WSIS TalkX (World Summit on the Information Society Conversations): Recent Episodes
World Summit on the Information Society Stakeholders
The WSIS TalkX is a platform, both virtual and physical, dedicated to sharing experiences and inspirational stories about ICTs for development. It is a part of special initiatives of the World Summit on the Information Society process and discusses the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines by stakeholders all over the world. The WSIS TalkX was initiated during the WSIS Forum 2019 and at the request of stakeholders as a continuous virtual series since April 2020. More than 50 physical and virtual sessions have been conducted so far, and are being adapted to podcasts and available to listen and download. Since April 2020, the WSIS TalkX have been conducted in a virtual format where WSIS stakeholders have highlighted their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs, in particular, in relation to the global response to COVID-19. The interactive talk series is also an opportunity to hear from the globally recognized WSIS Prizes awardees, as well as from the partners of the WSIS Forum.
Women’s contribution to sustainable development has been significant and is celebrated around the world. They bring about innovative ideas and solutions, add diversity to decision-making and pave way for improvement in all areas. Recent report of the UN Secretary-General on the role of women in public life highlights that women’s equal participation in leadership positions and elimination of violence against women are essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.[1]
Despite the challenges created by gender inequality, women keep demonstrating resilience in the face of common difficulties. One example would be their efficient contribution to tackling the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, women can introduce fresh and innovative perspectives to dealing with one of the greatest threats to people and environment in the 21st century – Climate Change.
This year, the International Women’s Day is celebrated under the theme of “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. Women are increasingly vulnerable to impacts of climate change as they are recognized to constitute the majority of the world’s low-income population and are more dependent on natural resources.[2] Without solving the global climate crisis there is no economic, social, and environmental development, and gender equal participation in addressing these issues is essential to making progress towards SDGs.
This session will feature an interactive panel of high-level stakeholders to highlight the role of women in ensuring sustainable tomorrow.
We, at the WSIS Forum 2022, are dedicated to the promotion of 50/50 gender balance participation and women empowerment. Our Repository of Women in Tech brings together individuals interested in achieving gender equality in and with the help of ICTs, identifies women speakers, creates space for networking, mentorship sessions and documentation of best practices.
This session is organised in the framework of WSIS TalkX and is aligned with WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
March 3rd 2022 marks the UN International Wildlife Day, and this year’s theme is “Recovering Key Species for Ecosystem Restoration”, which will focus on the world’s most critically endangered fauna and flora.
Almost 25% of all species are at risk of going extinct because of unsustainable human activities, habitat loss, over exploitation and climate change. Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is the fourth largest crime and it is estimated that the value of illegal wildlife trade is between $7 billion and $23 billion each year.
The aim of this event is to explore the positive impact of digital technologies for wildlife protection, from the role of satellite images and computer algorithms for monitoring critically endangered wildlife, the Internet of Things and the Cloud to make poaching predictable and using apps to combat illegal wildlife trade. All conversations will be inspired by and seek to inform efforts towards the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero hunger) 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), 13 (Climate Action) 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land).
There are about 6,700 languages in the world. Today, a language disappears and dies every two weeks, taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. International Mother Language Day, celebrated on 21 February, is intended to raise awareness, and protect all the languages of the world. [1]
The theme of the 2022 International Mother Language Day, “Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities”, will discuss the potential role of technology to advance multilingual education and support the development of quality teaching and learning for all.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCATD, will organize a WSIS TalkX on 21 February at 13:00 CET to celebrate this day, and launch the virtual hackathon on ICTs and Indigenous languages, calling on stakeholders to form teams to explore the use of ICTs in preventing, revitalizing, and promoting the languages across the world.
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/motherlanguageday
There are many ways for people to get their daily news and information, one of them is through radio. While digital technology is prevalent in today’s world, radio remains the primary source of information for most people in the world.
Throughout the years, radio serves as an important medium of communication as it provides affordable access to information – be it education, sports, global affairs, cultures, to emergencies/disaster alerts – that reaches many people, even in the remote areas.
