Sixth Annual Web4Dev Conference

Speaking as One
Operating UN and Governmental websites in multi-stakeholder environments


Specific objectives

* Fostering an intergovernmental dialogue, exploring existing similarities between UN and national governments with relevant background on Internet use as development tool, as well as potential complementarities and joint actions
* Exploring learning opportunities, knowledge sharing, and best practices exchange between UN and national government participants on designing and implementing integrated web policies, regulatory frameworks, engagement strategies and on-line expressions
* Improving coordination and synergies within the UN Web System, aiming at a more efficient “Delivering as One” online

UN’s Reform agenda would be addressed from a country-level perspective, seeking for synergies and complementarity in terms of web presence and strategies within UN agencies and between the UN and national governments - neither centralized at HQs (a top-down process) nor at field offices (a bottom-up approach, difficult to re-connect with the overall organizational strategy). Special attention should be paid to the web experience of the 8 UN Reform pilot countries.

UNESCO Proposal

For the 6th Web4Dev Annual Conference agenda, UNESCO proposes to highlight two subjects or discussion tracks, in line with current challenges and opportunities for the UN Web System:

* Track 1: Governance: Web Strategies and Management
This track will follow-up on discussions from previous Web4Dev Conferences and address Web strategies, governance and management within complex, decentralized institutional environments, as well as how such elements can respond to transparency and information access challenges. Special attention will be paid to the UN Reform (“Delivering as One” on the Web); it would include discussions on how to improve online services to address different needs from distinct audiences.
* Track 2: Innovative Dialogue and Mobilization
Track 2 will mainly address delivery experiences and best-practices in innovative Web applications for promoting public dialogue and mobilizing target audiences online. Experiences will be selected not only from UN Agencies, but also from national governments, civil society and private sector with relevant web strategies. This track will focus specially on social media and Internet-related technologies (Facebook, blogs, Twitter, YouTube, etc) applied to UN and other public agendas. Issues from Track 1 (web governance, transparency/ethics) would also apply as cross-cutting references.

Description

* Event – a two-day conference with presentations by keynote speakers and open space side events – self-organized workshops, posters and displays; includes a workshop for Brazilian government officials and a seminar on web for development for Brazilian and international media.


This Web4Dev Conference has two priority audiences: the UN Family (particularly UNCG and DPI) and leaders/heads of Web services and Communications from governments, civil society and private sector. Approximately 300 participants are expected to attend, 200 of which from Web4Dev community (UN agencies in Brazil and abroad):

* UN System (UN, UNDP, UNHCR, PAHO/WHO)
* Government Web Units (Brazilian government)
* Intergovernmental organizations (World Bank, African Development Bank)
* Civil Society (Datadyne, the Communications Initiative, 350.org, Wikimedia, Save the Children Alliance, Greenpeace)
* Private Sector (WelchmanPierpoint, Globo Television, Orange France)
* Social Networks (Google Brasil)
* Academia (HEC Montreal)

Partners

* CEB Secretariat (co-organization, programme, speakers)
* UNESCO
* UNCTAD
* UNFPA
* Petrobras
* Brazilian government
* CGI.br
* NIC.br
* Fundação Padre Anchieta/Tv Cultura