Hybrid Forum: 22 June 2023, via Zoom, and Physical
Theme: “The Internet We Want – Empowering All Kenyan People“
1. Program
Agenda
| Time | Agenda | Moderator |
|---|---|---|
| Interlude: Spots from event sponsors | ||
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Arrival and Registration | KICTANet /MAG Team |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Welcome and Introductions | Conference Moderators: Victor Kapiyo and Rosemary Kimwatu |
| 08:30 – 08:45 | Opening and Welcome Remarks Ali Hussein, KICTANet Chairperson Grace Githaiga, KICTANet CEO & Convenor | Conference Moderator |
| 08:45 – 09:00 | Panellists: Mercy Ndegwa, META Dr Vincent Ngundi, CA Mr. Bernd Lakemeie, GIZ Kenya ‘Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative | Moderator: Ali Hussein |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | High (C-Level) Panel – The Internet We Want – Empowering All Kenyan People | |
| This session aims to discuss the theme of the event and present a high-level view of what the “internet we want” means for the Kenyan people and propose a vision and pragmatic actions to be achieved in the coming year. | ||
| This session aims to explore the challenge of cybercrime, and the emerging threats to online safety and promote best practices in ensuring cybersecurity in the digital environment. | Moderator: Grace Githaiga | |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Plenary session | |
| 10:15 – 10:20 | Interlude: Spots from event sponsors | |
| 10:20 – 11:20 | Session 1: Enhancing Cybersecurity, Combating Cybercrime & Ensuring Online Safety | |
| Panellists: Adam Lane, Huawei Technologies – Col. Evans Ombati, NC4 Sam Keiru. Cisco’s Cloud Security Business for Sub-Saharan Africa Francis Sitati, Communications Authority (CA) Martin Koyabe, GFCE (online participation) | Moderator: Mutheu Khimulu | |
| 11:20 – 11:35 | Plenary session | |
| 11:35 – 11:50 | Tea Break | |
| 11:50 – 1200 | Interlude: Spots from event sponsors | |
12:00 – 13:00 | Session 2: Promoting Data Governance & Trust | |
| This session aims to explore the emerging issues on data governance, including progress and challenges in the legal frameworks and promote best practices to promote trust in the digital ecosystem. | ||
| Panellists: Rose Mosero, Deputy Data Commissioner ODPC Cynthia Chepkemoi, Data Protection Officer, KWFT Grace Mutung’u, Open Society Dr. Ololade Shyllon, Head of Privacy Policy, Africa, Middle East and Turkey Meta | Moderator: John Walubengo | |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Plenary session | |
| 13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch Break | |
| 14:00 – 14:05 | Interlude: Spots from event sponsors | |
| 14:05 – 15:05 | Session 3: Promoting Human Rights and Freedoms and Tackling Harmful Content Online | |
| This session aims to explore the impact of digital technologies on human rights, the emerging threat posed by harmful content online, and propose best practices to ensure a more right-respecting digital environment. | ||
| 14:05 – 15:05 | Panellists: John Okande, UNESCO Allan Cheboi, Code 4 Africa Angela Minayo, KICTANet David Omwoyo, CEO, Media Council of Kenya Megan Kathure, GIZ | Moderator: Racheal Nakitare |
| 15:05 – 15:20 | Plenary Session | |
| 15:20 – 15:25 | Interlude: Spots from event sponsors | |
| 15:25 – 16:25 | Session 4: Bridging the Digital Divides and Promoting Inclusion | |
| This session aims to highlight the challenge of the growing digital divide and explore best practices and measures to promote digital inclusion, accessible content, digital literacy, meaningful connectivity and internet infrastructure for all. | ||
| 15:25 – 16:25 | 2 Minutes Video from the Children’s IGF. Charles Juma, UK Aid Digital Access Program Andrew Lewela, KENIC Catherine Kyalo, Angaza Networks Rosemary Okello, Africa Media Hub, Strathmore University | Moderator: Judy Okite |
| 16:25 -16.30 | Plenary | |
| 16:30 – 16:40 | Kenya School of Internet Governance Award Ceremony | KESIG Faculty – Barrack Otieno |
| 16:40 – 16:50 | Rapporteurs Summary Actions Points and Way Forward | Francis Monyango, Rapporteurs |
| 16:50 – 17:00 | Closing Session | Rosemary Kimwatu, KIGF MAG, Chair |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Tea Break and Interlude: Spots from event sponsors as participants stream back into plenary | |
| 18:00 – 19:30 | Fireside Chat: Harnessing the Power of AI & Emerging Technologies | |
18:00 – 19:00 | This session aims to discuss the emerging threats and challenges posed by AI and emerging technologies, the ethical considerations and social implications for Kenya, the best practices to harness their power and opportunities that Kenyans can explore in the digital ecosystem. | |
| Panel: Jack Ngare – Technical Director, Office of the CTO, Google Engineer John Tanui – PS, State Department of ICT and Digital Economy Dr Angeline Wairegi, – AI Lead, CIPIT Mark Irura Technical Advisor, FAIR Forward, Artificial Intelligence for All, GIZ Cecilia Nyawira – Head of Executive Search, Aga Khan University | Moderator: Ali Hussein | |
| 19:00 – 19:30 | Plenary Session | |
| 19:30 – 22:00 | Cocktails and Live Band! | |
| End of Event | ||
2. Introduction
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder forum where public policy issues are related to key elements of Internet governance, such as the Internet’s sustainability, robustness, security, stability, and development. The United Nations Secretary-General formally announced the establishment of the IGF in July 2006 and the first meeting was convened in October 2006.
