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Cambodia Youth IGF 2024 is now accepting participant application!
Cambodia Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF – Cambodia) is an initiative established in 2023 with the aim of supporting the development of positive solutions for the general internet community of young people as well as attracting a youth network devotes time and energy. while providing comprehensive digital support and developing projects, policies and ideas to enhance the spirit of cooperation and openness of the Internet.
The Cambodia Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF Cambodia) was first introduced by Open Development Cambodia (ODC) in 2023. Recognized by the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), this annual event serves as an open platform for Cambodian youth to engage in Internet governance discussions. It aims to empower young leaders to ensure their voices are heard in shaping the digital future.
Based on the mandate of the IGF to bring together people from various stakeholder groups as equals, YIGF Cambodia provides an open forum for the young generation to freely express and interchange their ideas and thoughts on Internet governance. Through a multistakeholder approach, it encourages greater participation and representation of Cambodian young people in policy-making processes related to the Internet.
In July 2024, the Cambodia Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF Cambodia) welcomed five new organizing committees, each assigned to one of four main teams: administrative, program, website, and communication. With clear goals and missions, these committees are dedicated to promoting Internet governance topics and addressing key issues within the YIGF Cambodia framework.Here are five enthusiastic new organizing committees that will be strong assets for the upcoming YIGF Cambodia 2024. They will share their journey of entering the YIGF Cambodia community, discuss internet issues they are concerned about and hope to tackle in Cambodia, and present their missions, goals, and key messages that they aim to spread to the public, especially youths, regarding internet matters.Website TeamChan Ty, 20, is a 4th year student in Digital Business from the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) and has completed a diploma in software engineering at the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP).Ty first learned about YIGF Cambodia in 2023 through his school, which immediately caught his interest due to its focus on technology and Internet advocacy. With a background in coding and design, Ty decided to apply as a website committee member for YIGF. His mission is to create a collaborative environment where youth can learn, exchange ideas, and develop solutions to the Internet\'s current challenges.“My goals include promoting digital literacy through educational programs and workshops and encouraging youth engagement with CamYIGF. That is why YIGF 2024 is such an important event that I must help make it a successful forum by joining as a committee,” he said.The final key message from the new website committee is: “The internet is a powerful place for connection and innovation, but it requires responsible use and active participation. Stay informed, advocate for a free and open internet, and prioritize online safety and privacy. Your voice matters—let\'s work together to create a positive and inclusive digital future.”Another member of the website committee is Hour Livhoung, a year three student in Computer Science, specializing in Data Science, from the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT).She has always been fascinated by Internet governance, particularly its impact on online spaces, privacy, security, and access to information for everyone. These questions have motivated her to apply for the YIGF Cambodia committee.“When I saw the incredible work the YIGF Cambodia website committee was doing, especially their work on promoting media literacy among young people, I knew I had to be a part of it. Their website is a powerful tool, and I wanted to jump in and contribute to making the internet a safe and informative space for everyone,” Livhoung recapped.“It\'s an honor to be selected for the YIGF Cambodia Website Committee. I\'m brimming with ideas to combine my technical skills with my internet governance knowledge to create a website that empowers young Cambodians to be active participants in shaping the digital future,” Livhoung said after she was selected to be a member of the new website YIGF committee.With her background in data science, she will use her skills to make the Cambodian YIGF website a dynamic hub for everyone who is interested in internet governance topics by creating data visualization to make complex topics more convenient to understand for the audience.She added, “I want to use data to tell compelling stories that make complex topics accessible. Imagine interactive quizzes that test your media literacy skills or infographics that showcase the benefits of responsible online behavior.”Cyber threats are a growing concern in Cambodia, and she sees the YIGF Cambodia website as a weapon against them.“Don\'t be a passive passenger on the internet highway! The YIGF Cambodia website is your launchpad to become an active citizen. Learn about your rights, understand the rules of the road, and join the conversation about building a better internet for everyone. Remember, with knowledge and a little data magic, we can all be changemakers! \"\"—final key message from the new YIGF Cambodia website committee.Administrative CommitteeOu Cheatta, aged 21, is a junior student majoring in English for International Business at the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Department of English, RUPP. Additionally, she is a sophomore studying International Relations at the University of Cambodia (UC).Cheatta is a young enthusiast who is curious about Internet Governance topics as she believes it has a tremendous influence in society which drives her to be part of YIGF Cambodia 2024.She was selected by YIGF Cambodia Committees after evaluation and interviewed. Now, she becomes YIGF Cambodia member, in Human Resources and Administrative team. She was selected by the YIGF Cambodia Committee to become the new Administrative YIGF committee after application evaluations and interviews.YIGF Cambodia is a community where Cheatta hopes to explore more new experiences while connecting what she has learned from schools to put into practice in the administrative team.