Highlighting the role of radio and how it shapes peoples’ lives, UNESCO proclaimed the celebration of World Radio Day that is observed every year on 13 February. The theme of World Radio Day 2022 is “Radio and Trust”, in recognition of radio’s standing as one of the most trusted and widely used media.
WSIS-ITU together with UNESCO are jointly organising this session to celebrate the World Radio Day 2022. Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly the following year as an International Day, World Radio Day is celebrated on 13 February to mark the date that United Nations Radio was established in 1946. ITU has played a crucial role in advancing the role of radio by establishing and updating international regulations on the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. For this purpose, ITU organizes World Radiocommunication Conference every four years bringing together governments, regulatory agencies, and industry representatives to update ITU Radio Regulations. UNESCO’s mandate supports networking and international cooperation among broadcasters; strengthens capacities and access to information through radio be it public, private or community radio; and raises greater public awareness and engagement around the services that radio renders to humanity across different technological platforms.
This session will feature an interactive panel discussion with various stakeholders to highlight the impacts of radio in the rapidly digital world until today, particularly during the pandemic. It will also look at approaches on how to maintain and improve information and knowledge societies trust in ICTs and radio communication.
This session is organised in the framework of WSIS TalkX and is aligned with WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Women and Girls in Science have made significant progress over the years and have greatly contributed to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in their communities around the world. However, gender gap still persists, and it is of crucial importance to identify and solve the issues of gender inequality at all levels.
In December 2013, The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it recognized that women and girls’ participation in and ensuring full and equal access to science, technology, training, and education are a must to achieve women empowerment and gender equality. In December 2015, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established by the UN in recognition of tremendous role girls and women play in Science and Technology.
This year, the Day is dedicated to SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, and is promoted under the theme of “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us".
On this day, we celebrate courageous women and girl leaders, activists, change-makers, innovators, pathbreakers and trailblazers. We, at the WSIS Forum 2022, are dedicated to the promotion of 50/50 gender balance participation and women empowerment. Our Repository of Women in Tech brings together individuals interested in achieving gender equality in and with the help of ICTs, identifies women speakers, creates space for networking, mentorship sessions and documentation of best practices.
This session is organized in the framework of WSIS TalkX and is aligned with WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
One billion persons with some form of disability can benefit from assistive technologies that can facilitate their social, economic and political engagement, including their participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives and ambitions for sustainable development. Persons with physical, sensory, cognitive/learning or invisible disabilities represent nearly 15% of the world population with a higher prevalence in developing countries. The number of persons with a disability is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050.[1]
The issue of accessible technologies for persons with disabilities and specific needs is also highlighted in the annual World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum. It is crucial that information and communication technologies (ICTs), including assistive technologies, are available, accessible, and affordable for all. WSIS and its stakeholders initiated a special track on ICTs and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Specific Needs that provides space for discussions and constructive dialogues to mainstream accessibility in all the technologies. This special track covers a range of topics on innovative technologies for persons with disabilities to ensure inclusiveness and equality.
The podcast aims at increasing awareness of the importance of supporting innovation ecosystems to spur the development of new and improved assistive technologies; promote understanding of the workings of the assistive technologies industry; and share insights on the landscape and global trends in this cluster of technologies as a complement to universal design. The podcast also highlights selected initiatives by members of the UN family to support informed discussions relating to the realization of the objectives of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
To celebrate the World Cities Day 2021 and as part of the WSIS TalkX, ITU and Geneva Cities Hub are organizing a webinar dedicated to supporting cities to use digital transformation to improve adaptation actions and achieve urban resilience. For example, the Internet of Things are enabling cities to collect climate data for better monitoring of the climate and response to different hazardous situations. Digital twins are powerful assets that cities are using to carry out high-precision simulations on climate events and formulate adaptation actions accordingly. The objective of this webinar is to raise awareness on the significant role that digital transformation can play for enhancing climate adaptation actions and urban resilience. The webinar will look at specific use cases of how digital technologies, including AI, IoTs, digital twins, are helping cities to become more climate resilient and to implement ambitious climate targets such as the New Urban Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is held every 13 October. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made in reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health. For the year 2021, the focused theme is on “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses.”
