Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia in the Digital Era | IGF 2023 Open Forum #169

Audience

During a recent discussion, the importance of youth engagement in governance and politics was emphasised. Participants highlighted the need for young people to be aware of and involved in governance, as political decisions can have a significant impact on their lives. The argument put forward was that young people should strive for a better understanding of governance and actively advocate for more meaningful engagement in decision-making processes.

Another key point of discussion was the role of consistency and resilience in gaining influence and becoming opinion leaders. An example was shared about a CEO who started a company at a young age and, after 20 years of consistent hard work, became an influential leader in the industry. This highlighted the importance of persistence and unwavering dedication in achieving influence and becoming a respected voice in one’s field.

In terms of overcoming challenges and gaining acceptance, participants stressed the significance of collective dialogue and collaboration. It was emphasised that by engaging in conversation, working together, and accepting challenges, individuals and communities can effectively tackle obstacles and foster acceptance. This highlights the need for open and inclusive discussions where all voices are heard and valued.

The discussion also drew attention to the current trend of youth inclusion and the need to capitalise on this momentum through various initiatives. It was noted that there are already numerous programs and speaking engagement opportunities available that aim to involve and empower young people. It was suggested that further efforts should be made to maintain this momentum and create additional initiatives to sustain youth engagement and ensure their voices continue to be heard.

In summary, the discussion emphasised the importance of youth engagement in governance and politics, with a specific focus on understanding governance, advocating for meaningful involvement, maintaining consistency and resilience to gain influence, engaging in collective dialogue and collaboration, and leveraging the current trend of youth inclusion. These insights highlight the significance of empowering young people and recognising their role in shaping the future.

Yukako Ban

The analysis covers several topics related to the metaverse and its future implications. It begins by highlighting one of the main policy gaps for the metaverse: the lack of clear definitions and regulations. The metaverse is often described as the future of the internet, a network of virtual worlds blending the digital and physical realms. However, due to the absence of clear definitions and regulations, there is uncertainty about how it should be governed.

Moving on, the analysis discusses the potential benefits and risks associated with the metaverse. By 2026, a significant proportion of the population is expected to be engaged in the metaverse. To prevent issues such as hate speech, misinformation, and anonymity, better management and regulation are necessary. On the positive side, the metaverse has the potential for application in education and fostering intercultural dialogue. It can revolutionise the way we learn and interact globally, reducing the need for physical travel and potentially lowering CO2 emissions.

The analysis also emphasises the importance of considering Northeast Asia’s geopolitical tensions in relation to the metaverse. The unregulated metaverse could exacerbate existing conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the region. Given the region’s geopolitical importance and the anonymity between nations, specific consideration must be given to Northeast Asia when shaping metaverse policies.

Regarding education, the analysis suggests that there is a need to explore the metaverse’s educational utility, as it remains largely unexplored. Currently, there is a lack of developed educational content, highlighting the importance of further research and investment in this area.

In terms of age diversity, the analysis highlights the different perspectives that the younger generation, known as digital natives, have on digital technology’s involvement in reality. Their viewpoints should be taken into account in policymaking processes. Similarly, the perspective of age diversity, especially in regard to internet governance, is lacking. Both the voices of the youth and the older generation should be considered to ensure a comprehensive approach.

Notably, the analysis touches on the demographic changes happening worldwide, with many countries leaning towards ageing societies. As a result, youth voices tend to be undermined. It argues that youth should have more access to decision-making tables and be part of larger discussions, breaking away from age-based segregation.

The analysis also highlights the significance of cross-border cooperation in the Northeast Asia region. Countries like China, Japan, and Korea already have extensive economic cooperation. In today’s globalised world, no single country can manufacture a product independently. Academic programs promoting cooperation also exist among these nations.

Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the role of technology, education, and capacity building in initiating cooperation. By focusing on these topics, peacebuilders can avoid political issues and foster citizen-level awareness and collaboration.

Cultural diversity and localization are also deemed crucial on a systemic level and in internet governance. While different cultures and values bring about diversity, fragmentation and division can arise. However, technology can help bridge language barriers and differences, promoting cooperation.

In conclusion, the analysis underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding and collaboration to navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with the metaverse and related issues. Clear definitions and regulations should be established. Age diversity should be considered in decision-making, and youth voices must be heard and included. Cross-border cooperation and dialogue among different generations are paramount. Additionally, technology, education, capacity building, and cultural diversity play significant roles in promoting collaboration. By addressing these aspects, we can work towards harnessing the full potential of the metaverse and achieving a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Linda Hjelle

In the meeting, Linda Hjelle, an Associate Political Affairs Officer at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, was introduced. Linda provided insights into her involvement in various roles. Firstly, she mentioned being the program manager for a project related to UN projects and aligned with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This demonstrates her dedication to promoting global peace and strengthening institutions for achieving justice.

Additionally, Linda stated that she is moderating the online discussions during the meeting. As an online moderator, she addresses questions from the online audience, ensuring informative and interactive discussions. This highlights her active involvement in engaging with a wider community.

