Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 1: Eduarda Costa Almeida, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Tripathi Gyan Prakash, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Setu Bandh Upadhyay, Civil Society, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Tripathi Gyan Prakash, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Setu Bandh Upadhyay, Civil Society, Intergovernmental Organization
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom format, with participants seated facing the presenters, fosters a focused, dialogue-driven environment that aligns well with a 60-minute session. It allows speakers to present concise, structured insights while still encouraging active Q&A and brief interactive exercises. Given the complexity of digital public infrastructures and the need to unpack diverse cultural and rights-based dimensions, this setting ensures clear visibility, efficient information flow, and a coherent learning experience. Sixty minutes strikes the right balance—long enough to share robust findings and facilitate meaningful discussion, yet short enough to maintain attendees’ engagement.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom format, with participants seated facing the presenters, fosters a focused, dialogue-driven environment that aligns well with a 60-minute session. It allows speakers to present concise, structured insights while still encouraging active Q&A and brief interactive exercises. Given the complexity of digital public infrastructures and the need to unpack diverse cultural and rights-based dimensions, this setting ensures clear visibility, efficient information flow, and a coherent learning experience. Sixty minutes strikes the right balance—long enough to share robust findings and facilitate meaningful discussion, yet short enough to maintain attendees’ engagement.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can countries and international organizations create regulatory frameworks that ensure DPIs respect user agency, privacy, and permission, rather than relying on top-down control or surveillance?
B. What safeguards and control measures are required to prevent the commercialization of citizens' data in public infrastructures, particularly when working with private-sector partners?
C. How can governments encourage participatory design, ensuring that communities—particularly indigenous and marginalized groups—play an active role in determining DPI priorities, governance, and accountability measures?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants—whether they are policymakers, developers, researchers, or civil society leaders—will gain a comprehensive toolkit for designing DPIs that genuinely serve the public good. From examples of how local communities co-create technological solutions to insights on responsibly collecting and managing personal data, attendees will learn strategies that preserve cultural nuances while upholding digital rights such as privacy, consent, and equitable access. They will also hear critical lessons from leading experts on the pitfalls of top-down deployments, including the risk of exacerbating social inequalities or enabling mthe isuse of personal information. Above all, participants will walk away with a clear vision of how inclusive, community-driven approaches can strengthen trust in DPIs and ensure that digital progress does not come at the expense of heritage or autonomy. Ultimately, they will be equipped to champion rights-first infrastructures that reflect the aspirations and well-being of diverse populations.
Description:
In the race to modernise, digital public infrastructures (DPI) often lose sight of the cultural tapestry and digital rights that render them genuinely inclusive. While these systems promise streamlined governance, financial inclusion, and scalable social services, there is growing concern that they often prioritise efficiency over equity, privatisation over public good, and centralised control over collaborative decision-making. When DPIs fail to accommodate local contexts and cultural nuances, they risk eroding trust, weakening communal bonds, and leaving vulnerable groups even more marginalised. A culture-first framework offers a powerful antidote. By embedding indigenous knowledge systems, ethical data governance, and participatory principles directly into the design and deployment of DPIs, we can uphold digital rights—privacy, autonomy, and consent—while also protecting invaluable cultural practices. Community-driven oversight mechanisms help ensure that these digital infrastructures truly benefit those they claim to serve rather than serving as vehicles for surveillance or profit extraction. Equally crucial is the use of transparent standards and open technologies, which empower civil society and academic communities to audit and refine systems for maximum accountability. This session brings together experts, government stakeholders, and academics from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond to explore practical strategies for building DPIs that place people at the center. Drawing on real-world examples, participants will learn how local innovation and robust public engagement can foster infrastructures that advance social welfare without sacrificing cultural identities or infringing on fundamental rights. By merging cutting-edge technology with community stewardship, we can reimagine DPIs as inclusive, rights-focused ecosystems that elevate rather than replace the diverse voices they are designed to serve.
In the race to modernise, digital public infrastructures (DPI) often lose sight of the cultural tapestry and digital rights that render them genuinely inclusive. While these systems promise streamlined governance, financial inclusion, and scalable social services, there is growing concern that they often prioritise efficiency over equity, privatisation over public good, and centralised control over collaborative decision-making. When DPIs fail to accommodate local contexts and cultural nuances, they risk eroding trust, weakening communal bonds, and leaving vulnerable groups even more marginalised. A culture-first framework offers a powerful antidote. By embedding indigenous knowledge systems, ethical data governance, and participatory principles directly into the design and deployment of DPIs, we can uphold digital rights—privacy, autonomy, and consent—while also protecting invaluable cultural practices. Community-driven oversight mechanisms help ensure that these digital infrastructures truly benefit those they claim to serve rather than serving as vehicles for surveillance or profit extraction. Equally crucial is the use of transparent standards and open technologies, which empower civil society and academic communities to audit and refine systems for maximum accountability. This session brings together experts, government stakeholders, and academics from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond to explore practical strategies for building DPIs that place people at the center. Drawing on real-world examples, participants will learn how local innovation and robust public engagement can foster infrastructures that advance social welfare without sacrificing cultural identities or infringing on fundamental rights. By merging cutting-edge technology with community stewardship, we can reimagine DPIs as inclusive, rights-focused ecosystems that elevate rather than replace the diverse voices they are designed to serve.
Expected Outcomes
Through this panel, participants will collaboratively shape a practical set of guidelines prioritizing localized contexts, participatory governance, and privacy-by-design for future DPI initiatives. They will leave with concrete policy recommendations, drawing on real-world case studies that illustrate both breakthroughs and cautionary lessons. By fostering connections among government representatives, tech innovators, academics, and civil society, the session ignites new cross-sector collaborations. Ultimately, it paves the way for enduring dialogue and action, promoting truly inclusive, rights-centered digital ecosystems.
Hybrid Format: We will use a hybrid approach to guarantee that both onsite and online presenters are visible to all attendees, with a dedicated moderator overseeing live Q&A from each group. To ensure a balanced conversation, the moderator will alternate between in-person and virtual contributions, encouraging brief, focused comments or questions. Complementary digital technologies, such as a common chat and polling platforms (e.g., Mentimeter), will provide real-time feedback, interactive surveys, and rapid exchange of ideas. This arrangement allows individuals to provide insights regardless of their actual location. Furthermore, brief breakout conversations or polls will provide structured chances for participation, while on-screen representations of online participants promote inclusivity and equality in discussion.