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IGF 2024 PNMA MAIN SESSION: 17 December 2024, 9:00-10:15 (Riyadh) / 6:00-7:15 (UTC) |
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The concept of meaningful access has emerged in response to the growing body of evidence that even when people have connectivity, they might not have been fully benefiting from the Internet. How one gets connected to the Internet and to which contents and services one can access is an equally important challenge to the experience that a person will have once they are online, even more so to the community/country in which they live. Since 2022, the PNMA has been working on three overarching thematic workstreams: Connectivity (Infrastructure & Business Models), Digital Inclusion through a citizen-centric approach (accessibility & multilingualism: local services and contents in local languages based on local needs and resources) and Capacity Development (technical skills training). The policy network has actively contributed within and outside IGF communities to identify a certain number of good practices and policy solutions, and retain them as possible models to be exported or applied to other regions of the world. Stakeholders from different groups joined this enterprise: government, international organisations, academia, private actors, non-profits and local or language-based communities. During 2023, the PNMA expanded its analysis of said experiences with implementation and problem-solving of the issues previously raised. By building a PNMA Repository of Good Practices, the network was able to assess reasons on why practices have or have not expanded, why digital divides persist, and which structural issues repeat themselves in different scenarios. The PNMA 2023 Output Report reflects the collaborative work and the group's list of recommended actions on meaningful access. During 2024, the PNMA has contributed to assist and advocate for the implementation of policy solutions for the key issues previously raised, while monitoring ongoing experiences and welcoming new practices. The continuous multistakeholder public debate on the above mentioned focus areas takes into account the Global Digital Compact (that has adopted the concept of meaningful access in its final text and recommendations), the deliberations from NETMundial+10, and the WSIS+20 and IGF+20 processes. The PNMA Plenary Session will focus into two aspects: the traditional highlights of meaningful access success stories - this time with focus on the Arab region -, and the role of meaningful access in the proper setup, use, and reporting of crisis response mechanisms (e.g., alert and emergency systems connected to natural disasters). IGF 2024 sub-theme: Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age
Line-Up Onsite Moderation: Hon Alhagie Mbow (MAG) and Giacomo Mazzone (independent), co-chairs PNMA Online Moderation: Judith Hellerstein and Roberto Zambrana Special Guest [remote]: Vint Cerf - Leadership Panel Video participation: Mr. Oscar León, CITEL, Organization of American States (OAS) Speakers:
PNMA Focal Point: Daphnee Iglesias, UN IGF Consultant for Meaningful Access |
For access to the Internet to make a meaningful contribution to improving people’s lives locally, for strengthening national economies, and more broadly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has to be approached holistically. While access to infrastructure is critical, without this access being inclusive, useful, sustainable and affordable, and linked to human capacity development and relevant content that can make it so, it will not achieve its positive potential.
Availability of free content and services in local languages offering appropriate services and materials tailor-made on the basis of the needs of local citizens (treated not only as consumers or users, but as informed citizens in their own right) is as important as providing accessible connection. The concept of meaningful access or connectivity has emerged over the last five years in response to the growing body of evidence that even when people have connectivity, they often do not make use of the Internet.
Through facilitation of its dedicated multistakeholder working group of experts, the PNMA provides in-depth look at why achieving meaningful and universal Internet access remains so challenging, in spite of years of efforts by policy makers and other actors from all stakeholder groups. It aims to assess and gather good practices and policy recommendations already discussed at the IGF; identify what the key barriers are to these not being implemented and facilitate networking among actors from all stakeholder groups that are concerned with the topic. It also works toward providing linkages between the existing efforts and the many stakeholders in the IGF who are undertaking related efforts, as well as create opportunities for the voices of those who are affected by the lack of meaningful access to be part of policy debate and development.
LEARN MORE ABOUT AND CONTRIBUTE TO PNMA 2024
Building on the achievements obtained between 2021 and 2023, the IGF 2024 PNMA continues to promote connectivity, digital inclusion and digital capacity development as its overarching focus areas. A Multistakeholder Working Group contributes to the community with its expertise and experience.
To learn more about IGF PNMA and get engaged, please click here. Reference documents from previous yearly processes are listed below.
In support of 