UN Science Summit September 20-22 Sessions
“Key Challenges & Objectives for Digital Cooperation, Governance and Regulation”
Time zone: USA Eastern Time (ET)
The 9th edition of the Science Summit around the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) will take place from 12-29 September 2023. The People Centered Internet is organizing nine sessions in conjunction with the International Science Council from Sept 20-22 to discuss the future of digital in achieving the SDGs. The sessions will take a people centered approach; this means it will discuss how scientific and digital collaboration can only be advanced through human feedback loops. The People Centered Internet sessions will explore the parameters of this approach focusing on specific use cases where this is needed to achieve the SDGs and discussing the recommended enabling policy, regulatory, and financial environments that are required to support genuinely global scientific collaborations across continents, nations, and themes.
Content Table
September 20, 2023 (Format – Virtual) 8:45 am – 5:30 pm ET
8:45 am – 9:00 am, ET Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair, People Centered Internet
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
The world produces 328.77 terabytes of data daily. This information can be used to achieve the SDGs and shape a positive digital future IF the data is accessible as a global good and permissioned by those who produce it. This session will outline what it means to take a people centered approach to data collection and use, illustrate why this change now matters, and discuss current examples in health service delivery, financial service development, national digital transformation efforts, and more on how this can be implemented in practice so that policymakers and scientists can work collaboratively to harness the available information today to shape the future we all want tomorrow.
9:00: am -10:30 am ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
How do we harness responsibly the vast amount of health information that has been created and stored by devices but too often is siloed and inaccessible to the scientific community? This session focuses on the use of health data collaboratives to make this information accessible to scientists and practitioners, the regulatory issues that need to be considered and/or changed, and discusses the promise and pitfalls of the use of personal data.
Speakers:
Bertrand de la Chapelle, Chief Vision Officer, Datasphere Initiative
Paul Murphy, Research Fellow, TELUS Corporation
Kate Wilson, Senior Fellow, People Centered Internet
Tamara Singh, Sherpa, Sustainable Finance Development Network
Henry Mwanyika, Regional Director, Center of Digital and Data Excellence
Claire Melamed, Chief Executive Officer, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data
Moderator:
Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair, People Centered Internet
10:45 am -12:15 pm ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Countries around the globe are on a digital transformation journey. From investments in foundational digital public infrastructure (e.g., identity, financial services, health) to investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analytics, there is a recognition that if we are to achieve the SDGs and deliver services to citizens, digital is essential. However, these efforts are driven predominantly by the public and private sector with few examples of citizen consent being considered and consistently incorporated into the debate. This panel will feature countries who have built this precept into their digital thinking and introduce you to how their input is incorporated into government prioritization and regulation. Panelists will also share their recommendations for new mechanisms (e.g., digital sandbox, community networks), which can address these challenges.
Speakers:
Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Teki Akuetteh, Director of Public Policy, Vulcan Inc.
Pramod Varma, Chief Technology Officer, EkStep Foundation
Nicolas Comini, Head Policy Strategy and Operations, Latam, META
Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
Moderator:
Kate Wilson, Senior Fellow, People Centered Internet
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Financial services regulations are mostly developed from a pre-digital era and many countries are struggling with regulating the flow of goods and services in a hybrid environment. This panel will discuss different regulatory efforts being made by regional groups to harmonize digital financial services regulations and examine how a participative approach bringing in stakeholders and members of the local community can provide important feedback to digital regulators the the use of digital sandboxes.
Speakers:
Suzanne Dumouchel, Head of International Cooperation and Partnerships, Centre national de la recherche scientifique
Jessica Groopman, Senior Innovation Fellow, Intentional Futures
Suruchi Gupta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GIANT Protocol
Ndemo Bitange, Ambassador to Belgium and the EU for Kenya
Moderator:
Tony Lacavaro, Principal, Aquarian Holdings
2:15 pm – 3:45 pm ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
The evolving landscape of digital regulation necessitates a dynamic approach to testing and refining regulatory frameworks. The concept of a network of Regional Cross Sector Digital Regulation Sandboxes— can be an innovative means to assess, iterate, and enhance digital regulations sharing lessons between countries and regions. During this panel, we will delve into an analysis of the merits and potential drawbacks of these sandboxes through the lens of examples drawn from the countries represented by our discussants.
