Venue: Online via webinar. Date 29th October 2020.
Theme: Internet for Human Resilience and Solidarity.
1.0 Introduction
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance. The forum is held in an informal setting, free from binding negotiations. It brings together all stakeholders from government, private sector, technical community, academia and civil society to discuss Internet governance issues on an equal footing through an open and inclusive process. The IGF has been held annually since 2006 and Kenya hosted the Global IGF in 2011. This type of cooperative engagement is referred to as the multistakeholder model of Internet Governance, which is one of the key features for the Internet’s success.
This model is paramount to ensuring that the Internet remains sustainable for economic and social development. The IGF is a unique platform for all stakeholders to openly exchange perspectives and concerns on key issues that may affect the future of the Internet for millions of Kenyans. KICTANet has been involved in organizing the Kenya IGF in partnership with industry stakeholders to address key Internet issues since 2008. This year, Kenya’s 2020 IGF is scheduled for October 29, 2020 and the outcomes will feed into the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum which will be hosted online by the United Nations from 2 – 6 November 2020.
2.0 Theme
The proposed theme for this year’s Global IGF is “Internet for human resilience and solidarity” Proposed theme for the Kenyan IGF is“Internet for human resilience and solidarity.” This is an important issue in light of the role the Internet has played during the COVID-19 Pandemic which has ravaged the entire globe.Some of the envisioned sub-themes are: data; inclusion; and trust.
The Data track will provide for discussions on the fundamental challenge of ensuring the benefits of the data revolution to contribute to inclusive economic development while protecting the rights of people. The Data track will contribute to identifying best approaches to ensure the development of human-centric data governance frameworks at national, regional and international levels. It will enable an exchange of views on how to support and operationalize the exercise of human rights and the empowerment of individuals in their digital identity in current uses and development of data-driven technologies. And it will consider how to create the conditions needed to facilitate data-driven innovation, to ensure competition, and to foster trust in the development of services and new technologies, including through the use of inclusive data and the fulfillment of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Trust in the online world is a prerequisite for the Internet to develop its potential as a tool for empowerment, a channel of free speech and an engine of economic development. In this context, trust relates to the security, stability, and resilience of the infrastructure, systems and devices, and also to the need for people to be safe and secure. These are both vital elements for enabling a healthy and empowering digital environment, beneficial to all. This track will provide opportunities to discuss strategies and best practices for protecting both systems and users, along with the appropriate roles and responsibilities of governments, industry and other stakeholders, while taking into account multidisciplinary perspectives. The track will also allow for a consideration of the relationship between security and people’s fundamental freedoms and rights, exploring where the balance might be struck or trade-offs might be needed in response to the growing range of threats to the global Internet and to Internet users from all age groups.
Inclusion is about ensuring those with limited or no access to the Internet, such as the unserved and underserved communities, as well as those for which the internet is not accessible due to gender, disability, digital literacy, affordability, or for any other reason, are now included and have equal opportunity to be meaningfully connected to the internet. Inclusion is also about the activities related to the achievement of an inclusive information society, about engaging all stakeholders and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and treated equally in the decision-making processes and ensuring that everyone has the right access, skills, and motivations to reap the social benefits of going online and participate in the digital economy.
3.0 Expected Outcomes
The main outcome of the Kenya IGF is to maximize 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.
4.0 Participants
The participants will consist of 200 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 5th edition of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG) which shall be held on 27th and 28th October 2020. The School is an initiative of KICTAnet and other partners, to promote awareness and knowledge of stakeholders in Kenya to enable them to contribute actively to Internet Governance. Also, the event will feature the participation of young people who will attend the Youth IGF.
5.0 Methodology
The format of the Forum will include:
- Thematic moderated online discussion prior to the face to face meeting;
- Thematic moderated panel session; and,
- Moderated plenary discussions.
Official Program – 29 October 2020
| Time | Agenda | Speakers |
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Registration | KICTANet/MAG/ CIO |
| 08:30 – 08:45 | Welcome and Introductions | Conference ModeratorAli Hussein |
| 08:45 – 09:00 | Opening Session | Grace Githaiga, Convenor, KICTAnet |
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Keynote Address | Mercy Wanjau, Ag. Director General, Communication Authority |
| 09:15 – 09:45 | High-Level Panel: Internet for Human Resilience and Solidarity How can we achieve CADiT – COVID Assisted Digital Transformation? | Moderator: Ali Hussein Prof. Bitange Ndemo, University of Nairobi Hon. William Kisang’, Chairman, National Assembly, ICT Committee Dr. Kate Getao, ICT Authority |
| 9:45 – 10:30 | Plenary Session | |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Health Break | |
| 10:45 – 11:15 | Data: How can we ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of personal data?What are the social and economic benefits from emerging data-driven technologies?What is the impact of AI and other data-driven technologies in the exercise of rights? How can we ensure equitable access to data and foster competition and innovation? | Moderator: Mercy Ndegwa, Facebook Karimi Ruria, Senior Legal Counsel, Safaricom Grace Bomu, Strathmore CIPIT Prof. Sylvia Kang’ara, Riara University |
| 11:15 – 11:45 | Plenary Session | |
| 11:45 – 12:15 | Trust: Which policy measures could be taken for the protection, prevention and defense against cyber threats? What role can the implementation of the principles of safety by design, privacy by design and by default as a principle play to secure human rights and achieve increased safety?What kind of collaboration is needed among stakeholders to promote trust online?What are the responsibilities of digital platforms and public authorities in ensuring trust? | Moderator: John Walubengo Joel Karubiu, KENIC Col. Evans Ombati, National Cyber Command Centre (NC3) Kadrih Humal Ayal, Estonia Consul |
| 12:15 – 12:45 | Plenary Session | |
| 12:45 – 14:00 | Health Break | |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Inclusion: How can we tackle affordability issues, and what improvements can be made?What strategies could be developed to promote better Internet access for women, youth, older people, people living with disabilities, and other groups?How do we ensure the inclusion of communities with technology, to ensure that ICTs bring change in their societies? | Moderator: Keith Andere Judy Okite Diana Gichengo, Kenya Human Rights Commission Paul Kiage, USAC |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Plenary Session | |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Kenya School of Internet Governance Award Ceremony | Rosemary Kimwatu. Elizabeth Orembo |
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Vote of thanks | Barrack Otieno, Chair, Kenya IGF MAG, 2020 |
About KICTAnet
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTAnet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANet collaborates with partners and sponsors to make this annual event a success.