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.
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.
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.
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 10th edition, which focused on a sustainable Internet future that leaves no one behind.
Fernando Randall