Speakers:
Omo Oaiya, Chief Strategy Officer, West and Central African Research and Education Network
Zahid Jamil, Member Evaluation Committee State Bank of Pakistan Digital Financial Services Innovation Challenge Facility (DFID funded)
Lorrayne Porciuncula, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Datasphere Initiative
Naeem Zafar, Co-Founder, TeleSense
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Monica Estrada-Tanck, Legislative & Product Policy Coordination, LATAM, Meta
Diego Molano Vega, Former Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, Colombia
Moderator:
Minerva Novero, Policy Specialist, UN Office for South-South Cooperation
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Digital regulations are often set by one or a group of countries without taking into full account the effects on women and non-dominant populations. As the scientific community proceeds, we need to consider how to more actively engage these communities to ensure that particular measures take their needs into consideration. This panel will discuss the issues that need to be integrated into digital regulations and their implementation from a gender perspective. How can we work across stakeholder groups to pay attention to the gender gap, and the participation of women in the design and implementation of digital regulations? The panelists will share concrete examples of how they are integrating groups in the design and development phase, and working with non-dominant communities when shaping digital regulations at all levels.
Speakers:
Justina Mashiba, Chief Executive Officer, Universal Communications Service Access Fund
Neema Lugangiri, Member of Parliament, Tanzania
David A. Bray, Leader, World Economic Forum and World Keynoter, Fortune 500s UN SxSW
Tara Denham, Civil Servant, Global Affairs Canada
Anriette Esterhuysen, Senior Advisor Internet Governance, Policy Advocacy and Strategy, Association for Progressive Communications
Jane Coffin, Former Senior Vice President, Internet Growth at Internet Society
Moderator:
Anastasia Kalinina, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Office, reState
September 21, 2023 (Format – Virtual) 9:00 am – 4:15 pm ET
9:00 am-10:30 am ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
The inherent strength of the Internet lies in its decentralized participative nature, and we believe that the development of digital regulation should mirror this ethos, prioritizing a people-centered and bottom-up approach. To this end, our focus turns to exploring innovative strategies for cultivating regional tech governance. In this panel, we aim to delve into actionable methodologies that can facilitate the seamless integration of this approach through the medium of cross-sector digital regulation sandboxes.
Speakers:
Ralf Herbrich, Managing Director, Hasso-Plattner-Institute
Moshe Vardi, University Professor in Computational Engineering, Rice University
Arvind Gupta, Head, Digital India Foundation
Katerina Yordanova, Senior Legal Expert, KU Leuven
Maarten Botterman, Board Director, ICANN
Virgilio Almeida, Faculty Associate, Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
Victoria Nguyen, Co-Founder, Deep Surgery
Julia Bardmesser,Chief Executive Officer, Data4Real, Chair of Technology Advisory Council, Women Leaders in Data & AI
Moderator:
Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair, People Centered Internet
11:00 am -12:30 pm ET
Presented by People Centered Internet in collaboration with reState Foundation
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Civic participation enhances the effectiveness of governance and serves as a core foundation to building people-centered regulations and data management. It enhances the prospects of building consensus on key policies, leading to more effective policy implementation and strengthening the relationship between citizens and government. Participation fosters accountability of policy makers, leading to better governance and thus better policies responding to people’s needs and demands. The session features practitioners from multilateral banks, regional organizations, cooperatives, and civic organizations. They will discuss ways in which citizen participation can help shape regional tech governance and people-centered digital regulations.
Speakers:
Liz Barry, Chief Operating Officer, The Computational Democracy Project
Astrid Scholz, Managing Partner, Armillaria, Co-Founder, Zebras Unite
Elaine Wang, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Metropolis Global
Alexandr Holt, Head of Emerging Opportunities, Digital Directorate – Scottish Government
Moderator:
Anastasia Kalanina, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Office, reState Foundation
12:45 pm-2:15 pm ET
Presented by People Centered Internet in collaboration with reState Foundation
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Proper work with data is crucially important today because it underpins an outcomes-focused approach to digital regulation, supported by a robust evidence base. This approach is essential for ensuring regulations are not only effective but also proportionate to their objectives. Speakers will discuss the imperative for data-driven strategies across various sectors, including business, academia, and civil society. They also bring different geographical and cultural perspectives in digital regulation, underscoring the necessity for transparent progress tracking and the establishment of an evidence-backed regulatory framework.
