Promoting Internet Universality Indicators as a comprehensive tool for achieving SDGs

Building on the vibrant consultation that UNESCO conducted on defining UNESCO Internet Universality Indicators at WSIS Forum 2017, this High Level session presents the first draft of the “Internet Universality Indicators” and assesses their utility as a comprehensive tool to help states and stakeholders to measure Internet policies in support of achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda at national levels.

As developed by UNESCO, Internet Universality indicators can serve as a recognized and authoritative global research tool for stakeholders to voluntarily use in assessing Internet development in their own country. The indicators are not intended for internatonal comparison, but rather for evidence-based dialogue at national levels about Internet policy options to advance towards knowledge societies engaged in sustainable development.

UNESCO’s draft indicators contain above 200 options for indicators, developed under five categories covering human Rights, Openness, Accessibility, Multi-stakeholder participation and crosscutting issues, including indicators concerned with gender and the needs of children and young people, sustainable development, trust and security, as well as legal and ethical aspects of the Internet. The draft framework includes a mix of quantitative and qualitative Indicators.

The session will take feedback on the draft, but also put the emphasis on the ultimate implementation process of the indicators through partnerships and synergies. A panel of high level multi-stakeholder speakers will be invited to share their visions and exchange views on how Internet Universality indictors could play an valuable role for national stakeholders to map the extent to which there is Internet Universality in a given country and contribute to evidence-based policy improvements by Member States.