High-Level Dialogue: Digital Governance and Capacity Building
UNESCO
Session 396
Digital transformations are continuously changing how people live, work and function in their societies. The development and use of digital technologies is also impacting how governments operate and function. Digital transformation, including artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, has become one of the highest priorities for public organisations. For instance, governments are increasingly trying to digitize their services through technology because of growing public expectations. But today, many governments are asked to do more: to create an enabling environment in which green, inclusive, equitable digital transformation strengthens democratic societies and economies.
For digital transformation to succeed, governments need to change the way they function, take a whole-of-society, inclusive approach – their governance models, structures and organisations need to adapt to the new challenges and opportunities posed by the development and use of digital technologies.
However, in order to succeed, leaders in the public sector need to develop new competencies that equip them to address the complex challenges of digital era governance. There is growing evidence that the success of digital transformation projects in countries and in government rely heavily on the competencies of public sector officials – their capacity to develop enabling frameworks, to anticipate technology trends, to mitigate the ethical- and human rights–related risks, to understand the development of digital platforms, and to work effectively with chief technology officers (CTOs) and third-party vendors.
Objectives
- Facilitate exchange of views among High-level Speakers on the key policy areas related to digital governance that are important for their countries and the capacity building needs within the government associated with the development of policies for digital governance and digital transformation.
- High-Level Speakers to outline national, regional and international commitments with respect to digital governance and digital capacity building
Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO since 2021, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi is responsible for UNESCO’s programs on fostering freedom of expression, leading digital transformation, strategizing the role of ICT in education, and building inclusive knowledge societies. He holds a Ph.D. doctorate in Management Information Systems from New York University and postgraduate diplomas from the University of Paris Dauphine. Former Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Information & Communication Technologies in Tunisia as well as Dean and Professor, he has extensive international experience in higher education, scientific research, and digital technologies.
Dr. Marielza Oliveira (Brazil) is the UNESCO Director for Partnerships and Operational Programme Monitoring, Communications and Information Sector, since February 2021.
From 2015 to 2020, she was Director of UNESCO Beijing, covering the 5 East Asian countries. Previously, she was the global Results Manager (data scientist) for UNDP, where she also held positions as country manager for a portfolio of Latin American countries (2001-2015). Previous positions also include Systems Engineer at the US Army Construction Engineering Research Lab/USA Corps of Engineers (US, 1987-1991, where she was responsible for AI systems development), senior consultant at Fundacao Dom Cabral (Brazil, 1995-1999), and Director of Executive Education at Ibmec Business School (2000–2001). Dr. Oliveira holds a Master of Science in Finance (1990) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration (1995) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C4. Capacity building
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C11. International and regional cooperation
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
