IGF 2020 The Criticality of the Internet for SIDS in a global crisis

Time
Friday, 6th November, 2020 (17:10 UTC) - Friday, 6th November, 2020 (18:40 UTC)
Room
Room 1
About this Session
How will Islands cope & survive in a world turned on its head by the social & economic effects of grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic? How can the Internet & related technologies help SIDS economies deal with and recover from the current challenges? More at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tracyhackshaw_post-covid-19-in-small-island-developing-activity-6668348347331481600-7nI4
DC
Dynamic Coalition on Small Island Developing States in the Internet Economy

Round Table - Circle - 90 Min

Theme

Inclusion

Subtheme(s)

Access
Digital Inclusion
Environmental Impact

Description

The 3rd DC Session will follow two clear paths:

I. (30 mins) Reporting and Review of Internet Governance-related activities within Small Island Developing States (SIDS) during 2020

II (30 mins) Discussion amongst DC members and session participants on the importance of the Internet to SIDS during times of global crisis - with special reference to the 2020 COVD-19 Pandemic

III (15) Formulation of an Action & Research Agenda to ensure that SIDS better cope with the impacts of III

Relevance to IG

The role of the Internet is vitally important in times of global crisis - it is, in many cases, the critical link to the outside world for many SIDS who may be affected doubly over in these situations (see, for example, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/14/cyclone-harold-relief-for-vanuatu-delayed-by-coronavirus-contamination-fears). Internet Governance issues, perhaps even more so than in the case of several other underserved groupings, are paramount to the survivability of SIDS.

Relevance to Theme

See previous explanation.

Organizers

Tracy Hackshaw - Trinidad & Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF) / Internet Society Trinidad & Tobago Chapter (ISOC-TT) & Maureen Hilyard - Chair, ICANN At Large Advisory Committee & Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC)

Speakers

Session Chairs: Tracy Hackshaw - Trinidad & Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF) / Internet Society Trinidad & Tobago Chapter (ISOC-TT) & Maureen Hilyard - Chair, ICANN At Large Advisory Committee & Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) 

Lead discussants

  • Pacific Islands (Cherie Lagakali, Chair PICISOC, Fiji;  Jackson Miake, Vanuatu; Dalsie Baniala, MAG member, Vanuatu; Maureen Hilyard, ALAC Chair, At-Large, ICANN, Cook Islands; Georgina Naigulevu, PICISOC and Fiji Disability Forum) 
  • Caribbean (June Parris, Barbados; Nigel Cassimire, Caribbean Telecommunications Union & Caribbean IGF convenor; Bevil Wooding, Director, Caribbean Affairs, ARIN; Carlton Samuels, Jamaica; Rhea Yaw Ching, Covela Foundation; Lance Hinds, Guyana)
  • AIMS (Karim Attoumani Mohamed, Comoros)

Rapporteurs/Bloggers/Vloggers

Internet Society IGF Youth Ambassadors: Mauricia Abdol-Tshilunda; Ananda Gautam; Herman Ramos; Veronica Piccolo

IGF Youth: Yao Amevi Amessinou Sossou

Onsite Moderator
Internet Society IGF Youth Ambassador
Online Moderator
Internet Society IGF Youth Ambassador
Rapporteur

Internet Society IGF Youth Ambassadors

SDGs

GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-Being
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 15: Life on Land

1. Key Policy Questions and related issues
The aim of the session was to present to our SIDS community initially what developments had taken place with regards to internet development in our regions. The Pacific and Caribbean communities were able to give comprehensive overviews of their activities since our last IGF meeting. There was no representation from the AIMS community (Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and Mediterranean and South China Seas) but if members attempted to join the session they may not have been recognised, and therefore able to participate as panellists within the webinar format. The programme of reports, discussion and a summary of commitments from the different regions as well as collectively was achieved during the session as planned.
3. Key Takeaways
  • There was broad consensus around COVID-19 being a wake-up call for governments to accelerate digital transformation. The participants agree that COVID-19 has been accelerating the adoption of ICTs and the investments in the Internet, especially in providing connectivity;
  • Many indicated training and digital literacy as more urgent matters, while others highlighted cybersecurity and public policy on misinformation;
  • Some supported the idea that human resources and digital education are currently the main issues, especially when it comes to e-learning education and teaching. On this specific point, there is common agreement that the teaching staff is not prepared to use technology to deliver and plan lessons.
4. Policy Recommendations or Suggestions for the Way Forward
What policy sector(s) does this fall under? (leave blank if not sure)
Overarching governance issues
Issue and Recommendation
It is deemed important to get more people from island States involved in IG in the first place, showcase efforts being done in the Pacific and the Caribbean in advancing connectivity and digital transformation, alongside with their ability to quickly implement policy in actions.
What policy sector(s) does this fall under? (leave blank if not sure)
Social-cultural
Issue and Recommendation
From a social-cultural point of view, the SIDS should raise awareness on cybersecurity and cyberspace in order to get more people involved and expand the community; possibly create a common SIDS platform where networking and identifying an effective cyber strategy that aligns with other countries in order to facilitate the implementation and possible consultation, as well as a repository to share experiences and best practices. Human capacity building and digital literacy are also becoming crucial.
What policy sector(s) does this fall under? (leave blank if not sure)
Technical
Issue and Recommendation
Equally important is the need to develop cybersecurity strategies and cyber capacity tools, as well as to call on governments to accede to the Budapest Convention. A common cyber strategy is important as it provides a framework in executing cyber security and data protection. SIDS members should be encouraged to engage more with and get involved in ICANN.
5. Other Initiatives Addressing the Session Issues
Initiative
In South Africa, the government mandated operators to zero rate sites and platforms that allowed students to continue their school education during the pandemic.
Initiative
In Trinidad & Tobago, there is a great focus on judicial e-education and staff training, including judicial officers, lawyers, public defenders, etc. This is also due to the digital transformation of judicial proceedings, undertaken a few years ago and felt as urgent in recent times.
6. Final Speakers

 

Lead discussants

  • Pacific Islands (Cherie Lagakali, Chair PICISOC, Fiji;  Dalsie Baniala, MAG member, Vanuatu; Maureen Hilyard, ALAC Chair, At-Large, ICANN, Cook Islands)
  • Caribbean (June Parris, outgoing UN-IGF MAG Member, Barbados; Nigel Cassimire, Caribbean Telecommunications Union Ag. Secretary General & Caribbean IGF convenor; Bevil Wooding, Director, Caribbean Affairs, ARIN; Carlton Samuels, Jamaica; Rhea Yaw Ching, Covela Foundation; Lance Hinds, Guyana; Tracy Hackshaw, Trinidad & Tobago IGF / Internet Society Trinidad & Tobago Chapter)

Also speaking: Anriette Esterhuysen, UN-IGF MAG Chair, South Africa; Jane Coffin; Jane Coffin, Senior Vice President - Internet Growth, Internet Society; Pablo Rodriguez, Vice Chair, ccNSO Council / Executive VP, Gauss Research Laboratory / NIC.pr, Puerto Rico; Deirdre Williams, Information Specialist, St. Lucia; Jacqueline Morris, Vice-Chair, Internet Society Trinidad & Tobago / e-Learning Manager, Judiciary of Trinidad & Tobago

8. Session Outputs

Report of the Cook Islands Action Group (CIAG)

 

9. Group Photo
IGF 2020 The Criticality of the Internet for SIDS in a global crisis