Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Josef Noll, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Catherine Kimambo, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Ruth Orbach, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Meklit Mintesinot , Government, African Group
Speaker 5: Asrat M. Beyene, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Catherine Kimambo, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Ruth Orbach, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Meklit Mintesinot , Government, African Group
Speaker 5: Asrat M. Beyene, Civil Society, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Based on the workshop activities we are planning to conduct (icebreaker, brainstorming, problem solving, interactive activities and feedback & reflection) demands ample time of introducing the idea, diving into the adequate level of details, and formulate the intended takeaways and outcomes. Moreover, for a multistakeholder workshop lasting 1.5 hours, a roundtable layout is typically the most effective, as it promotes engagement and collaborative problem-solving.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Based on the workshop activities we are planning to conduct (icebreaker, brainstorming, problem solving, interactive activities and feedback & reflection) demands ample time of introducing the idea, diving into the adequate level of details, and formulate the intended takeaways and outcomes. Moreover, for a multistakeholder workshop lasting 1.5 hours, a roundtable layout is typically the most effective, as it promotes engagement and collaborative problem-solving.
Policy Question(s)
A) Shouldn't access to information and services in the digital age be a human right?
B) How is this done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
C) As a replicable case study and pilot project, how could stakeholders collaborate to realize DPI through various approaches like CL3 and RCC, among others?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Attendees will gain comprehensive insights into Ethiopia's digital divide and the proposed Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach. They'll learn about the roles of Regional Competence Centers (RCCs), mobile operators, and Community Learning and Living Labs (CL3) in bridging the gap. The event will explore affordable access models like AA4EDU and emphasize community-centric solutions.
Participants will gain diverse perspectives through multi-stakeholder discussions, examining local adaptations of global initiatives like GIGA and the importance of social acceptance. They’ll acquire practical tools, including frameworks for DPI implementation, partnership development strategies, and implementation steps for CL3 and RCC concepts. Networking opportunities will foster collaboration, and attendees will understand how to leverage international university networks for sustainable digital inclusion.
SDGs
Description:
The starting point for the discussions was the ambition of the Science, Technology and Innovation for Industry (STII 2025) conference to promote innovation, given the shortcomings of the digital ecosystem and the large number of unconnected people in Ethiopia. Although digital content and solutions are sought after, their implementation is often hampered by social acceptance. Ethiopia has an ambitious vision, including participation in GIGA, to connect all schools in the country and accelerate the adoption of digital services. However, although there is availability of e.g. mobile networks, affordability is the key issue for large sections of society. The following approach to instantiating digital public infrastructure (DPI) for Ethiopia addresses these shortcomings, which are typical of LMICs. The concept focuses on four elements: The role of universities in and for society, through Regional Competence Centres (RCCs) to train and use students to connect schools, and make their buildings available for school outreach. Mobile operators to support school connectivity through Affordable Access for Education and Health (AA4EDU) and instantiate access through fixed wireless 4G/5G connectivity. The Ministry of Education and the Bureau for Education will contribute with their experience in school connectivity and design the solution with GIGA, Schools will become the entry point for connecting to Community Learning and Living Labs (CL3), places within the community where residents can perform their digital tasks, women and men can get health information, students can get access for their educational tasks, and everyone can get help with (digital) literacy. The International contact network AASTU and other Universities is an excellent starting point to instantiate, support, and sustain inclusive access through the DPI.
The starting point for the discussions was the ambition of the Science, Technology and Innovation for Industry (STII 2025) conference to promote innovation, given the shortcomings of the digital ecosystem and the large number of unconnected people in Ethiopia. Although digital content and solutions are sought after, their implementation is often hampered by social acceptance. Ethiopia has an ambitious vision, including participation in GIGA, to connect all schools in the country and accelerate the adoption of digital services. However, although there is availability of e.g. mobile networks, affordability is the key issue for large sections of society. The following approach to instantiating digital public infrastructure (DPI) for Ethiopia addresses these shortcomings, which are typical of LMICs. The concept focuses on four elements: The role of universities in and for society, through Regional Competence Centres (RCCs) to train and use students to connect schools, and make their buildings available for school outreach. Mobile operators to support school connectivity through Affordable Access for Education and Health (AA4EDU) and instantiate access through fixed wireless 4G/5G connectivity. The Ministry of Education and the Bureau for Education will contribute with their experience in school connectivity and design the solution with GIGA, Schools will become the entry point for connecting to Community Learning and Living Labs (CL3), places within the community where residents can perform their digital tasks, women and men can get health information, students can get access for their educational tasks, and everyone can get help with (digital) literacy. The International contact network AASTU and other Universities is an excellent starting point to instantiate, support, and sustain inclusive access through the DPI.
Expected Outcomes
1)Workshop Proceedings/Report - a comprehensive report summarizing the discussions, key findings, and action items as a valuable resource for stakeholders and informing future initiatives.
2)Action Plan for RCC and CL3 Implementation - action plan outlining steps, timelines, and responsibilities for establishing RCCs and CL3s as a roadmap for implementation.
3)Partnership Framework - a framework for collaboration among universities, mobile operators, government agencies, and international partners which will facilitate the development of joint projects and initiatives.
4)White Paper/Policy Brief - a document outlining policy recommendations for promoting affordable access and digital inclusion in Ethiopia, and beyond, to be shared with government officials and other stakeholders.
5)Follow-up:
- Formation of working groups to address challenges and opportunities.
- Establishing a platform for ongoing communication and collaboration.
- Organizing regional workshops to disseminate knowledge and build local capacity.
6)Publications - academic papers, or industry publications detailing results of the workshop & key findings.
Hybrid Format: The session will have an onsite moderator supported by an online or remote moderator where the former facilitates mainly the onsite speakers and participants. The online moderator is solely responsible to facilitate the online speakers and participants by establishing a clear and planned communication with the onsite moderator. Since both the onsite moderator, Dr. Asrat Mulatu, and the online moderator, Mr. Henok Sisay are experienced in managing similar events while working in the Ethiopian National IGF, ISOC Ethiopia, and international conferences there will not be any surprises. Beside the tools the organizers will provide we can use other complementary tools and platforms like zoom (as we've an active subscription) and WhatsApp (as early as the session is approved, we will create a group channel to facilitate the session aims, flow, and expected outcomes). This will continue after the event where we are planning to generate various reports and collaborations.