Extreme weather events, earthquakes, tsunamis, as well as pandemics and other human made related hazards pose continued challenges to countries and communities. ICTs help to ensure that communications are available throughout the disaster management cycle, to support the preparedness and response activities on the ground. A multi-stakeholder approach is vital to achieve these efforts. Additionally, the delivery of vital information before, during and after disasters, reduces the vulnerability of communities at risk and increases their resilience to cope with disasters.
This session brings together experts from government, international organisation, academia, and partners to celebrate the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and to reinforce commitment towards ensuring a safer and sustainable future. It will emphasise on the importance of global collaborations and partnerships for addressing the environmental issues, in line with the WSIS Action Line C7: E-Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On October 1 the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) was celebrated with the theme, “Digital Equity for All Ages.” The topic aims to address the rapid growth in digital technologies and the transformational effects they are having across all sectors of society. To ensure inclusivity and access and realize the goals of the UN and World Health Organization’s Decade of Healthy Ageing, the adoption of digital technologies must occur across all age groups, with a focus on the older persons to ensure that they are not excluded from the opportunities and benefits brought by ICTs.
This WSIS TalkX is being organized on the occasion of UN IDOP to spur the dialogue on the use of digital technologies to improve the lives of older people and will:
· Bring multiple stakeholder’s voices together on the topic of “digital inclusion and health equity for all ages”
· Showcase the innovation in digital technology in improving care for older persons
· Launch the WSIS Forum 2022 Healthy Ageing Innovation Prize.
· Highlight the celebrations of the World Telecommunication & Information Society Day, 17 May 2022: Digital technologies for Healthy Ageing
The number of people suffering from chronic hunger has risen since 2014, while at the same time tons of food, as well as the natural resources and energy needed to grow and transport it are wasted every day. According to FAO and UNEP, an estimated 14 percent of all food produced for human consumption is lost from production up to the retail level and 17 percent is wasted at the retail and consumption levels each year. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with the disruption of value chains. Action on different fronts is required to address these issues to reduce food loss and food waste and make better use of the food we produce. This is critical to reaching Zero Hunger and SDG target 12.3 and will contribute to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a whole.
This year, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will make a call for public and non-state actors to prioritize actions and redouble efforts to use innovation to reduce food loss and waste, restoring and building back better more efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
As part of the global celebrations of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, the Permanent Mission of Andorra to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of San Marino to the United Nations, UNEP, FAO and ITU are partnering to bring together Member States, UN entities and non-state actors at a New York-based virtual event that will highlight innovative initiatives to fight food loss and waste along the value chain, including through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
The introduction of innovative solutions, powered by ICTs across the industry, is key for transformative change. Using ICTs and digital solutions in novel ways to boost the agricultural sector offers an immense opportunity to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and foster food security. Digital solutions can enable information access to effectively connect people in the value chain, and ICTs can help governments and development organizations strategize better solutions by providing richer data to help make informed decisions and pursue actionable solutions.
This panel explores the initiatives of small island states and developing countries in improving connectivity by using radiocommunications. It delves into the expansion of essential radiocommunications infrastructure and how it can be used to expand connectivity to people and to things. It explores the use of space and satellite services, as well as terrestrial, fixed and mobile, licensed and unlicensed services to build the foundations of the digital era.
On 3 March 2021, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) celebrate the UN World Wildlife Day on the 48th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES.