Linda’s introduction as an Associate Political Affairs Officer at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs establishes her expertise in political affairs. Her role reflects her significant influence in shaping policies and strategies for peace and stability.

Overall, Linda’s active participation as a program manager, online moderator, and Associate Political Affairs Officer demonstrates her commitment to advancing UN initiatives. She works towards promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions while engaging with various stakeholders in meaningful discussions.

Ijun Kim

The “Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia” programme, organized and led by the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, aims to promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The programme is in line with the Youth Peace and Security Agenda and seeks to engage young people in discussing and shaping the future of the region.

The programme brought together young people from China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea to collectively discuss the future of Northeast Asia. This inclusive approach allowed for diverse perspectives to be shared and considered. The discussions were facilitated by UNESCO, which provided capacity building through a session known as the Futures Literacy Lab. This lab helped participants develop the skills to explore potential future scenarios and examine their implications.

One of the key proponents of foresight in the programme is Ijun Kim, who believes that foresight is a structured and systematic way of using ideas about the future to anticipate and better prepare for change. Kim emphasises the importance of wide participatory foresight tools, which engage a diverse group of people in discussions. The goal is to make the discussions interactive and to surface trends or signals that may not be immediately apparent.

As part of the programme, Kim proposed various policy avenues for realising the vision of a peaceful Northeast Asia. These include regional cooperation for education, focusing on cultural exchange to foster understanding and collaboration. Additionally, the establishment of a Northeast Asian Youth Parliament for climate change aims to involve young people in addressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, the promotion of digital literacy programmes through cross-sectoral partnerships is seen as essential for enabling young people to navigate the digital landscape effectively. The programme also emphasised the importance of consensus-based regulation and policy presentation.

The role of young people in governance and policy-making was also highlighted. It is crucial for young people to understand how governmental decisions can impact their daily lives. They are encouraged to advocate for more meaningful engagement and push for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes. Creating an intergenerational cooperation environment was identified as essential for fostering understanding and collaboration between different age groups.

The Internet Governance Forum was recognised for its contribution to shaping governance and peace-building. The involvement of young people in such forums was highly valued, and there was gratitude expressed for their active participation and contributions. Moreover, the integration of digital literacy and the concept of the metaverse into existing initiatives was supported, as it would facilitate the implementation of these initiatives and promote innovation and development.

In conclusion, the “Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia” programme, organized by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, seeks to involve young people in shaping the future of the region. The programme emphasised the importance of foresight, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement in discussions and policy development. With the participation of young people, the programme aims to foster a peaceful and prosperous Northeast Asia.

Oyundalai Odkhuu

Upon analysing the provided information, several key points emerge regarding the development and governance of the metaverse in Northeast Asia. The main arguments put forward are as follows:

1. Developing Northeast Asian metaverse platforms: The analysis recognises the importance of Northeast Asian countries leveraging their world-class technological capacities to develop their own metaverse platforms. This is seen as a preventive measure against potential monopolies by Western countries. By creating their own metaverse platforms, Northeast Asian countries can maintain control over the digital space and ensure equitable access for their citizens.

2. Promoting the development of inclusive algorithms: The analysis emphasises the need for open and inclusive algorithms in the metaverse. It suggests that countries should collectively develop algorithms that facilitate cross-language information sharing, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are represented. The argument is rooted in SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities.

3. Fostering regional collaboration and stakeholder dialogues: The analysis emphasises the importance of engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the development and governance of the metaverse. This includes marginalised communities, youth, individuals from different social classes, genders, sexualities, and disabilities. By fostering collaboration and dialogue, Northeast Asian countries can ensure that the metaverse reflects the needs and aspirations of all its users.

4. Discussing the regulation of the metaverse: The analysis highlights the absence of a single player in metaverse regulation. It suggests that a regional initiative, similar to the Internet Governance Forum, should be established to address this gap. By engaging in discussions around regulation, Northeast Asian countries can shape the metaverse’s governance framework and ensure that it aligns with SDG 16, promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

5. Engaging youth and promoting global connectivity: The analysis underlines the significance of youth engagement in internet governance. With 71% of the world’s youth using the internet, their involvement is crucial for shaping the metaverse’s future. In addition, the argument advocates for the internet as a tool that transcends borders, connecting people, businesses, and governments on a global scale.

6. Ensuring privacy in the internet: Privacy is identified as a key concern in internet governance. Decisions related to internet governance have far-reaching effects on various aspects of people’s lives. Therefore, it is crucial to establish mechanisms that safeguard individuals’ privacy rights in the metaverse.

7. Capacity building and skill enhancement: The analysis stresses the need for capacity building and skill enhancement in the metaverse. This involves promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity training for developers and users of the metaverse, as well as bridging skill gaps to facilitate effective cross-border cooperation.

8. Investment in the education sector: Considering the metaverse as a new sector, the analysis argues for investment in the education sector to enhance digital literacy and responsible usage. This investment aims to equip individuals with knowledge about the metaverse and its potential risks and benefits, targeting both the young and old.

