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Case Studies

Children and Young People’s Voices

The World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 25 to 28 November 2008.

There were 3,500 participants including 300 adolescents – 150 of which were from foreign countries.

It concluded with an outcome document called the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents”, which contains the “Adolescent Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation”. Here are some of the key messages from children and young people to the world:

We the children of the world commend the Government of Brazil and the other governments and responsible agencies for giving us the children, the present and future of the world, a voice at this World Congress III.

7. We are at this moment calling for governmental actions to effectuate laws and policies that redound to the benefit, protection and wellbeing of children both on the local and international level. However, it is simply not enough to allow governments to make empty promises to curb this attack on children. Consequently, we the children, ask that action committees be created to audit the action plans in each country.

8. We also call for the adoption of an International Day where children will lead the effort in awareness raising campaigns, rallies and marches. To further enlarge the scope of this day, we request the organization of an International Art, Essay and Speech competition which will culminate on this day

9. We now turn our attention to the media particularly the internet which poses one of the greatest threats to millions of children throughout the world.

10. We the children must make known our plight for governments to pursue strict and punitive legislation with regards to the Internet, especially child pornography- simply another form of abuse.

11. We similarly ask for strong cyber safety Rules which are well propagated on both the websites and within the communities. To this end we call for the increased development of children’s, teachers, parent’s and family manuals which address the threats of the internet in addition to providing supplemental information about sexual exploitation of children.

12. Further, we provide a mandate for the media to gather documents, reports, folders, CDs, videos and other materials to increase knowledge on this issue. We the children of the world pledge to vehemently and passionately pursue these policies and to call our governments to action if we do not see positive steps being taken to end this phenomenon that continues to scourge the world today.

Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation” can be found at:

https://www.unicef.org/protection/Rio_Declaration_and_Call_for_Action.pdf

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Child Online Protection (COP) Objectives

 Key Objectives of COP:

    • Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace
    • Create awareness
    • Develop practical tools to help minimize risk
    • Share knowledge and experience

COP has been established as an international collaborative network for action to promote the online protection of children worldwide by providing guidance on safe online behaviour in conjunction with other UN agencies and partners.

 

ITU is working with the following organizations on COP and would like to thank them for their support:

    • Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety
    • Child Helpline International (CHI)
    • Cyber Peace Initiative
    • ECPAT International
    • European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)
    • European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
    • European Commission - Safer Internet Programme
    • European NGO Alliance for Child Safety Online (eNASCO)
    • eWWG
    • Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
    • GSM Association
    • iKeepSafe
    • International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
    • International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
    • Optenet
    • Microsoft
    • Telecom Italia
    • Telefónica
    • Save the Children
    • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
    • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
    • United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
    • United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
    • Vodafone Group

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Key Objectives of COP:

  • Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace
  • Providing strategic leadership to Digital Migration project office in implementing strategies to successfully migrate the countries broadcasting systems to digital services
  • Provide executive administration support services to the Accounting Officer;
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About Child Online Protection (COP)

COP aims to tackle cybersecurity holistically, addressing legal, technical, organizational and procedural issues as well as capacity building and international cooperation.

Our children are our future. This universal fact, coupled with young people’s particular

Vulnerability in an online environment, made a specialized initiative within the larger GCA framework a necessity.

The legal, technical and institutional challenges posed by the issue of cybersecurity are global and far-reaching and can only be addressed through a coherent strategy taking into account the role of different stakeholders and existing initiatives, within a framework of an international collaborative network. Children are among the most active – and most vulnerable – participants online. ITU’s motto is "committed to connecting the world", but we are also committed to connecting the world responsibly. That means working together to ensure cyber security, enable cyber peace, and – perhaps most importantly – protect children online.

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ICT Policy Review

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) environment is dynamic and rapid technological development is changing how we communicate and access information and services. Separate frameworks have guided the development of the Telecommunications & Postal Services sector since 1994. These include White Papers on Broadcasting Policy, Telecommunications Policy and Postal services policy. These policy frameworks focused on addressing historical inequalities in access to basic services, while ensuring that all South Africans benefit from new services and access to new technologies and that ICTs are actively used to meet the development goals of the country. These policy frameworks reinforced the constitutional principle of equality and equal access to all communication services by all South Africans.

The ongoing technological changes and innovations that are envisaged in the future, coupled with the fact that most of the communication related policies were drawn up in the beginning phases of the country’s democracy, necessitate a review of these frameworks and the development of a new policy.

To this end, the Minister of Telecommunications & Postal Services has initiated an ICT Policy Review process to review current frameworks in order to develop a new policy, at least equal to those of the best in the world, is therefore both a necessity and an opportunity. The policy review should establish which current provisions have become redundant because of changes we have experienced; provisions that should be carried into the future, and new provisions that should be established to take the sector forward. 