Speakers:
Anastasis Stamatis, Chief Executive Officer, Dataphoria
Elina Idrisova, Regional Director, Digital Transformation, Elevatus
Antoine Vergne, Co-Director, Missions Publiques.
Julia Stamm, Chief Executive Officer, Data Tank
Moderator:
Alexandra Seaman, Co-Founder, reState Foundation
2:30 pm-4:15 pm ET
Presented by People Centered Internet in collaboration with reState Foundation
Link to Session Recording: Click Here.
This session will give an opportunity to emphasize the outcomes of the event, highlight multi-stakeholder and geographic perspectives, and underscore tangible next steps, initiatives, and recommendations.
Speakers will summarize insights from the panel discussions in line with the objectives of this event, highlighting various stakeholder groups and geographies.
Moderator:
Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair, People Centered Internet
Commentators:
Ayesha Hassan, Executive Director, AH Consulting
Anastasia Kalinina, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Office, reState Foundation
Speakers:
Paul Murphy, Research Fellow, TELUS Corporation
Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Jessica Groopman, Senior Innovation Fellow, Intentional Futures
Katerina Yordanova, Senior Legal Expert, KU Leuven
Ndemo Bitange, Ambassador to Belgium and the EU for Kenya
Liz Barry, Chief Operating Officer, The Computational Democracy Project
Elina Idrisova, Regional Director. Digital Transformation, Elevatus
UN Science Summit September 22 Session
Time zone: USA Eastern Time (ET)
“50th Anniversary of the Internet: People Centered Science and Digital Regulation leading to a People Centered Future”
10:15 am -12:15 pm ET
Link to Session Recording: Click Here
Governments are wrestling with digital transformation and how to seize the economic opportunity it affords while protecting people from its negative outcomes. Regulatory approaches like that of the EU could stifle innovation. While market-driven approaches like that of the US could result in a greater preponderance of unforeseen consequences. We believe much can be accomplished by coming together to shape a People Centered future.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Internet – offering a perfect moment to ask people around the globe “What do you want from the Internet, AI, and new technologies for the next 50 years?” And then, governments, regulators, the UN, the World Bank, and other organizations and stakeholders –can work together to create a more People Centered future.
The time has come for a comprehensive reevaluation of our approach to digital regulatory frameworks given the rapid digitalization and advancement of AI technology reshaping the global landscape. The Digital Regulation multi-stakeholder Dialogs will address the importance of broad citizen participation in the shaping of more people-centric digital regulation. A digital future by, for, and of the people better guarantees more people will connect and thrive.
10:15 am – 12:15 pm: 50th Anniversary of the Internet: Digital Regulation Leading to a People Centered Future
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Historic Fireside Chat organized by People Centered Internet
Opening – Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
- Vint Cerf, Co-Founder, People Centered Internet (PCI), Vice President & Chief Internet Evangelist, Google, Chair, UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel.
- Robert Kahn, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI)
- Dima Al Khatib, Director, UN Office of South South Cooperation (UN OSSC)
Moderated by Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair, People Centered Internet
10:45 am – 12:00 pm: 50th Anniversary of the Internet: Digital Cooperation, Governance, and Regulation Leading to a People Centered Future – Keynotes
- Declan Kirrane, Founder and Chair, Science Summit at UNGA78
- Maria Dayton, NOVA Prime Venture, Partner, LG Nova
- Anir Chowdhury, Aspire to Innovate, Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office
- Suzanne Dumouchel, International Cooperation, Partnerships, CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research
- Hassan Nasser, Digital Cooperation Organization, Middle East, Asia, Africa
- Anastasia Kalinina, Chief Executive Officer, reState.Global Foundation
- Gael van Weyenbergh, Co-Founder, MEOH
- Claude Dyer, Acting Head, Digital Inclusion, The EDISON Alliance at World Economic Forum
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm: Closing Remarks by the People Centered Internet organizers:
Vint Cerf, Founding Chair, and Jascha Stein, Executive Chair