By External Source
Apr 13 2023 (IPS-Partners)

 
Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari is the Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), managing the State of Qatar’s foreign aid and international development activities. Since 2014, he led the establishment, strategy-setting, operationalization, partnerships and funding programmes of the Qatar Fund for Development in various developing countries.

Previously, Mr. Al-Kuwari was the Chief Operating Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), where he oversaw the entire business support infrastructure and led several initiatives to improve the performance of support functions. Prior to that, Mr. Al-Kuwari was the QIA Executive Director of Joint Venture and International Business, where he managed investment joint ventures and government-to-government relations.

He has been appointed to the boards of leading companies and institutions such as Harrods, Volkswagen Group, Fairmont Raffles Group, Songbird Real Estate, Qatar Exchange, Katara Hospitality and Mowasalat. He was also appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Bank of Britain, and Qatar and Algeria Investment. Mr. Al-Kuwari has served as the President of Qatar Leadership Centre Alumni Association Council and a member of the Board of Directors & Chairman of the Audit Committee of Qatar Mining Company. He is also interested in social work within the State of Qatar and was elected to the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, which includes social institutions such as Nama, Ehsan, Shafallah, Dreama, Wifaq and Aman. Presently, he is the Vice President of Qatar University Alumni Association and also Chairman of the Qatar Academy for Science and Technology Board of Advisors.

Mr. Al-Kuwari started his career as an accountant and investment manager and handled various responsibilities at the Qatar Central Bank, Ashghal & Urban Planning Authority. There, he acquired in-depth experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis and investment management.

Mr. Khalifa Al-Kuwari holds an Executive MBA in Business Administration from the London Business School in the UK, a Master’s in accountancy from Cleveland State University in the USA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Qatar University. He graduated from the Leadership Development Program at Harvard Business School and Qatar Leadership Center. Mr. Al-Kuwari also passed the Chartered Accountants’ Examination in Ohio, USA.

ECW: The Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) announced an initial US$20 million contribution to Education Cannot Wait at our High-Level Financing Conference in Geneva. Why is supporting ECW’s efforts to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children over our four-year strategic period important for Qatar?

Mr. Al-Kuwari: The Qatar Fund For Development’s US$20 million contribution to Education Cannot Wait (ECW) reflects Qatar’s strong commitment to supporting access to, and the quality of, education in crisis-affected countries. This stems from Qatar’s recognition that education is a fundamental human right and its attainability is essential for promoting peace, stability and development in conflict and disaster-affected countries.

Children are often the most vulnerable of their communities, facing significant barriers to education. In many contexts, children are marginalized and at the precarity of displacement, poverty, discrimination and conflict. This risks them being left behind, missing out on the opportunity to develop their full potential. By supporting ECW’s work to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children in the next four years, Qatar aims to invest in a better future for these vulnerable children and contribute to the global efforts to leave no one behind.

Additionally, we believe that every dollar spent on better education has a direct bearing and impact on the long-term development and stability of countries in crises. Education can help break the cycle of poverty and conflict, promote inclusive economic growth, and build more resilient communities. As such, Qatar, through ECW and along with other partners, would be promoting the values of cooperation and solidarity in places of need.

To this end, the complexity of disrupted education in crises-affected countries is far bigger than the ability of one nation, donor or agency to solve it alone. That is why proactive and collective approaches to mitigating the long-term impacts of out-of-school children in conflict contexts are imperative, due to the complexity and inter-windedness of such a problem. At Qatar Fund for Development, we work closely with our strategic partners at Education Above All (EAA) to tackle these issues in more than 40 countries worldwide. And, in the same vein, this contribution also demonstrates how we perceive the importance and effectiveness of forging strategic partnerships for a common cause.

ECW: Globally 222 million girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate-induced disasters and protracted crises urgently need quality education. How can QFFD and ECW work together to deliver on our joint goals? (e.g., expanding partnerships and scaling-up investments across the Arab world could be an example).

