The Uganda Internet Governance Forum (UIGF) has since 2006 been a platform for deliberation on Internet governance matters in the country. Debates at this annual forum focus on understanding current global, regional and national trends on the Internet governance agenda. This activity will be open to all stakeholders and require stakeholder engagement.
The UIGF will be held under the theme “Building a MultiStakeholder Digital Future for Uganda.”
The programme will be developed around the following themes:
Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space: The Internet and digital technologies are an intrinsic part of every country’s development, spurring innovation in many areas such as healthcare, distance learning, and socio-economic growth. However, this centrality of the digital space also creates global vulnerabilities that call for collective action, as individual actions alone cannot effectively address them. This theme aims to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange on success stories and best practices in reaping the benefits of digital innovation for all, as well as efforts of all stakeholders to tackle the risks arising from this rapid transformation.
Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability: Some of the biggest challenges facing the world are the need of improving sustainability and working together for peace, and at the same time working for social and economic development in our countries and regions. Harnessing the transformative potential of digital technologies and the Internet can be an important ally to achieve global progress that promotes peace, drives sustainable development and addresses pressing environmental challenges. This theme will explore the multifaceted ways in which digitalisation can drive socioeconomic change and development for present and future generations.
Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age: The digital environment is an increasingly important facet of daily life all around the world. Therefore, discussions about how to empower all people and drive genuine inclusion of all communities in shaping its development is vital. This includes efforts to connect and empower all populations, in particular marginalised communities and vulnerable groups to reap the benefits that the Internet has to offer, and ensure that the same rights they enjoy offline also apply online. This theme will delve into the innovative solutions, frameworks and initiatives that foster universal meaningful connectivity and ensure the protection of human rights in the digital realm.
Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want: The very nature of the global Internet requires effective models of multistakeholder governance to be at its core, garnering continued efforts by all stakeholders to address digital issues and the promotion of greater cooperation. This theme is about identifying ways to strengthen and support the open, transparent, inclusive and bottom-up governance process related to the use and evolution of the Internet, working towards the vision of achieving the Internet We Want.
Harnessing the power of AI for social development: Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolutionizing the way we live our lives causing excitement and alarm about its potential impact on society. AI has opened up economic opportunities for companies to grow their business, automated administrative functions in the education sector, while making our cities smarter and greener through AI-powered transport systems. However, there are also growing concerns about the negative impact of AI including on evolving digital divide, ethical concerns and on the future of work. This theme will explore ways for addressing these concerns deliberating on what should be done to harness the power of AI for social good and development.
Why Participate
The Uganda Internet Governance Forum 2024 will be held under the theme The forum has since 2006 been a platform for deliberation on internet governance concerns in the country. As part of the Internet Governance Forum a global multi stakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet, the Uganda Internet Governance Forum (UIGF) provides a platform for deliberation on internet governance concerns in the country. Debates at this annual forum focus on broad areas such as the need for increased providing meaningful connectivity for everyone, security, digital trust, and stability of the internet. Addressing these issues requires cooperation between the public and the private sectors, the technical community, the academic and research sector, and civil society.
Important Dates:
- Call for session proposals opens: May 13, 2024
- Call for session proposals closes: May 31, 2024
- Notification of accepted proposals: June 07, 2024
Please submit your session proposal via https://forms.gle/cVLbVfFr2QU9uPnA9.
Note: Late submissions will not be accepted.
For any inquiries or require further information, please contact the secretariat at info@uigf.ug.