Based on their respective actions and experience for user empowerment in ICT, CECUA, Le Monde des Possibles, SEMANTIS asbl and ImaginationforPeople join their forces to present a new ICT Partnership for all.
Numerous projects led by these associations, notably in Africa, Balkans and Caucasus, have already paved the way for a more democratic playing field in Information Society and education for all. But it is now necessary to go further at international level as ICT raise new issues as regards Social Innovation and Development: which ethical and democratic values should be fostered? What kinds of use should be enabled in a democratic society? When is it safe to share personal data? How can a community spirit be enhanced, including for migrations and diasporas? What cognitive language should be used for communication?
With the goal of peace and solidarity for all, the international community has for a long time established principles, guidelines and applicable rules: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent conventions approved by UN organs and specialized agencies. In Europe the Charter of fundamental rights addresses legislation to protect consumer rights, cultural diversity, rules governing competition, equal status for the native and spoken languages.
We must ensure that these principles are respected and guarantee that international public and private law is applied to the deployment of ICT worldwide, in particular for access, education, training, data processing and protection, business and cultural practices. Today further guiding principles and rules should be developed for the democratic use of electronic networks, platforms and services.
ICT led by Social Innovation and Development must pave the way for a common future where dignity, responsibility, equal rights and justice are values shared by all in a world of peace and solidarity.
Session's link to the Sustainable Development Process
The use of native languages and of linguistic tools are at the heart of ICT cognitive processes, for basic education, long-life training, from youth to older age, in particular for less favoured communities, migrations, diasporas and remote areas.
In addition, the Social Innovation relies more and more on collective exchanges of knowledge, practices, concepts and contents among diverse communities. This constitutes the new "paradigm" for true and lasting Development schemes based on ICT.