The past year has yielded mixed results for technology and democracy.
In the wake of the Summit for Democracy 2021, a fundamental part of the conversation to revitalize the democracy agenda involved recognizing the critical challenge that the global spread of a digital authoritarian model of governance is posing to democracy around the world. The first step in addressing this challenge is to build and invest in an equally innovative and compelling long-term vision of technology-empowered democratic governance, centered around the collective values and perspectives of people around the world.
In an increasingly digitized era, where people use online services daily for everything from doctors to dinners to drivers, government entities at all levels need to keep up to meet their people’s expectations. This shift to digital is a challenge for many cities but also presents an opportunity to prove that democracy delivers and use this digitally connected era to increase understanding of community needs, create effective, equitable, and accessible solutions, and build for a sustainable and ethical future.
A legally recognized form of identification can fundamentally impact our ability to exercise our economic, social, and civil rights in their everyday life. Taking part in many routine tasks - such as accessing social service benefits, receiving medical care, opening a bank account, or even making a phone call - now rely on showing proof of a legal ID. Those without an ID can be barred from these services, as well as from fundamental democratic processes, like voting, running for office, or participating in the political life of a community.
It’s finally summer. Time to get outside, and in some places, enjoy a bit of a reprieve from a challenging year. It’s been a tough one, especially for democratic actors around the world. Democratic activists have never been more at risk.
Written for the Red Informacion digital magazine issue #25
Every partner with which NDI works is facing a challenge that is critical to democracy: advocating for persons with disabilities, ensuring LGBTQI+ and other minority rights, elevating and including the voices of youth, protecting political participation and free expression, and strengthening the relationship b
Looking ahead into 2021, one of the things I’m excited to watch is the growing collaboration between the world of tech and the world of art and storytelling.