that inhibit, rather than promote, citizen participation, empowerment and human rights. Read more here on our support to Pacific CSOs, through the provision of a grants scheme that aims to improve understanding of online safety while combatting hate speech, technology-facilitated abuse, and disinformation 👇 https://lnkd.in/gfyGg9Gu

As the United Nations continue to refine the Zero Draft of the Global Digital Compact, we presented, with our partners Derechos Digitales, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Research ICT Africa our joint recommendations to the States of the Partnership for Information and Democracy to protect democratic societies, independent journalism and the right to reliable information. Our recommendations focus on - closing the digital divide and building digital public infrastructure - fostering an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space - strengthening access to reliable information - recognising and building upon existing initiatives and avoid duplication - ensuring the sustained and meaningful participation of civil society, media and academia Discover our recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/eyxz-DPv