- KICTANet - KICTANet

UNESCO ICT in Education Prize: call for nominations open to projects leveraging AI
by Lydia gachungi 30 Sep '19

30 Sep '19

📢 Call for Nominations for #ICTPrize is still open! 📢 Do you have a project that uses #ArtificialIntelligence to enhance teaching and learning? If so, the UNESCO ICT in #Education Prize could be for you! Find out more: https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-ict-education-prize-call-nominations-open…

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Techweek-Nairobi-2019 - Working Programme
by Odhiambo Washington 30 Sep '19

30 Sep '19

Greetings,, For those who did not manage to book seats for the event, we're happy to inform you that a few more seats have been made available. Please follow this link to reserve: https://bit.ly/2kfdbRP We'd also like to update participants on the Techweek-Nairobi-2019 - Working Programme, which you can access from the following link: https://techweek.co.ke/working-programme/ (Techweek Secretariat) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223 "Oh, the cruft.", grep ^[^#] :-)

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2019 State of Internet Freedom in Africa
by Lydia gachungi 27 Sep '19

27 Sep '19

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Humanitarian Innovation Challenge | African Union
by Lydia gachungi 26 Sep '19

26 Sep '19

https://au.int/en/humanitarianInnovationChallenge Humanitarian Innovation Challenge" to identify the most promising five digital technology-based ideas which tackle forced displacement or other humanitarian challenges in Africa

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27 Countries Issue Joint Statement on 'Advancing Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace'
by Barrack Otieno 26 Sep '19

26 Sep '19

Lister's, Interesting article. Regards http://www.circleid.com/posts/20190923_countries_issue_statement_on_advanci… -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2019 - No. 61 of 2019 (Malulu Injendi Bill)
by Twahir Hussein Kassim 25 Sep '19

25 Sep '19

Listers, Reference an article on Standard today (24th September 2019) titled "Facebook, WhatsApp groups admins to seek CA clearance" attached is the said bill. Whilst agreeably we need to regulate the social media inline with Internet Governance; the essence of this bill is both BACKWARD and OPPRESSIVE for lack of stronger terms to use. Having said that, it is imperative that we go through this with a tooth comb and point it's flaws and suggest better ways - a better way is definitely there. On this note, I think it is high time that we started looking at issue and put up measures before we get hit by such bills and start fire fighting. Let's roll up our sleeves. Twahir Hussein Kassim Email: twahir(a)hussein.me.ke Cellphone: +254 734 259 223 WhatsApp: +254 722 259 223

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 139, Issue 45
by Kelvin Mbithi 24 Sep '19

24 Sep '19

Every law has specific mischief it seeks to regulate. In this case, the mischief is definitely blogs such as Cyprian Nyakundi, Tuko.co.ke, Ghafla and other social media platforms that attack the elites regularly. They have grown uncomfortable and wish to protect themselves at the expense of innovators. They forget that libel laws are sufficient to protect against the blogs publishing inaccurate information. That being said I believe the social media space is currently in a state of nature and requires regulation on entry, conduct, supervision, and inspection to strengthen its potential to contribute to development. On Tue, 24 Sep 2019 at 16:58, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: East Africa School of IG (caroline kirichu) > 2. The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, > 2019 - No. 61 of 2019 (Malulu Injendi Bill) (Twahir Hussein Kassim) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2019 12:40:17 +0300 > From: caroline kirichu <njerikirichu(a)gmail.com> > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] East Africa School of IG > Message-ID: > < > CAHcoVuoPa4nwYBTETpPLobEDqBW0vbSq91aAJ8w3Mvm65CdHkA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Thanks Liz for that update.God bless. > > On Tue, Sep 24, 2019 at 10:52 AM Liz Orembo via kictanet < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > > > > > Greetings listers, > > > > Today is the last day to apply for the East Africa School of Internet > > Governance. Here's the application form. > > https://forms.gle/TjKndipw9CzgKVQU8 > > > > -- > > > > Best regards. > > Liz. > > > > PGP ID: 0x1F3488BF > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/njerikirichu%40gmail.… > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > >

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East Africa School of IG
by Liz Orembo 24 Sep '19

24 Sep '19

Greetings listers, Today is the last day to apply for the East Africa School of Internet Governance. Here's the application form. https://forms.gle/TjKndipw9CzgKVQU8 -- Best regards. Liz. PGP ID: 0x1F3488BF

