In the interconnected world we live in, digital technology is at the heart of almost everything we do. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, work, shop, learn, and entertain ourselves. As the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, it is imperative to have a set of shared principles that guide its growth and development, ensuring it benefits everyone, everywhere. Enter the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a groundbreaking initiative proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General, in his 2021 report „Our Common Agenda“. It builds on the promise made by UN member states in 2020 to shape „a digital future that show[s] the full potential for beneficial technology usage“. Lately United Nations Secretary-General released the Policy Brief for the Global Digital Compact.
What sets the GDC apart is its comprehensive and inclusive approach
The policy brief outlining the GDC suggests principles and actions across eight crucial areas, including digital connectivity, digital cooperation for sustainable development goals (SDGs), upholding human rights, an inclusive and secure internet, digital trust and security, data protection and empowerment, governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, and global digital commons (see infographic enclosed). This multilayered strategy ensures that every facet of the digital world is carefully considered and addressed.
The GDC is also unique in its commitment to multi-stakeholder participation
The implementation of the GDC will be undertaken by different stakeholders at national, regional, and sectoral levels. It proposes annual Digital Cooperation Forums to facilitate collaboration across digital multistakeholder frameworks and promote cross-border learning in digital governance. These forums will also work towards identifying and promoting policy solutions to emerging digital challenges and governance gaps.
The table provides an overview of the topics, objectives, and actions outlined in the policy brief for the Global Digital Compact by the UN Secretary-General. For a more detailed please see the original document.
Topic
Objectives
Actions
Digital connectivity and capacity building
Close the digital divide and empower people to participate fully in the digital economy
Common targets for universal and meaningful connectivity; Strengthening public education for digital literacy and lifelong learning for workers
Digital cooperation to accelerate progress on the SDGs
Targeted investments in digital public infrastructure and services; making data representative, interoperable, and accessible; pool AI expertise and infrastructure to meet SDG targets; developing globally harmonized digital sustainability standards
Developing definitions of safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital public infrastructures; Fostering open and accessible data ecosystems; Collaborate on AI applications for SDG; Utilize a common blueprint on digital transformation
Upholding human rights
Putting human rights at the centre of the digital future; ending the gender digital divide; protecting workers against digital surveillance, arbitrary algorithmic decisions and loss of agency over their labour
Establishing a digital human rights advisory mechanism, facilitated by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to provide guidance on human rights and technology issues; make sure that minorities fully benefit from digital tech; upholding labour rights supported by ILO
An inclusive, open, secure, and shared internet
Safeguarding the free and shared nature of the internet; reinforcing accountable multistakeholder governance of the Internet
Commitments from governments to avoid blanket internet shutdowns and refrain from actions disrupting critical infrastructures; uphold net neutrality etc. to support an open, interconnected Internet.
Digital trust and security
Strengthening multistakeholder cooperation to elaborate norms, guidelines, and principles on the responsible use of digital technologies; develop accountability criteria for digital platforms; building capacity and expanding the global cybersecurity workforce
Developing common standards and industry codes of conduct to address harmful content on digital platforms; promote safe civic spaces
Data protection and empowerment
Ensuring that data are governed for the benefit of all; empowering people to control their personal data; developing interoperable standards for data quality in respect of intellectual property rights
Considering adopting a declaration on data rights; Seeking convergence on principles for data governance through a potential Global Data Compact
Agile governance of AI and other emerging technologies
Ensuring transparency, reliability, safety, and human control in the design and use of AI; putting transparency, fairness, and accountability at the core of AI governance; combining existing norms, regulations, and standards into a framework for agile governance of AI; Ensure and coordinate alignment of digital tech with human values
Establishing a high-level advisory body for AI; Ensure research and investment of in AI based on human values; Develop sector-based guidelines on AI; Building regulatory capacity in the public sector
Global digital commons
Ensuring inclusive digital cooperation; enabling regular and sustained exchanges across states, regions, and industry sectors; developing and governing technologies in ways that enable sustainable development, empower people, and address harms
Commit to the GDC
Stakeholder dialogues and next steps
Furthermore, the GDC is set to be agreed upon during a Summit of the Future in September 2024, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards a shared digital future. In the lead-up to this summit, a public consultation was launched to gather input from interested stakeholders, reinforcing the GDC’s commitment to inclusivity and cooperation. I am really proud that a group of engaged persons out of the Corporate Digital Responsibility community participated in the consultation and submitted our perspective on businesses as forces for good in a digital society.
The GDC presents a unique and timely opportunity to shape the digital future in a way that is open, free, secure, and beneficial for all. It represents a significant step forward in the global effort to harness the power of digital technologies for the common good. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative as we journey together towards a shared digital future.
The text describes how Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) could contribute to an UN Global Digital Compact. We submitted it to the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. In the text we emphasize that digital trust is the currency of the digital transformation, and responsible tech, AI ethics principles, or CDR are ways that businesses can position themselves as forces for good in a digital society. The CDR Manifesto, which is a set of seven principles developed by an international group of academics and corporate practitioners, is highlighted as an initiative that could contribute to the UN Global Digital Compact. The text then goes on to list core principles and key commitments for businesses in a Global Digital Compact related to fair and equitable access for all, protecting data, and applying human rights online. The inputs for the Global Digital Compact were collected through exchange via social media, especially LinkedIn Business community.