This global event will raise awareness of the world’s fauna and flora, the threats they are facing and the urgent need to take action to protect wildlife. Almost 25% of all species are at risk of going extinct because of unsustainable human activities, habitat loss, over exploitation and climate change. Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is the fourth largest crime and it is estimated that the value of illegal wildlife trade is between $7 billion and $23 billion each year. As more species face the risk of becoming endangered, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are being used to protect animals and habitats in new and innovative ways, from tracking poachers, to monitoring populations, to raising public awareness – and more. We believe that in this regard, ICTs can certainly aid in reducing wildlife crime and better protect and foster biodiversity conservation as a whole.
On 3 March 2021, the WSIS stakeholders will celebrate the UN World Wildlife Day on the 48th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES.
This global event will raise awareness of the world’s fauna and flora, the threats they are facing and the urgent need to take action to protect wildlife. As a result of unsustainable human activities, habitat loss, over exploitation and climate change a significant number of species are at risk of going extinct. This being the case, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are being used to protect animals and habitats in new and innovative ways, from tracking poachers, to monitoring populations, to raising public awareness – and more. We believe that in this regard, ICTs can certainly aid in reducing wildlife crime and better protect and foster biodiversity conservation as a whole.
The aim of this event is to explore the positive impact of digital technologies for wildlife protection, from the role of satellite images and computer algorithms for monitoring endangered wildlife, the Internet of Things and the Cloud to make poaching predictable and using apps to combat illegal wildlife trade.
This session will present an overview of the role that ICT plays in modern civil aviation, and the contribution of all Stakeholders including UN organizations like ICAO and ITU, in making aviation safe and competitive. The current status of wireless communication and navigation systems used in aircraft design, flight operations and passenger entertainment will be highlighted, and the challenges the aviation community is facing will be discussed. The session will also look at the future emerging communication and aeronautical technologies, such as state-of-the-art plane concepts, unmanned aircraft, sub-orbital flights.
People with disabilities represent 15% of the world's population, meaning about 1 billion people globally. Given the growing proliferation of devices in our lives, it is vital that Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) or rare diseases can fully access Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and use ICTs for their social and economic development. Digital accessibility is key to ensuring respect for everyone’s right to participate in an interconnected world, as it enables digital inclusion and inclusive discourse for all people – regardless of age, gender, ability, or location. Common examples of accessibility features include: voice-to-text conversion (captioning), automated sub-titles and sign language for the deaf or hard of hearing and expandable font sizes. Further, digital accessibility is recognized as a key priority in various global commitments related to inclusiveness, such as: the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
ICTs also offer hope for improving the quality of life and social inclusion for Persons with Disabilities now and in the future, including: brain-to-machine interfaces, self-directed mobility aids and autonomous cars. Persons with Disabilities can suffer from a wide range of conditions, from congenital conditions to specialized needs brought about by rare diseases, injuries inflicted though accident or illness, impairments to sensory or perception loss or age-related illnesses. Making ICTs and ICT services accessible is more than a human rights issue or a question of justice and equality of access to communications, information, and opportunities for all. ICTs can make a notable difference to the quality of life of people living with difficult or debilitating conditions or disabilities.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are progressing rapidly and affecting people’s daily lives in the digital era. To an unprecedented extent during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of ICTs has been critical in responding to crisis. The importance of ICTs is specifically recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a crucial enabler in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as a catalyst for development.
The annual World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum is a global UN multistakeholder platform that facilitates the implementation of the SDGs through the WSIS Action Lines. It serves as a framework for all stakeholders in realising the SDG goals. Through its effective implementation, the WSIS Action Lines can help accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. The WSIS Forum is a fast-growing platform that provides a fully multistakeholder vision and identifies emerging trends while providing recommendation on the future of the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines.
This session will focus on the WSIS Action Lines and the alignment of the WSIS and SDGs processes, including WSIS Forum, WSIS Stocktaking, WSIS Prizes, and WSIS TalkX to name a few. Reflecting the true spirit of the WSIS Forum, which is about collaboration and partnership, this session will also highlight the importance of global partnerships towards leveraging ICTs as critical drivers of development. This echoes the aspiration of World Development Information Day, which this session marks, that called for a stronger international cooperation to solve global development issues, in which ICTs can be used as transformative solutions in fostering sustainable development.
