Registration is open for the 11th edition of the signature Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24) in Accra, Ghana

Summary

• Registration is open for the 2024 edition of Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24) in Accra, Ghana, from April 23rd to April 25th, 2023.
• This marks the 11th edition of DRIF, organized by Paradigm Initiative and partners, with 245 session proposals received for DRIF 2024, an increase from the previous year.
• Last year’s event in Nairobi had 601 participants from 54 countries, hosting 70 sessions on themes such as Internet shutdowns, Universal Service Fund (USF) utilization, data protection, content moderation, and censorship.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Edition of Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24), a bilingual global event set to bring together hundreds of delegates in Accra, Ghana, from April 23rd to April 25th, 2023. For the selection process, they send out a Call for Session Proposals. This time round, the Call for Session proposals was sent our on 15th November, 2023 and closed on 14th January, 2024. Once the call has been closed, a selection commiittee vets the session proposals based on the required criteria after which communication is sent to both successful and unsuccessful applicants.

The signature event will be hosted by pan-African organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) in collaboration with its partners, E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), University of Media, Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism, Media Foundation for West Africa, Inclusive Tech Group, Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana Chapter and Human Security Research Centre (HSRC) at Alisa Hotel under the theme-Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age.

Sub-themes at the Forum will focus on Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups. This year’s event will attract diverse stakeholders from the Global South to share experiences and map strategies that transcend geographical boundaries.

PIN and partners have successively held 10 DRIF editions since 2013 with this year’s being the 11th edition. The organisation received 245 session proposals for DRIF 2024 and is looking forward to hosting about 80 sessions, an increase from last year’s 70 sessions. This year’s event will incorporate a blend of panel sessions, launches, tech demos, lightning talks and exhibitions under diverse tracks, including digital rights, digital inclusion and digital security. Speaking on the increase in number of sessions, Paradigm Initiative said the following in a statement, “The increase is as a result of considerable amount of interest the forum has generated this time round, and this is demostrated by the number of responses to our Call for Session Proposals. Another reason is Paradigm Initiative’s deliberate decision to include more sessions covering the Global South, which is aimed at ensuring a good blend of thematic areas. The focus on Global South also aligns with the organisation’s strategic direction for the next 5 years.”

Last year’s DRIF, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya, was attended by 601 participants drawn from 54 countries across the world. The forum hosted 70 sessions focusing on, among other themes, Internet shutdowns, utilisation of the Universal Service Fund (USF), data protection, content moderation, and censorship. There were also key launches of research, platforms, and networks.

Commenting on the 2024 event and the registration, Thobekile Matimbe, PIN’s Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements said Paradigm Initiative was looking forward to vibrant, unique, engaging and enriching sessions, going by the calibre of proposals received. “The proposals we received this year are outstanding and we are being deliberate about a Global South convening and ensuring a good blend of thematic areas. We don’t doubt that the DRIF Community will be enriched,” she added.

Key Highlights of DRIF 2023

• During the event, Paradigm Initiative launched the 2022 Londa report highlighting the state of digital rights and inclusion in 22 African countries. 
• KICTANet in partnership with GIZ and University of West Indies introduced Module 5 of the Digital Enquirer Kit on Online Gender-Based Violence in a session which also saw them create awareness of Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) drawing from the experiences of Kenyan owmen online while presenting possible triggers of the rampant OGBV.
• African Cybersmart Network, a coalition of non-profit organisations in Africa that promote Cybersecurity Awarenness was also launched at the event

The Forum is an important platform where conversations on digital policy in Africa are shaped, policy directions debated, and partnerships forged for action. The Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum has carved a niche as the arena for tough topical global issues on digital rights and inclusion, accommodating views and opinions from civil society, technology companies, government, academia, and other stakeholders. The upcoming edition will build on the discussions from the 10^th edition, which focused on a sustainable Internet future that leaves no one behind. Registration is ongoing until April 3^rd, 2024, via this link.

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