The purpose of the IGF is to maximise the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and contribute to capacity building for Internet governance.
The event brings together stakeholders representing government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, media, and the public in an informal setting for policy dialogue on Internet governance issues on an equal basis through an open and inclusive process. This type of cooperative engagement is usually called the multistakeholder model of Internet Governance, which is one of the key features of the Internet’s success. This model is paramount to ensure that the Internet remains sustainable for economic and social development.
The forums are localised and their outcomes feed into each other from country to sub-regional then regional level finally culminating in a report that is presented at the global level. The outcomes of the country level (Kenya IGF) feed into the regional level (East Africa IGF), continental level (Africa IGF), and ultimately at the global level (IGF). Previously, Kenya hosted the East Africa IGF in 2009 and thereafter, the global IGF in 2011 in Nairobi.
This year, the Annual Global IGF Meeting convened by the United Nations will be hosted by the Government of Japan from November 8 to 12 October 2023, in Kyoto.
3. The Kenya IGF Week
a) Kenya IGF
The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) is an open and inclusive multistakeholder forum that annually brings together over 250 industry stakeholders representing the government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, and the public to discuss Internet Governance. KICTANet has convened the Kenya IGF every successive year since 2008 in partnership with industry stakeholders, and this year commemorates the 16th Edition. The outcomes of the Kenya IGF will feed into the African IGF and Global IGF later this year. See the Kenya IGF Report 2022. Alongside the national IGF, a youth IGF shall be convened a day before the event to bring in the voices of young Kenyans to the national discussions.
This year’s global IGF theme is ‘The Internet We Want – Empowering All People’. The Kenya IGF theme is aligned with the global IGF theme and will respond to the local context. The Forum programme will be developed in line with the following sub-themes:
- AI & Emerging Technologies
- Avoiding Internet Fragmentation
- Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety
- Data Governance & Trust
- Digital Divides & Inclusion
- Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
- Human Rights & Freedoms
- Sustainability & Environment
b) Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG)
The Kenya Internet Governance (KeSIG) is a capacity-building initiative of KICTANet together with its partners with the main objective of empowering a critical mass of people to meaningfully engage, contribute and participate in ICT policy-making discourse in Kenya, regionally and globally. This year will be the 8th edition. See the previous fellows from the training here.
4. Outcomes
The main outcome of the Kenya IGF is to maximise opportunities for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues. Others include:
- Creation of opportunities to share best practices and experiences;
- Identification of emerging issues and bringing them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and,
- Contribution to capacity building for Internet governance.
5. Participants
The participants will consist of over 250 individuals representing various sectors including government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, and the general public. Further, the Kenya IGF will feature an award ceremony for the participants of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG).
6. Methodology
The format of the Forum will be a hybrid event that shall include:
- Thematic moderated the online discussion prior to the face-to-face meeting
- Thematic moderated panel sessions
- Moderated plenary discussions
- Remote online participation
Desk registration for the KIGF will start at 8.30 a.m. on the material day and the discussions will run between 0900 – 1700. The online registration will commence two weeks earlier. A networking lunch and coffee breaks will be provided. It is also expected that a fireside event (evening panel session) will take place followed by a networking cocktail. The event is free to attend for registered participants.
7. About KICTANet
KICTANet is a multistakeholder platform for people and institutions interested in ICT policy. The network acts as a think tank that catalyses policy reforms in the ICT sector, and it is guided by four pillars: policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and research. KICTAnet’s guiding philosophy is that of encouraging synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. As such, the network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry, technical community, academia, media, development partners, and Government.
Kenya IGF Week 2023 Progam.
| KIGF WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | ||
| TIME | DESCRIPTION | Responsible |
| 5 – 21 June 2023 | Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG), internet-related events. | KICTANet and Industry Partners |
| 15 June 2023 | Children IGF | Watoto Watch Network |
| 19 – 20 June 2023 | Training on Access to the Internet and public participation for women | KICTANet/ICNL. |
| 20 June 2023 | Special Documentary Screening of ‘Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age.” | KICTANet/GIZ |
| 21 June 2023 | Data Protection and Privacy Event for the Youth | KICTANet/META. |
| 21 June 2023 | Kenya Youth IGF 2023 | Youth IGF/KICTANet. |
| 22 June 2023 | Kenya Internet Governance Forum 2023 | KICTANet and Industry Partners. |
| 22 June 2023 | KIFG Fireside event | KICTANet and Industry Partners. |