9. Mechanisms for conflict resolution: The analysis puts forth the need for mechanisms to resolve conflicts during cross-border metaverse activities. It suggests adopting arbitration and mediation processes to address disputes that may arise in this context.

10. Establishing industry standards and a regulatory framework: The analysis contends that industry standards addressing privacy, data security, content moderation, and digital property rights are pivotal in the metaverse. It argues for the creation of a code of conduct or regulatory framework to ensure responsible and ethical practices within the metaverse, in line with SDG 16.

In summary, the analysis advocates for the development of Northeast Asian metaverse platforms, inclusive algorithms, collaboration and stakeholder dialogues, regulation discussions, youth engagement, privacy protection, capacity building, investment in education, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the establishment of industry standards. Northeast Asian countries are encouraged to seize the opportunity to shape the metaverse, ensuring equitable access, responsible usage, and meaningful participation for all.

Manjiang He

The analysis provides a comprehensive examination of various topics, including digital platforms, youth engagement, international cooperation, and the significance of respecting the local context. It begins by discussing the influence of digital platforms on daily life, noting their ability to enhance communication and cultural exchange. However, the analysis also acknowledges the negative aspects of digital platforms, such as the prevalence of hate speech, prejudice, and discrimination.

A key argument put forth is the importance of digital literacy in understanding and navigating the influence of digital platforms on daily life. It highlights the need for individuals to be equipped with the necessary skills to effectively engage with digital platforms and address the negative aspects associated with them. The analysis further emphasizes that social platforms often serve as breeding grounds for hate speech, prejudice, and discrimination. It also highlights the challenge faced by social platforms in swiftly responding to these issues due to technological limitations and differing priorities.

Moreover, the analysis explores the role of young people in internet governance and conflict resolution, pointing out their innovative approaches and willingness to explore different solutions. It emphasizes the importance of including young people’s perspectives in decision-making processes, highlighting that they are often seen as naive but possess fresh insights and ideas.

However, the analysis also identifies limited efforts to engage youth in decision-making processes in the Northeast Asia region. It highlights active youth engagement initiatives in other parts of the world, such as Africa and Bangladesh, and suggests that Northeast Asia is lagging behind in this regard.

Another argument put forth is the exclusion of young people in policymaking and decision-making processes. The analysis provides no supporting facts, but it asserts that young people are often left out of important discussions and their voices are not adequately heard. It argues that mechanisms should be established to channel young people’s voices into both the government and private sectors.

The analysis then delves into the challenges of international cooperation, particularly in regions with differing stages of development – economic, social, and cultural. It asserts that these differences pose obstacles to achieving effective collaboration.

Respecting the local context is also highlighted as a crucial factor in creating a more inclusive and open online digital space. The analysis suggests that societies have their own uniqueness, and integrating the local context into digital literacy programmes or the metaverse can yield beneficial outcomes.

Additionally, the analysis touches upon cross-border cooperation, skill gaps, and funding limitations in the implementation of digital literacy initiatives. It mentions that cross-border cooperation is already happening in certain regions like Mongolia, but no supporting facts are provided.

Ultimately, the analysis underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process and advocates for the integration of digital literacy and metaverse elements into existing initiatives. It acknowledges the challenges posed by funding and sustainability concerns but suggests that these limitations can be addressed by reaching out to stakeholders and incorporating their recommendations into existing initiatives.

In conclusion, this in-depth analysis offers valuable insights into various topics related to digital platforms, youth engagement, international cooperation, and the significance of the local context. It underscores the need for digital literacy, young people’s perspectives in decision-making, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. It brings attention to the challenges faced in international cooperation and stresses the importance of respecting the local context for creating more inclusive digital spaces.

Jerry Li

The analysis emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and understanding modern technologies. It highlights that while digital literacy programs already exist, there is still a significant knowledge gap between these programs and those offered in schools. To address this gap, in-school and out-of-school digital literacy programs are seen as essential. In-school programs would cover the basics of accessing technologies, effective online engagement, and education on important concepts. Out-of-school programs would be offered in community centres, libraries, and public spaces to include a wider range of demographics. These programs would play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals have the necessary skills to navigate the digital world.

The analysis also underscores the need for a proactive and inclusive approach to digital space governance. It argues for an approach that goes beyond a reactionary stance and involves more voices in shaping policies related to safe digital spaces online. By including a diverse range of perspectives, digital space governance can be more effective in addressing emerging issues such as disinformation, misinformation, and the metaverse.

Furthermore, the analysis highlights the importance of youth involvement in internet governance. It asserts that the younger generation, being the inheritors of the problems and subjects for decisions made on their behalf, should have a voice in shaping internet governance policies. This inclusion of youth perspectives is seen as vital to ensuring inclusivity in the digital space.

The analysis also touches upon the topic of global governance of the internet. It suggests that while there was a consensus on global governance regarding certain aspects of the internet’s structure in its early stages, the content should be left to national policies sensitive to cultural differences. This approach recognises the importance of balancing global coordination with the need for cultural and national autonomy in shaping internet content.

