EYF WSIS Side Event - Effective Youth Participation and Digital Inclusion Action Toward WSIS 2035


International Telecommunication Union, World Summit on the Information Society

Session 113

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 15:00–16:00 (UTC+02:00) Eastern Daylight Time 09:00–10:00 (UTC-04:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room E, ITU Varembé Building Youth WSIS&SDG TalkX
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The WSIS+20 UNGA Resolution underscores the critical importance of meaningful youth participation in building an inclusive, people-centred information society. Closing the digital divide and fostering digital inclusion are essential to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and young people must be active architects — not just beneficiaries — of the digital future toward 2035.

This session brings together youth representatives, policymakers, and multistakeholder partners to translate WSIS+20 commitments into concrete, youth-led digital actions, ensuring no one is left behind in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Key areas of discussion include:

  • Operationalizing WSIS+20 mandates into actionable, youth-led initiatives toward 2035
  • Promoting equitable access to digital tools, skills, and leadership opportunities for young people globally
  • Supporting youth-driven innovation to advance sustainable digital infrastructure and communities
  • Strengthening multistakeholder partnerships to ensure youth voices shape the future information society
  • Advancing quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities through digital inclusion
Panellists
Ms. Gitanjali Sah
Ms. Gitanjali Sah Head, WSIS and Stakeholder Engagement Division International Telecommunication Union

Gitanjali Sah is Head, WSIS and Stakeholder Engagement Division at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is responsible for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process. She has more than 15 years of work experience in ICT policy issues at the national, regional and international level. She is an experienced International Civil Servant having worked at several UN Agencies. She holds M.Phil. Development Studies, University of Cambridge, UK and a Masters in Political Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India.


Prof. François Grey
Prof. François Grey Professor University of Geneva

François Grey is an Associate Professor at the University of Geneva and Director of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative, specializing in the intersection of citizen science, digital technology, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With a background in nanotechnology and a Ph.D. in X-ray physics, he pioneers crowdsourcing platforms for high-level research, leveraging AI and community data to tackle global challenges. Previously holding senior roles at CERN and Tsinghua University, Grey is a recognized leader in Citizen Cyberscience, applying advanced technologies to advance social good and environmental sustainability.


Ms. Dunola Mgbachiis
Ms. Dunola Mgbachi Youth Programme Officer International Telecommunication Union

Dunola Mgbachiis the Youth Programme Officer in ITU [previously Project Officer of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme in ITU].

She started off her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and then Goldman Sachs, during which she also sat on the #iWill Fund Leadership Board influencing UK investment in youth social action, she served as the UK Coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network [CYPAN] and was appointed as the U.K.’s delegate to the G(irls)20 Summit, the Youth G7 Summit, Women Political Leadership Forum and other international forums. She founded and led Luton Lights - a charity to economically empower women and girls in Luton, UK from 2018-2023, and she formerly chaired the Avast Foundation Youth Leadership Board.

Dunola was honoured on the 2022 Project Management Institute [PMI]’s Future 50 list of outstanding young project managers across the world, she has also been awarded a UK Women of The Future award and a Freedom of the City of London award for her continuous work to try to empower those who are marginalised in society. She is an alumnus of Royal Holoway University of London [BSc Economics, 2016] and Tsinghua University [Masters of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman in China, 2020].


Ms. Dana Cramer
Ms. Dana Cramer Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer Young Digital Leaders of Canada

Dana Cramer is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Young Digital Leaders of Canada and a PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University researching the future of multistakeholder Internet governance. Dana was a 2025 Rising30, recognizing the Top 30 Under 30 in Canadian public affairs. She is a nationally and internationally awarded researcher and writer. She was the youngest winner of the CRTC’s Prize for Excellence in Policy Research in 2020, and the first person to win the same prize a second time in 2025. Dana has worked with think tanks, areas of the Government of Canada, in the private sector, and with international organizations. Professionally, she specializes in international relations and digital governance. Dana coordinated the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Youth Caucus in 2025, which led to youth being recognized in the United Nations WSIS 20-Year Review as a distinct stakeholder group. She was a member of the Government of Canada’s Official Delegation to the WSIS High Level Event in 2025.


Ms. Bongekile Filana
Ms. Bongekile Filana Media Fellow African Union Information and Communication Directorate

Bongekile Filana is an African Union Media Fellow deployed under the AU Information and Communication Directorate, where she focuses on infrastructure, technology, and digital innovation while amplifying African Union policy developments. She has over six years of experience with the National Youth ICT Council South Africa, where she serves as Chairperson, leading initiatives within the digital policy ecosystem and championing youth participation in policy development. She currently serves as the Smart Africa Youth Chapter Lead for Southern Africa, driving regional collaboration and youth-led digital transformation initiatives


Ms. Milla Merazzi
Ms. Milla Merazzi Junior Policy Advisor Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)

Milla Merazzi is a Junior Policy Advisor in the International Relations Division at the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). She works on issues related to data governance and artificial intelligence, contributing to Switzerland’s engagement in international digital policy processes. She holds a degree in Political Science and International Security from Sciences Po Paris.


Ms. Elina Lampi
Ms. Elina Lampi President Geneva International Model United Nations

Elina is a Finnish and French student, who is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations in Geneva. Originally from the vicinity of St. Gallen, she decided to move across the country to study in a more international environment.

She joined GIMUN in 2023 and, after a mandate as Co-Head of Delegation, became President in May 2025. Today, Elina wants to give members of GIMUN the experience she has had: To work in a professional environment, get a first look into international diplomacy and international organisations, and create meaningful relationships.


Mr. Prateek Dubey
Mr. Prateek Dubey Junior WSIS&SDG Project Officer International Telecommunication Union Moderator

Prateek Dubey is a Junior WSIS and SDG Project Officer at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where he supports the technical coordination and operational delivery of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process. He manages the digital platforms and information systems that underpin WSIS reviews and high-level events. With a professional background in engineering across data-focused sectors, Prateek bridges technical implementation with international cooperation. In his role, he facilitates stakeholder engagement and supports the alignment of digital initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring the WSIS process remains accessible and effective for the global community.