20 Aug 2026 Ensuring that digital technology the people
Maroua Ghith of the Local Democracy Agency, a WACC partner in Tunisia, left WSIS Forum 2026 convinced of the need to ensure that digital technologies celebrate diversity and empower communities. Here she reflects on her experiences as a member of WACC’s delegation to Geneva Digital Week 2026.
I was honored to participate in the global WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva. This was my first time attending the Forum, which has been held annually since 2005 when it was hosted in my home country of Tunisia.
The highlight of my participation was being one of the speakers at the WACC session “Access, Agency, Voice. How communities in the Global South are shaping another technological world” on 7 July at the ITU headquarters.
In this setting, I was pleased to represent the Local Democracy Agency (LDA Tunisia), which is partnering with WACC on the Ecoterre project revitalizing traditional knowledge to strengthen local environmental resilience.
The WACC session panel provided the platform to communicate and give voice to local concerns, experiences, and insights. From Tunisia I noted the following:
- Technology should support people’s needs, specificities, and interests rather than the interests of the large profit-driven corporations. In addition, the digital and AI tools and platforms need to represent the local and Indigenous people rather than solely those targeted by the standardized models that overlook diversity.
- The digital gap exists between the global South and North. It also exists within countries, including Tunisia, as there are structural inequalities that are further deepened by technological progress. For example, digital hubs tend to be located in big cities rather than interior or rural areas.
- Local people should be empowered by reinforcing their self-determination and capabilities as people in the global South can be not only mere users or consumers of technology but rather also developers, designers, and creators. This of course implies a better understanding of people’s interests and specificities and providing real tailored solutions.
- A correlated idea is the issue of language, as when technologies begin to emanate from the local community; this means that local languages, dialects, and knowledge will be further celebrated and employed.
Achieving this inclusive vision requires more investment and funding, including support for community initiatives that could be carried out by local hubs and start-ups.
Takeaways
Reflecting on the week, I think my major takeaway is the importance of ensuring that technology serves people rather than commercial interests alone. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence should celebrate diversity and empower communities rather than expecting everyone to adapt to a single global model.
New insights on connectivity were another major takeaway, particularly the idea that internet access must be safe, satisfying, enriching, productive, and affordable.
There was a stronger commitment to a shift toward creating a roadmap and undertaking structural reform rather than focusing on rhetoric. While the first twenty years of the WSIS Forums were based on communication and sharing, this Forum signaled the beginning of a new era of concrete actions, greater funding, and new measurements and indicators.
Finally, there was a consensus on promoting an inclusive and holistic approach to digitalization, ensuring no one is left behind, overcoming the digital divide, and ensuring technology serves humanity in the different fields and sectors.
In addition, I had enriching conversations with fellow speakers and participants from different sectors, whose experiences offered new perspectives on digital inclusion, communication rights, and community-led innovation.
Attending a variety of sessions throughout the week broadened my understanding of current debates on AI, digital governance, and sustainable development while reinforcing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping equitable digital futures.
People-centered, inclusive, locally rooted
Upon my return, I shared these reflections with my fellow LDA Tunisia members during our General Assembly Meeting. This discussion was a valuable opportunity to share current and up-to-date actualities about technological concerns and the importance of including and reinforcing the digital dimension in our upcoming projects and initiatives.
Overall, participating in WSIS Forum 2026 has been an inspiring and transformative experience. Beyond the knowledge gained, it strengthened my commitment to ensuring that digital transformation remains people-centered, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of local communities.
The WACC delegation to Geneva Digital Week included project partners from Mexico and Tunisia taking part through our Communication for All Program (CAP), with support from Bread for the World – Germany.
Top image: Maroua Ghith from Local Democracy Agency, a WACC partner in Tunisia, at WSIS Forum 2026 in July 2026 in Geneva. Credit: Maroua Ghith