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KICT amendment bill
by Julius Njiraini 23 Sep '19

23 Sep '19

of interest

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Buying a smart phone on the cheap? Privacy might be the price you have to pay
by Alice Munyua 20 Sep '19

20 Sep '19

Most of us access the internet using “cheap” smart phones, which come with “ data exploitation by design and default” http://privacyinternational.org/long-read/3226/buying-smart-phone-cheap-pri…

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new members
by esther kamande 18 Sep '19

18 Sep '19

Good morning, Please add the following advocates to the list Emily Maina :emaina14@gmail.com Wakesho Kililo: wakesho(a)gmail.com Silvya Chepkoech: sylviachepkoech(a)gmail.com Have a good day, Esther Kamande

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Twitter Policy Team
by Mutemi wa Kiama 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Hi Listers, Am searching for Twitter Policy Team for Kenya/Africa contacts. Any leads highly welcome. Thanks in advance. Warm regards, Edwin Kiama Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! *-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* *Social Justice & Social Accountability Entrepreneur, Facilitator, Movements' Coach, Human Rights Defender, * *#DevolutionIsRevolution Champion* *The Wanjiku Agenda Kenya Foundation (WAKenya)*Ordinary, fearless Kenyans. Sauti Ya Wanjiku Social Movement www.sautiyawanjiku.com https://www.facebook.com/wanjikurevolutionkenya https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt https://plus.google.com/u/1/+WanjikuMapinduzi/posts http://www.scribd.com/wmkenya "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." *~Margaret Mead*

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Mesh Networks in South Africa
by Joash Moitui 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Dear all, Innovative mesh networks in South Africa are connecting the connected for less than $2 a month. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-47723967/internet-access-in-africa… Could this be the solution for connecting thousands in rural Kenya? Best, Joash Moitui ~Sent from mobile device. Apologies for brevity and typos ~

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TechWeek 2019 - Registration Open
by Odhiambo Washington 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Greetings All, It gives us great pleasure to announce that the TechWeek 2019 event registration is now open! TechWeek 2019 will be held between the 3rd and 4th October, 2019, in Nairobi, Kenya. TechWeek 2019 is a community organized event which aims at providing a platform for experienced engineers in the respective fields of Networking, Data storage, Security and or Internet Services (DNS, Email, Web, etc) to share their knowledge, challenges and ideas with their peers and also with upcoming engineers who may wish to pursue similar career paths. Space is limited and the meeting is made possible with the help of Sponsors. Therefore, only participants WHO WILL ATTEND IN PERSON should register. To reserve your spot, register through this Eventbrite link: https://bit.ly/2kfdbRP Information about the event programme and other important updates will be made available on http://www.techweek.co.ke/ in the coming days. We are officially 17 days from TechWeek 2019! We look forward to seeing you there! Regards, TechWeek Secretariat

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(no subject)
by Lydia gachungi 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Listers, Drawing your attention to this free online course on African media policy, which draws a lot on UNESCO materials for its content. It runs for 6 weeks, involving a maximum of 3 hours a week. Having looked at the content, UNESCO is recommending it. Please consider sharing the link with networks and individuals that you think may be interested – journalists, policy-makers, students, civil society, etc. https://journalism.co.za/media-freedom-and-freedom-of-expression-in-africa-…

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Fwd: [NRIs List] IGF 2019 Pilot Initiative: Implementing Internet standards and protocols for a safer Internet
by Barrack Otieno 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Lister's, Might be of interest to those keen on the Internet Governance Forum. Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Anja Gengo <anja.gengo(a)un.org> Date: Mon, Sep 9, 2019 at 10:13 AM Subject: [NRIs List] IGF 2019 Pilot Initiative: Implementing Internet standards and protocols for a safer Internet To: igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org <igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org>, dc(a)intgovforum.org <dc(a)intgovforum.org> Dear Colleagues, As you probably know, the IGF 2019 MAG supports the community-led project on deployment of Internet standards. ‘’ The pilot project aims to improve the Internet safety for all end users by advancing implementation of agreed, security-relevant Internet standards, by bringing together key stakeholders to recommend joint ways forward to ensure swift implementation. ‘’ More information on this project is available at: *https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/implementing-internet-standards-and-protocols-for-a-safer-internet* <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/implementing-internet-stan…> The project facilitators invite everyone to contribute to this work by responding to a survey that aims at understanding the status que on this project’s core subject. The survey is open for your contributions by 22 September 2019: *https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Internetstandards* <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Internetstandards> For any questions related to this project, please consult: denatrisconsult(a)hotmail.nl Best regards, Anja _______________________________________________ Igfregionals mailing list Igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org To unsubscribe or manage your options please go to http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfregionals_intgovforum.org -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Ethiopia to permit private sector participation in telecom & postal service
by Lydia gachungi 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

