Empowering the Digital Future: Skill-Building for the Mekong Delta’s Digital Revolution
Hybrid Forum Bangkok, Thailand | March 3-4, 2025
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the youth of the Mekong Delta face unprecedented opportunities to harness technology for transformative progress. Across Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, innovative digital tools can drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and boost regional connectivity. However, this potential is tempered by challenges, including unequal access to resources, digital skills gaps, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This event provides essential training and insights while establishing the foundation for the Mekong Delta’s Digital Communication Network (DCN) Hub—a regional platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and project acceleration.
About the Event
Keynote sessions will gather regional and global tech leaders to explore employment opportunities within the digital economy, where skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and digital literacy are critical for resilience and career growth. A cybersecurity panel will address regional strategies to safeguard personal data and digital infrastructure, equipping participants with best practices for cybersecurity and insights into the threats. Another session will focus on effective digital communication, guiding participants in using multimedia tools and audience-targeted messaging to engage communities and create impactful digital content.
Skill-building Activities
The two-day program will include hands-on skill-building workshops in key areas critical to a digital-first economy. Participants will explore Data Analytics and Interpretation, learning to transform data into actionable insights that support decision-making across sectors. Cybersecurity Fundamentals will introduce security basics to safeguard personal and organizational data. The Artificial Intelligence for Non-Programmers workshop will give a practical introduction to AI tools that enhance productivity. In Building Digital Campaigns, attendees will receive guidance on launching and managing campaigns, from understanding audience insights to measuring impact. Additional workshops could focus on Social Media Strategy and Content Creation, E-Commerce and Digital Entrepreneurship and Content Moderation, equipping young professionals with tools for effective online presence, business growth and information ecosystem.
collaborative session
The event will close with a collaborative session on the role of the DCN Hub, focusing on how this network can support regional skill-building, knowledge exchange, and digital innovation, fostering a cohesive and empowered community across the Mekong Delta.
EVENT INFO
DCN’s hybrid events gather up to 100 in-person participants and speakers. The event will be streamed and recorded. Informal networking opportunities will be created during meals and social activities. All activities will be conducted in English.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Participants will be selected through an open application process based on stated expertise and interest in the listed topics. Special consideration will be given to those individuals who can contribute to and benefit from the discussions. The event will include representatives from as many countries in the region as possible.
- Up to 80 participants from the Mekong Delta Region (Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand)
- Applicants can come from Civil Society, New Media, Academia, Technology Fields, Government, Entrepreneurs, Digital Creators, and Influencers and have expertise/interest in issues such as Trends in Digital Technology, Digital Literacy, Active Citizenship, Digital Transformation, Information Integrity, Cyber Security, Social Media Campaigns, E-Governance, Web 3.0. (Metaverse, AI, etc), Journalism.
- Preferred ages 18 - 35
- Proficient in conversational English
Deadline: January 31, 2025
SPEAKERS
Speakers will be selected from experts that have been recommended or identified by the DCN programming team. You can also recommend a speaker here. Individuals who register as speakers may also be invited to speak at the event.
LOGISTICS
The forum organizers will arrange and cover economy-class flights, hotel accommodations in shared rooms for participants and single rooms for speakers, most of the meals, and social activities during the event. Obtaining visas is the responsibility of the participants.
The forum is organized by World Learning and Digital Communication Network Global with funding from U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.