Tonga has made significant progress in its digital journey by partnering with UNESCO to host a multi-stakeholder workshop for the Internet Universality Indicators (IUI) National Assessment Project for Tonga using the ROAM – X Framework. Held at the Tanoa Hotel, 17. April, this workshop represents a crucial moment in Tonga’s commitment to creating an inclusive and rights-respecting Internet environment.
Opening remarks from M. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director & UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States, emphasized the importance of this initiative in promoting digital inclusivity and human rights in the online sphere.
Mrs. Lucy Moala-Mafi, from the Tonga National Commission for UNESCO, expressed gratitude for Tonga’s participation in the project, while underscoring the significance of the multi-stakeholder dialogue in driving positive change within the country’s digital landscape.
Key contributors to the project included Mele Sikimeti Manitisa from the Statistics Office and Seluvaia Kauvaka, an ICT Consultant, both members of the non-governmental organization, Tonga Women in ICT, who served as the main researchers. This work was instrumental in the collection of data and analysis to produce insightful findings and recommendations for the assessment report, stated Miss Manitisa.
These findings and recommendations were at the heart of the discussions carried out at the national workshop, through a collaborative effort involving a multi-stakeholder consultation process. This involved the participation of key stakeholders such as Telcos, ISPs, civil society organizations, the technical community, legal and planning authorities, government representatives, media outlets, and academia. The report is a testament to Tonga’s commitment to fostering a human-centered Internet environment.
The UNESCO IUI ROAM-X project aims to foster an internet environment guided by the principles of ROAM-X Framework: Human Rights, Openness, Accessibility, Multi-stakeholder approach, and addressing cross-cutting (X) issues such as gender equality, children’s rights, sustainable development, trust, security, and legal and ethical aspects of the internet. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in Tonga’s digital history, highlighting essential areas that stakeholders need to focus on to achieve a fairer and more inclusive digital future.
The Multi-stakeholder Advisory Board (MAB) in Tonga played a pivotal role in overseeing and guiding the local team throughout the assessment process, validating the findings of the research. The research team extended its deepest appreciation to the Ministry of Education, Department of Communications, Tonga Statistics Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Prime Minister’s Office, Tonga National University, University of the South Pacific – Tonga Campus, Attorney General’s Office, CERT Tonga, GFCE, Online Safety Commission, Disability Forum, and civil society organizations for their invaluable contributions to this initiative.
“UNESCO Paris and Pacific team members, including Tatevik Grigoryan, UNESCO’s focal point for the ROAM-X Project, Simon Ellis, UNESCO technical advisor, and Marcelo Murta, UNESCO Programme Coordinator - Creativity and Digital Transformation, also played a key role in supporting Tonga throughout this transformative journey alongside Fiji, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Their guidance has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this project,” said Mrs. Moala-Mafi.
As Tonga moves forward, it commits to leveraging the insights gained from this multi-stakeholder dialogue to drive targeted interventions and policy reforms, ultimately fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and rights-centric digital environment for all its citizens, stated Miss. Kauvaka.
--
