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Launch Event

The DRC Global Event journey was launched on 29th of September 2021. This was a half-a-day event with over 40 collaborators and DRC change makers in attendance setting the scene for the journey into Digitalisation, the Digital Divide and Forced Displacement. 

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You can watch the sessions below.

“How do we ensure ditialisation empowers the most in need rather than disempower them more and leave them even more behind?” 

“Should we begin thinking about digital access as a public good that should be regulated as such rather than a business enterprise?” 

“How to ensure that everyone has equal access – is this the real innovation? How can get the perspectives of those who cannot participate in the digital world? And is this affected people's actual choice and preference - what are our assumptions and biases? And how do we protect them, their data and privacy?” 

IDENTIFYING SHAPERS OF DIGITALISATION, THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT 

What developments, shifts and signals do you see today shaping digitalisation, the digital divide and/or forced displacement? 

  • Geo-independent employment opportunities and rise of the digital employee 

  • global youth conscious/gen-z digital native, global born 

  • Rise in mental health/anxiety globably 

  • Alternate data protection approaches taken ourside of Europe / North America 

  • Recognition that digital services, though they are driven by private tech firms, should be thought of as public services to which everyone  should have access to as a right 

  • Traditional banking infrastructure is not able to address the needs of a dispersed workforce 

  • growing focus on designing for value sensitive design 

  • The interest by non-traditional humanitarian and development actors in supporting displaced populations 

  • Strong local ownership and local organisations challenging the aid governance structure 

  • Obligation to allow displaced persons access to their digital life 

FUTURES OF DIGITALISATION, THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT 

What needs to be different for more desirable, equitable and just outcomes in the future? What is good today that needs to be strengthened? 

  • Shift from talking about rights  in the digital age towards justice in the digital age 

  • Seek to include private sector (tech) through well thought sustainable partnership where each side has the "what's in for them" defined 

  • Actual engagement and co-creation with communities and people impacted by displacement 

  • Let go of conditionality requirements 

  • Make sure access is not based on race, gender, language abilities, etc. ​

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