“Having got selected in YIGF Organizing Committee 2024 made me feel blissful. Being a part of the YIGF Organizing Committee 2024 will benefit me and my youth team, for us to comprehend in depth internet governance and internet access,” Cheatta said.As a new YIGF committee, Cheatta demonstrated the optimism of the internet for Cambodia society with the mission to make the internet accessible to everyone and everywhere.“Lacking internet access to information is not the challenge for our community anymore. Additionally, we are pleased to know that our community has improved with internet governance and we, as youths, are committed to engaging together with the policy\'s procedures from the government, and we promote the stability of social security and social development.”Seeing there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the internet, especially for those who are in rural areas in Cambodia, Cheatta would like to join YIGF Cambodia which aims to address ‘The Gap of Internet Accessibility and Internet Knowledge’ in Cambodia.“We, as youths and changemakers, had better enhance our capabilities on internet matters. To propose the essential solutions to the challenges, we have to engage together in activities, campaigns and so on. Therefore, cooperating with government movements enables us to develop technological access in advance,” her last key message.Program Team Hok Lihuy, 27, obtained a bachelor degree from Royal University of Law and Economics and got selected as a new program YIGF Cambodia committee.Lihuy applied for the YIGF committee because she sees the potential opportunity that would broaden her perspective beyond her current professional responsibilities and serve as an inspiration for her to be involved in ‘Internet Governance’.“Being part of the committee will not only facilitate ongoing learning and skill development but also empower me to actively contribute to a community dedicated to shaping the future of internet governance,” she said.As a new program YIGF Cambodia committee, Lihuy hopes to apply her skills in program designation and the knowledge that she has to contribute to the safe internet user community.“It brings back memories of how I was super excited back then when I was a student volunteer,” she expressed her feeling after she got selected.Lihuy envisioned herself as a digital citizen who would love to take any given opportunities, either participating in or designing any internet-related discussion with YIGF Cambodia .Her ideal mission would be to address the issue of digital literacy, which involves offering individuals the necessary skills to utilize digital tools and navigate online platforms, understand digital privacy and safety, and utilize technology for both personal and professional growth.“Approach the internet with a mindset of both opportunity and responsibility. The internet offers incredible potential for learning, connection, and innovation, but it also requires us to be vigilant about privacy, security, and the accuracy of information. Embrace digital literacy, be critical of the content you consume and share, and always consider the ethical implications of your online actions. By doing so, we can create a safer, more inclusive, and empowering digital environment for everyone,\" was the was the last key message from Lihuy.
Flights were delayed, airports were in chaos, and banks were struggling to stay online—these were the scenes worldwide as a global tech outage wreaked havoc across industries.On the evening of July 19, 2024, a significant global tech failure brought operations across multiple industries to a standstill. The outage, caused by a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, led to a widespread disruption of Microsoft Windows systems, displaying the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The outage — linked to an update rolled out for widely used security software made by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike early on Friday – has affected computers running Microsoft Windows at companies across various sectors, from airlines, banks, food chains, and brokerage houses, to news organizations, and railway networks across the globe. The travel sector seems to be the hardest hit.The “Blue Screen of Death” explainedThe Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error screen displayed on Windows operating systems when a severe system issue occurs, preventing safe operation. This error forces the computer to restart unexpectedly, often resulting in data loss. In the recent incident, the BSOD error message indicated that the PC ran into a problem and needed to restart, leaving users frustrated and businesses scrambling for solutions. Essentially, it forces laptops and computers to suddenly shut down and restart.Impact of Widespread System OutagesAirports worldwide are experiencing flight delays and cancellations due to their inability to access critical systems. People saw flight delays and cancellations as their check-in and ticketing systems failed. Passengers faced long waits and confusion, with many flights grounded due to the inability to process necessary data.Banks in countries like Australia and New Zealand experienced significant disruptions. Online banking services were down, ATMs were inoperable, and customers could not access their accounts, leading to financial uncertainty and frustration. Major media outlets like Sky News in the UK were taken off-air, and the UK\'s National Health Service faced