The need for improved collaboration between public and private sectors in digital literacy programs is another key point highlighted in the analysis. It showcases examples of successful collaborations, such as the digital literacy program introduced by META in Hong Kong and the Women’s Foundation’s encouragement of women in Hong Kong to be part of STEM fields. These collaborations demonstrate the potential benefits of joining forces to enhance digital education and literacy efforts.

Additionally, cross-border regional collaboration and the inclusion of experts in policy development are advocated. Collaboration with existing cross-border regional collaboration groups, particularly in the education space, and research consortia is seen as a strategic way to leverage resources and expertise. This collaboration can help make policy proposals more informed and inclusive by sourcing a variety of voices and perspectives.

In conclusion, the analysis underscores the need for digital literacy programs, a proactive approach to digital space governance, youth involvement in internet governance, and improved collaboration among stakeholders. By addressing these aspects, it is believed that individuals will be better equipped to navigate the digital world, policies will be more inclusive and effective, and the potential of the internet as a tool for positive change can be maximised.

Ijun Kim:
Just you. This is nice. I can just focus on you guys. No. No. Linda, can you try raising your hand again? Because before it was on the presentation, now we’re back on Zoom. Oh, yeah. We see it.

Manjiang He:
I just got lowered. Okay. That’s good to know in case there are any questions from here.

Ijun Kim:
I mean, you can kind of look around a little bit, but that would be the primary audience. And then we can look at the camera a few times. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll do like this a little bit. Yeah. This is a weird setup. This is a weird setup. Yeah. But then they said not to sit past that chair because they won’t be able to see on camera. Maybe I’ll kind of like… Yeah. Kind of like this. All right, let’s get started. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us. us today on the last day of the IGF. My name is Yi-Jun Kim and I will be providing a general introduction of the program we hope to share with you and of course later moderating the discussion we are about to have. Before starting off I would just like to give my colleagues an opportunity to introduce themselves and greet you personally. Go ahead.

Jerry Li:
Hi everyone my name is Jerry. I’m from Hong Kong, China and I’m one of the youth researchers at the UNDPPA as part of this project.

Manjiang He:
Hello everyone my name is Manjong from China and I am a youth peace builder and a member of the Youth Advisory Group under the Asia-Pacific Division of UNDPPA. First of all I want to thank you and thank IGF Kyoto 2023 for giving us this opportunity to speak here and also want to thank all of you either sitting here in the room or watch online for joining with us in this session.

Oyundalai Odkhuu:
Okay hello thank you for everyone and thank you for providing the great opportunity and my name is Ayunda Lai. I’m from Mongolia. I am youth peace builder at UNDPPA. Thank you for all.

Yukako Ban :
Good morning I’m Yukako. I’m from Japan. I’m also one of the youth peace builder from the same division. I’m very great to be here today. Thank you.

Ijun Kim:
And we also have Linda on Zoom. Linda do you want to come in real quick?

Linda Hjelle:
Hi everyone my name is Linda Yella. I am Associate Political Affairs Officer at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and I’m the program manager for this fantastic project that we’ve been having for now three years and I think Ijin will tell you more about the project itself but I’m happy to be here and I’m the online moderator if there are any questions. from the audience online.