Mr. Al-Kuwari: The scale of the crises affecting millions of children worldwide demands a collaborative effort to deliver quality education to those who need it the most. Qatar Fund and ECW will work together to achieve this joint goal through expanding partnerships and scaling-up targeted investments in this sector.

We must leverage our resources and expertise to identify and prioritize high-need areas and populations. This can be done by combining our efforts to provide targeted, relevant educational support and make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of children. We can also explore new partnership opportunities with other interested stakeholders – in the Arab world, specifically – such as grant foundations, high net-worth donors and other blended financing modalities. By expanding our networks and building strong partnerships, we can increase our reach and impact.

Additionally, we must improve the design and implementation of educational programmes. This can be done by investing in joint research and analysis to identify the most effective approaches for delivering quality education in crisis-affected areas and use these findings to inform programme design and implementation. By sharing best practices, lessons learned and research findings, we can continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our programmes. This will ultimately provide a better dividend to those we serve and equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to overcome the challenges they face and build a better future for themselves and their communities.

ECW: The QFFD works with a clear vision to “Give hope and promote peace and justice through sustainable and inclusive development.” How can education – especially for the ‘world’s most vulnerable children – support this vision, and how can it help support efforts towards peace in the Middle East and other regions in the world?

Mr. Al-Kuwari: In today’s world, education is vital to our lives, and the absence of it leaves one with a chronic disadvantage. For us at Qatar Fund, education is not only a basic human right, it is a form of freedom. Being educated allows one to enhance their skillset and acquire innovative tools for creating endless opportunities to earn a decent and dignified living. We also believe that education helps promote values such as tolerance, respect and empathy, that can have a bearing on building more inclusive and cohesive societies – reducing the risk of conflict and thus promoting peace.

This is especially important for the Middle East and other crisis-impacted regions. Education can play a critical role in promoting peace and stability. Regardless of the background or circumstances, education can expand the horizon of kids and young people, giving them hope and choices for their future, rather than succumbing to harmful ideologies and groups. It can also help promote understanding and reduce tensions between different groups. Education can also help build the skills and knowledge needed to be part of and promote economic growth. Eventually, and as evidenced by countless examples across continents, education impacts poverty reduction, strengthens social development, and bridges the chasm of inequality and injustice.

Since 2013, Qatar Fund’s commitments to the education sector, and in close cooperation with our strategic partner Education Above All, has amounted to more than US$1 billion. We have supported more than 70 recipient countries through building schools, universities and kindergartens. We have also supported teachers and helped in printing curriculums and books, and given scholarships to students from developing countries. Indeed, this was delivered closely with United Nations agencies, and other national and international organizations.

One of our flagship educational programmes is the Qatar Scholarship Initiative, where we collaborate with leading educational institutions in Qatar to offer scholarships for the best and brightest international students out there. This programme covers the tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses for the duration of the student’s programme of study and stay in Qatar.

Moreover, and with the increase in the numbers of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people within Syria due to a protracted civil war, Qatar Fund for Development launched the ‘QUEST’ educational initiative to support Syrian refugees in 2016. This initiative was co-founded and implemented by our strategic partners including Education Above All Foundation, Qatar Charity, the Qatar Red Crescent, Spark, and UN agencies including the UNHCR and UNRWA. The QUEST initiative, which was successfully wrapped up last year, has addressed the educational needs of the most vulnerable communities directly affected by the Syrian crisis.

ECW: How can we make sure girls have access to education everywhere, notably in Afghanistan, where bans on girls’ education at the secondary and tertiary levels are destroying the hopes and dreams of millions of girls and inevitably will dramatically impact Afghanistan’s economy and society?

Mr. Al-Kuwari: As an active participant on the global stage, the State of Qatar has continued extending its support to alleviate suffering and to promote development across the world. Whether through targeted access to healthcare services for underprivileged and deprived communities, providing educational facilities and resources for out-of-school children, or building necessary infrastructure such as roads, water and sanitation networks, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) projects have helped millions of people around the world overcome basic barriers to human needs and essential freedoms.

