IFIP President Anthony Wong received a certificate recognising IFIP’s continued role as a Supporting Partner from ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
IFIP once again played an active role at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum.
Session One – IFIP on Sustained Digital Education
On Thursday 10 July, Professor Don Passey, chair of IFIP TC3 (Education) presented a session entitled “IFIP on Sustained Digital Education”. This session, aligned with WSIS Action Line C7 (eLearning), explored how to ensure sustained, relevant, and inclusive digital education for young people aged 5–18.
Drawing on international research and a long-running national case study from Northern Ireland, IFIP identified critical success factors such as early aspiration, inclusion, addressing the digital divide, embedding computational thinking and developing teacher practices.
Northern Ireland’s 35-year success story highlighted key design features: long-term purpose and funding (10+ year plans), system-wide stakeholder involvement, equitable infrastructure across 1,000+ schools, teacher support, test-bed innovation with schools, industry alignment, curriculum development and a strong emphasis on equity and diverse learner needs.
Participants were invited to consider how these principles could be adapted to their own national contexts. The session called for deeper, context-sensitive case studies to inform the WSIS+20 Review, stressing that access to technology alone is not enough – long-term purpose, curriculum alignment and empowering young people as digital creators are essential.
Chair of IFIP Task Force on Education Professor Don Passey speaking at a session at WSIS 2025.
Session Two – IFIP IP3 on Professionalism and Ethics in the Age of Generative AI (11 July 2025)
This panel session presented by IFIP IP3 (International Professional Practice Partnership) on Friday 11 July 2025, tackled the ethical and professional responsibilities of ICT practitioners in the context of generative AI.
The discussion drew on real-world examples, including the UK Post Office Horizon scandal, to highlight the dangers of poor governance, lack of accountability and failure to uphold professional standards.
Speakers emphasised that ethical considerations in AI are not just technical challenges—they are deeply human ones. Topics included:
- The importance of professional accountability, data integrity and human oversight in AI development and deployment;
- The need for developers and non-technical users alike to understand the capabilities, limitations and risks of generative AI;
- The urgency of embedding AI literacy and ethical practices throughout entire organisations – from CEOs to frontline staff;
- The limitations of “checkbox compliance” and the call for values-led, context-sensitive judgement; and
- A shared concern that without robust professional standards, AI-related harm could exceed past technology failures.
Key outcomes included a commitment from IP3 Chair Moira de Roche to develop a generative AI training and governance framework aligned with IFIP’s global Code of Ethics. The session also called for IFIP to act as a neutral facilitator and bridge-builder among governments, industry, and standards bodies to ensure global interoperability and ethical coherence.
The panel included Moira de Roche (South Africa), Anthony Wong (Australia), Stephen Ibaraki (Canada), Don Gotterbarn (USA), Damith Hettihewa (Sri Lanka) and Margaret Havey (Canada).
IFIP Leader TalkX – Moira de Roche on Inclusive Innovation
At the WSIS Forum in Geneva, IFIP IP3 Chair Moira de Roche spoke on the main stage to deliver a Leader TalkX on how the tech community can drive inclusive innovation and accelerate global development.
Her central question was “How do we move from siloed efforts to true collaboration for collective progress?”
Moira’s message was that true collaboration isn’t just sitting at the same table – it’s designing the table together.
She urged governments, industry, civil society and international bodies to work toward shared outcomes, spotlighting IFIP’s role in fostering this kind of purposeful co-creation.
Anchored in the Stockholm Declaration, Moira reinforced the power of digital technologies to advance the UN SDGs through:
- Lifelong digital skills (SDG4)
- Global partnerships for secure, inclusive tech ecosystems
- Strategic alignment of tech, policy and human capital to build resilient economies and inclusive societies
She explained that meaningful collaboration needs a shared vision, complementary roles, long-term trust and adaptive governance.
She encouraged learning from successful cross-sector models like the First Movers Coalition and UNDP’s Umbrella Programme, calling on the global community to scale what works and ensure digital transformation becomes a force for good.
IFIP Congratulates Zimbabwe Minister on Digital Initiative
IFIP President Anthony Wong has congratulated the Hon Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICTPCS representing Zimbabwe at the WSIS Forum in Geneva on receiving the Girls Speak Out Award, a beacon for girls’ digital empowerment in Zimbabwe.
This award, presented by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, recognises Mavetera’s transformative work in bridging the gender digital divide.
Mr Wong thanked the Minister for her commitment to creating inclusive tech ecosystems where every girl’s voice is amplified.
“As IFIP President and on behalf of IFIP we look forward to work with your government and Africa to address some of the challenges confronting humanity,” he said.
Minister Tatenda Mavetera is highly regarded across the Zimbabwe ICT sector, particularly for her support for women. She is seen below performing the official opening of the 2025 CSZ Women in ICT Zimbabwe Conference in March this year with Vice President of IFIP and Past President of CSZ, Joice Benza. (image supplied).
IFIP Commends Malaysia for Digital Initiatives
President Anthony Wong congratulated the Malaysian Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on a great presentation to a full house at the Palexpo in Geneva and as Champions for two impactful initiatives at the WSIS Prizes 2025:
IFIP President Anthony Wong with Datuk Fahmi Fadzil at WSIS 2025. Image supplied.
(1) NADI (Category 4 – Capacity Building) – Empowering rural and indigenous communities with access to government information, e-learning, digital skills and broadband through the USP framework.
(2) Stingray II (Category 11 – Regional Cooperation) – Revolutionising Pulau Ketam with a 46.4 km submarine fibre cable, delivering 100Gbps high-speed connectivity to support virtual learning, digital businesses and telehealth.
“I’m deeply honoured to accept this WSIS Prize on behalf of Malaysia,” said Fahmi in a statement issued by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“These recognitions reflect Malaysia’s strong commitment to building a digitally inclusive, connected, and sustainable future for all.”
WSIS welcomed Malaysia as a Strategic Partner and Platinum Sponsor. We look forward to working closely with Malaysia on its digital transformation journey.