Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development in Africa
DCN Africa Inaugural Event
ABOUT
The upcoming Digital Communication Network Global (DCN) event, scheduled for November 8-9, 2023 in Zambia, Africa, promises an engaging assembly of digital professionals, influencers, and thought leaders from diverse fields. The forum, aimed at launching DCN Africa, delves into the far-reaching impacts and implications of digital transformations and innovations on our society.
A key theme of discussion will be the transformative influence of digital communication tools on civic participation and democracy. The forum will further explore the technologies and digital communication trends that are reshaping our world.
Another focus will be the importance of information integrity in our data-heavy world. The forum will also probe the significant role of digital tools in societal and economic advancement. A crucial aspect under scrutiny will be the intersection between digital communication and human rights. The event will address how digital platforms can both safeguard and impinge on privacy rights and freedom of expression, a discussion illuminated by instances.
DCN Global is a collaborative network working across borders, sectors, and generations to track digital trends, amplify credible voices, foster digitally responsible citizens, and build resilient communities able to live and thrive in the digital world. DCN’s premise is that, in an age of informational disruptions, only coalitions of like-minded professionals can harness cross-sector innovation to address the multiple challenges facing 21st-century information systems.
Comparable to previous DCN inaugural events in Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, and the Western Hemisphere, this two-day forum will be the first step in the creation of a regional network of digital innovators and consumers. The regional forum will be followed by virtual events and opportunities for collaboration. The launch event will be conducted in English.
Watch the Day 1
Watch the Day 2
The forum is organized by World Learning and Digital Communication Network Global with funding from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
JOIN US IN THE DCN-VERSE: SHAPE THE DIGITAL FUTURE
We're offering an immersive experience not just for those attending in person in Zambia, but also for those joining us virtually. When you sign up, you'll also get exclusive access to our virtual training meant to get you acquainted with the Metaverse. You can, and hopefully will, even create your very own avatar to navigate the event!
A BLEND OF TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN EXPERTISE
Based on what you learn, using your mobile device or laptop, you and your avatar can connect with speakers and fellow participants, join the launch of our Metaverse space, attend a virtual party, and even compete for a chance to join us, in-person, at an international event in 2024. This is your chance to experience the fascinating blend of technology and human expertise in a truly one-of-a-kind way while getting exposure and participating in some of the most consequential debates of our time!
SCHEDULE
NOVEMBER 7
DCNverse Introduction
Opening Remarks
- Miriam Musama Katongo, Principal IT Officer, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Zambia
- Phil Dimon, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Lusaka
- Nikos Panagiotou, President, DCN Global, Greece
Threats and Opportunities with New Technologies
Panel moderated by Nikos Panagiotou, President, DCN Global, Greece
- Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka, Head of Department, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning & Senior Lecturer: Media, Educational Technologies and Research Methodology, University of Namibia
- Rethabile Tsephe, Researcher for the Global Foundation for Cyberstudies and Research ( Think tank) Washington DC and Member of the Internet Society - Online Safety SIG, Lesotho
Africa in the Digital Age. Where Geopolitics and Technologies Meet
Panel moderated by Aurra Kawanzaruwa, DCN Global team member, Zimbabwe
- Dr. Sam Kamau, Lecturer, Aga Khan University- Graduate School of Media and Communication, Kenya
- Maha Bashri, Media, Gender Policy Analyst | Researcher | Educator | Global South, Minorities Focused, United Arabs University, Sudan
- Cameron Evers, Senior Analyst, Sub-Saharan Africa, Emergent Risk International, U.S.
The Influence of Digital Communication Tools on Civic Participation and Democracy
Patience Mumbi Chanda, Online content producer, BBC Media Action, Zambia
Coffee Break
Challenges and Opportunities for Big Legacy Media
Emma Lacey Bordeaux, Senior Director Standards and Practices, CNN, U.S.