More specifically, education is a cornerstone of our work at QFFD, as it is the quickest and most effective way to pull children out of poverty. In this context, QFFD aims to ensure that girls have access to quality education. Educated future mothers will benefit from this and ensure their families are fed better, clothed better, and enjoy a better life with a higher family income.

While girls’ education has become trivial in many parts of the world, it is still a significant issue in places such as Afghanistan. Beyond being a fundamental right and not a privilege, in war-torn countries, better girls’ education impacts the reduction in girls’ and women’s trafficking, fosters equality, and shatters the self-feeding stereotypes and stigma that put girls at a harmful disadvantage. But ensuring that girls have access to education in Afghanistan requires a multifaceted approach that involves the cooperation and coordination of multiple stakeholders, including the Afghan government, international organizations and civil society groups.

To this end, I firmly believe that supporting programmes and initiatives that improves girls’ education can be an effective strategy. These can vary in offering scholarships, cash transfers, and material support that can help cover and reduce the costs of quality education. Furthermore, investing in female teachers is vital and can also help increase the number of girls who attend school. These can serve as role models for girls and also. above all, provide a safe and ‘trusted’ environment conducive to girls’ participation in learning. In addition, to increase access to education, it is essential to ensure that the quality of education and its relevance are preserved. This can be achieved by improving teachers’ training, providing relevant, contextualized and up-to-date curriculum materials, and ensuring that schools have the necessary resources – including textbooks, classrooms technology, and basic facilities like dedicated toilets for girls, sanitation infrastructure and clean water.

Overall, addressing the issue of girls’ education in Afghanistan requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from all stakeholders. By working together, we can help ensure that girls receive their right to access quality education and enable them to fulfill their potential, which can benefit both them and their societies.

ECW: You have served as a Board Member for a number of high-level companies and organizations that have included Harrods, Volkswagen Group, Fairmont Raffles Group, Songbird Real Estate, Qatar Exchange, Katara Hospitality, and Mowasalat. Why is private sector funding crucial and how can we increase private sector funding for, and engagement with, ECW through partnerships like QFFD?

Mr. Al-Kuwari: ECW’s partnership with QFFD can play a critical role in increasing private sector funding and engagement. This can help tremendously in raising public awareness, leveraging impactful new technologies, and utilizing innovative financing mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of the various prolonged educational crises. Our partnership can be positioned to create the necessary trust springboard for the private sector to engage. Various private sector actors could be approached, including private grant-making foundations, high-net-worth individuals, private social enterprises, and large multinational corporations with CSR initiatives.

Due to the size and complexity of the issue, private sector funding can play a critical role not only through offering financial resources, but also expertise and technical know-how to scale up interventions’ reach and impact. ECW can create a shared value-base with select private sector partners, who are likely to support initiatives that align with their corporate social responsibility goals. As such, I benefit from this opportunity here to encourage ECW to explore diversifying its funding sources towards more innovative public-private co-investments formats, such as pay-for-results instruments (e.g., social impact bonds, outcome funds, social impact incentives). These alternative, blended financing models can help mobilize private sector funding and engagement for ECW’s critical work.

ECW: Our readers know that “readers are leaders” and that reading skills are key to every child’s education. What are the three books that have most influenced you personally and/or professionally, and why would you recommend them to others?

Mr. Al-Kuwari: Among the many books that have drastically helped the way I perceive the world, and the quality of my personal and professional life, I would recommend “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “Development as Freedom” by Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen, and “Politics of Humanity – the Reality of Relief Aid” by John Holmes.