issues with its clinical computer system, affecting patient care and appointment scheduling.How Does That Happen?The modern digital infrastructure heavily relies on cloud servers—centralized storage and computing services accessed over the internet. These servers host critical applications and data for businesses and governments worldwide. When a cloud server experiences a failure, it can disrupt the services of all clients dependent on it. This means that any organization using these servers can face operational shutdowns, data loss, and communication breakdowns.In the recent outage, the root cause was linked to a CrowdStrike software update affecting their Falcon Sensor, a cybersecurity tool used by many enterprises. This update caused Windows systems to crash, resulting in the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).ConclusionThis incident underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in our increasingly interconnected digital infrastructure. The reliance on cloud-based services and third-party cybersecurity solutions, while offering enhanced protection and efficiency, also poses significant risks when things go awry. The global scale of the outage highlights the need for robust contingency plans and the importance of swift, coordinated responses to such crises.While CrowdStrike has assured customers of ongoing support and updates, the global tech community must take a closer look at safeguarding against similar incidents. This includes thorough testing of updates, improved communication channels during crises, and enhanced disaster recovery protocols. The lessons learned from this outage will undoubtedly shape the future of cybersecurity practices and digital infrastructure management.This recent incident is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between technological advancement and the resilience of the systems we depend on daily. As industries continue to recover, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and preventing future occurrences.ReferenceMSN. (2024). Global cyber outage: What is CrowdStrike? How is it linked to the global Microsoft outage? Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/news/global-cyber-outage-what-is-crowdstrike-how-is-it-linked-to-the-global-microsoft-outage/ar-BB1qgmDq?ocid=BingNewsSerpYahoo. (2024). Explainer: What caused the global cyber outage? Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/explainer-caused-global-cyber-outage-103655875.htmlBBC. (2024). Technology: Global cyber outage. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-64397643
If people ask me about my Kyoto trip, I will tell them about the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023. It was such an eye-opening experience for me. Let’s get to know IGF 2023 a bit, what is it? The IGF 2023 is the 18th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum which was hosted by the Government of Japan in Kyoto from 8 to 12 October 2023. The Forum’s theme was: The Internet We Want – Empowering All People. The following sub-themes are: AI & Emerging Technologies, Avoiding Internet Fragmentation, Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety, Data Governance & Trust, Digital Divides & Inclusion, Global Digital Governance & Cooperation, Human Rights & Freedoms, and Sustainability & Environment. Let’s continue reading to see how my point of view of the forum is! HIGHTLIGHT OF THE PROGRAM The five-day forum was full of different program and sessions and was hosted in a hybrid format as well which some speakers gave a presentation via online. I couldn’t join all the sessions and had to schedule only selected interesting sessions. Its program was such a new experience I witnessed, involving participants from all stakeholders ranking from high-ranking level to youths. Over 355 sessions were featured in the forum with over 80 booths to share their work missions with the participants. The opening ceremony was conducted on the second day and to my surprise, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also gave a speech representing the country host of the IGF 2023. H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida said in his speech, “Generative AI not only improves operational efficiency, but also, to accelerate innovation in various fields such as drug discovery and development of new treatment, thereby bringing about dramatic changes in the world”. The United Nations Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres also paid a virtual visit to the forum by recording a video. In his speech, H.E. Mr. Antonio said, “I look to the gathering in Kyoto to provide critical input to advance our collective efforts. Together we can realize the ambition spelled out in the theme of your forum and the internet to empower all people”. In the evening of the second day, buffet was served with the music night as well as the welcoming firework outside of the conference building. INTERESTING SESSIONS As there were over 355 sessions, I couldn’t join all of sessions; therefore, I scheduled sessions I wanted to join. Below are sessions I found very interesting to share in this blog. EVOLVING TRENDS IN MIS- & DIS-INFORMATION Digital platform and social media are greatly beneficial to communication and information; however, it is also a concerning when it comes to the spread of inaccurate and falsified content as well as the information that causes harm. So, misinformation is intentionally and disinformation is not. Disinformation spreads through the action of both malicious actors and also mainstream media and social media platforms that are up for engaging ordinary users. What was so interesting about this session is that different stakeholders came together discussing on the issue and raising different perspective. One of the panelists, Ms. Maria Ressa who is the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, stressed on the risk of advancement of the technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) which could easily be used to spread false narrative. She