Asia Internet Symposium, Kolkata 2014

Theme:  Internet and Human Rights; Empowering the Users  

About

The Internet has evolved from a research project to communication, social and economic hub now considered as, a public service accessible by everyone. It has also driven the process of globalization, from trade to information, spreading the democratic values.There are ongoing debates on how to empower the Internet user to exercise their human rights. These deliberations focus to empower the Internet that provides an open environment where freedom of expression, diversity, culture and knowledge can nurture.

With the Internet becoming a regular feature of their daily lives, users need to better understand their human rights online and what to do when these rights are challenged. Governments, private companies and other actors now have a duty to empower users to exercise their human rights. Access, freedom of expression, privacy, education and protection of children are considered as some of the key human rights in this regards.

With a rapid evolvement in its digital landscape, India now hosts world’s second largest Internet user base.  The Internet Society’s Asia Internet Symposium Kolkata will provide an opportunity for focused discussions on Internet as a tool to advance human rights and how it is linked with user empowerment in India.

The following key points will be debated on:

  • How the Internet has shaped the application of human rights and how these rights are shaping the Internet in India?
  • How to leverage the potential of the Internet for strengthening the human rights standards and implementation?
  • What is required to be done for empowering the Internet users and exercise their rights?

Participants / Invitees

  • Representatives from Government.
  • Representatives from Judiciary.
  • Representatives from Industry.
  • Representatives from Academia.
  • Civil Society Organization.

Agenda

TIME SCHEMA
10:00 – 10:30Registration / Participants to be seated
10:30 – 10:45Welcome Note:   Anupam Agrawal, Chair, ISOC India Kolkata Chapter
10:45 – 11:00  Opening Remarks:   Rajnesh Singh, Regional Bureau Director, Internet Society
11:00 – 11:20  Key Note:   Debasish Banerjee, Advocate, Kolkata High Court
11:20 – 11:50Key Note:   Ashok Kumar Ganguly, Former Chairman, West Bengal Human Rights Commission
11:50 – 12.10Coffee / Networking Break
12:10 – 13.00Moderated Panel Discussion with   Dr. Manoj Sinha (Moderator), Professor, National University of Juridical Sciences Pankaj Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Industries (Pvt) Ltd. Samiran Gupta, Head of India, ICANN Bazlul Haque, Director, Elite Institue of Engineering & Management Shubhendu Chakraborty, Central Detective Training School Indranil De, Professor, MCKV College of Engineering
13.00 – 13.30Question and Answer Session
13:30 – 13.45  Wrap Up:   Anand Raje, Vice President, ISOC India Kolkata Chapter
          13:45Lunch
Date and Time

10:00 – 13:45 UTC +5.30

Monday 01 December 2014

Location

Hotel Novotel Kolkata

Kolkata, India