Digital Influencers in Africa
Brenda Zulu, Digital Rights Coordinator, Open Spaces, Zambia
Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age
Pascalinah Kabi, Author/Editor/Journalist/Trainer, Uncensored News, Lesotho
Foreign Digital Influence Operations to Spread Disinformation in Africa (Digital Tools, Gen-AI)
Athandiwe Saba, iLAB Managing Editor, Code for Africa, South Africa
Lunch break
Workshops
Traditional and Innovation: Influencing African Storytelling in the Digital Age
Hannington Osodo, Consultant, Kenya
Ballots & Bytes: Media, Gender, and Youth in African Elections
Maha Bashri, Media, Gender Policy Analyst | Researcher | Educator | Global South, Minorities Focused, United Arabs University, Sudan
ICT Enabled Entrepreneurship & Youth Economic Participation
Bongekile Filana, Chairperson & Digital Literacy Lead, National Youth ICT Council SA, South Africa
ChatGPT | Tips and Tricks
Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor to the Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of Government Hellenic Republic, DCN Europe, Greece
How Tradition and Innovation Influence African Storytelling in the Digital Age
Panel moderated by Naomi Mutua, Lead, Brand & Executive Communications, Ideologie, Kenya
- Sallu Kamuskay, CEO & Founder, SME Media Centre, Sierra Leone
- Stephanie Kapfunde, Digital Storyteller, Enthuse Afrika, Zimbabwe
- Hannington Osodo, Consultant, Kenya
- Dexter Fundire, ALZFilm Fellowship Project Officer, Magamba Network, Zimbabwe
Closing Remarks
Dawnjalice Brown, Chief, Emerging Voices Branch, Global Leaders Division, U.S. Department of State, U.S.
Metaverse Party
Intro
Multidisciplinarity, and Decolonial Perspectives on The Nexus Between Technology and Society
Admire Mare, Associate Professor, Head of Department: Communication and Media Studies University of Johannesburg, South Africa/ Zimbabwe
Digital Rights and Inclusion Advocacy in Africa
Judith Ogutu, Communications Manager, Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria
Media Literacy in Africa
Panel moderated by Alexandre Le Voci Sayad, CEO of ZeitGeist, Brazil
- Wallace Gichunge, Director and Coordinator, CMIL, Kenya
- Prossy Sheila Kawala, Director, Media Initiatives at Centre for Media Literacy and Community Development (CEMCOD), Uganda
- Blaise Pascal Andzongo, Founder, Edukmedia, Cameroon
Ethics in the Digital Age
Rachel Fischer, Parliamentary Engagement & Research Manager, OUTA - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, Cape Town
Coffee Break
Fact-checking in Africa
Panel moderated by Michael Kaluba, Senior Reporter, Phoenix FM Zambia
- Rehobot Ayalew, Independent Consultant and Founder, Niqu Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Silas Jonathan, Lead Digital researcher, CJID, Nigeria
- Tracy Aminu, Fact-checker, FactSpace West Africa, Ghana
- Lee Mwiti, Chief Editor, Africa Check, South Africa
- Bilal Mofolorunsho TAIROU, African Fact-Checking Alliance, Chief Coordinator, Code for Africa, Senegal
- Sisanda Ntshinga, Engagement Programme Manager, Code for Africa, South Africa
Digipreneurship in Africa
Larry Kwirirayi, Writer, Podcaster, Broadcaster & Digipreneur, Three Men on a Boat, Zimbabwe
Monitoring Digital Disinformation During Elections in Africa: Insights and Strategies
Silas Jonathan, Lead Digital researcher, CJID, Nigeria
Digital Surveillance and Privacy
Jimmy Kainja, Senior Lecturer Media, Communication and Cultural Studies, University of Malawi, Malawi
Lunch
Effective Public Communication in the Era of Declining Public Trust in Governments and Information
Dr. Sam Kamau, Lecturer, Aga Khan University, Kenya
Digital Transformation in Africa
Panel moderated by Naomi Mutua, Lead, Brand & Executive Communications, Ideologie, Kenya
- Kuda Musasiwa, CEO Founder, The AfricAi Project, Zimbabwe/South Africa
- Gideon Maina, IoT Engineer, Code for Africa, Kenya
- Pedmia Tita, Executive Director, Global Initiative for Digital Inclusion and Communication, Cameroon
Coffee Break
Workshops
Establishing Trustworthy Data Providers for Africa: Combating Fake News
Hannington Osodo, Consultant, Kenya
Gender Disinformation Campaigns: Building Digital Resilience
Admire Mare, Lecturer and Digital Researcher, University of Johannesburg, Zimbabwe
Integrating MIL Competencies and Ethics Awareness into Civil Society Discourses
Rachel Fischer, Parliamentary Engagement & Research Manager, OUTA - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, Cape Town
Mental health for fact-checkers and journalists
Rehobot Ayalew, Fact-checker/ Consultant, Niqu Ethiopia, Ethiopia
Speakers