>From Brook Taye, Ph.D. #Ethiopia/n Communications Service Proclamation gazetted today! Creates an independent regulatory authority (ECA) and permits private sector participation in telecom & postal service. With expected market entry of 2 new operators, it aims to broaden efficient service delivery! https://t.co/z3PytpA48M (https://twitter.com/btaye/status/1168577198556700672?s=03)

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National ICT Policy 2016
by Victor Kapiyo 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

Morning listers, Looks like the revised 2016 policy was published and is no longer a draft. Here's the policy: http://icta.go.ke/national-ict-policy/ @Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> looks like no more reminders will be necessary moving forward. Regards, *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Suite No. 8, Centro House, Westlands, Nairobi | **Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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Two videos on Network Coverage in Bungoma and Kitui Counties, and in Turkana and Marsabit
by Grace Githaiga 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Listers Is the Universal Service Fund managed by the Communications Authority of Kenya and meant to improve connectivity in unserved and underserved areas bearing fruit? Watch the two videos here: 1. Bungoma and Kitui: https://youtu.be/hm5MAkrH1cI 2. Turkana and Marsabit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NniZ1z9P28E&feature=youtu.be -- Grace Githaiga Co-Convenor, Kenya ICT Action Network

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Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) - Continental Meeting on Harmonisation of ICT Policies and Regulations
by Lydia gachungi 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gachungi, Lydiah <l.gachungi(a)unesco.org> Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019, 19:00 Subject: Fwd: Press Release - Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) - Continental Meeting on Harmonisation of ICT Policies and Regulations To: Lydia gachungi <lgachungi(a)gmail.com> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. -------- Original message -------- From: Directorate of Information and Communication <DIC(a)africa-union.org> Date: 10/09/2019 18:10 (GMT+03:00) To: Directorate of Information and Communication <DIC(a)africa-union.org> Subject: Press Release - Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) - Continental Meeting on Harmonisation of ICT Policies and Regulations AFRICAN UNION [image: AU_Logo correct 2017] UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: +251 11 551 7700 / +251 11 518 25 58/ Ext 2558 Web site: www.au.int DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION * Press Release N° 130 /2019* *"Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) - Continental Meeting on Harmonisation of ICT Policies and Regulations"* [image: 3P9A8228] *Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5 September 2019: *A Meeting to discuss ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) harmonisation in Africa, how to monitor and evaluate the progress and way forward to better adapt Africa policy and regulatory environment to the challenges of digital transformation has taken place in Addis Ababa this week. The PRIDA Continental Meeting on “ICT harmonization in Africa: How to monitor and evaluate it? “brought together more than One Hundred Forty (140) participants, including Experts and Senior Government Officials from over fifty (50) African Countries as well as representatives from the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Association of Regulators and the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) in addition to representatives of ICT private sector and partners, the European Union, including the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). In his opening remarks, Mr. Thomas Huyghebaert, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the African Union, recalled that the initiative is a key flagship of the AU (African Union) – EU (European Union) cooperation on digitalisation and underlined its importance and potential to boost the digital transformation of the continent, also benefitting from the exchange of experience between the two Unions. On behalf of the AU Commission Mr. Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information the Society Division, welcomed the participants to the meeting and thanked them for the commitment to support the PRIDA initiative as a cornerstone for the creation of favourable conditions for the development of African digital market. He recalled the role and mandate of the AU Commission in harmonising policies and coordinating regional initiatives as key factors for enabling development and achieving continental integration as per the Agenda 2063 aspirations. Mr. Yedaly emphasized the importance of the Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) as an enabler of the Africa Digital Transformation Agenda. The meeting has been a great opportunity for African governments and regional organisations to assess current and past harmonisation initiatives, identify trends and gaps of policy and regulatory approaches both at national, regional and continental levels. The meeting has also explored possibilities for reforms and improvements towards achieving appropriate regulatory responses to foster the digital transformation of Africa society and economy as well as harmonization methodology and related Monitoring and Evaluation System. African experts have identified common priority areas for African countries to be addressed under PRIDA initiative and adopt a two-year roadmap to enhance harmonization of ICT/telecommunications policies, legislative and regulatory frameworks across Africa in such a manner as to allow their monitoring and evaluation. The meeting has been a great opportunity for African governments and regional organisations to assess current and past harmonisation initiatives, identify trends and gaps of policy and regulatory approaches both at national, regional and continental levels. The meeting has also explored possibilities for reforms and improvements towards achieving appropriate regulatory responses to foster the digital transformation of Africa society and economy as well as harmonization methodology and related Monitoring and Evaluation System. "PRIDA” stands for "Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa". It is a joint initiative of the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that aims at enabling the African continent to reap the benefits of digitalisation, by addressing various dimensions of broadband demand and supply in Africa and by building the capacities of African stakeholders in the Internet Governance space. The three years initiative (2018 - 2022) is supported by the EU-funded Pan African Programme, with a specific envelope of 7.5 Mo€, and a contribution to the African Union Budget to the level of up to 1 Mo€ per year. *For media enquires contact*: *Esther Azaa Tankou*, Head of Information Division, +2519113611, e-mail yamboue(a)africaunion.org *Mr.Stephen Kwaku Darko*| Information and Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Tel: +251(0) 953406832 | E-mail: *DarkoS(a)africa-union.org <DarkoS(a)africa-union.org>* *For more information, contact:* *Ms. Souhila Amazouz*, Project Manager – ICT Policy & Regulation E: SouhilaA(a)africa-union.org *Technical Assistance (consortium GFA-CARSA-Research ICT)* *For further information contact* Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: *dic(a)africa-union.org <dic(a)africa-union.org>* I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia *Follow us* Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission *Learn more at: * *http://www.au.int* <http://www.au.int/>