called on all stakeholders to be cautious as AI is moving ahead of human right now. An interesting question for all panelists was, what can we do to protect and empower women and girls, refugees, ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ people and what tools can they use to protect themselves? It is given the situation that these communities usually bear the brunt of harm caused by online disinformation and misinformation intended to target them. Ms. Vera Jourova, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, stated that the mantra in the EU treated what illegal offline the same as online as well. She also raised an issue that some big techs are running an attention economy which is the same as dirty business. It’s when those who runs the algorithms were making big money on hatred, alarming news, and dangerous information. The EU also discussed the issue with the big tech and tried to stop them with the legally binding digital services Act. Tatsuhiko Yamamoto, Professor of Law and Deputy Director of Global Research Institute of the Keio University, responded to the question that attention economy become more serious in the online world than in the real physical world; containing hate speech, disinformation and misinformation. Combining these harmful acts together could become a very impregnable force; therefore, a speedy moderation would be the solution to the problem. Ms. Maria expressed that EU’s laws that are coming out is the race of the turtles while the technology is coming out every two weeks; therefore, it’s an agile development which human need to move faster and shouldn’t rely on the tech companies alone because their motive is profit. Nic Suzor, Professor at the Law School at Queensland University of Technology, responded that what lost in this debate is the acknowledgment, that it matters. It’s very difficult for tech companies to know who the online target is. When classifying hateful content, there are only high-level figures. He proposed that we need to be more proactively to ensure that the systems that we are building are built with historical inequality in mind. If we focus on what tools people use, it would be another burden on the people who are already marginalized. EDUCATION, INCLUSION, LITERACY: MUSTS FOR POSITIVE AI FUTURE This session focuses on artificial intelligence in higher education. The foundational principles for higher education were initiated globally to promote new literacies. Six principles include: (1) People, not technology must be at the center of our work, (2) We should promote digital inclusion within and beyond our institutions, (3) Digital and information literacy is an essential part of a core education, (4) AI tools should enhance teaching and learning, (5) Learning about technologies is an experiential, lifelong process, and (6) AI research and development must be done responsibly. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INTERNET GOVERNANCE IN CAMBODIA In January 2022, Cambodia’s approach to internet governance involves a mix of regulatory frameworks and policies to manage and control various aspects of the internets. The development in Cambodia’s approach to internet governance includes Regulatory Frameworks, Internet Infrastructure, Digital Economy Policy, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cybersecurity, Online Freedom, Social Media and Online Platforms, Data Protection and Privacy, and International Collaboration. After participating in the IGF 2023, I will continue to contribute to the internet governance in Cambodia by engaging with stakeholders; attend conferences, workshops, and events to build relationships and understand different perspectives. Another contribution would be advocating and raising awareness; promote an open and accessible internet and raise awareness about the importance of digital rights, freedom of expression, and the role of the internet in economic and social development. Lastly, I will join or collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on digital rights, internet freedom, and technology policy. KYOTO, JAPAN Japan Government chose just the right and best place to host its conference as Kyoto is renowned for its historical and cultural significance. Visiting Kyoto, I find moments of peace and reflection while exploring the serene temples and scenic spots. It has well-maintained gardens, bamboo groves, and traditional landscapes contribute to a tranquil atmosphere. My overall feeling after visiting the city is a combination of admiration for its cultural richness, a sense of tranquility, and a deep connection to Japan’s historical legacy. SPECIAL THANKS All the way to IGF 2023 in Kyoto of Japan wouldn’t have been happened for me without a generous support from the Open Development Cambodia Organization (ODC). The support from the ODC not only provided the necessary resources but has also served as a source of motivation and encouragement for youths who advocate internet governance in Cambodia. The impact of the support goes beyond the financial aspect; it is a testament to the power of community.
Open Development Cambodia (ODC) is an ‘open data’ website, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The open data movement is based on the simple premise that data collected for public interest should be publicly available without restrictions. Information or data in the public domain should be freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish.
In 2023, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) introduced YIGF to Cambodian youth for the first time. It aimed to raise the awareness of youth on Internet governance discourse and to encourage the young generation to have more active engagement in policy discussion and the decision-making process. The forum allows youth, technological professionals, policymakers, and experts to share knowledge and to make positive changes in information sharing and internet safety, in addition to that is for them to understand their role in future society.