The world has entered a new phase of the digital transformation amid a global pandemic, making the need for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at the national and global level has now become more necessary than ever.
Strengthening linkages and alignment of the WSIS Action Lines with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is pivotal as a framework to accelerate the transformation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This roundtable aims to bring together high-level officials to discuss and address the challenges to bring ICTs to everyone during and after the crisis, in enabling the transformation towards inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies and economies. It seeks to build synergies and foster global cooperation to leverage the power of technology for realising the SDGs.
The world has entered a new phase of the digital transformation amid a global pandemic, making the need for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at the national and global level has now become more necessary than ever.
Strengthening linkages and alignment of the WSIS Action Lines with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is pivotal as a framework to accelerate the transformation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This roundtable aims to bring together high-level officials to discuss and address the challenges to bring ICTs to everyone during and after the crisis, in enabling the transformation towards inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies and economies. It seeks to build synergies and foster global cooperation to leverage the power of technology for realising the SDGs.
Permanent Missions of the Dominican Republic and Portugal together with ITU and UNESCO
Leading up to World Oceans Day, this WSIS TalkX will highlight some examples of innovative initiatives making use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to protect oceans and to overcome challenges and strengthen efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions towards the achievement of SDG14 – Life below water.
Among the new technologies for oceans, ICTs are key awareness raising tools, they play additional significant roles in the conservation of the oceans – notably through improved monitoring and reporting which leads to increased accountability. Satellite-based monitoring delivers timely and accurate data on a global basis, while local sensors deliver on the spot updates in real-time. Big data can be used to analyze short- and long-term trends in terms of biodiversity, pollution, weather patterns and ecosystem evolution, and to plan mitigation activities.
High-level Opening of the Virtual WSIS Forum 2020 Workshops and Special Tracks
- Mr Houlin Zhao Secretary-General, ITU will open the Virtual WSIS Forum 2020 Workshops and Special Tracks
- Chairman Designate: H.E. Mr. Gustavo Montalvo, Minister of the Presidency, Dominican Republic
High-Level Dialogue: Fostering digital transformation and global partnerships: WSIS Action Lines for achieving SDGs
- Moderator: H.E Ms. Katrina Naut, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Mission Dominican Republic, Geneva
- Panellists: High-Level Track Facilitators
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our sixteenth live session with Q&A on 5G Technology for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.
Ever since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has been posing a huge threat to the safety and health of all humanity and has severely impacted the global economy. Digital Technology such as 5G is playing a very important role in responding to the pandemic. This WSIS TalkX will give a comprehensive introduction on 5G Technology for COVID-19 Prevention and Control from related aspects including 5G policy, application including 5G policy and application.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Mr Malcolm Johnson — ITU Deputy Secretary-General
- Ms Wang Zhiqin — Vice President, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
- Ms Jeanine Vos — Head of SDG Accelerator, GSMA
- Dr Ren Haiying — Leader of the 5G Medical Standards Working Group, Institute of Cloud Computing and Big Data, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
- Mr Emmanuel Coelho Alves — Senior Marketing Director, Huawei
- Dr Li Xiaofan — Deputy Director, Division of Product Capability, Department of Government and Enterprise Service, China Mobile
- Dr Han Kaifeng — Engineer, Institute of Policy and Economics Research, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our fifteenth live session with Q&A on Ensuring quality higher education during public emergencies: Chinese Universities' e-learning capacity building experience in coping with COVID-19.
Universities and educational institutions around the world are facing great challenges in terms of securing the well-being of their students and staff while continuing with curriculums as COVID-19 unfolds. Capacity building in coping with public emergencies is indubitably at the top of the agenda for universities to rethink the role that e-learning plays in higher education by integrating remote technology with pedagogical approaches.
As one of the leading universities both domestic and international wide, Tsinghua University (China) has become the pioneer for experimenting with e-learning pedagogies in the context of technological advancement. The creation of XuetangX platform also signifies its devotion to promoting e-learning solutions for all in the domain of higher education.