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Fwd: [NRIs List] Today is African IGF
by Barrack Otieno 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

Listers, You are invited to participate in the Africa IGF remotely. Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Anja Gengo <anja.gengo(a)un.org> Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019, 10:23 am Subject: [NRIs List] Today is African IGF To: igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org <igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org> Dear Colleagues, A kind reminder that today starts the 8th regional IGF for Africa. The meeting is hosted in N’djamena, Chad and opened by the President of Chad. The overall theme is: Shared Responsibilities of Stakeholders for a Robust Internet Governance Ecosystem. Please visit *https://www.afigf.africa/* <https://www.afigf.africa/> for more information about the programme and online participation. Sincere congratulations and best of luck to the African IGF team! Best regards, Anja _______________________________________________ Igfregionals mailing list Igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org To unsubscribe or manage your options please go to http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfregionals_intgovforum.org

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] Royal Society urges UK to regulate machine-brain interfaces
by Barrack Otieno 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

Might be of interest. Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gosia Fraser via InternetPolicy <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019, 9:29 am Subject: [Internet Policy] Royal Society urges UK to regulate machine-brain interfaces To: ISOC Internet Policy <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> Interesting call from UK's senior scientific academy; They foresee that machine-brain interfaces will evolve quickly within next two decades and will go mainstream in medical applications around 2040. The "iHuman" report highlights the importance of reasonable regulation in the field and puts special pressure on ethical issues: https://www.ft.com/content/9ebd88ba-d266-11e9-8367-807ebd53ab77 Kind regards -- Malgorzata Fraser Editor Polish Press Agency Tech Desk +44 7572 726 749 _______________________________________________ To manage your Internet Society subscriptions or unsubscribe, log into the Member Portal at https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login and go to the Interests tab within your profile. - View the Internet Society Code of Conduct: https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] PassBlue Article on “Multistakeholderism”
by Barrack Otieno 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

