Monthly Digest: September 2020

Must-read Articles of the Month

Whether it's opinions on fostering digital human rights - or simply the valuable lessons learned along the way, here's a round-up of the past month's most interesting articles and stories.

How digital activism is empowering women, creating change and demanding human rights

The last decade has seen huge growth in the use of digital technologies supporting the activist endeavours of many individuals and organisations. In particular, women and girls worldwide of all ages have taken the digital mantle to create movements and advocate an array of messages promoting, and demanding, their rights.

UN Secretary General advocates for digital world that ‘strengthens human rights, advances peace’

In a digital world of both vast potential and looming challenges, good governance and global cooperation is needed too – and the UN can play a critical role in bringing all actors together. Get up to speed with the highlights from the UN@75 high-level event on Digital Cooperation.

Why we need a Declaration of Global Digital Human Rights

As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the pace of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, we are entering a phase fraught with huge risks for global human rights. Technology holds great promise, but needs to be paired with ethical oversight to ensure they don’t exacerbate social inequality or lead to human rights violations.

The Effect of Covid-19 on Education in Africa and its Implications for the Use of Technology

This report, and the survey findings behind it, provides a unique insight into the perspectives of EdTech experts regarding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education in Africa. It is based on the findings of a survey of the eLearning Africa network, which attracted approximately 1650 responses from respondents in 52 countries in Africa.

Community Updates

With so much going on it’s easy to lose track of what’s happening in the world of social impact. Stay informed and inspired with our handpicked content from the DHRLab Community.

Data and Democracy: Opportunities and challenges to human rights

Unwanted Witness held their second annual Privacy Symposium under the theme “Data and Democracy: Opportunities and challenges to human rights”. In case you missed it, consider viewing the recording of the sessions, including key panel discussions that took place.

Digital Security Hands-on Session: Step by step Guide

Gole Andrew from Encrypt Uganda shared tips on how we can protect our identity and assets in the online world? Follow this guide to stay safe on the internet. You can also watch a video recap of his session here.

Opportunities | Tips | Resources

Every month, we collate the very best opportunities, tips and resources for digital human rights practitioners in our community.

Security-in-a-Box

Security in-a-Box is a guide to digital security for activists and human rights defenders. It is jointly developed by Front Line Defenders and Tactical Technology Collective, along with a global network of activists, trainers and digital security experts.

Shine & Dime: Weekly Coaching Calls

Trollbusters are doing weekly coaching calls for journalists and activists facing online harassment. Join them every Tuesday from 11pm-12 midnight Kampala time.

Digital Security Hub @ #FIFAfrica20

Between September 28-30, FIFAfrica 2020 Participants are invited to chat with a digital security specialist about personal or organisational information security at the Digital Security Hub. Simply use the chat widget on the FIFAfrica website by clicking “Chat with the Digital Security Hub!” on the lower-right corner of the site.

Digital Security Workshop

Organised by the UN, this workshop shall explore three main themes: Human Rights in the Digital Age; Trust and Transparency; and Cyber-Security. Sign up to decide how we can make digital technology work to our benefit, rather than exploit us.

If you have an activity, article or up-coming event that you would like to share with the DHRLab Community, please email dhrlab@futurechallenges.org / info@dhrlab.org