Ijun Kim:
So speaking of the fantastic project that Linda mentioned, thank you. This project is called Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia. So just looking at the title, you’ll notice that there are several components to it. Number one, the future. We leverage the concept of the future to host discussion spaces. Number two, we host discussion spaces about peace and peace where? In this context, Northeast Asia. Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia is a program organized and led by the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and it is designed in line with the Youth Peace and Security Agenda. The YPS agenda recognizes the valuable contributions of young people to establishing and sustaining peace and hopes to empower them and engage them more meaningfully in relevant discussion spaces. Through this program, young people from China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea were able to convene and discuss collectively how we envision the future of Northeast Asia. And the central methodology throughout the program that led the overall process is called foresight. I think some of you may be familiar with the concept, but long story short, in a nutshell, here I quote, it is a structured and systematic way of using ideas about the future to anticipate and better prepare for change. So foresight is all about leveraging this concept or this idea of the future so that individuals, organizations, or societies as a whole can become more anticipatory and more resilient to change. The program, the first phase of the program was launched in 2021 in partnership with UNESCO, and UNESCO came in to provide capacity building opportunities through a session program they call the Futures Literacy Lab. the opportunity to really understand what foresight is, what it means for us, and how we can leverage it in these contexts. Then phase two began in 2022 in partnership with a Swiss policy think tank, FORALS. And FORALS supported us in translating foresight activities into tangible policy recommendations that we can later share with a broader audience. So I want to speak a little bit more about phase two, because that’s what this is all about today. Phase two was focused on using participatory foresight tools. So there are many tools within the foresight methodology, and there are many different ways of using it. And participatory foresight tools are focused on engaging as diverse a group of people in these discussions, making it interactive, hopefully fun, so that we can surface trends or signals that are sometimes not as visible. This was done, for example, through a workshop that we hosted and facilitated using the Futures Triangle. The Futures Triangle is a tool where we, for example, a single concept such as regional collaboration, for that single concept we explore the weight of the past, what is holding us back from achieving that, push of the present, what is happening right now that is driving us to change, change the way we think, change the way we do things. And then the pull of the future. What do we want in the future? What kind of vision do we have for the future that is also adding to the desire to change? Then we had a really interesting intergenerational dialogue, and it was my first time engaging such a wide range of audiences. We leveraged an online tool. It was slightly more interactive than a simple survey. It encouraged participants who are taking part in it to imagine themselves stepping into a time machine, going forward a couple decades, and then once they look out the window of the time machine, the first question was, what do you see? And through that process, we encouraged people to dream quite vividly about how they see the future. And through that intergenerational dialogue, we were actually able to interact with almost 150 participants, and of a very wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and of course, age groups. And I found it very valuable because while this is based on the youth peace and security agenda, we also recognize the need to, especially when building a collective vision of the future, it’s very important to engage as wide a range of audience as possible. And then our youth peace builders, we moved on to the desk research phase. Based on the insights we gathered through the workshop, and then the online dialogue with the intergenerational audience, we delved a little bit deeper to understand the current landscape, what is going on in Northeast Asia, what are some opportunities that we have that could essentially launch us closer to the future we want to see, but also what are some challenges that we foresee and how to address them. That desk research culminated in a publication called Future of Regional and Narrative Building in Northeast Asia, Policy Recipes by Youth Peace Builders. So we called it a policy recipe because we wanted to make it slightly fun. So it’s quite easy to read. The reason usability essentially is similar to a cook recipe book. We tried to integrate the concept of using different recipes to essentially create a delicious cuisine. And in this case, the cuisine was a metaphor for the future. of peaceful Northeast Asia. In the publication, if you want to Google it or find it online, you’ll find four policy avenues that the Youth Peace Builders came up to recommend how the region, whether through national policies or regional cooperative policies, can move us towards the vision that we hope to see. The first is calling for regional cooperation for education, specifically focused on cultural exchange to build a more cohesive regional identity and enable collaboration. The second encourages the establishment of a Northeast Asian Youth Parliament for climate change. We recognize that climate change is very relevant to the younger generation and, of course, future generations, and we feel the urgency to do something about that. And one way to address it and meaningfully engage young people is by establishing such a body. The third is calling for partnerships, especially cross-sectoral partnerships, to support digital literacy programs. And the last, but certainly not least, is calling for a more consensus-based regulation and policy recommendation presentation. Thank you. Cool. Thank you.

Manjiang He:
Thank you, Adrienne. So as Adrienne mentioned, there’s a policy recommendation about digital literacy program. So Jerry and I co-authored this policy recommendation, and I’ll briefly talk about the background and why we focus on digital literacy. And Jerry will elaborate more on the interconnected and the digital integrated. So we recognize the influence of digitalization in our daily life, work, and study, and acknowledge the positive impacts of digital platforms promoting communication and cultural exchange. However, it is crucial to address the negative aspects of the digital platforms, especially social platforms, which often serves as the breeding ground for hate speech, prejudice, discrimination. So I’d like to invite Jerry to talk a little bit more about that. Sure. and antagonism and violence. So our findings from the open online dialogue conducted in 2021 revealed that the negative emotion frequently stemmed from historical grievances, recent conflict, nationalism, fake news. I tackled the escalated issues of hate speech and online violence. But relations remained to the social media platforms in technology capacity and priorities often are too rapid for proactive policy changes. In Northeast Asia, the region where I belong and also the peace builder belong, also there are the conversation that I had over the few days at IJF, children and youth held by the Youth IJF China that aims to build capacity for children and youth in.

Jerry Li:
But also, what are the modern technologies? What are the ongoing conversations about these technologies and how can we efficiently and effectively utilize technology in these ways? And so the program focuses on education, learning about technological developments and modern conversation in order to. engagement knowledge that already exists on broadcast media and written media. So public and partner partnerships offer a way to utilize private expertise and developments into a public guided system so that developments are organic and from the ground up and can also consider regional and cultural differences. We noted many existing digital literacy programs throughout the many stages of this project, and we noted that while many are offered by private companies, there is a gap of knowledge that exists between these programs and those offered in schools. And so the components of our recommendations are firstly to have in-school literacy programs, digital literacy programs, and have different stages of these programs for different grades. Covering basics of access to what are technologies, to effective engagement online, to education on important concepts such as what is the metaverse, what is disinformation, and what is misinformation. Bridging versions of these conversations we are having here at the IGF to the classroom enables more voices to eventually be heard in further discussions in online spaces and new technologies. And this is an inclusive approach we really believe in. Our second component of recommendation is out of school digital literacy programs for the public. So in community centers, in libraries, in public spaces, and this approach serves to include more demographics in digital education conversations, and so that we can further adjust material for certain regions and generations as well. Private stakeholders should be providing updates and information onto new technologies. And the third component of our recommendation is to include more voices on policies pertaining to safe digital spaces online. So as Manjong adeptly discussed, there is a lot of online problems that we’re facing, particularly with disinformation, and these discussions need voices from those precluded due to lack of access, language, or even knowledge or care. And we believe that this is not one of those issues where demographics have to seek out the tools in order to engage, and that we would be preemptive in equipping people with knowledge and with access and tools so that they can have a voice in this space. Governance in this space necessitates a grounds-up approach that is not just reactionary. We have next stages in the works and we’re very glad to be sharing part of the project here today. So now Yukako will present the second recommendation. Thank you so much. So from here we will focus on the part

