Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Bangladesh UN Internet Governance Forum are going to implement the two-year program on Bangladesh Initiative for Amplifying, Connecting & Empowering Unified Voices on UN Global Digital Compact & UN Summit for the Future 2024. https://bnnrc.net/un-global-digital-compact-bangladesh-process_1/
In September 2020 on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, member states adopted a political declaration<https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/75/1>, Guided by the Charter, on how they are going to ensure the future they want and the United Nations they need. Consequently, in September 2021 the UN Secretary-General published his report entitled “Our Common Agenda<https://www.un.org/en/content/common-agenda-report/assets/pdf/Common_Age...,” which proposes a Global Digital Compact (hereinafter ‘GDC’) that seeks to “outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all.” The proposed Global Digital Compact is set to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future<https://www.un.org/pga/76/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2022/09/Summit-of... in September 2024.
Digital technologies offer tremendous opportunities, including the potential to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, however, they also can pose harm to societies and the environment. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has said that “Looking to the future, two seismic shifts will shape the 21st century: the climate crisis, and digital transformation.”
Bangladesh Initiative’s overall objective is to provide a forum to discuss how the future UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) can facilitate the use of digital technologies for the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and enhance digital access for societies across Bangladesh and provide an opportunity for various stakeholders to input into the GDC.
Bangladesh Initiative’s specific objectives are to reflect on the current state of digital transformation and identify progress, challenges, priorities, opportunities & way forward, develop, together with Multi-Stakeholders, tangible recommendations for elements to be included in the Global Digital Compact & explore sustainable ways for moving forward and devising creative solutions, renewing commitment and unlocking the full potential of Multi-Stakeholders and Contribute to the exchange of ideas about the potential as well as the challenges in the future use of digital technologies.
Bring together all stakeholders and examine how the future of the GDC can facilitate the use of digital technologies for the realization of the SDGs amidst the existing challenges and also explore how digital solutions could increase benefits and create opportunities for people in Bangladesh.
Focusing on seven thematic Deep-Dive tracks through organizing consultation & roundtables; Digital inclusion and connectivity, Internet governance, Data protection, Human Rights Online, Digital trust and security, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, Global digital commons in Bangladesh Digital Commons, Accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Summit of the Future 2024.
The consultation will be open to civil society participants, including independent women’s/women-led civil society organizations (CSOs), youth women and youth, CSOs with strong credentials as gender equality advocates, the Government, the United Nations system, the private sector (including tech companies), civil society, grass-roots organizations, academia, media, underserved communities and technical communities and independent women’s human rights and gender equality activists.
In consultation and roundtable, the participants will divide into groups and start the discussion based on these guiding questions and methodological notes such as What are the main risks for an open, free and secure Internet from Bangladesh’s perspective? Which measures are necessary? How can Global Digital Compact contribute to addressing the issue? and how can an inclusive vision for the future of the Internet look like?
For more information: +8801711881647 | ceo@bnnrc.net<mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net> |
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Bazlu
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR | Chief Executive Officer |
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[In Consultative Status with the ECOSOC & Associated with the Department of Global Communications of the United Nations]
Policy Research Fellow,
Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Society in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh|
Phone: +8801711881647 | +88 02 48116262 |
+88 02 9101479 | +88 02 48119374
ceo@bnnrc.net<mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net> | bnnrcbd@gmail.com<mailto:bnnrcbd@gmail.com> | http://www.bnnrc.net<http://www.bnnrc.net/>
HIFA profile: Bazlur Rahman is Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). BNNRC is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, and equitable and affordable access to Information, Communication Technology (ICT) for remote and marginalized population. BNNRC is an official HIFA Supporting Organisation.