Listers, Might be of interest. Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: R C via InternetPolicy <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> Date: Sat, Sep 7, 2019 at 4:11 PM Subject: [Internet Policy] PassBlue Article on “Multistakeholderism” To: <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> For those interested in the broader topic of “multistakeholderism” and the UN system, the attached article currently appears in the UN-oriented site PassBlue. Roger Cochetti https://www.passblue.com/2019/09/02/they-call-it-multistakeholderism-where-… PassBlue Independent Coverage of the UN WORLDVIEWS <http://passblue.com/category/worldviews/>They Call it Multistakeholderism. Where Does That Leave the UN? September 2, 2019 <https://www.passblue.com/2019/09/02/they-call-it-multistakeholderism-where-…> by Harris Gleckman <https://www.passblue.com/author/harris-gleckman/> The United Nations headquarters showcasing the Sustainable Development summit, September 2015. The essayist, an expert in governance and democracy, bemoans the growing participation of multinational corporations in UN system forums. CIA PAK/UN PHOTO Global governance is slipping away from the United Nations. Whether it is in managing the Internet, where the UN’s governing structure offers only an advisory role for governments; or climate change, where the most exciting actions are now corporate-led partnerships outside the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; or the Gates Foundation-sponsored Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, which is in a tug of war with the World Health Assembly on who sets health policy in developing countries, the institutional basis for global decision-making is changing. Where nongovernmental organizations were once the largest nonstate entities attending UN system meetings, transnational corporations have become the biggest players. They participate in well-attended public-private partnership sessions at the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the Human Rights Council and the High-Level Political Forum, the key body for following up on the Sustainable Development Goals. The latest institutional foray is a World Economic Forum-UN partnership <https://www.passblue.com/2019/07/23/as-the-sdgs-falter-the-un-turns-to-the-…>agreement. Under this arrangement, senior UN leaders are invited at national, regional and international levels to interact with forum members, many of whom are actually causing the global problems that the UN system is tasked to fix, such as climate change. These developments are part of a new global governance approach, one in which a team of corporate executives, leaders of civil society organizations, officials from governments and the UN system, academics and other players take on the governance of a specific international challenge. In the economic, social and environmental fields, this governance arrangement is called multistakeholderism, as each new global decision-maker is said to represent a “stakeholder” in an issue. In practice, these governance arrangements can have a role equal to or greater than the one held by the intergovernmental body officially assigned to address a universal problem. These experiments in a new form of global governance and the 2010 report on the Global Redesign Initiative by the World Economic Forum run counter to efforts to enhance a sense of democracy as part of global decision-making. Corporate executives — not leaders of small- and medium-size enterprises, nor microenterprises — are central to these groups and public-private partnerships. Yet these bodies have their own internal governance and constituencies; as a result, they redraft global principles that were agreed on by governments to meet their own, often business-focused, concerns. The selected government officials, those considered sympathetic to the goals of multistakeholders, sit on the board as only one of the decision-makers. At the same time, the other players are elevated to a role in global governance without any democratic basis for their participation. This dynamic is quite different from the one prevalent during the conferences of the 1990s, when civil society organizations, farm and labor organizations, educators, scientists, women and businesses gathered to provide diversified voices to governments, which alone led international decision-making. UN public-private partnerships tend to worsen changes in the relationship between the intergovernmental process and UN secretariat staff members, who act as the administrative arm of a UN entity. Where once the secretary-general and the heads of UN specialized agencies and programs saw themselves — and were seen by UN member governments — as governed by a specific intergovernmental body, now the secretariats act more autonomously. They strike up relationships with multiplayer bodies like the World Economic Forum and corporations without intergovernmental oversight. A result of the increase in institutional ties between the UN and senior corporate executives is that civil society organizations, educators, scientists, women and other social communities have less ability to influence the behavior of the UN bodies and the intergovernmental process. The weakening tie is driven both by outside factors and internal realities. The pressures on the UN system are significant. There is the cumulative effect, for example, of more than 30 years of flat or negative regular budget growth of the UN. As an extension of President Trump’s effort to deconstruct the domestic regulatory state in the United States, his administration is also striving to deconstruct the UN system. Internally, the secretariats perceive that taking relatively autonomous actions is one way to deliver on their generic assignments and to offset the underfunded regular budget by reaching out to potential corporate donors. This increased autonomy is often reflected in more willingness to accept invitations to join a multistakeholder group to “represent” the UN and governments or to invite major corporations to join a secretariat-led multiparty group. These new links can allow corporations to assert that they are working with the UN — albeit without intergovernmental oversight. They can also influence a UN secretariat to frame solutions to global problems in ways that are sensitive to their corporate constituency but not necessarily focused on government expectations or the need for leading the world toward systemic reforms. Of course, the interests of corporations vary. For some consumer-oriented businesses, their increased role in UN operations is a chance to secure a role in creating a global sustainability market for a specific product or service. For other multinationals, particularly those affiliated with the World Economic Forum, it is an opportunity, after the shocks of the 2008 financial crisis, to relegitimate the globalized market in the minds of international and national elites. It does not need to be so. Steps can be taken by governments to reassert leadership in managing globalization and mitigating global environmental crises. These could include a clear definition of conflict of interests to guide secretariats when they partner with a specific enterprise; an intergovernmental review of multistakeholders’ plans to ensure they follow UN goals; and improving intergovernmental oversight of the entire UN system through regular meetings of the heads of all intergovernmental bodies. With the advent of many players involved in decision-making and international public-private partnerships, the secretariats are increasingly semiautonomous from their intergovernmental body, reaching out to one constituency, the international business community, thus marginalizing their overall roles with other global constituencies. These developments undermine a public view that democracy — one country-one vote with all of its exceptions — will be the guiding global governance principles today and in the future. _______________________________________________ To manage your Internet Society subscriptions or unsubscribe, log into the Member Portal at https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login and go to the Interests tab within your profile. - View the Internet Society Code of Conduct: https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/ -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Safaricom’s ultimatum before Airtel-Telkom merger
by Mwendwa Kivuva 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001340740/safaricom-s-ult… Safaricom has set an ultimatum for the Telkom-Kenya and Airtel merger while downplaying claims that it is opposed to the deal, which is expected before the end of the year. On Tuesday, Telkom-Kenya Managing Director Mugo Kibati cried foul over Safaricom’s opposition to the deal, which he says, will spur innovation in the sector and put Kenya in the map as a tech giant in the region. Safaricom says it does not oppose the move but wants the two operators to settle a debt of Sh1.2 billion and the issue of frequency allocation to be rebalanced. “While we are supportive of industry changes that seek to deliver greater choice and value to consumers, we have raised valid concerns that we hope the regulator will consider and address as part of the approval process,” says Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph. “The first is the debt owed by the two operators, amounting to Sh1,297,448,468.88, incurred for the provision of various services including interconnection, co-location and fibre services. This debt is due and payable, based on the agreement to provide services entered into with the two entities as distinct operators. Our expectation is that the payment obligations should be settled in full before the transfer of business is effected.” Safaricom also wants a rebalance to the frequencies allocation. It says that the post-merger, Airtel-Telkom will jointly hold 77.5 MHz of the spectrum against a customer base of 17.3 million, compared to Safaricom’s 57.5 MHz with almost double the customer base at 31.8 million. “Given the size of Safaricom’s customer base in comparison to the current spectrum holdings, it is apparent that the transaction will create a disproportionate imbalance in the spectrum allocation, which will be inconsistent with the market share,” says Joseph. The interim CEO also wants equal treatment of operators and creation of a level playing field within the industry, specifically in relation to licensing and operations requirements. “Having articulated our concerns, we await direction from the regulator on the way forward, especially in regard to the debt payment and rebalancing of frequencies allocation.” “We also look forward to working alongside other industry players to continue delivering high quality, innovative services to Kenyans.”

