Freedom Online Coalition (FOC)’s Post

Why does Access to Information matters for #Africa? Find out from this blog the challenges and importance of ATI implementation. https://zurl.co/EIqq

Why does Access to Information matters for #Africa? Find out from this blog the challenges and importance of ATI implementation. https://zurl.co/EIqq

Evading telecommunication disruption during conflicts: a Sudan case study "Sudan is facing what the International Rescue Committee is calling the "biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded.” As the brutal civil war rages on, people are displaced, disconnected, and starving, as the lack of internet access hampers the delivery of desperately needed aid. Read the case study from AMEL’s Sudan Democratic Action Project to learn why it’s critical to safeguard telecommunications services in conflict, and what steps local and international actors can take to protect connectivity." Access Now #Sudan #Conflict #FreedomSpeech https://lnkd.in/dNJsEEhj

This is the power of a community. In November 2017, there were two fact-checking organisations operating in Africa. Today - there are fifty. They operate in more than 30 countries. Meeting at the 6th annual Africa Facts Summit in Accra, Ghana this month, 50 fact-checking organisations from more than 30 African countries signed the Accra Declaration on Information Integrity and Resilience, to engage with partners to fight for information integrity, empowering youth to identity what information to trust and fortify the continent against misinformation. This collective effort also calls for policies to protect journalists and fact-checkers to support trusted, accurate information for all. The work of: Africa Check, AFP, Akhbar Meter, Annir Initiative, BALOBAKI CHECK, Beam Reports, Congo Check, Dubawa, FactSpace West Africa... ZimFact Trust and so many more. So worth a read:

Today and tomorrow, the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference is being held in Nairobi, Kenya and will result an ImPACT for the Future outcome. To feed into this, the UN-SCS called for inputs from "‘ImPACT Coalitions” on the Pact for the Future. The African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA) has reviewed the Zero Draft of the Pact for the Future and we have submitted our input for the Pact to be better inclusive, impactful and innovative especially as it concerns human rights and digital technologies. In our submitted response we address internet shutdowns, cybersecurity and surveillance technologies, the use of autonomous weapons, online gender-based violence, accountability of Big Tech, digital literacy and inclusion for youth and equitable funding for the effective participation of stakeholders of developing countries in global internet governance. You are invited to study and share our Alliance’s input. 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/d8kYYhXB Paradigm Initiative, Legal Resources Centre, KICTANet , CIPIT , Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) , Pollicy , Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) , Amnesty International Kenya , BudgIT Nigeria ARTICLE 19

Learn about the projects of the programme “Good Governance, Accountable Institutions, and Transparency,” co-funded by the EEA Grants 2014-2021 and its positive impact on Greek society and public administration. The programme aims to deepen citizens’s trust in democracy and its institutions through good governance by digitally transforming the operation of Citizen Service Centers, making the delivery of public services better for all, helping the European citizens through a revamped digital Greek Point of Single Contact (PSC), fighting maladministration through the awareness of the rights and the expanded role of the Greek Ombudsman and dealing with corruption effectively in public institutions. Find more information about the Program here: https://shorturl.at/7vxRW EEA and Norway Grants Norwegian Embassy in Athens EEA Grants Greece GRNET - Greek Research & Technology Network #GoodGovernanceGR #EEAGrantsGR #WorkingTogether #WeCanBecomeMore

I had the opportunity to contribute as a panellist at the Lesotho Internet Governance Forum, discussing how digital literacy is crucial in shaping the Internet landscape we aspire to achieve in Lesotho. Empowering our communities with digital skills is key to ensuring inclusive and informed participation online. #InternetGovernance #DigitalLiteracy #LesothoTech

⏳ Soon, the 2024 #CSOMeter reports will be out, analysing the civil society environment in #Armenia #Azerbaijan #Belarus #Georgia #Moldova #Ukraine! Every year, the CSO Meter monitors both positive and negative developments impacting civil society in the #EasternPartnership countries. This monitoring is key to charting the path towards positive reform and countering threats and deteriorations. Recently, CSO Meter partners in #Armenia, #Moldova and #Ukraine presented their draft findings to their key stakeholders. Here are some of the key takeaways: ▶️ #PublicParticipation has marked several victories in these countries this year, which is crucial in advancing positive reforms in the future. In #Ukraine and #Moldova, the changes were so significant they affected the CSO Meter score. Additionally: ▶️ Armenia saw an improvement in #FreedomOfExpression, while #PeacefulAssembly has been negatively affected. ▶️ Moldova noted positive developments in #DigitalRights and State-CSO cooperation. At the same time, #PeacefulAssembly saw both advancements and setbacks this year. 🤲 The CSO Meter country events are an important avenue through which civil society and state institutions can come together and discuss concrete steps to improve the laws and practices, which affect civil society in each country. The delegations of the #EuropeanUnion also took part in the events and reaffirmed the importance of civil society monitoring. See more via: 🟢 Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) : https://lnkd.in/dNcARHng 🟢 Asociația Promo-LEX 🟢 ISAR Ednannia https://lnkd.in/dHYcbYMy And watch this space for the country reports in early 2025!

NC TO DELIVER A PRESENTATION AT THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM! Tomorrow, December 10th, 2024, SMART Zambia’s National Coordinator Mr PERCY CHINYAMA is scheduled to make a presentation at the 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Livingstone. As a renowned expert in digital transformation, Mr. CHINYAMA has been driving Zambia's digital agenda through SMART Zambia Institute. His presentation will delve into the intricate relationship between technology and democracy, exploring whether they are allies or adversaries. The theme for the 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum is “Leveraging Technology and Innovation for SMART, Inclusive and Responsive Parliaments in the SADC Region”. Parliamentarians from SADC member countries, including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, The United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are in attendance at the 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Livingstone. These parliamentarians have gathered to discuss key issues affecting the region, including economic development, peace and security, and regional integration. The forum provides a platform for parliamentarians to share experiences, best practices, and ideas on how to address common challenges facing the SADC region. As part of the event, SMART Zambia's National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama, is scheduled to make a presentation titled "Technology and Democracy; Allies or Adversaries". This presentation is expected to stimulate discussions on the role of technology in promoting democracy and good governance in the SADC region. #SADCPF #Democracy #Technology #DigitalTransformation #Zambia #SMARTZambia #PercyChinyama #Innovation #Leadership

The 17th edition of the Kenya Internet Governance Forum is happening on June 27th, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Vallarie Yiega, a technology lawyer, shares her thoughts about the forum. "Kenya IGF means impact. It fosters collaboration among various stakeholders to discuss and shape Internet governance policies." Follow the conversations here: https://lnkd.in/dh2j--Jw #KeIGF2024 #KeSIG2024 #KeYouthIGF2024 #Techpolicy #IGF