GNI’s round-table dialogue for forging connections between Internet Governance, human rights, and development through the WSIS+20
Written by : Mawazo Mataje, Program Technical Advisor.
In the last day of the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AIGF), conducted here in Tanzania at Dar-es-Salaam on 31st May 2025, at Julius Nyerere International Convention Center (JNICC), Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative (DA4TI) was represented by Mr. Mawazo Mataje, the Program Technical Advisor, during the round-table dialogue. The dialogue was titled “Forging connections between Internet Governance, human rights and development through WSIS+20” and it was organized by our partner – the Global Network Initiative (GNI), moderated by GNI’s Managing Director, Elonnai Hickok.
Mr. Mawazo Mataje at the GNI’s -Side Event (AfricaIGF in Dar es Salaam- Tanzania
The dialogue brought together members from technical community, civil society, government representatives and other stakeholders with the primary objective of exploring the importance of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) processes, how stakeholders can best engage in it, and the connection of WSIS+20 to other internet governance and international cooperation processes including participation in the “open ended working group” (OEWG) due to take place in this early July 2025.
Some of the key takeaways from the meeting were; increase participation of the global south in the digital forums and decision making processes, active and regular engagement and participation of civil society in the government initiatives, multi-stakeholder participation improvement, increase of monitoring systems for WSIS+20, integration of SDGs in digital priorities, consideration of Agenda 2063 in strategic planning and the question of AI influence across the globe. The reflection on the WSIS+20 took upon participants to mirror the implementation of the agreed actions over the last 20 years with key lessons to improve the monitoring framework.
Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative (DA4TI), strongly believes on the collaborative and partnership efforts blended by results that influence community life improvement. DA4TI will continue to engage in concerted initiatives that unpack sustainable local solutions in collaboration with international, regional, local and government bodies. Participation of DA4TI in these dialogue meetings demonstrate organization’s commitment toward achieving a common goal by engaging and working with relevant partners at all levels of engagement.
