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The stage is set for the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24), scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, and run until Thursday, 25th April 2024. The event promises to bring together a diverse group of delegates from 61 countries in Accra, Ghana’s capital.
Hosted by the pan-African organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), the forum’s theme this year is “Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age.” Collaborating with PIN to organise DRIF24 are several esteemed partner organisations including E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), University of Media, Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism, Media Foundation for West Africa, Inclusive Tech Group, Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana Chapter, and Human Security Research Centre (HSRC).
A myriad of sponsors have thrown their weight behind the event, with Wikimedia, African Digital Rights Network, Ford Foundation, Luminate, Google, Kingdom of The Netherlands, Mott Foundation, Open Technology Fund (OTF), Internews, Small Media, and International Justice Clinic UC Irvine School of Law among the notable contributors.
Sub-themes that will be addressed during the forum include Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, as well as Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups. The forum aims to facilitate conversations that transcend geographical boundaries, with participants from the global south sharing experiences and strategies.
DRIF has established itself as the go-to platform for discussing pressing global issues related to digital rights and inclusion. The event is known for accommodating diverse viewpoints from civil society, technology companies, government, academia, and other stakeholders.
This year marks the 11th edition of DRIF, with PIN and its partners having successfully organised ten previous editions since 2013. With 245 session proposals received for DRIF 2024, the organisers are gearing up to host over 80 sessions, an increase from last year’s 70. The programme will feature panel sessions, tech demos, launches, pre-event workshops, lightning talks, and exhibitions across various tracks, including digital rights, digital inclusion, and digital security.
Key highlights of this year’s event include the exclusive premiere of PIN’s fourth short film, “Undersight,” the launch of the organisation’s annual digital rights and inclusion report, “Londa,” and the introduction of digital toolkits, “Ayeta” and “Ripoti.” The report will present findings covering 26 African countries.
Last year’s DRIF, held in Nairobi, Kenya, attracted 601 participants from 54 countries and focused on themes such as Internet shutdowns, Universal Service Fund (USF) utilisation, data protection, content moderation, and censorship.
Thobekile Matimbe, PIN’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, expressed that DRIF was not just a meeting but a testament to the collective commitment to shaping a digital landscape prioritising rights, inclusion, and empowerment.
The upcoming edition of DRIF promises to build on the discussions and outcomes from the 10th edition, focusing on a sustainable Internet future that leaves no one behind.
