Global Conference for the Celebration of the International Day for the Universal Access to Information 

FOC and Advisory Network Members will participate in a panel session during the Global Conference for the Celebration of the International Day for the Universal Access to Information on 28 September. This year’s Conference will focus on the importance of the online space for Access to Information. For more information and to view the session live, visit www.unesco.org/en/articles/international-day-universal-access-information-2023.

Panel: “Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development” (in cooperation with Access Now, Freedom Online Coalition and technology companies) will shed light on the complex dynamics and evolving landscape surrounding access to information in the digital era. This theme will encompass discussions on the challenges and opportunities posed by the internet, the significance of accessing information online, and the implications of internet shutdowns and online censorship.

Moderator:

• Ms Mahsa Alimardani, Oxford University, (Iran).

Speakers:

• Mr Bret Solomon, Executive Director, Access Now, (United States of America);
• Ms Emilar Gandhi, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Policy Initiatives at Meta (Zimbabwe and United Kingdom);
• Mr Kanbar Hossein Bor, Head Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, (United Kingdom);
• Mr Preetam Maloor, Head of the Emerging Technologies Division at the International Telecommunication Union, (ITU) – online;
• Mr Hilmi Ghalib, Executive Director, Yemeni Organization for Development and Technology (YODET), (Yemen) – TBC.