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UNESCO presents second draft of Internet Universality Indicators at EuroDIG 2018
“These 283 draft Internet Universality indicators provide a holistic approach combining institutional, quantitative and quantitative indicators to assess national development and dynamics in the fields of human rights online, inclusiveness, and multistakeholder Internet governance” was the key message of a session held by UNESCO at EuroDIG 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Being developed around five categories embedded in the Internet Universality ROAM principles and following two consultation phases, the second version of the Internet Universality Indicators was presented by Xianhong Hu from UNESCO at EuroDIG 2018 held in Tbilisi in Georgia, on 4 June 20118.
“This improved version includes revised indicators, a new set of core indicators, as well as a new chapter with sources and means of verification,” said Xianhong Hu from UNESCO. In total, the new document includes 283 indicators including 88 core ones developed under 5 categories, 25 themes, and 122 questions. In addition, the framework includes 21 contextual indicators concerned with the demographic, social and economic characteristics of a country, which are intended to help users to understand their findings and frame their recommendations in the most appropriate way for different countries.
This new version is now being scientifically screened by experts in different countries to study the accessibility of data and methodologies to gather evidence at national level. The pre-test and piloting process will help pave the way for the final version of the indicators.
"It is crucial to conduct proper interpretation and analysis of data and evidence collected on those indicators and examine to what extent those laws and policies are implemented in reality" highlighted by Participants who made valuable suggestions on implementing the indicators at national level.
“Although the Internet indicators are meant for national stakeholders, it would be useful for UNESCO to also compile data at the regional level and engage with regional institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe, or the African Union to inform their national operations in Internet policies,” suggested one participant.
Xianhong Hu from UNESCO concluded the session by mentioning the fact that the revised version of the indicators will be considered by the International Council of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) in November 2018 and be published afterwards.
More information regarding the project can be found at the following address: https://en.unesco.org/internetuniversality.