“Outliers” is a thought-provoking book that examines the factors that contribute to high levels of success in individuals. Gladwell argues that it’s not just individual talent or effort that leads to success but also a combination of environmental factors such as family background, cultural upbringing and opportunity. It can be a valuable read for anyone looking to understand the complexity of success and the factors that can contribute to it. It can also inspire individuals to think about their own circumstances and how they can leverage their strengths and opportunities to achieve their goals.

“Development as Freedom” by Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen highlights education as one of the key tools for overall economic prosperity and human development. This book is applauded by various development practitioners and has impacted the foreign aid sector for the better.

“Politics of Humanity – the Reality of Relief Aid” by John Holmes is another book relevant to the field of humanitarian aid, which is a great read. The book portrays the stark hardships that humanitarian workers face in delivering timely emergency aid in various contexts. Most importantly, it underlines that humanitarian aid is a moral imperative and not part of a political strategy. It has to be given purely on the basis of need, objectively assessed, if it is going to be effective and acceptable to populations in need.

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By Kingsley Ighobor
MORONI, Comoros, Apr 13 2023 – In February 2023, the Union of Comoros ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Later that month, the country’s President Azali Assoumani took over as Chairperson of the African Union.

In this interview with Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor, the UN Resident Coordinator in Comoros François Batalingaya explains the UN support for the country during the ratification process and highlights investment opportunities in the country.

These are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Comoros recently ratified the AfCFTA. What kind of support did the UN provide the national authorities in ensuring a successful ratification process?

A: As you know, President Azali Assoumani was one of the first African leaders to sign the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in Kigali in 2018. So, Comoros was always there with a high-level political will.

Two fishermen set out for the days catch off the coast of Comoros in the Indian Ocean.

However, there were some concerns about a potential loss of customs revenue, which represents between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the total government revenue. Not all the Members of Parliament or senior government officials were convinced that the AfCFTA is a good idea.

Comoros’ main trading partners are in (Asia) and the Middle East, not the African mainland. For example, India and Pakistan. As well as China and Brazil. We import most of our chicken from Brazil.

Q: Now, what did the UN do?

A: First, the UN organized local and national consultations. Under the leadership of the Regional Economic Commission, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), there were workshops on the three islands [that make up Comoros] to discuss the AfCFTA’s opportunities.

We had the consultation workshop in the capital Moroni, attended by President Assoumani, the Speaker of Parliament Moustadroine Abdou, governors, cabinet ministers, MPs, the private sector and others.

Kingsley Ighobor. Africa Renewal

Second, the UN assisted the country in drafting a national implementation strategy. UNDP and the ECA were able to help the government to identify the prerequisites needed to maximize the benefits of the trade agreement.

Third, high-level advocacy was my role as the UN Resident Coordinator: to encourage the political leadership to ratify the agreement.

Comoros has significant untapped potential or business opportunities. For example, the tourism industry could be further developed. Looking at the tourism industry in the region, Comoros is the only country whose tourism industry is still not well developed. Neighbouring Seychelles and Madagascar receive between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists per year.

Q: How did you allay fears about loss of customs revenues?

A: When you look at what Comoros imports and where it gets customs revenues from, these are not goods that will be affected much by the AfCFTA. Most imported products are from Middle Eastern countries, India and China. But basic foodstuffs come from Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, and other African mainland countries. Importation of these foodstuffs will not significantly affect customs revenue.

Francois Xavier Batalingaya. UN Resident Coordinator in Comoros

Again, remember that Comoros will benefit if it increases industrialisation. If we increase the value chain around key products, Comoros will benefit through access to over a billion consumers on the continent.

Q: What are some made-in-Comoros products the country could potentially export to the larger African market?

A: These are essential oils like ylang-ylang of which Comoros is the number one producer in the world; we have spices that are beloved in places like India; we have vanilla and cloves.

We need to create value chains around these products and export to countries like Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and others. Comoros needs to access these markets.

Q: Now that the Agreement is ratified, what next?

A: As I said, Comoros is heavily dependent on imports. Therefore, the AfCFTA must be an engine of economic growth, sustainable development and, importantly, poverty reduction.

