The NetMission Academy Session 6: Diversity, Inclusivity and Sustainability on Internet and Internet Governance kicked off with an introduction by Luke Teoh, who welcomed participants and introduced Bea Guevarra as the moderator for the training session.
Three distinguished speakers contributed their insights during the session:
- Edmon Chung – CEO DotAsia
- Titiksha Vashist – Co-Founder and Lead Researcher, The Pranava Institute
- Jaewon Son – PhD candidate, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
The session started with a presentation on the topic “Green Tech Initiatives in APAC Region”.
The presentation commenced with a discussion on the Internet and its governance, outlining the key components and factors that regulate its operation. Inclusivity was emphasized, with a focus on factors such as the multi-stakeholder approach, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Additionally, the concept of Web 3.0 was introduced, highlighting its potential to govern these key characteristics in the future. Case studies were then presented, including “Olam combines digital transformation and climate action in Singapore” and “Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and advocating renewable energy“. Group members detailed how national and international initiatives were implemented to ensure the success of these projects, posing questions to prompt further discussion on the topic. Esteemed speakers subsequently shared their vision on the subject.
Multilingual and Digitally Inclusive Internet
Our first speaker, Edmond Chung, has explored the realms of language justice and digital inclusion, highlighting the pivotal role of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in fostering these principles online. IDNs facilitate the representation of diverse linguistic identities by allowing domain names and email addresses to be expressed in various languages. This inclusivity is particularly beneficial for local businesses deeply rooted in their native tongues. Despite nearly two decades of development, IDNs remain overshadowed by English domains, comprising just under 2% of total domain registrations, totaling slightly over 5 million. A significant obstacle to universal IDN acceptance is the lack of acknowledgment by many Internet platforms, leading to validation and authentication challenges for non-English domains and email addresses. With the imminent increase of Internet users from non-English-speaking communities, addressing this issue is paramount. A multilingual Internet not only fosters language justice but also bolsters cybersecurity by aiding in the identification of legitimate email addresses and domain names, thereby combating phishing attacks. Ultimately, achieving universal acceptance of IDNs is crucial for establishing a more inclusive and secure online environment accessible to users of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Fostering Inclusion Through Trust, Safe and Sustainable Socio-Technological Systems
The second speaker, Titiksha Vashist, has brought attention to the issue of deceptive design, commonly exemplified by dark patterns, which manipulate user decision-making or guide them into unintended actions across various online platforms, spanning from e-commerce apps to social media and beyond. When analyzing the impacts of deceptive design on inclusion and accessibility, it is essential to consider the heightened vulnerability of non-English speakers, first-time digital users in regions like Asia and the global South, and communities reliant on assistive technologies. This emphasizes the critical necessity for policy interventions aimed at bolstering privacy laws, regulating unfair digital business practices, and enhancing consumer protection, thereby fostering a proactive stance in addressing emerging challenges. Given the interconnected nature of technology, society, and law, there is a call for a transition from neutral design approaches to those rooted in ethical and human rights principles. Particularly, with the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping digital environments, the adoption of ethical and human-centered design principles becomes ever more crucial to ensure the development of inclusive and trustworthy technologies. The pursuit of an inclusive digital future necessitates a concerted effort to design not only for users but also from the values and perspectives that mold our technological landscape.
Greener Internet for a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital World
The third speaker, Jaewon Son, focused on the ecological impacts of the Internet and fostering sustainability. In the pursuit of a greener Internet for a sustainable and inclusive digital future, several key themes emerge, including equitable Internet access, digital inclusion, stakeholder participation, and ecological impacts. As the Internet increasingly intersects with environmental concerns, questions arise about its ecological footprint, including energy consumption, manufacturing impacts, and electronic waste generation. Alarmingly, the Internet emits approximately 1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. Efforts to mitigate these impacts include reduced paper consumption, implementing remote work and virtual meetings, optimizing resource management, and enhancing environmental education and awareness. Initiatives such as the City Tree Registrar of Karlsruhe exemplify innovative solutions, leveraging digital mapping and software tools to monitor and manage urban greenery. Technologies like the Internet of Things play a crucial role in maximizing energy and storage efficiency, creating interconnected systems that integrate social, ecological, and technological dimensions. Although Asia drives over 50% of global tech revenue growth, greater sustainability efforts are needed to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainability and Internet governance. Insights from the tech sector underscore the shift towards collective responsibility, empowering digital natives to champion sustainability practices. Achieving a greener Internet requires collaborative efforts across sectors and regions, recognizing the interconnectedness of social, ecological, and technological systems.
Q&A session
Questions centered on topics such as the multilingual Internet’s connection to democratization, grants related to Universal Acceptance Day, and the risk of prioritizing technological solutions over addressing systemic inequalities. Our esteemed speakers provided concise yet comprehensive explanations on these topics. Subsequently, the policy questions provided by the presenting group were addressed, leading to three separate breakout groups engaging in lively and informative discussions.
During the breakout sessions, the speaker and participants explored various solutions to the questions posed by the working group. They concluded that a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary, considering the roles of individual Internet users and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They highlighted the dominance of English on the Internet despite a significant portion of the population not being proficient in the language. They stressed the importance of considering topics such as multilingualism, inclusivity, and diversity, particularly when discussing concepts like Web 3.0, where both pros and cons must be carefully considered.
The groups also discussed the essential balance between innovation and sustainability. They recognized the need to find solutions that prioritize both innovation and environmental concerns, emphasizing the importance of green initiatives. The discussion also touched on AI and its potential role in governance, acknowledging concerns about biases in algorithms that can perpetuate discrimination and exclusion.
Mitigation efforts were discussed, including reducing paper consumption, promoting remote work and virtual meetings, optimizing resource management, and increasing environmental education and awareness. They highlighted innovative solutions such as the City Tree Registrar of Karlsruhe, which uses digital tools to manage urban greenery, and the importance of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) in maximizing energy efficiency and integrating social, ecological, and technological systems.
Despite Asia’s significant contribution to global tech revenue growth, the groups emphasized the need for greater sustainability efforts to address the complex challenges of sustainability and Internet governance. They discussed the role of inter-governmental policies in combating these issues and shared insights from various ongoing projects and plans aimed at inclusivity and sustainability.
Written by Alya Rezal and Barkha Manral