NEIG 2024

2^nd North East Internet Governance (NEIG) 2024

Theme:  Bridging ‘Manipur’s New Digital Divide’:

From Strengthening Access to Healing Divisions & Fostering Peace, Unity, and Development AND overcoming Impacts of Conflicts and Extended Shutdown

Date: October 4, 2024| Friday| Manipur Central University Campus, Imphal, Manipur, India

Time: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Mode: Hybrid | Main Conference: Manipur University Campus

Organised by: Council for social and Digital Development (CSDD), Digital Empowerment Foundation, North East Development Foundation and AMRI KARBI CDP

Co-organised by: Department of Computer Science, Manipur Central University, Imphal

About NEIG

The goal of the North East Internet Governance (NEIG) is to engage individuals from various stakeholder groups in, of and for indigenous and tribal communities dominated North East Himalayan Region (NER) of India, covering 8 Strategic States / Provinces in the region, with international borders with Bhutan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, on Internet-related public policy issues in NER on an equal footing. The NEIG seeks to educate and motivate individuals in charge of developing policy in both the public and corporate sectors, even when there is no agreed-upon outcome.

Objectives

• Discuss public policy problems relating to essential aspects of Internet governance in NER in order to promote the Internet’s reach, sustainability, robustness, security, stability, and progress in the distinct topography and landlocked region;
• Promote and facilitate discourse between stakeholders dealing with different cross-cutting themes and aspects of public policies regarding the Internet specific to the region;
• Engage and interface with appropriate organizations and other institutions on matters related to internet in the North Eastern States and the region;
• Support and facilitate the exchange of information and best practices around Internet governance and development;
• Engage and discuss with relevant stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the region;
• Observe, scout, identify, map emerging issues in Internet in the region, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the wider public, and, where appropriate, make suggestions and recommendations;
• Work towards contributing to awareness and capacity building for Internet governance in each of the eight States of the region as well as the region as a whole, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;
• Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes in the region;
• Discuss issues relating to critical Internet resources for the region; help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users;
• Publish its proceedings, disseminate for wider review and reference.

NEIG India Focused States

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Sikkim
• Tripura 

ABSTRACTS INVITED

NEIG 2024 Invites Abstracts for The Following Broad Themes And Sub-Themes | Word Limit – 1000 words

• Bridging the Old and New Digital Divide in Manipur:

• Infrastructure:

• Rebuilding and expanding digital infrastructure (internet access, mobile networks) to address old and new access gaps in Manipur, with focus on underserved areas
• Innovative / alternative network solutions (community networks, public Wi-Fi) to provide reliable Internet access
• Making information and digital services affordable and accessible to all in the post shutdown digital needs in Manipur.

• Digital Literacy:

• Addressing the most pressing digital literacy needs today for different communities (youth, women, rural populations) in Manipur to access critical information and services
• Role that schools, colleges, community centers, and NGOs can play in mitigating and overcoming the new information and digital divides in Manipur.

• Avoiding / Overcoming Shutdowns and Maintaining Access Sustainability
• Avoiding & Overcoming Shutdowns:
  • Avoiding Internet Shutdowns to avoid the collateral damages
  • Alternative mechanisms that can work better to avoid shutdowns in conflict and difficult situations
  • Role that internet diplomacy can play between government agencies, media platforms, and local agencies to avoid complete shutdowns affecting life and livelihoods.

• Fostering Digital Peacebuilding:

• Countering Digital Hate and Distrust:

• Effectively identifying and countering hate speech and misinformation online to bridge Manipur’s ‘New Digital Divide’ between groups and communities
• Role should social media platforms play in content moderation and promoting responsible online behaviour
• Empowering local communities to monitor and report harmful content
• Addressing digital distrust in government agencies and services in conflict situations
• Addressing enormous fake news, misinformation, disinformation (perpetuating a new digital divide within Manipuri Society) in existing, post violence Manipur society through targeted digital media information literacy and provisions.

• Promoting Digital Reconciliation:

• Using digital platforms to foster dialogue, understanding, and empathy between communities
• Kinds of online spaces that can be created to facilitate reconciliation and peacebuilding
• Using digital storytelling and media to amplify positive narratives and counter stereotypes
• Role those stakeholders and agency (schools, colleges, government agencies, NGOs) can play to bring and promote digital reconciliation and unit.

• Building a New Digital Ecosystem for Manipur as a Way Forward:

• A New Digital Roadmap:
• Mapping the new digital needs amidst challenges in and of Manipur
• Elements and strategies for a new digital roadmap for digital inclusion and transformation in Manipur
• Engaging the key stakeholders in building the roadmap
• Ensuring that essential services (healthcare, education, government services) are accessible online, especially in remote areas post conflict and reconciliation
• Putting safeguards in place to protect user privacy and data security.

[Last date to submit Abstract – September 10, 2024]

• Only selected Abstracts will be communicated over email. Selected abstracts will be invited to present their abstracts offline / online.
• All selected and shortlisted abstracts will be edited and published online and intimated.
• Due to budget constraints, there shall be no TA/DA to attend and present abstracts.
• Local abstract presenters from Manipur and Imphal can attend the NEIG event in person after registering for the event.

CONTACT

North East Internet Governance (NEIG) 2024

Email: neignortheastindia@gmail.com

Contact: 863 890 6656 / 70024 74178

Organisers