The Pan African Youth Ambassadors for Internet Governance (PAYAIG) made a remarkable impact at the 2024 United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This year’s participation was made possible through the generous support of the Government of the Netherlands, which fully funded 12 PAYAIG Ambassadors to attend the global event. Notably, 60% of the delegation comprised female participants, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to gender inclusivity in Internet governance.
A Diverse Representation of Africa
The selected ambassadors came from across the continent, representing five African subregions:
- West Africa
- East Africa
- Central Africa
- North Africa
- Southern Africa
These youth ambassadors were drawn from the five PAYAIG cohorts, showcasing the program’s widespread reach and sustained engagement in building digital governance capacity across Africa.
Leadership and Engagement
The delegation was led by Coordinator Sorene Assefa and Lead Facilitator Abraham Fiifi Selby, who played key roles in guiding and supporting the ambassadors throughout the forum. The PAYAIG youth actively participated in various sessions focused on youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and policy discussions that shape the future of the Internet.
Highlight Sessions: Multilingualism and AI
One of the key contributions of PAYAIG at the UN IGF was a session held in collaboration with the Internet Society Youth IGF Alumni, focusing on Multilingualism and Artificial Intelligence. This session explored the intersection of AI technology and linguistic diversity, emphasizing the need for digital tools to be inclusive of Africa’s vast array of languages.
Meeting ITU Secretary-General
A major highlight of the journey was the rare opportunity for the PAYAIG delegation to meet Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This meeting was a moment of inspiration and motivation for the youth ambassadors, reaffirming the significance of their work in shaping digital policies.
Cultural Exploration in Riyadh
Beyond policy discussions, the PAYAIG ambassadors took time to explore Riyadh’s rich culture, enjoying tourist attractions and engaging in social networking events with other global youth leaders. This holistic experience provided both professional and personal growth opportunities, fostering new friendships and cross-cultural understanding.
Gratitude to the Dutch Government
The PAYAIG travelers expressed deep appreciation to the Government of the Netherlands for making this experience possible. Their full funding support ensured that young African leaders could actively participate, contribute, and gain insights from the global Internet governance community.
As PAYAIG continues its mission to empower young leaders in Internet governance, this participation at the UN IGF 2024 marks yet another milestone in the journey of shaping Africa’s digital future.