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Policy Hackathon on Huduma Bill 2019
by Linda Bonyo 10 Sep '19

10 Sep '19

Dear Listers, The Lawyers Hub is hosting a hackathon this Friday and Saturday on Huduma Bill as we seek to better the bill through public participation in innovative policy making. The Bill impacts Kenyas and we hope that we can use Design thinking at the policy hackathon to come up with valuable insights that will benefit the registration of communities, individuals, Asylum seekers among-st other interest groups. We will run sessions on understanding Good ID governance systems with the support of Omidyar Network. Today’s session runs from 11am to 2pm and if you prefer Saturday it will be on all day. RSVP here : ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/policy-hackathon -on-huduma-bill-2019-digital-identity-tickets-71200052273 ) Let us know if you have any further questions on the numbers below. -- ______________________________________________ *Linda Bonyo* (Ms.) | CEO, *Lawyers Hub * Tech for Justice ACK Garden House| Block D, 6th Floor |Upper Hill, Nairobi| Kenya Email: bonyo(a)*lawyershub.ke* <bonyo(a)lawyershub.ke> | Skype*:* lawyershubke Tel: +254(0)207840228 Mobile : +254784840228 www.lawyershub.org | www.lawyershub.ke | *_**__________________________________________________________* *DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Lawyers Hub.*

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