Status:
IGF Theme(s) for workshop: Access and Diversity
Main theme question address by workshop: NA
Concise description of the proposed workshop:
The notion of cyber and information ethics has emerged from the interplay of human interactions and values with the emerging technologies, use of information and virtual spaces of the information society. The new modes of interaction, the trans-boundary, trans-jurisdictional and ubiquitous nature of these interactions and spaces pose opportunities for advancing human development but also risks for entrenching existing inequities and creating new ones. These developments also represent new paradigms of social, political, economic and even cultural organization.
It is desirable that the virtual spaces and the use of information contribute to societies and spaces that are peaceful, just, and inclusive and which foster the full expression of human rights. Questions therefore arise regarding roles, responsibilities and values for guiding behavior, making choices; including technical ones; within these virtual spaces. Equally challenging are questions around constraints in the physical worlds, often collectively referred to as “digital divide”, that impact the extent to which persons can access, participate fully and benefit from the virtual spaces.
Interactions in the virtual spaces can have very real consequences in the physical world, but these impacts, societal shifts and consequences are not always readily perceived. Todays’ session is part of an ongoing attempt to raise awareness, identify and reflect on the legal, societal and ethical challenges of these evolving information and knowledge landscape and to engage with policy makers and other stakeholders in developing a basis for action grounded in advancing human rights.
This session will examine a small subset of the opportunities, challenges and dilemmas in the field of cyber and information ethics with an emphasis on exploring these in the context of three areas. The first aspect examines how the virtual world is impacting our notions of time, space and identity both as individuals and collectively and to better understand the challenges and opportunities this may present for our societies’ well-being.
The second area to be explored is the impact that the design of technical systems on empowering or disempowering users. Information systems can promote transparency and facilitate citizens’ access to governmental services and their involvement in decision making, but if poorly designed to take into account a range of user needs and limitations some bar citizens from exercising their rights. How can we incorporate and operationalize human rights as a design criterion for enabling access to information?
The final aspect of this workshop deals with the challenges around the preserving of digital content. Digital content is increasing at an ever-accelerating rapid rate in a variety of formats which rapidly become obsolete, if not preserved much of today’s knowledge may one day be lost. Today’s digital content will one day be the “artifacts” of cultural, scientific and social value but also important building blocks of knowledge and innovation. What are the considerations, challenges and trade offs in the selection of content to be preserved for future generations? What are the possible implications of different funding models and collection strategies that might be used to support digital preservation? How to ensure diversity, authenticity, inclusion and viewpoint of disadvantaged communities?
Background Paper:
Name of the organiser(s) of the workshop and their affiliation to various stakeholder groups:
- UNESCO Secretariat and UNESCO's inter-governmental Information for All Program (IFAP)
- Internet Society (ISOC)
Have you, or any of your co-organisers, organised an IGF workshop before?: Yes
Please provide link(s) to workshop(s) or report(s):
Adressing some unintended consequences of participation in the digital environment
http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/component/chronocontact/? (The report for this event was provided but we have not been able to locate it on the IGF site)
Provide the names and affiliations of the panellists you are planning to invite:
Mr. Ben Akoh, International Institute for Sustainable Development
International Centre for Information Ethics,
University of Kwazulu Natal,
International Federation of Information Professionals (IFIP),
Internet Society,
Intergovernmental Information for All Programme (IFAP)
Name of Remote Moderator(s):