YOUTH4DIGITALSUSTAINABILITY

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S F O R A

S U S T A I N A B L E D I G I T A L F U T U R E

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

The following twelve messages and recommendations are theresult of a collaborative deliberation of several months. Youngexperts from all world regions came together in four workinggroups, each focusing on a different aspect of digitalsustainability.

The members of the working group GREENING THE INTERNEToffer insight into the environmental challenges and opportunitiesof a digitized world. The working group FAIR DIGITAL BUSINESSES raises awarenessfor sustainable practices by and for the digital private sector. The members of INTERNET FOR SOCIAL COHESION advocate foran Internet that leaves no-one behind. The working group SUSTAINABLE INTERNET GOVERNANCEpromotes a holistic approach to governing the Internet andemerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Their outcomes reflect not only youth’s expertise in regards to theenvironmental, social, and economic impact of the Internet andinformation and communications technologies (ICTs), but alsohighlight the urgency with which all Internet governancestakeholders need to incorporate digital sustainability as amultifaceted issue, which can only be addressed in a collaborativemulti-stakeholder approach. #Youth4DigitalSustainability is a project of the GermanInformatics Society (Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.) and issupported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairsand Energy.

ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS

1We should actively strive to mitigate the environmental impactof the Internet and ICTs. Both public and private stakeholdersshould strengthen collaboration by following a framework thatallows for responsible growth, consumption of digital resources,and promotion of innovation.

2Promoting access to the Internet and other ICTs is inherently amatter of sustainability. If we want to connect the next billion,we must do so in an eco-friendly way, taking into considerationthe significant environmental impacts that digitalizationcomprehends.

3The environmental impact of the Internet and ICTs must becommunicated in an accessible and effective language. It'simportant to compel stakeholders to action by framing theenvironmental crisis as an opportunity for change, while beingbased on scientifically accurate information.

Recommendations

GREENING THE INTERNET

#Youth4DigitalSustainability

4Businesses should champion diversity and sustainability by (1)hiring C-Suite representatives and/or consulting subject matterexperts and (2) strengthening their commitment towardsprinciples of diversity, equity, and inclusion and ecologicaldigital infrastructure.

5Governments should offer economic incentives to businessesthat commit to a circular economy model and Fair Tradestandards, in order to re-imagine supply chains that discouragee-waste, and improve the quality of life of those residing inemerging economies.

6Businesses should create an open data environment to promotetransparency. By acquiring user consent and anonymizingpersonal data, businesses can demonstrate their commitment tocarbon neutral and humane practices that encourage behavioralchanges in consumption practices.

Recommendations

FAIR DIGITAL BUSINESSES

#Youth4DigitalSustainability

7Youth accounts for one out of three active users of media contentplatforms. Such platforms need to assure youth representationin internal advisory bodies and self-regulation processes toimprove on the decisions that affect this age group.

8Big Tech and other companies that produce Internet productsand services should have more indigenous languages built intoautomated translation tools and technologies to help bridge thelanguage barriers and Western cultural bias of the Internet.

9Women and gender diverse people are facing restrictions inaccessing information on the Internet and participatingmeaningfully. To establish healthy and equal societies, youthsshould urge governments and civil societies to guarantee therights to freedom of online expression for these communities.

Recommendations

INTERNET FOR SOCIAL COHESION

#Youth4DigitalSustainability

10We urge states to pursue cross-border alliances in thegovernance of the Internet as a shared resource based ondemocratic ideals. Entities collecting and managing data shouldadopt alternative forms of data governance that grantindividuals greater control over their data.

11Rules for AI and standards for ethical AI should be formulatedthrough a multistakeholder approach rather than by technologycompanies. AI systems should be audited based on these rules byexternal parties for fairness and their working should be madetransparent to the public.

12The companies that develop and sell AI systems should be heldaccountable for them and any entity that uses these systemsshould implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluationsystem throughout the lifetime of the system.

Recommendations

SUSTAINABLE INTERNET GOVERNANCE

#Youth4DigitalSustainability

Greening the InternetAmira FouadAya Abu-AlfaFabio MonnetLily Edinam BotsyoePedro PeresRaphael ReimannSujay Simha SairamTamar AbzianidzeTiffany YongYawri Carr

Fair Digital BusinessesAdeshina AdewumiDaria BahramiEffie LwovaElnur KarimovFolashade BraimohJuliana NovaesMarcel KrummenauerMayowa OluwasanmiMohammad Atif AleemNurhan GünerRaashi SaxenaTatiana HoundjoVallarie Yiega

YOUTH4DIGITALSUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUPS

Internet for Social CohesionCathryn AnilaConnie Siu M. H.Eileen CejasEmmanuel C. OguFranka WecknerJesse Nathan KalangeJoão Pedro MartinsJohannes HillingJosaphat TjihoKathrin MoraschNeli OdishviliRachad SanoussiYan Naung Myint

Sustainable Internet GovernanceAnnett BonukeAyden FerdelineBhredipta SocaranaIoana BurteaKris ShrishakMariam TsiklauriMariana CantoMegan KathureNicolas FiumarelliNoha Abdel BakySalma AbdussalamStanley Jr. BernardValeriya DubitskayaVeronika Bauer