We need to mobilize the private sector to take full advantage of new trading opportunities on the continent. We need to support the industrialisation of Comoros—facilitate trade and promote foreign direct investment.

For example, with funding from the European Union, the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are implementing a project to support production, industrialisation and free trade in Comoros. That’s a good initiative.

Another initiative is the digitalisation of the customs process, and that’s with the support of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The AfCFTA is an instrument for strengthening social inclusion; therefore, we must ensure that women and youth are involved in these discussions and can take full advantage of trading opportunities in Africa.

Q: An issue much talked about is a lack of awareness among some African traders regarding how they can benefit from AfCFTA. What is the situation with the private sector in Comoros?

A: What we have done is talk to the leaders of the private sector. We need to continue to engage them and at a lower level. The sensitization has to continue. Having ratified the Agreement, we need to raise awareness so they know how they could benefit from it.

Q: What other key development activities is the UN undertaking in Comoros that are impacting the lives of ordinary citizens?

A: Well, let me tell you this: in July 2021, the UN (21 UN agencies, funds and programmes) and the government signed a new generation Cooperation Framework, a five-year initiative—from 2022 to 2026—divided into four pillars: the planet, prosperity, people and peace.

On the planet, we want to strengthen resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. Of course, with sustainable integration and management of marine ecosystems. At the AU Summit, the Head of State said it is a priority for Africa, and it would be a priority for us over the next five years.

The other pillar is prosperity. Basically, we need to create a competitive and inclusive economy and partner with the private sector using a sustainable development approach that focuses on sectors with high potential, such as the blue and the digital economy.

Then we need to invest in people. We need to make better use of opportunities and foster inclusive and equitable, gender-sensitive development, providing high-quality nutrition, education and social protection, and the protection of the survivors of sexual and gender violence.

The last pillar is peace. Social cohesion is a priority for us. Human rights, gender equality and democracy are important. That’s why the elections next year are critical. We need to have public institutions that are more inclusive, efficient and accountable to the citizens.

We are committed to accompanying the government to achieve emerging market status and the SDGs.

These are essential oils like ylang-ylang of which Comoros is the number one producer in the world; we have spices that are beloved in places like India; we have vanilla and cloves. We need to create value chains around these products and export to countries like Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and others. Comoros needs to access these markets

Q: Comoros is an island state, meaning there could be climate change challenges. What are these challenges?

A: A good example is Cyclone Kenneth that hit Comoros four years ago and destroyed schools and hospitals. We are still feeling the impact. In addition to the cyclones, rising waters are also a major concern.

We have a water access problem. We have an active volcano called Karthala, which could erupt any time. That’s why we are always in preparedness and disaster management mode.

Q: There are also great opportunities, I guess. What do you tell anyone intending to explore investment opportunities in Comoros?

A: Comoros has significant untapped potential or business opportunities. For example, the tourism industry could be further developed. Looking at the tourism industry in the region, Comoros is the only country whose tourism industry is still not well developed. Neighbouring Seychelles and Madagascar receive between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists per year.

Comoros, before the pandemic, received only about 45,000 tourists per year, mostly Comorians from the diaspora. If I were to invest in Comoros, I would invest in hotels. We need quality hotels.

Comoros now chairs the AU, and it needs quality infrastructure for high-level conferences.Comoros is a welcoming society. I hope other people can come and enjoy that welcoming culture. And the weather is great. So, please, come over!

Q: What are young Comorians doing in terms of innovation?

A: Young Comorians like to join their brother and sisters in especially Marseille, France. The youth are attracted to migration. The good thing is that the girls in Comoros are going to school at a higher rate than the boys, which is not the same in the African mainland. That’s quite encouraging. Girls are attracted to disciplines such as law and administration and less to vocational training. So, we need to get them interested in vocational training too.

Q: What is being done to address this imbalance?