 

This policy review process is aimed at developing a new communications sector framework that further advances previous changes made in response to convergence. The review process will evaluate progress against the original objectives set out in the individual White Papers, policies and related laws in order to strengthen the overarching framework. It will also look at what new approaches are necessary to ensure our policies and frameworks are relevant to the changing environment and to individual, community and society’s social, economic, cultural, and development needs. The amended policy will consider how we could better promote the relevant and sustainable use of communications technologies and services to meet clearly identified needs.

 We need to consider:

      • What policy and regulatory framework will create an enabling environment for communication services to contribute more effectively towards improving people’s lives in the workplace, in their homes, and communities?
      • What framework will best promote access by all South Africans to a range of compelling opinion, information, education and cultural content in the language/s of their choice (including sign language) – and also give them the means to create this content?
      • How can we ensure that communication services be used to improve service delivery by Government and give citizens a greater voice in determining their service needs?
      • How do we make communications services both competitive and robust to boost investment by the private sector, and strengthen the voice of civil society?
      • What policy do we need to promote innovation and development of the sector so that it can increase the prosperity of the country as a whole and of all individuals who live in it?
      • How can we in this process, strengthen and sustain the relationship between the public and private sectors, labour, citizens, academic and other institutions to increase our capacity to better meet the country’s needs?

 

Government has already identified the communications sector as a critical growth sector. The National Development Plan (NDP) recognises that the ongoing development of quality communications infrastructure, services, content and applications, is key to the rapid economic, social and cultural development of the country. 

The Minister of Telecommunications & Postal Services has since established a 22-member ICT Policy Review Panel, who were nominated following a call for public nominations. This Panel, working with closely with the leadership of the Department, will be recommending the best communications policy frameworks that will ensure that all South Africans take full advantage of the possibilities and opportunities created by convergence and digitisation of communications technologies. The new policy frameworks should ensure that we do not create a digital divide where access to quality communications services, technologies, infrastructure and content is not enjoyed by all South Africans.

 

 

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Broadband

Broadband is an enabling infrastructure for building the knowledge economy and information society and for accelerating the socio-economic growth and development of South Africa. Although the National Broadband Policy was approved by the Cabinet in June 2010, the Department has embarked on developing a revised National Broadband Policy and Broadband Strategy for the country which it plans to submit to Cabinet for approval in the 2013/14 financial year.

 

The revised Broadband Policy aims at ensuring universal access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband infrastructure and services by 2020 and stimulates sustainable uptake and usage of ICTs. Furthermore, the Policy prioritises the need to implement interventions aimed at strategic positioning of broadband infrastructure as a catalyst for social and economic growth and enhance universal access. To this end, Government will encourage and support investment in broadband backbone network infrastructure and increasing the uptake and usage of broadband services.

 

The revised Broadband Policy aims at ensuring universal access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband infrastructure and services by 2020 and stimulates sustainable uptake and usage of ICTs. Furthermore, the Policy prioritises the need to implement interventions aimed at strategic positioning of broadband infrastructure as a catalyst for social and economic growth and enhance universal access. To this end, Government will encourage and support investment in broadband backbone network infrastructure and increasing the uptake and usage of broadband services.

You may also check out the South Africa Connect_Creating Opportunities, Ensuring Inclusion_South Africa's Broadband Policy GG37119_6_12_2013

 

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E-Skills Institute

The purpose of Programme 7 is to provide strategic direction for advancement of e-Skilling graduate and society in general in order to function effectively within the emerging information society through the:

    • Positioning of the e-Skills Institute as a leading catalytic multi-stakeholder, collaborator aimed at growing e-Skills in the country in order to aggregate and shape e-Skills training in order to meet the objectives of the MTSF and MDGs;
    • Development and establishment of an architecture for an integrated, multi-entry curriculum development;
    • Overseeing of the conceptualisation and implementation of multi-disciplinary service delivery, industry development and proof of concept projects; and
    • Ensuring of student capability to converse in the international business environment.
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PROGRAMME 6: Partnerships, Resource and Stakeholder Management

DDG: Mr Omega Shelembe

Purpose
To lead and create an enabling legislative and operational environment to drive the delivery of partnerships, resources and stakeholder management services and related programmes.

It comprises the following sub-programmes:

• Relations, Partnership and Stakeholder Management
• SOE Corporate Governance and Oversight
• ICT Sector Transformation

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PROGRAMME 5: Media and Content

Acting DDG: Ms Nosisi Madlanga

Purpose
To lead and create an enabling legislative and operational environment to drive the delivery of media and content services and related programmes, and provide entity oversight services to ensure performance, financial viability and sustainability.

It comprises the following sub-programmes:

• Audio Visual and Digital Media
• Industry Support
• Public Media Services
• Content Classification and Online Safety

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