Opening High-Level Policy Dialogue: Inclusive digitalization: present and future of service provision

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear beyond any doubt that our rights, our human interactions, and our relationship with the built environment can be strongly affected by digitalization. 

Whether it be through increasing issues related to the right to privacy or data collection, through the effect of teleworking on our cities and territories, or through the effect of online tools for participatory democracy on governance, the changes brought from the pandemic will have profound effects in all parts of the world, including those where the process of digitalization is still at an early phase.

The policy dialogue on digitalization of the UCLG 2021 Executive Bureau will highlight the essential efforts that local and regional governments can undertake to ensure technology works for people and the planet during the COVID-19 aftermath. 

This session will bring together local and regional governments, technologists and policy makers from different sectors to discuss the role that digital technologies can play in COVID-19 response and highlight examples of technology use that will transform the future of work for the better, strengthen local democracy and protect digital rights, as critical components of the Pact for the Future. 

🖼️ Link to Zoom (Interpretation available in: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish)

Some of the voices you will hear: 

Mr. Jan Van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, UCLG Co-President

Mr. Hugh Eaton, Vice President, Microsoft

Mr. Peter Kurz, Mayor of Mannheim

Ms. Noraini Roslan, Mayor of Subang Jaya

Mr. Pudence Rubingisa, Mayor of Kigali

Ms. Mar-len Abigail Sombillo Binay, Mayor of Makati

Mr. Geoff Makhubo, Mayor of Johannesburg

📌 Key Documents:

📄 Concept Note

📄 Live Learning Experience #BeyondTheOutbreak on Digital Technologies

📄 Digital Technologies and the COVID19 pandemic Briefing & Learning Note

📄 Cities Coalition for Digital Rights Declaration

📄 UCLG’s Community of Practice on Digital Cities - Smart Cities Study 2021

📄 Joint Op-ed on Digital Rights in the COVID/19 era

🖇Related Resources:

📘 UN75 visioning report: The Role of Local and Regional Governments in the Future Global Governance of the International System

📺 UCLG TV:

🎥 [Specials Executive Bureau 2021 Channel] with the latest events, campaigns and key interviews