The webinar will highlight the process of e-learning capacity building in China through various aspects, including technological advancement, policies, teaching outcome and the future of e-learning.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Mr. François Grey — Director of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative, University of Geneva
- Mr. Shuaiguo Wang — President of XuetangX
- Ms. Zhou Zhong — Associate Professor of Institute of Education, Tsinghua University
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our fourteenth live session with Q&A on Expanding mobile internet use during Covid-19 and beyond.
This session will look at the impact of Covid-19 on internet adoption and use. The discussion will also aim to uncover digital inclusion policies to pursue, as lockdowns are gradually eased and governments start to develop post-COVID-19 recovery plans.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Ms Claire Sibthorpe — Head of Connected Society, Connected Women and Assistive Technology – GSMA
- H.E. Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) — Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria
- Mr Stephen Chege — Chief Corporate Affairs Officer – Safaricom
- Mr Ali Naseer — Chief Business Officer – Jazz, Pakistan
- Mr Davide Strusani — Principal economist – TMT, Disruptive Technology and Funds, IFC
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our thirteenth live session with Q&A on Ensuring women's safety online amidst COVID-19 and beyond.
COVID-19 is being described as the first major pandemic of the social media age. With more than half of the world’s population under lockdown conditions by early April, women and girls are using the internet with greater frequency. In this context, emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, online and ICT-facilitated violence against women and girls has increased in several countries. The webinar will highlight the key trends and impacts of ICT-facilitated violence against women and girls during COVID-19. It will focus on concrete actions taken by governments, women’s rights organizations and internet providers to strengthen women and girls’ safety online.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Ms Loly Gaitan — Project Officer, ITU, EQUALS HubSwissEngineering Geneva
- Ms Lizzette Soria — Policy Specialist, UN Women
- Ms Zarizana Abdul Aziz — Co-founder of the Due Diligence Project
- Ms Peace Oliver Amuge — Acting Coordinator, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)
- Ms Mariana Lopez — Senior Advocacy Manager, Connected Women Programme, GSMA
- Ms Erika Smith — Coordinator Take Back the Tech!, Association for Progressive Communications
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our twelve live session with Q&A on The Indian School where students with visual impairment thrive in learning despite lockdown.
For many children with disabilities living in the Global South, the transition to remote learning options has not been smooth during COVID-19. It disproportionately affects them and in some cases even excludes them from online classes because of a variety of reasons. This is especially true for children with visual impairment and low vision.
However, for one small community school – Saksham School - located in Noida district of Uttar Pradesh in India, learning continues for children with blindness and low vision despite the lockdown.
The school has planned its next academic session, students follow their regular timetables in digital classrooms, teachers and parents interact weekly on zoom, and queries are regularly posted on WhatsApp groups. A music and physiotherapist demonstrates easy activities for parents to do with their children through a live-stream session. Interestingly, over 70% of students in the school belong to economically weaker sections and most are children of migrant workers.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Ms Denisse Salas — IT Consultant, Master Scrum, in charge of e-platform SwissEngineering Geneva
- Ms Yvette Ramos — President of Swiss Engineering - Geneva Section; Managing Director IP Law Firm
- Ms Lylian Coelho Ferreira — Project Manager, Suez Group
- Ms Betty Bonnardel — CEO & Founder AB5 Consulting LTD
- Ms Asma Brini — CEO & Founder of ABSHORE
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our eleventh live session with Q&A on The Indian School where students with visual impairment thrive in learning despite lockdown.
For many children with disabilities living in the Global South, the transition to remote learning options has not been smooth during COVID-19. It disproportionately affects them and in some cases even excludes them from online classes because of a variety of reasons. This is especially true for children with visual impairment and low vision.
However, for one small community school – Saksham School - located in Noida district of Uttar Pradesh in India, learning continues for children with blindness and low vision despite the lockdown.
The school has planned its next academic session, students follow their regular timetables in digital classrooms, teachers and parents interact weekly on zoom, and queries are regularly posted on WhatsApp groups. A music and physiotherapist demonstrates easy activities for parents to do with their children through a live-stream session. Interestingly, over 70% of students in the school belong to economically weaker sections and most are children of migrant workers.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Mr Dipendra Manocha — Developing countries coordinator and Lead of Training and Tech Support, DAISY Consortium
- Mr Olaf Mittelstaedt — DAISY Implementer
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our tenth live session with Q&A on Protecting Older, Vulnerable Populations in the COVID-19 Era: Scaling Technology Solutions.
There has been a major uptake in telehealth and telemedicine around the world to ensure healthcare systems can continue to serve patients amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Beyond virtual doctor visits, innovative technology has a wide-reaching role in keeping vulnerable older populations safe at home, including remote patient monitoring and artificial intelligence. A panel of experts will discuss how ICTs have helped alleviate pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond that, what can be done to take lessons from COVID-19 in preparation for future crises and long-term health systems change.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Dr Michael Hodin — CEO, Global Coalition on Aging
- Mr Paul Adams — Senior Director of Solutions for Population Health Management, Philips
- Dr Michael Devoy — Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs & Pharmacovigilance for the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer AG
Chief Medical Officer of Bayer AG - Dr Susanne Dröscher — Co-CEO, CARU Home
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our ninth live session with Q&A on Tips and Tools for Securing a Remote Workforce.
The webinar will review tools and tips for small and medium-sized businesses on how to secure remote workforces during the pandemic and beyond.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Ms Jennifer Brant — Director, Global Outreach, Cyber Readiness Institute
- Ms Kiersten Todt — Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute
- Mr Philip Reitinger — President and CEO of the Global Cyber Alliance
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our eighth live session with Q&A on Tech and Trafficking in Persons during COVID-19 and beyond.
While technology is often misused to facilitate human trafficking, tech development helps practitioners to prevent and investigate the crime, and support its victims. This discussion will focus on the expanding nexus between technology and trafficking in persons, including during COVID-19.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Ms Morgane Nicot — Team Leader, Knowledge Development / Human Trafficking & Migrant Smuggling, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- Ms Rachel Harvey — Regional Advisor for East Asia Pacific Regional Office, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- Mr Valiant Richey — OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- Ms Hannah Darnton — Associate Director, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
NB: Parts of the podcast have poor sound quality due to bad technical difficulties from one of the speakers. We thank you in advance for your understanding.
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our seventh live session with Q&A on The importance of low tech internet lifelines in times of crisis.
In times of crisis, internet access forms a vital lifeline. Nevertheless, too many people still lack basic connectivity. A comprehensive approach around digital low tech based on innovation, business models, content, and policy can change this and enable internet for everyone.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Mr Sebastien Codeville — CEO of KaiOS
- Ms Sonia Jorge — Executive Director of Alliance for Affordable Internet
- Mr Asim Zia Alam — CEO, WebDoc
- Dr Jessica Rothenberg Aalami — CEO, Cell-Ed
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our sixth live session with Q&A on Drones and COVID-19: How do these applications help and do these applications make any sense?
Older persons have been particularly vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic, given they are more likely to have underlying medical conditions. This makes social distancing extremely important during the pandemic. But, many older persons require assistance with activities of daily living, and the risk of social isolation can also threaten the mental and emotional health of individuals. Michael Hodin, CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and a panel of experts will explore the essential service of home care and—paired with smart ICTs—how it is helping to alleviate stresses on healthcare systems during COVID and beyond.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Dr Michael Hodin—CEO, Global Coalition on Aging, Managing Partner, High Lantern Group
- Dr Raymond Saner — Director, CSEND, Geneva
- Ms Emily Allen— Director of Thought Leadership and Advocacy, Home Instead Senior Care
- Dr Matthew J. Smith — Chief Scientific Officer, Embr Labs
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our fifth live session with Q&A on Drones and COVID-19: How do these applications help and do these applications make any sense?
The purpose of this webinar is to discuss how drones are being applied in response to coronavirus. The most popular applications to date include spraying, patrolling and surveillance, public announcements, cargo delivery, and measurement of body temperature. While some of these applications have already been debunked by science, they're still being used by many stakeholders in multiple countries. The supposed success of other applications is anecdotal at best while several raise important concerns around data privacy and data protection. Some of these applications also face important logistical hurdles and others completely ignore the digital divide. This does not mean that drones cannot add value, but it does mean that more critical thinking is needed along with a deeper understanding of the local context, actual needs, priorities, alternatives, cultures, sciences and technologies and the digital divide to evaluate the potential value of drones in response to the pandemic.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Dr Patrick Meier — Executive Director, WeRobotics
- Dr Ruchi Saxena — Director, India Flying Labs
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our fourth live session with Q&A on The Role of Information, Journalism and Media in Countering COVID-19
Moderator and Speakers:
- Mr Giacomo Mazzone — Head of Institutional Relations, European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
- Ms Rachel Pollack — WSIS Action Line Focal Point C9: Media, UNESCO
- Mr Christophe Deloire — Secretary General, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- Ms Mira Milosevic — Executive Director, Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our third live session with Q&A on Universal Design and Social Innovation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Moderator and Speakers:
- Dr George Anthony Giannoumis — Associate Professor, Oslo Metropolitan University
- Ms Elise Daaland — Creative Director, Global Universal Design Commission Europe
- Mr Michael W. Hodin — CEO, Global Coalition on Aging
- Mr Masahito Kawamori — Rapporteur, ITU-T SG16 Q26, ITU and Professor, Keio University, Japan
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our second live session with Q&A on Free Application and Scientific Resources to track COVID-19
Setting the context: WSIS Action Line Facilitator C7 E-Health:
- Mr Hani Eskandar - ICT Applications Coordinator, ITU
- Mr Sameer Pujari - Vice-Chair, Focus Group: AI 4 Health, WHO
Moderator & Speakers:
- Ms Tatyana Kanzaveli — CEO, Open Health Network — PatientSphere (Help people to manage their health during COVID times! Free application to track COVID like symptoms and share with doctors is available in English and Spanish https://www.openhealth.cc/.)
- Dr Tom Blue — Director of Industry Strategy, Institute for Functional Medicine, USA
- Prof. Karl Blanchet — Director, CERAH Scientific Resource Centre, University of Geneva
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.
Starting in April, the WSIS Team will host a weekly virtual WSIS TalkX the for the WSIS Stakeholders to interact, connect and collaborate. Preparing towards the WSIS Forum 2020, High-level Track Facilitators, Workshop Organizers, WSIS Prizes 2020 Champions and others will be conducting virtual interactive talks highlighting their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs.
Join our first live session with Q&A on Cybersecurity: Online Educational Resources and Child Online Protection during COVID-19
Inauguration and setting the context of WSIS Action Line C5:
- Mr Malcolm Johnson - Deputy Secretary-General, ITU
Moderator & Speakers:
- Mr David Wright - Director of UK Safer Internet Centre (High-Level Track Facilitator WSIS Forum 2020)
- Ms Merle Maigre - Executive Vice President at CybExer Technologies, Estonia (High-Level Track Facilitator WSIS Forum 2020)
Disclaimer: WSIS TalkX podcasts may be used to further the aims and work of the WSIS process. They cannot be used for advertising, marketing or in ways which are inconsistent with our mission. WSIS TalkX podcasts cannot be altered, sold, redistributed or used to create derivative works. All interested parties are invited to use WSIS TalkX podcasts freely but must follow the conditions of attribution guidelines (this allows all to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially, as long as podcasts are credited WSIS TalkX with a credit line for copies of the podcasts. For any distribution and customized use, all are requested to contact us for further confirmation of use.