Sophia BEKELE speaking on 'Access Divide' at UNESCO Global Multi-Stakeholder Conference, Paris

Bekele applauded the UNESCO "Internet Study" document saying:

"it did an excellent job particularly in mapping the UNESCO mandate to the four KeyStones identified under Rights to Access; Freedom of Expression; Privacy and Ethics.

This clarity over mandate becomes very important as more Intergovernmental Organizations get involved in debates over Internet. I think most of us netparticipants know that, as many of us here are part of the IG political theater".

 

In responding to audiences questions and concerns over the "Access Divide",  Bekele stressed on the importance of setting legislation that would cut down the unnecessary restrictions as well as creating subsidies for catalyzing connectivity for access as key.  She also  emphasized narrowing the divide through eliminating barriers to entry and increasing competition by breaking monopolies and special interests.

Bekele's opening statement on "Access Divide" is available here, along with recommendation to further include in the final study [PDF]

Other personalities that were speakers include Fadi Chehadé is the President and CEO ICANN; Kathryn C. Brown, ISOC CEO; Jeremy Malcolm, Senior Global Policy Analyst at Electronic Frontier Foundation; Mr. Janis Karklins, Chair of Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for Internet Governance Forum, among others.

With overwhelming agreement, a multi-stakeholder gathering of some 400 participants at UNESCO headquarters adopted a non-binding Outcome Document of the UNESCO CONNECTing the Dots Conference and underscored the significance of the Internet for human progress and its role in fostering inclusive Knowledge Societies.

Thanking the participants after the adoption of the Outcome Document, the Deputy Director General of UNESCO Mr. Getachew Engida whose offices provided the leadership for this initiative, said in his closing remarks: "The Internet and all new information and communication must be at the heart of the post-2015 agenda - as a transformational force and a foundation for building the knowledge societies we need." He continued, "This is the importance of R.O.A.M principles for inspiring a human rights-based, open Internet that is accessible to all and characterized by multi-stakeholder participation."

DCA is a thought leader in connecting the dots in Africa and the global internet community with its sustained contribution in the dialogs and debates on internet governance, cyber security, among others. The UNESCO.s event theme under "CONNECTing the Dots: Options for Future Action synergizes well with DCA's sustained themes to connect the dots in Africa and globally using the online platform. DotConnectAfrica brings Africa to the world and as it brings the World to Africa.