Lebanon IGF will be held on 8-9 November, 2023

Main sessions:

1- Future of the Internet in Lebanon

2- Securing our Future: The Impact of Cybersecurity on Society and Strategic Sectors

3- Internet of Behaviors (IoB): Ethical Considerations and Public Good

4- Accountability of social media platforms and necessity for maintaining a multistakeholder approach

IGF 2023 Youth Track
Workshop IV
Hosted at the African IGF i Abuja, Nigeria
18 September 2023, 14:00-15:30 WAT (13:00-14:30 UTC)

ADVANCING ETHICAL AI FOR AN INCLUSIVE AND INNOVATIVE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE FOR YOUTH
 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology that uses languages as an interface to understand and shape culture and society. However, AI also poses significant challenges and risks, such as bias, opacity, misinformation, and exclusion.
These challenges are especially relevant for Africa, where data and language diversity are crucial for ensuring inclusion and empowerment. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective and ethical AI regulations and institutions that can address these challenges and harness the potential of AI for social and economic development in Africa. This dynamic session will delve beyond clichés to explore the critical intersection of ethics, inclusivity, and innovation in AI technology. With a focus on empowering African youth, the session will engage stakeholders in thought-provoking discussions, shedding light on tangible strategies for harnessing AI's potential responsibly.
 

FORMAT: Interactive 60-min roundtable exchange between youth from around the world and senior experts

DRAFT AGENDA:

• Welcome & Introductions 
• Setting the scene by expert speaker around the following policy questions:
  • How can we balance promoting innovation and safeguarding the privacy and personal data of young people in the context of AI technologies?
  • What are the potential risks and challenges associated with the use of AI in the digital landscape for youth, and how can ethical guidelines and policies help mitigate these risks?
  • What are the potential economic and societal implications of advancing ethical AI for youth in terms of job opportunities, education, and social inclusion, and how can policy frameworks address these implications?
  • How can we ensure the transparency, accountability, and ethical standards of AI systems in Africa, while respecting the diversity, autonomy, and sovereignty of local communities and stakeholders?
  • How can we balance the need for transparency and accountability of AI systems with the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property rights of AI developers and providers in Africa, especially in the context of regulatory sandboxes?
• Open Discussion 
• Closing Remarks

SPEAKERS: 

• Introduction: Anja Gengo, UN IGF Secretariat 
• Diana Nyakundi- AI Policy Researcher
• Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola- Cybersecurity Expert
• Sabelo Archibald Zimu - South Africa Youth IGF

MODERATORS:

• Saba Tiku Beyene
• Afi EDOH

RAPPORTEURS: 

• Akinremi Peter Taiwo
• Gabriel Karsan
• Athanase Bahizire

Register to participate: https://ti.to/afyigf/2023

In support of

IGF 2023 Youth Track
Workshop II
Hosted at Youth LACIGF in Cartagena, Colombia
28 August 2023 at 14:15 UTC

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN CYBERSECURITY: EMPOWERING YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE
 

The advancement of technology and the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure have brought several benefits to society. However, this digital transformation also presents new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity. As we approach the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023, it is imperative to recognize the importance of capacity development in cybersecurity for everyone, especially young people. Enhancing their skills in cybersecurity emerges as a critical pillar for a secure and inclusive digital future. By investing in their knowledge, we equip them with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of cyberspace, contribute to internet governance discussions, and address the evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Cybersecurity capacity building (CCB) to ensure sustainable growth includes initiatives such as digital skills training programs, awareness campaigns, and the development of technical infrastructure to improve cybersecurity. It can also involve the establishment of new policies, regulations, and legal frameworks to support cybersecurity efforts inside and between nations. By enhancing their cybersecurity capacity, both countries and organizations can bolster their ability to safeguard their citizens, customers, and crucial infrastructure against the ever-evolving, boundaryless cyber threats. That’s why the rising number of cyberattacks creates the urgency of giving young people the necessary skills safeguarding digital systems and face several cybersecurity threats, including cyberbullying, cyber predators, and exposure to harmful online content through apps, social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or be a victim of these activities. This will allow them not only to ensure their cybersecurity at a digital citizenship level but also helps a minimum set of tools of cybersecurity as a country, especially for those which aren’t strong enough due to their limited network security measures, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities. 
Young people can build their capacity for cybersecurity through several programs, processes and initiatives made for them. For example, the European Union Institute for Security Studies, the Oxford Global Cybersecurity Capacity Center (GCSCC), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Potomac Institute, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) are examples of how young people can be involved in government teams that respond to national cybersecurity incidents, helping countries design and run public awareness campaigns about staying safe online, and in pieces of training to the police on how to investigate cybercrime.
In conclusion, capacity development in cybersecurity for youth plays a decisive role in promoting digital literacy. This knowledge could equip them to make informed decisions, adopt secure practices, have critical thinking in cybersecurity and protect themselves, their families, and others online. It also prepares them for the political support needed for consensus on how to implement the norms and principles for responsible policymakers’ behavior, becoming one way to ensure that the interests of all nations are reflected in the discussion of cybersecurity by linking it to the Sustainable Development Goals and maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise by fostering networking opportunities and creating platforms for information exchange and multistakeholderism. This collaborative approach not only enhances their skills but also strengthens the global cybersecurity community, also fosters a culture of collective responsibility towards safeguarding the Internet, as the Internet Governance Forum and the upcoming Global Digital Compact expect it.

FORMAT: Interactive 60-min roundtable exchange between youth from around the world and senior experts

DRAFT AGENDA:

• Opening by the moderator and welcome from the IGF Secretariat (5 mins)
• Panel discussion on the following policy areas (30 mins):
  • How can we enhance our cyber hygiene to strengthen our daily cyber security capacity building and engage the community in order to make them realize the importance of taking care of their own online spaces?
  • How can we develop mechanisms for young people to participate in the policy making process related to cybersecurity ? 
  • How could the emergence of new technologies such as AI or quantum computing affect the Cybersecurity Capacity Building? 
  • How can we integrate Cyber Security capacity building for tyoung people into the educational system to promote digital literacy and inclusion by understanding the pros and cons of being online? What are the key challenges and opportunities in this area?
• Q&A and Roundtable discussion (20 mins)
• Closing remarks (5 mins)

SPEAKERS: