'Digital lives, digital voices' forum in Bali

On 11th October 2018 the Commission held a forum entitled: digital lives, digital voices. The session, which was held at the World Bank and IMF's Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia, brought together policymakers, leading private sector representatives, civil society, and development actors, to reflect on what digital lives - and digital exclusions - mean for people in developing countries. The workshop was moderated by the Commission's head of secretariat, Rafat Al-Akhali, and discussion groups were led by several of our commissioners, including: Shanta Devarajan, Shivani Siroya, Kamal Bhattacharya, and Academic Directors Stefan Dercon and Benno Ndulu.

This meeting reflected on the ways in which people living in poverty and marginalised men and women are digitally excluded, and the steps needed to address these growing gaps. Discussions also focused on gender and youth. This forum was an opportunity for people from around the world to engage with the Commission and to hear fresh grassroots ideas on how to close the life-limiting gaps caused by being digitally excluded.