Session
Organizer 1: Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , African Union - African Peer Review Mechanism
Speaker 1: H.E. Amara Kallon, Government, African group, Republic of Sierra Leone, Male
Speaker 2: H.E. Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Government, African group, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Female
Speaker 3: H.E. Ambassador Mboti, Government, African group, Republic of Namibia, Male
Speaker 4: Amb. Nasir Aminu, Government, African group, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Male
Speaker 5: H.E. Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, Intergovernmental organization, Republic of South Africa, Female
Speaker 6: Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Government, African group, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Male
Speaker 7: Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Government, African group, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Male
Speaker 8: Dr. Vasu Gounden, Civil Society, African group, Republic of South Africa, Male
Speaker 9: Dr. Jean Phillipo, Government, African group, Republic of Malawi, Female
Speaker 10: Dr. Alfons Witbeen, Government, African group, Republic of Namibia, Male
Speaker 11: Cristina Duarte, Intergovernmental organization, United States, Female
Speaker 12: Mike Ogbalu III, Intergovernmental organization, Arab Republic of Egypt
Speaker 13: Magalie Anderson, Intergovernmental organization, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Speaker 14: Amb. Salah Siddig Hammad, Intergovernmental organization, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Male
Speaker 15: Jide Okeke, Intergovernmental organization, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Male
Speaker 16: Uyoyo Edosio, Intergovernmental organization, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Female
Speaker 17: Mr Nduka Obaigbena, Private Sector, African group, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Male
Speaker 18: Ms Mercy Ndegwa, Private Sector, African group, Africa / Dubai, Female
Speaker 19: Mr Adeyinka Adeyemi, Private Sector, African group, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Male
Speaker 20: Prof Ezrah Aharone, Civil Society, Western European and Other Groups (WEOG), United States, Male
Speaker 21: Jonathan Caldwell, Private Sector, Western European and Other Groups (WEOG), Saudi Arabia, Male,
Speaker 22: Hamid Khayar Oumar Defallah, Civil Society, African group, Chad, Male
Speaker 23: Arushi Goel, Private Sector, UAE, Female
Speaker 24: Prof Chris Gibbons M.D., M.P.H., Civil Society, Western European and Other Groups (WEOG), United States, Male Moderator / Speakers
Speaker 25: Prof Elvis Avenyo, Government, African group, Republic of South Africa, Male
Speaker 26, Prof. Jon Foster-Pedley, Private Sector, African group, Republic of South Africa, Male
Speaker 27: Aminu Zainab, Civil Society, African group, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Female
Speaker 28: Deniz Susar, Intergovernmental organization, United States, Male
Moderator 1: Alicia Clarke, Civil Society, Western European and Other Groups (WEOG), United States, Female
Moderator 2: Dr Nomalanga Mashinini, Government, African group, Republic of South Africa, Female
Moderator 3: Prof. Desmond Oriakhogba, Government, African group, Republic of South Africa, Male
Moderator 4: Dahlia N'Goulakia, Intergovernmental organization, Republic of South Africa, Female
Rapporteur: Emmanuel Merissa, Intergovernmental organization, Republic of South Africa, Male
Online Moderator: Jibril Ibrahim-Kano, Intergovernmental organization, Republic of South Africa, Male
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Firstly, the classroom layout ensures that all participants have a clear view of the presentation slides and presenters at the podium. This setup promotes engagement and interaction, allowing for effective knowledge sharing and discussion of complex topics such as the impacts of new and emerging digital technologies on governance in Africa. Moreover, the 90-minute duration provides sufficient time to delve into the subject matter in a meaningful way while ensuring that the meeting remains focused and productive. The topic is of utmost importance to Africa, a continent grappling with significant development challenges. As one of the least developed regions globally, Africa stands to benefit greatly from discussions on digital governance, which can help address existing inequalities and foster inclusive growth.
How can African nations integrate technology into governance to foster stability and development? What are the implications of rapid technological advancements on governance in Africa, and how can these challenges be mitigated? How can the digital divide be bridged to ensure equitable access to technology? What strategies are needed to address risks like data exploitation and cybercrime while maximizing technology benefits? How can digital governance prioritize inclusion, equality, and sustainability while upholding human rights and peace? What policies and capacity-building efforts are necessary to promote effective governance in the digital age?
What will participants gain from attending this session? The session offer a unique opportunity to gain insights and deepen understanding of technology's impact on governance, human rights, peace, and security in Africa. By synthesizing these insights and developing recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders, the APRM can contribute to responsible and effective governance in the digital age, promoting human rights and ensuring peace and security. The focus will be on policy and regulatory recommendations for promoting digital technology adoption while mitigating governance risks and safeguarding human rights, peace, and security. Additionally, it will serve as a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for digital governance in Africa. Through this collaborative approach, experts, policymakers, civil societies, media, academia, and other stakeholders will cultivate a shared understanding of technology's advantages, opportunities, and risks in Africa, emphasizing principles of inclusion, equality, ownership, sustainability, human rights, peace, and security.
Description:
The session offers African Member States a distinctive opportunity to collectively shape a unified agenda for leveraging technology ethically and in line with human rights principles. Rapid technological advancements raise concerns about their potential disruption to governance, and inversely, how global governance changes may impact technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related emerging technologies like nanotechnology and biotechnology are rapidly reshaping the global landscape, bringing complex issues at the intersection of technical, ethical, political, legal, and economic domains. Digitalization's impact on Africa's political systems and economies varies, with new technologies offering growth opportunities but hindered by infrastructure deficiencies, low digital literacy, and socioeconomic challenges. Addressing Africa's vulnerability to data exploitation and limited capacity to influence technical advancements and global legal frameworks, the initiative focuses on assessing technology's implications in political, social, cultural, economic, and ethical aspects within the region. Digital technologies in Africa can worsen existing inequalities while providing inclusive development opportunities. Inequalities span gender, race, geography, and socio-economic factors, extending to education, healthcare, employment, and living conditions. Digital divides further amplify disparities, particularly affecting marginalized groups like informal workers and youth facing high unemployment rates. Some nations strategically leverage AI and innovations for national development, while others risk marginalization due to passive roles in data governance. The meeting aims to address these challenges, fostering equitable technological development and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
Expected Outcomes: 1. Establishment of a networking platform for policymakers, civil society, academics, and stakeholders to develop a vibrant ecosystem for digital governance. 2. Increased awareness of new digital technology's impacts on governance in Africa. 3. Strengthened coordination among APRM Member States in developing frameworks for digital technology adoption. 4. Enhanced cooperation between global institutions for shaping digital governance frameworks. Specific Outputs: 1. A comprehensive report with policy recommendations from workshops. 2. A policy brief for promoting responsible governance in the digital age. 3. Podcasts / videocasts, and TV interviews to advocate for digital technology's impacts on governance.
Hybrid Format: The APRM will facilitate interaction between onsite and online participants through Zoom for smooth integration. An APRM staff member will moderate the onsite session, while another staff member, working in coordination with the main moderator, will manage online discussions, breakout sessions, polls, and Q&A, ensuring equal participation. Clear instructions and technical assistance will be provided to online attendees by the online moderator in collaboration with the main moderator. Additionally, to boost interaction and manage time effectively, we'll utilize the Zoom timer feature. Supplementary tools such as Slido or Mentimeter will be used for real-time polling and question submission, along with Microsoft OneNote or Word for collaborative note-taking.