User blogs

This year, the 6th South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) on 21-25 September 2020 – the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) regional initiative for South Eastern Europe and the neighbouring area – was supposed to hold its sixth annual meeting in Moldova, and the community was looking forward to visiting the famous Moldovan wineries after day-long debates on the region’s digital policy realities and challenges.

As the new year begins, let’s take a look back at the major developments that shaped digital policy in 2019. 

Some issues were in focus throughout the year, such as those related to tackling the spread of online misinformation and violent extremism.

The increasingly digitalised world, the sharing economy, and the ongoing developments in automation and AI bring changes to the world of work. Several reports and studies released this month shed light on how these changes could look, how employers and employees perceive them, and what stakeholders can do to better prepare for the new world of work.

The third and last day at the WTO Public Forum reiterated a message from the previous two days: e-commerce can serve as a tool for development, which presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries. In addition, it brought into focus issues such as the role of e-commerce in fostering cross-border trade, consumer rights, intellectual property rights, data flows, and automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

The second day at the WTO Public Forum brought into focus multiple digital policy issues. E-commerce was discussed from multiple angles: as a gate to international trade, a tool for development, a challenge, and an opportunity for developing countries. The digital divide, e-payments, data flows, and the impact of new technologies were also debated throughout the day.

‘Trade: Behind the headlines’ is the theme of this year’s World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum. Taking place this week in Geneva, it is bringing together policy makers, civil society and business representatives, and researchers, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of trade, and to look at recent developments in the area. They will also explore solutions for a more inclusive global trade system.

The last day at the WSIS Forum 2017  featured discussions of topics such as access and connectivity, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and trust.

If used wisely, information and communications technologies (ICTs) can improve the quality and life and contribute to sustainable development.

Digital divide, cybersecurity, human rights, the digital economy, and new technologies were among the main digital policy issues discussed during day 4 at WSIS Forum 2017.

The WSIS Forum 2017 continued today with six high-level policy sessions and several workshops, featuring discussions on issues such as the digital economy, cybersecurity, gender mainstreaming, and online extremism.

Day 2 at the WSIS Forum 2017 started with the official opening of the event, and continued with eight high-level policy sessions which were mostly focused on issues related to access, the digital divide, and sustainable development.