Comment by Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Re: Report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation
Comment:

One of the major concerns is the gradual attrition of the values and intended outcomes of UN WSIS due to changes that take place due to layers of natural reform, change in societal norms and expectations, technological adjustments, diverse regulation from diverse parties and so forth.

It is important that there is a review perhaps once in 10 years to ensure that the structural values, intents etc. of UN WSIS are preserved albeit for changes due to new and emerging technologies and new dimensions of human existence. For instance, the recording of human thought and brain wave functions was not a perceived issue for UN WSIS but is now an emerging issue, especially in the realm of human rights and the freedom of expression.

Recommendation:

That a UN WSIS 2 be held to mark 25 / 30 years and that emerging technologies be made the focus of this summit. New technologies such as holograms, brain wave technologies and other sensory technologies including the use of light must be incorporated in to the existing framework values.

Thank you,

Amali De Silva-Mitchell (Eurodig 2019 – UK)