A: Youth employment is a priority for the government and for us as the UN. We are working with the International Labour Organization to invest in youth employment. Every single one of us [UN entities] has a youth mandate. Again, I will not forget the women.

Finally, let me say that Comoros is one of the countries that needs support, particularly investments.

The GDP per capita in Comoros is approximately $1,500. About 20 per cent of Comorians live in extreme poverty. We have more to do to achieve the SDGs. The country needs the UN and foreign direct investors. Let’s work together to support them.

Source: Africa Renewal, United Nations

IPS UN Bureau

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By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 13 2023 – The United Nations defines human rights as “rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status”.

Back in 1948, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), whose 75th anniversary is being commemorated this year.

The rights spelled out include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

Enter the University of Birmingham (UoB), UK.

A new UoB study, released last week, has proposed that internet and online access be declared a human right.

“People around the globe are so dependent on the internet to exercise socio-economic human rights such as education, healthcare, work, and housing that online access must now be considered a basic human right”, says the study.

“Particularly in developing countries, internet access can make the difference between people receiving an education, staying healthy, finding a home, and securing employment – or not.”

“Even if people have offline opportunities, such as accessing social security schemes or finding housing, they are at a comparative disadvantage to those with Internet access.”

Publishing his findings in Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Dr Merten Reglitz, Lecturer in Global Ethics at the University of Birmingham, calls for a stand-alone human right to internet access – based on it being a practical necessity for a range of socio-economic human rights.

He calls for public authorities to provide internet access free of charge for those unable to afford it, as well as providing training in basic digital skills training for all citizens and protecting online access from arbitrary interference by states and private companies.

Dr Reglitz said: “The internet has unique and fundamental value for the realisation of many of our socio-economic human rights – allowing users to submit job applications, send medical information to healthcare professionals, manage their finances and business, make social security claims, and submit educational assessments.

“The internet’s structure enables a mutual exchange of information that has the potential to contribute to the progress of humankind as a whole – potential that should be protected and deployed by declaring access to the Internet a human right.”

Emma Gibson, Campaign Lead for Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi), told IPS “with so much of our lives conducted online, access to the internet has now become a de facto human right”.

There is a gender dimension at play because women are less likely to be able to get online than men, and this is reversing some of the progress we’ve made on women’s equality.

“Access to the internet is becoming the new gender divide. When women can’t access education online, search for a higher paying job, independently manage their finances or set up a business with its own website, then it’s inevitable that the equality gap between men and women will widen,” declared Gibson.

Amanda Manyame, Digital Law and Rights Consultant at Equality Now, told IPS accessing the internet is important because it is intrinsically linked to various rights, including the right to freedom of expression and association, and the right to information.

The internet, she pointed out, plays a central role in ensuring full participation in social, cultural and political life, but not being safe online deters many women and girls from accessing the internet where it is available.

“As part of ensuring digital participation, consideration should be given to online safety concerns such as online sexual exploitation and abuse, especially in relation to women and girls who are disproportionately affected.”

“The United Nations, she said, has been playing a role in ensuring internet access through its agencies and other mechanisms involved in internet-related activities, such as international public policy, standardization, and capacity-building efforts.

These include the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Summit on the Information Society, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and more recently, the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, which has been making advances toward the Global Digital Compact, in close consultation with Member States, the technology industry, private companies, civil society, and other stakeholders.

One of the thematic areas for the Global Digital Compact is “Connect all people to the Internet, including all schools” focusing on ensuring safe and secure access to the Internet for all.

“National and international law and mechanisms need to address human rights and accountability in the digital realm, including incorporating access to the internet and digital technologies, which is key to ensuring equality for all women and girls, and other vulnerable groups, in both digital and physical spaces,” Manyame declared.

Dr Ruediger Kuehr Head of the Bonn Office of the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Manager, Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme, told IPS SCYCLE has not substantially researched on internet access yet.

