East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) 2024

Overview:
The majority of East African youth were born into an era of widespread internet access. As such, they have a unique perspective and stake in shaping the digital policies currently being developed. These policies, which cover crucial areas such as data governance, artificial intelligence, and e-governance systems, will define the continent's technological landscape for decades to come. It is crucial that young people actively participate in these deliberations to ensure that the policies crafted today will support a future that aligns with the aspirations and needs of Africa's next generation.

For the East African digital ecosystem to progress efficiently, it is crucial to break down the emerging digital barriers within regional policies. This can only be achieved by empowering youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute meaningfully to the creation of a unified and inclusive digital future. Empowerment is rooted in participation and inclusion, providing young people with the opportunity to be heard and to influence the course of digital development.
This panel discussion aims to highlight the importance of empowering East African youth to be active participants in the development of a people-centred digital landscape in the region.

Goals:

• Equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage effectively in digital policymaking.
• Create platforms for youth to participate meaningfully in policy dialogues and decision-making processes.
• Foster a vibrant ecosystem for youth-led digital initiatives that address societal challenges.
• Promote digital policies that prioritize the needs, rights, and aspirations of young people.

Policy Questions: 

1. What are the most pressing digital challenges facing young people in East Africa?
2. How can we effectively integrate youth perspectives into the policymaking process?
3. What role can technology play in bridging the digital divide among young people?
4. How can we support youth-led initiatives and entrepreneurship in the region?
5. What are the key principles for developing youth-friendly digital policies?

Expected Outcomes: 
Increased awareness among youth about the importance of their involvement in digital policymaking.
Identification of key areas for enhancing digital literacy and capacity-building among youth.
Formation of actionable recommendations for supporting youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship.
Development of a framework for advocating for inclusive and human-centric digital policies in East Africa.

Session will  train Human Rights Defenders, Journalist and Representative from CSO with tips to bypass the impact of Internet Shutdowns. The training will cover the following topics.

1. Introduction to Internet Shutdowns.  

Meaning of Internet Shutdowns ● Importance of the Internet. ● Events that triggers Internet shutdowns ● Impact of Internet shutdowns (How internet shutdowns harm human rights?) ● Forms of Internet Shutdowns
2. Mitigating Internet Shutdowns. 
● Determining Likelihood Of Shutdowns using Common justifications. ● Preparing for an internet shutdown: Briar and Bridgefy ● Staying Active and informed: Circumvention and Anonymity During a Shutdown. ● Accessing the net with VPNs

3.Documenting Human Rights Violations During Internet Shutdowns ● Why is recording during Internet Shutdown important? ● Useful tools for offline documentation during internet shutdowns. (ProofMode: Verified Witnessing, EyeWitness to atrocities and Tella).

4. Measuring Internet Censorship with OONI tools. ● How is internet censorship implemented? ● Why measure internet censorship? ● How to measure internet censorship ● What is OONI Probe? ● Potential risks ● Running OONI Probe ● Accessing OONI Probe test results ● Interpreting OONI data ● How OONI Probe checks website blocking ● How OONI Probe checks the blocking of instant messaging apps ● How OONI Probe checks the blocking of circumvention tools

The session will explore approaches to building a digital future for East Africa. Panelists will deliberate on how the region can leverage digital technology to drive economic growth, enhance digital governance, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Key areas to be discussed include; improving infrastructure development, strengthening regulatory frameworks and policies to foster digital trade and e-commerce, harmonising data protection and privacy laws, developing robust cybersecurity frameworks and cross-border collaboration on cybercrime, among others.

The rapid growth of Internet usage and digital infrastructure has led to a significant rise in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate challenges. This session explores innovative solutions to these issues, focusing on the role of solar-powered routers in reducing the carbon footprint of Internet infrastructure.

By integrating renewable energy, particularly solar power, into digital networks, we can drive sustainability in ICT development while expanding connectivity in off-grid and underserved areas. The presentation will cover case studies from East Africa, including successful deployments of solar-powered routers in remote regions, and how they contribute to digital inclusion, cost savings, and environmental benefits.

The evolving digital landscape in East Africa calls for enhanced youth engagement, focusing on digital literacy as a pathway to employment, social change, and advocacy. A panel discussion will delve into bridging the digital skills gap through community-based training and partnerships, especially for marginalized groups. It will explore how youth harness technology for activism while navigating challenges like misinformation and cyberbullying. Emphasizing digital rights,
the discussion will address creating ethical online spaces. The future of work, shaped by automation, requires adaptive skills, and the panel will discuss strategies for inclusive tech, gender equity, and youth participation in policy-making processes for a more inclusive digital ecosystem.

Inclusive AI Governance: Enhancing Human Rights and Ethical Development in East Africa.

The development of new technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents many opportunities, both good and bad. The end-product user is mostly never involved in the development of AI technologies. To this end, the developer has a limited understanding of the risks associated with the products they produce until the product is in the market. Additionally, there is no inclusive involvement of the public in the development of laws and regulations meant to govern the development of AI technologies. Focusing on participatory governance, the session will explore how public involvement, including CSOs, can shape responsible AI policies and practices. Drawing from the principles of Open and Transparent AI, and other global best practices, we explore foundational questions required to develop responsible AI technology and put the spotlight on those who need to be held accountable for unethical developments and uses of AI technologies. The panel will highlight the importance of embedding human rights and ethical standards in AI laws and technologies, ensuring AI technologies benefit society while mitigating potential harms. We also ask who should be responsible for ensuring that the end user is protected from unethical technological developments and involved in the deployment and development of technology.

The Green Tech Revolution: Multistakeholderism for Sustainable Climate Action in East Africa.