ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE
The conference on Information and Communication Rights in Africa, scheduled for the 31st May – 02 June 2023 in Windhoek, Namibia, will bring together Access to Information (ATI), Digital Rights and Human Rights activists, media workers and support actors from across Africa to discuss the state of ATI, Digital Rights and Human Rights in Africa and propose solutions to some of the major challenges faced by citizens of the continent.
About Fesmedia Africa
Fesmedia Africa is the regional media project of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Africa. One of the promoters of Digital Rights and Access to Information as fundamental human rights in Africa while providing platforms for the strengthening of media landscapes that create safe spaces for governments and civil societies to enhance inclusive, meaningful participation and representation.
Check Schedule
CO-HOST
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Co-hosted by Fesmedia Africa and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)
Access to Information
Access to Information
Access to information is an enabling human right that is regarded as a crucial ingredient for a society that upholds democracy and good governance. Access to Information (ATI) is an integral part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as recognized by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
Digital Rights
Digital Rights
Digital rights are fundamental human rights in the digital environment. It is about free speech or expression, association and assembly, access to internet devices, rights and access to information, access to platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, and more), online safe space, security and safety, privacy and data protection, gender-responsiveness and anti-discrimination, and equality.
Human Rights
Human Rights
Human rights are standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings. They define relationships between individuals and power structures, especially the State. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
GENDER RELEVANCE
Bridging the Gender Digital Divide is critical for achieving digital rights in Africa. The enduring gender gap in the digital age inhibits women and girls from exercising their digital rights fully compared to their male counterparts. Participants will use this platform (conference) to discuss how the digital divide, patriarchal attitudes, and level of education, inter alia, limit gender representation online and also to address online accessibility challenges presented by regional, cultural and personal circumstances.
Access remains critical to achieving digital inclusion, access to information and other human rights for women in Africa. The conference will examine all the key themes from a gender perspective and take a gender-sensitive approach to probing and forging an action plan in order to achieve gender-just outcomes that promote the rights of women and girls.
| 07:45 - 08:30 | ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION by |
| 08:30 - 08:45 | WELCOME, ANTHEMS & OPENING by Conference Moderator: Ndishishi Hamufungu |
| 08:45 - 09:00 | WELCOME ADDRESS by Ms. Freya Gruenhagen, FES Namibia Resident Representative and Fesmedia Africa Director |
| 09:00 - 09:15 | STATEMENT by Ms. Zoe Titus, Director- Namibia Media Trust |
| 09:15 - 09:30 | STATEMENT by Mr B. Djaffar Moussa-Elkadhum,Head of Office and Representative, UNESCO Windhoek Office |
| 09:30 - 09:45 | STATEMENT by Hon. Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy Sonoo - Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, ACHPR |
| 09:45 - 10:05 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Hon. Dr. Peya Mushelenga, Minister- Ministry Information and Communication Technology, Namibia |
| 10:05 -10:45 | Advancing Access to Information and Human Rights in the Digital Age Overall Landscaping of Conference Themes by Maxwell Kadiri |
| 10:05 -10:45 | Input from UNESCO HQ by Marius Lukosiunas (Virtual) |
| 10:45 - 11:30 | TEA/COFFEE BREAK, GROUP PHOTO & INTERVIEWS by |
| 11:30 - 12:45 | Mapping the Social Impact of Technology on Participatory Democracy and Human Rights in Africa by Sekoetlane Phamodi; Rapporteur: Simon Kauluma |
| 11:30 - 12:45 | Mapping the Legal and Political Practices Shaping Information and Communication Rights and Participatory Democracy in Africa by Tina Power; Rapporteur: Rosevitha Ndumbu |
| 11:30 - 12:45 | Mapping Innovations and Emerging Practices Deepening Information and Communication Rights in Africa by Reyhana Masters; Rapporteur: Josua Hamunyela |
| 12:45 - 13:15 | Report Back and Engagement by Maxwell Kadiri (Facilitator) |