To prepare this input, we read and analyzed the text to understand its main points and arguments. We researched the UN Global Digital Compact and Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) to gain a better understanding of these concepts and how they match. We invited experts on Corporate Responsibility and Digital Ethics from social media, especially LinkedIn Business community, to exchange and support (see also the call from June 2022 „UN Global Digital Compact: Would you like to join the contribution based on the CDR manifesto?“). Finally, I organized the information and discourse into a structured text document that was open for collaboration. Finally, all supporters ageed to the text before it was submitted.
Describe the process you followed to collect, consult, and prepare your input.
Exchange via social media, especially LinkedIn Business community.
Digital trust is the currency of the digital transformation and it is the basis for business success. With many initiatives focusing on responsible tech, AI ethics principles or Corporate Digital Responsibility businesses are positioning themselves as forces for good in a digital society. Therefore we emphasise the economy and business as key stakeholders for digital collaboration and a Global Digital Compact.
As one of many initiatives we would like to draw the attention to the Corporate Digital Responsibility Manifesto, a set of seven principles. It was developed in 2021 by an international group of academics, corporate practitioners and published authors. We understand Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) is a set of normative practices and behaviours that help an organisation use data and digital technologies in ways that are perceived as socially, economically, and environmentally responsible.
The principles and recommendation of the CDR Manifesto could contribute to a UN Global Digital compact.
We (as a community) have already been engaging with the UN in regard to the CODES Global Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age, launched by UN June 2022. This plan references and quotes CDR (page 12 and more). We understand the CODES community is also responding directly.
For more information please see https://corporatedigitalresponsibility.net
Inputs to the Global Digital Compact
Connect all people to the internet, including all schools
a) Core Principles
Core principle “Fair and Equitable Access for All”
Key Commitments for businesses in a Global Digital Compact
Plan for Sustainable & Responsible Automation
Replacing jobs done by humans in a responsible way, consideration of retraining/reskilling programmes
Ensure ethical and unbiased, explainable AI decision making algorithms
Enable employees and project workers to understand the ethical dilemma and societal impact of tech and digital transformation through awareness training
Actively engage with employee and project worker´s opinion and feedback in digital transformation, automation and tech implementation
Transparency with Stakeholders with Verifiable 3rdParty Data
Ensure organisations & consumers understand sources of collected data, where it is, what is done with it, including scoring, profiling, reporting
Share Digital Economic Benefits with Relevant Stakeholders (incl. Open Data / Access)
Sharing economic benefits of digital work with society, for example through appropriate taxation
Respecting personal data ownership rights, reduce data piracy and enable individual monetization
Promote open data to enable broad innovation by all (including opening Right to Repair)
______________________
Other areas (please specify):
Specify area:
Impact Economy
Sustainability with digital
Tech Impact (including Fintech)
a) Core Principles
Core principle “Accelerate Progress with Impact Economy”
Key Commitments on Core principle “Accelerate Progress with Impact Economy” for businesses in a Global Digital Compact
Invest in Sustainability / Environmental / Impact returns
Look to partner ecosystems across supply chain, engaging (and measuring impact of) ecotech, cleantech digital solutions or circular economy.
Position for growth in environmental markets that align to purpose and positive planet impact
Use Verifiable Offset
Understand Carbon Credit market and if using offset, look to use verifiable offset or digitally enabled natural carbon sequestration (like e.g. reforestation and afforestation)
Use Digital products to enable, for example, price discriminating digital tools that promote sustainable practices
Consideration of economic models that are more conducive to sustainable practices
Key Commitments on Core principle “Creating a Sustainable Planet to Live” for businesses in a Global Digital Compact
Report impact of business against 3rdparty impact assessments
Promote transparent, sustainable and ethical working practices across the supply chain linked to a recognized sustainability reporting standard such as UN Global Compact, Global Reporting Initiative, SASB, ESG frameworks or BCorp, including digital responsibility practices
Introduce Circular Economy principles in Product and Service Design
For example, contribution of data or APIs, or utilization of other technologies with data science of analytics to create new societal & environmental benefits
Key Commitments on Core principle “Reduce Tech Impact on Climate & Environment” for businesses in a Global Digital Compact
Implement an Environmental & Climate-resilient IT Strategy
Following responsible recycling practices for digital technologies – target zero waste, promote circular economy
Following responsible disposal practices for digital technologies, including extending tech life span, e.g. of smartphones and using refurbished IT
Design in Environmental and climate resilient considerations in the use of digital technologies – e.g. Sustainable Web Design & IT Strategy, heat resistent and flood protected IT infrastructure.
Measure, Report, Minimise Energy use & move to Renewable Energy
Reduce consumption by measuring & actively reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions using Digital tech
In your data centres, and supply chain data centres, direct and indirect
In your offices & business facilities
In your travel & vehicle fleets
In your decentralised asset base
Use of renewable energies (wind, solar, water, biomass, geothermal) for energy supply of all digital technologies
way we communicate, work, shop, learn, and entertain ourselves. As the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, it is imperative to have a set of shared principles that guide its growth and development, ensuring it benefits everyone, everywhere. Enter the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a groundbreaking initiative proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General, in his 2021 report „Our Common Agenda“. It builds on the promise made by UN member states in 2020 to shape „a digital future that show[s] the full potential for beneficial technology usage“. Lately United Nations Secretary-General released the Policy Brief for the Global Digital Compact.