“But we know from our daily activities that illiteracy, availability of end devices and access points and stable energy systems are also limiting factors for internet access”

And many argue that shipments of used end devices shall help to close the gap, also by making machines available for an affordable price for the majority of the population, he noted.

“But it turns out that many of these machines are no longer useable. And that too many of the receiving countries are without the necessary infrastructure, policies/legislation and systems to address the issue of waste electrical and electronic equipment”.

But without that, he argued, the environmental, economic and social consequences will be enormous as well – leading to pollution, loss of scarce and valuable resources, creation of primitive jobs not even meeting the least security standards and systems, which pick the “cherries” but leaving the rest unattended adding to, for example, the plastics avalanche many are yet confronted with.

The UoB study outlines several areas in developed countries where internet access is essential to exercise socio-economic human rights:

• Education – students in internet-free households are disadvantaged in obtaining a good school education with essential learning aids and study materials online.
• Health – providing in-person healthcare to remote communities can be challenging, particularly in the US and Canada. Online healthcare can help to plug this gap.
• Housing – in many developed countries, significant parts of the rental housing market have moved online.
• Social Security – accessing these public services today is often unreasonably difficult without internet access.
• Work – jobs are increasingly advertised in real time online and people must be able to access relevant websites to make effective use of their right to work.

Dr Reglitz’s research also highlights similar problems for people without internet access in developing countries – for example, 20 per cent of children aged 6 to 11 are out of school in sub-Saharan Africa.

Many children face long walks to their schools, where class sizes are routinely very large in crumbling, unsanitary schools with insufficient numbers of teachers.

“However, online education tools can make a significant difference – allowing children living remotely from schools to complete their education. More students can be taught more effectively if teaching materials are available digitally and pupils do not have to share books”.

For people in developing countries, he said, internet access can also make the difference between receiving an adequate level of healthcare or receiving none.

Digital health tools can help diagnose illnesses – for example, in Kenya, a smartphone-based Portable Eye Examination Kit (Peek) has been used to test people’s eyesight and identify people who need treatment, especially in remote areas underserved by medical practitioners.

People are often confronted with a lack of brick-and-mortar banks in developing countries and internet access makes possible financial inclusion.

Small businesses can also raise money through online crowdfunding platforms – the World Bank expects such sums raised in Africa to rise from $32 million in 2015 to $2.5 billion in 2025.

Meanwhile, in a new report released last June, the UN Human Rights Office says the dramatic real-life effects of Internet shutdowns on people’s lives and human rights have been vastly underestimated and urges member states NOT to impose Internet shutdowns.

The link to the report: A/HRC/50/55 (un.org)

“Too often, major communication channels or entire communication networks are slowed down or blocked,” the report says, adding that this has deprived “thousands or even millions of people of their only means of reaching loved ones, continuing their work or participating in political debates or decisions.”

The report sheds light on the phenomenon of Internet shutdowns, looking at when and why they are imposed and examining how they undermine a range of human rights, first and foremost the right to freedom of expression.

“Shutdowns can mean a complete block on Internet connectivity but governments also increasingly resort to banning access to major communication platforms and throttling bandwidth and limiting mobile services to 2G transfer speeds, making it hard, for example, to share and watch videos or live picture broadcasts.”

The report notes that the #KeepItOn coalition, which monitors shutdowns episodes across the world, documented 931 shutdowns between 2016 and 2021 in 74 countries, with some countries blocking communications repeatedly and over long periods of time.

“Shutdowns are powerful markers of sharply deteriorating human rights situations,” the report highlights. Over the past decade, they have tended to be imposed during heightened political tensions, with at least 225 shutdowns recorded during public demonstrations relating to social, political or economic grievances.

Shutdowns were also reported when governments carried out security operations, severely restricting human rights monitoring and reporting. In the context of armed conflicts and during mass demonstrations, the fact that people could not communicate and promptly report abuses seems to have contributed to further insecurity and violence, including serious human rights violations, according to the report.

IPS UN Bureau Report

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