Yukako Ban :
of metaverse landscape in our recommendation. So when we consider our future, technological development is a topic we cannot ignore. So I will introduce the background and policy gaps in this part of recommendation, and Oyuka will explain the detailed recommendation part. So I will introduce the background and policy gaps in this part of recommendation, and Oyuka will explain the detailed recommendation part. So metaverse, often described as a future of the Internet, is a network of virtual world blending the digital and physical realms. When it’s still in its infancy and lacks of clear definition, many providers are rapidly developing technologies as we could see in this forum. When we imagine our future peace in this region, its potential benefit and risks are unknown. So by 2026 a significant portion of the population will be engaged in the metaverse. necessitating better management to prevent issues like hate speech, misinformation, and anonymity. Electricity usage for such a massive use of technology is a debate, but it may reduce CO2 emissions by replacing physical travels. At this time, the metaverse holds the potential for application in education and fostering intercultural dialogue. However, the educational utility remains insufficiently explored, and there is a notable lack of developed educational content. Key challenges include regulation, privacy, and accessibility. One of the main policy gaps for the metaverse future is regulation, and this is about how to regulate this decentralized, transnational, and technologically evolving space. Questions of state power, privacy, and data protection vary regionally and culturally. Universal digital access by 2030 is a goal based on UN Our Common Agenda, and government and international organizations are working to improve Internet accessibility during digital space as a public arena. In this context, accessibility and affordability are also concerns. Currently, metaverse is primarily being shaped by Western tech giant. However, its influence extends beyond the Western world. Monopolization of metaverse platform could lead to ownership and operation issues. In Northeast Asia, the unregulated metaverse could exacerbate geopolitical tensions and conflict given the region’s geopolitical importance and existing anonymity between nations. As metaverse evolves, addressing these issues is a priority. these challenges is crucial for its responsibility, responsible and sustainable development. So here, I over to Oyuka for recommendation part.

Oyundalai Odkhuu:
Okay, thank you for Yukako and all, and I would like to highlight some components of our policy recommendations regarding the metaverse. And first component of our recommendation is develop Northeast Asian metaverse platforms. In many Northeast Asian countries have world-class technological capacities, and yet they have been heavily influenced at Western cultures. But also, it’s so appreciative that some Northeast Asian countries have already developed their own metaverse platform. And each country in Northeast Asia should take the initiative to foster increased interaction between relevant industries, research institutions, academia and governments in order to develop platform or originating from Northeast Asia and prevent monopolies and agopolies by a small number of Western countries. And that is also so important in terms of our recommendations. And first, the component of our recommendation is focused on promoting the development of inclusive algorithms. Of course, in metaverse is very hot topic and currently in technology-focused world. And so openness and inclusive algorithms is so important in the metaverse space. In the metaverse, the physical distance doesn’t matter anymore. And while traditional cooperation among countries in the Northeast Asia region can be tricky due to historical differences, territorial disputes and increased tensions leading to hate speech. and climbers and regional collaboration remains vital. And so domestic discussions with Northeast Asian countries have typically held in their native languages and creating limited exposure to views from other nations. To foster feasible relations, governments and should collectively develop algorithms for cross-language information sharing and measures to counter excessive filter bubbles. And this legislation in each country and regional agreements foster the creation of shared narratives that support fees in region and also even the world. And the third component of our policy recommendation is to focus, foster regional collaboration and mostly stakeholder dialogues between private sector and public sectors and even governments and youths and also intergenerational. It’s so important. Yeah, in the metaverse where the physical and the virtual worlds are approximated, people from fields other than internet and new technologies and policy fields should be engaged and to be heard and consulted, including marginalized communities, youth, people of different social classes and gender and sexuality and people with disabilities. And last point of our recommendation is regulation. There is no single players in the regulation of the metaverse and we need to more discuss about the regulation and code of conduct and kind of this conference, Internet Governance Forum should serve as a model for a similar regional initiative in Northeast Asia and which could. contribute intra- and intra-regional collaboration and services. Yeah, that’s four issues that we focused on in our policy recommendations, and okay, thank you.

