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Facebook Joins Forces With KICTANet For KeGIF 2020
I can bet that not many can think of the word ‘Internet’ and Facebook doesn’t somehow automatically come to mind….
I can bet that not many can think of the word ‘Internet’ and Facebook doesn’t somehow automatically come to mind. The colossus and front runner certainly has one of the largest user bases in the world. Their mission is to give people the power to build communities and bring the world closer together. So imagine how befitting it is to have them as sponsors of the Kenya Government Internet Forum 2020.
Held annually since 2006, The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder event regarding policy dialogue on the issue of Internet governance. Free from binding negotiations, the virtual forum will be held in an informal setting. Like a magnet, it attracts and unites an amalgam of stakeholders from the government, the private sector, the technical community, academia and civil societies, to take part in the discussion concerning Internet governance through an open and inclusive process.
It spearheads the vision that the Internet remains sustainable for economic and social development. The platform serves as an informative platter whereby numerous stakeholders come together to connect and openly exchange various perspectives on key concerns, that may influence the lives of millions of Kenyans.
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Like a virtual round table, every knight or noble person in sitting, both have an equal seat and an equal voice. Speaking of knights, KICTANet has been directly involved in orchestrating the Kenya IGF, with numerous partnerships to address key Internet concerns since 2008.
“KICTANet’s guiding philosophy is that of encouraging synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. Accordingly, the Network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry, technical community, media, development partners and the Government”, introduces KICTANet’s Chairman, Ali Hussein.
Like a virtual round table, every knight or noble person in sitting, both have an equal seat and an equal voice. Speaking of knights, KICTANet has been directly involved in orchestrating the Kenya IGF, with numerous partnerships to address key Internet concerns since 2008.
As a body, KICTANet has seen several commendable achievements. The Think Tank contributed to the development of the Kenya ICT policy in 2019, has published countless Policy Briefs on ICT related issues, plays a major role in the Data Protection Bill, works with different stakeholders to defeat the ICT Practitioners’ Bill and is recognized worldwide as a great model for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and multi-stakeholder engagement.
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The theme for the Kenya IGF is Internet for Human Resilience and Solidarity. It explores the role that the Internet has been playing since the pandemic. “Resilience of the Internet as an interconnected, interoperable network has been a regular topic at the IGF.
In 2020, the IGF will approach network resilience specifically from a people-centred perspective, exploring how it has supported the human resilience and solidarity needed to respond to the many challenges posed by the pandemic,” says KICTANet’s Chairman, Ali Hussein.
The sub-themes encompassed within the main topic are; Data, Inclusion and Trust. The Data track will provide for discussions on the fundamental challenge of ensuring the benefits of the data revolution in provision to the inclusive economic development while protecting the rights of the people.
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The inclusion facet is about ensuring those with limited or no access to the Internet, such as unserved and under-served communities, as well as those who find internet inaccessible because of their gender, disability, digital literacy, afford-ability, or any other reason, are now included and have equal opportunity to connect to the internet.
The inclusion facet is about ensuring those with limited or no access to the Internet, such as unserved and under-served communities, as well as those who find internet inaccessible because of their gender, disability, digital literacy, afford-ability, or any other reason.
And lastly, the trust aspect incorporates the security, stability and resilience of the infrastructure, systems and devices and also to the need for people to be safe and secure. On all accords, trust is an important factor in success and partnerships both off and online. It’s imperative to have trust within key collaborations, services and businesses in order to build a sustainable fortress to mature and facilitate economic and social development.
The main expectation of the forum is to maximize opportunities for open and inclusive dialogue as well as collaboration and exchange of ideas on Internet Governance. Additionally, expected outcomes also include creation of opportunities to share the best practices and experiences, the recognition of emerging issues and relaying them to relevant bodies and the general public and lastly, contribution to capacity building for Internet governance.
Facebook, as a leading champion in the global arena, has joined forces to sponsor KeIGF 2020. The app has over 2.7 billion monthly active users, created millions of jobs both directly and indirectly as a marketing tool and platform for a plethora of companies and independent stores, to conduct their business online.
With it’s easy to use and engaging features, constant updates, worldwide consumers and robust level of user engagement, its strikingly suitable to be able to sponsor the KeIGF, and support the theme of resilience and solidarity in the online world. Facebook has been a Grade A facet in facilitating and bringing together online communities from all over the globe.
If handled appropriately, Internet governance can be the avenue to ensure a safe, engaging and open experience to all users, especially to the benefit of social and economic developments and widely across all communities but it cannot be done in solitude but rather in solidarity.