| 13:15 - 14:30 | LUNCH by |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | An Open and Inclusive Internet for Africa – A Practicable Possibility or Pipedream? by Nashilongo Gervasius (Landscaping) |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | Universal Access to the Internet in Africa – State of Play, Risks and Opportunities by Convenor: Phenyo Sekati; Rapporteur: Josua Hamunyela |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | Building Open and Accessible Digital Landscapes in Africa – What is Happening, What More is Required? by Convenor: Admire Mare; Rapporteur : Simon Kauluma |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | Building Safe and Inclusive Digital Landscapes in Africa by Convenor: Avani Singh; Rapporteur: Rosevitha Ndumbu |
| 16:00 - 16:30 | TEA/COFFEE BREAK by |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | Report Back and Engagement by Nashilongo Gervasius (Facilitator) |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Day 1 Wrap-Up and Closing by Conference Moderator: Ndishishi Hamufungu |
| 18:30 - 21:00 | WELCOME/ RECEPTION DINNER by |
| 09:00 - 09:10 | Welcome by Conference Moderator: Ndishishi Hamufungu |
| 09:10 - 09:15 | Recap of Day 1 (Rolling ball) by Dickson Kasote |
| 09:15 - 10:00 | Africa’s Gift to the World: APAI’s Global Campaign for International Recognition of the Right to Universal Access to Information by InformationGuy Berger, Zoé Titus, Gilbert Sendungwa, Edetaen Ojo; Fireside Chat - Moderated by Reyhana Masters |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Navigating the Infodemic & Post-Truth Era in Africa (intersectional issues and holistic approches to ATI,FOE, Digital Rights) by Mukelani Dimba (Landscaping) |
| 10:30 - 11:15 | TEA/COFFEE BREAK by |
| 11:15 - 12:00 | Misinformation and Disinformation – What African Solutions to this African Problem? by Convenor: Chris Roper; Rapporteur: Rosevitha Ndumbu |
| 11:15 - 12:00 | Media Regulation, Credibility, and Trust by Convenor: Izak Minnaar; Rapporteur: Josua Hamunyela |
| 11:15 - 12:00 | Content Regulation, Freedom of Expression, and Harmful Speech Online by Convenor: William Bird; Rapporteur: Simon Kauluma |
| 12:15 - 12:45 | Report Back and Engagement by Mukelani Dimba (Facilitator) |
| 12:45 - 14:00 | LUNCH by |
| 14:00 - 14:45 | Surveillance, Capitalism and Technology. Strengthening the Architecture for the Right to Privacy in Africa by Moderator: Ricardo |Goagoseb; Panel: Hlengiwe Dube, Murray Hunter (Virtual), Nashilongo Gervasius |
| 14:45 - 15:15 | African Media Futures: What Next? by Guy Berger (Landscaping) |
| 15:15 - 16:00 | Tech Platforms and Media Sustainability by Convenor: Michael Markovitz; Rapporteur: Josua Hamunyela |
| 15:15 - 16:00 | Keeping Community Media in Africa Alive by Convenor: Birgitte Jallov; Rapporteur: Simon Kauluma |
| 15:15 - 16:00 | Algorithmic Decision-Making, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Journalism in Africa by Convenor: Tharin Pillay; Rapporteur: Rosevitha Ndumbu |
| 16:00 - 16:30 | TEA/COFFEE BREAK by |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | Report Back and Engagement by Guy Berger |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Day 2 Wrap-Up by Conference Moderator: Ndishishi Hamufungu |
| 09:00 - 09:10 | Welcome by Conference Moderator: Ndishishi Hamufungu |
| 09:10 - 09:15 | Recap of Day 2 (Ice breaker) by Maya Kotungondo |
| 09:15 - 10:00 | Electoral Integrity and the Media in Africa – Are Africa’s Soft-Law Instruments Enough? by Moderator: Izak Minnaar; Panel: Hon. Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy Sonoo, Gwen Lister, Tabani Moyo, Jemima Beukes, William Bird |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Engagements Facilitated by Izak Minnaar |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | TEA/COFFEE BREAK by |
| 11:00 - 11:45 | Strengthening Investigative Journalism in Africa: Bringing New Solutions to Old Challenges by Moderator: Anton Harber; Panel: Shinovene Immanuel (The Namibian), Andiswa Matikinca (Oxpeckers, Virtual), Haman Mana, Peter Deselaers (DWA), Golden Matonga |
| 11:45 - 12:15 | Engagements Facilitated by Anton Harber |
PARTNERS
UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. It promotes peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Namibia Media Trust (NMT)
The Namibia Media Trust (NMT) is a proactive advocate for media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information, both within and beyond the borders of Namibia. Our objectives are accomplished by forging strategic partnerships with organisations that amplify the impact of our policy advocacy and training initiatives, as well as providing platforms for critical dialogue and technical skills training for media professionals, policy makers, and citizens alike.
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