Ijun Kim:
Thank you, Manjiang, Jerry, Yukako, and Oyuka for presenting our recommendations. I find these opportunities fascinating not only because we have the chance to share with the audience, but it also brings back memories, makes me reflect on the processes that we underwent to develop these recommendations. We have some topics that we want to surface through a more open discussion, elements of the programs that we hadn’t quite been able to touch upon through the presentation. But before I launch into that, I wonder if there are any questions, immediate questions from the audience. Interactivity and engaging a wide range of stakeholders is the key value of our program, so you’re welcome to address any questions you have. While being trained on futures literacy, I was instructed to not be afraid of silence, and I have come prepared to essentially really leverage the silence that we have. So like I mentioned, there are some elements that we want to really share with you of the program. So shall we start the panel discussion? Ready? So let’s see. We are at the IGF, and specifically I want to hear your thoughts on why Internet governance should engage young people in building consensus, possibly regulations, and moving forward so that digital spaces can become safer and more inclusive. Any takers?

Jerry Li:
Thank you, Yijun. I think that’s a really, really good question. important question that youth also face in so many other of these big systemic and pending issues, particularly with internet governance and technological developments and the whole gamut of challenges that brings. I think youth involvement and youth perspective is so important to ensure that those spaces are inclusive because the internet should not just inherit the existing problems of the physical and outside world. I think the younger generation can bring so much perspective to these changes and as we all know the younger generation, the youth, is usually inheritors of problems and guinea pigs for decisions made on our behalf or for us. So definitely when we discuss concepts like the metaverse and pending policy proposals, youth perspective and youth engagement is key. Thank you, Jerry. Maybe I also want to give some comments

Manjiang He:
on this. I think young people, as Jerry mentioned, usually they’re seen as a problem or they’re too naive but I do want to mention because we are young that is where we are open-minded, we’re open to different kind of solutions and approaches and also we are innovative. We are able and dare to take innovative approaches in this context for internet governance and also the issue relevant to conflict resolution and peace-building and also young people, they are the future leaders so they should have their voices heard and ensure their perspectives are taken into account during the decision-making process. And also I want to touch upon that in Northeast Asia region, I think usually there are limited efforts to bring and engage young people in the decision making process. Well, over this discussion with other participants over the past few days at IGF, I got to know that there quite a lot efforts has been done, has been made in other parts of the world, for example, in Africa, there’s a very active youth engagement initiative. For example, the youth IGF under African Union in different countries in Africa, also there’s Bangladesh youth-led initiative that also aims to address the digital literacy on digital platforms. So I do see there’s a lot of things happening in other parts of the world, but I don’t see at least in this region, in Northeast Asia, youth engagement are not enough. So we need to take in the initiative and to take actions to bring young people

Yukako Ban :
into the floor, into the decision making process, into the implementation process. Thank you. Thank you so much. So I really resonate with what Jaylee said and Manjung said. So I have a two point. So first one is, yes, as you said, so younger generation, this generation, including this generation I assume is called digital native. So how we engage to the digital technology and how we contract reality is different from other generations. So our perspective should be considered to know that into policy making, first of all. And the second part is the perspective of age diversity, generation diversity. I think it lacks. it’s not limited to internet governance, but especially in our region, because of the demographic change, and most of the country, maybe Mongolia is exception, but most of the country is leaning toward aging society, so it’s easy, youth voice tend to be undermined because of its structure, but especially for the policy related to technology, different perspective should be considered. Of course, in terms of digital literacy and technology, we shouldn’t exclude the policy related to technology, different perspective should be considered. Of course, in terms of digital literacy and technology, we shouldn’t exclude older generation because they are also kind of vulnerable in terms of digital technology, but age diversity in general, like youth voice is equally important to older generation.

Oyundalai Odkhuu:
Okay, yeah, I also completely agree what you said and youth engagement is super, super crucial to the internet governance, especially in the internet area and around the world, and 71% of world’s youth aged 15 to 24 years were using the internet currently. It’s a big number compared with 57% of the other age groups. It’s a big number compared with 57% of the other age groups. So as we know that the internet is a global network and that transcends borders and connects people, businesses. in the governments worldwide and the decisions related to the internet governance have far-reaching effects on the various aspects of our lives including communications and commerce and sharing information and security. And so in order to create opportunity for young people we need to share some kind of opportunities and some kind of information and create some capacity building and share and also some information about the internet governance and have to ensure our privacy in the internet space. This is more crucial currently. Thank you. At this point, let’s see, I know we’re

Ijun Kim:
slowly running out of time but since we kept talking about why we need to engage young people and this question stands for my personal interest in area of work as well, I want to ask what does good or meaningful youth engagement look like? And no pressure that everyone has to answer but I want to get your thoughts and also to share with the audiences based on your experience what are some core elements that are necessary to ensure a program or an initiative is truly meaningful in terms of youth engagement? Maybe some keywords, a sentence or two, please. Maybe I will start. I think the current situation

Manjiang He:
in the region in Northeast Asia is young people, they’re often excluded. in the decision-making process, in the policy-making process, I think the meaningful engagement with young people should be in the very beginning from the top-down, I mean, well, from the top-down approach while making policy and making decision, they should be consulted. Their opinions and perspective should be included into while we make the policies, what kind of internet, what kind of future that young people, they want. I mean, this is the future of, I mean, young people, the next generation. So I think the meaningful engagement should, in the very beginning, at a very early stage, their voices should be heard. Well, to realize that, I think there should be a mechanism there because you can, you cannot do things without any frameworks or organization to support that, right? So there should be framework where the young people voice and perspectives can be channeled into the government or private sectors, technology companies, decision-making process. But I see, for now, the efforts are quite limited. I think that’s the direction that we should aim for.

Ijun Kim:
Including young people from the early stages, I think, truly demonstrates the willingness and readiness of whoever the host is to truly listen to the inputs of young people and shape whatever it may be, a program, an initiative, a policy, but to shape it in the way that is relevant for young people. I very much agree with you. Is there any immediate reactions to this? If not, that’s okay. We can move on. Yukako?

Yukako Ban :
Thank you so much. It was a very good question. I was thinking, what is that? So from the past. I grew up in Japan, but now I live in Africa, South Africa, so like as Manjin mentioned, there are a lot of youth initiatives, youth leaders. So I was wondering what is the difference between us. But in general, not only youth engagement, youth participation, but I just rather want to ask, you know, youth from other country, but at least in Japan, the interest to the politics itself is quite low among younger generations. And so, yeah, then, so we don’t need to like immediately engage to decision making, but just like we need to be exposed to the opportunity to be heard, and also about the policy making, because I think most of young generation just feel it’s very far from where they are, and experiences are like valued. I think it’s culturally in our society. But like just maybe like as Manjin mentioned, it should be more framework and opportunity than we have more access to the tables and to be discussed, not necessarily like only youth talking about it, but we can just talking about intergenerational dialogue, because it’s also like segregated based on age, and most of the conference room and the meeting rooms. So yeah, this was, this opinion is not very like organized, but that’s what I’m thinking, and thank you so much. Thank you. There were recommendations from Manjin and Yukako on how to more meaningfully engage young people. So essentially, these are recommendations for organizers, other stakeholders from older generations, but I think it’s also important to remind young people

Ijun Kim:
that while governance, the concept may seem very far fetched from the daily lives of young people, especially because it seems to be the province of governments and state. However, I do think it’s necessary for young people to understand how those decisions can affect their daily lives, and with that awareness to continuously push and advocate for more meaningful youth engagement. And I think once there is the back and forth between these two groups, that is truly the way to create this intergenerational cooperation and an environment that enables that, so that there is response from both sides. Shall we move on to the next question? Before I do, I wonder if there are any questions from the audience.

Audience:
Hello, I’m Daichi from Japan. So I’m working on internet service providers. So I’m just middle-aged, so 40 years old. But my company established before 20 years ago. My CEO operate for 20 years, and my CEO is 46 years old. So he established in the younger age, and it continued 20 years. Then now he’s the opinion leader in our industry. But how about the 20 years, maybe nobody hear about his opinion. This is a challenge. But most important thing is to continue, don’t give up. And collaborate, and then have a conversation with each other. This is very important. And I recognize that. So when I was 40 years, everyone is ready to hear our opinion. So please try and challenge. This is my opinion. Thank you so much. Thank you. That’s super, super encouraging. And I very much agree with you. You’ll notice that currently, youth engagement or youth inclusion is a very big trend. So I think it’s really important for us to not only recognize the importance of youth engagement, but really utilize and leverage this momentum and ensure we can keep the momentum going through different programs, different speaking engagement opportunities like this, and also internal and also external dialogue. So thank you.

Ijun Kim:
Well, one, I think maybe we might have time for one or possibly two questions. This is a question that hangs over us all. Cross-border cooperation, particularly in the context of Northeast Asia, currently where fragmentation globally and regionally is very much happening, such cooperation has proven to be quite challenging. So I want to get your thoughts, youth peacebuilders, on how our policies aim to address and essentially overcome the realistic challenges of the world.

Jerry Li:
Thank you for that question. And that definitely is a major question that we always get asked when presenting policy recommendations of this nature. And for me, I think that looking back to the beginning stages of the internet itself is a great guide in that there was a lot of consensus on global governance regarding certain parts of the structure of the internet. But then content, for instance, was left to. nations a national policy so that it could be sensitive to cultural differences or religious differences and considerations. I think despite the fragmented nature of the Northeast Asia region on some aspects that could just that could also be possible and left to national policies for certain cultural considerations but with that said a lot of our policies particularly on digital literacy education and regional community building across borders those are initiatives that have existed in our respective countries but we our policy proposal just serves to improve on these existing efforts. For instance in Hong Kong META in 2021 has a digital literacy program and it was applied and there were workshops held. The Women’s Foundation in Hong Kong also had similar efforts to encourage women in Hong Kong to be part of STEM. The Hong Kong Bureau also has their own digital literacy program. So our policy recommendation on digital literacy programs like the beginning foundations are all there we just hope that there could be more public and private collaboration so that more voices as we’ve said repeatedly can be included but yes so I guess my quick answer is that I don’t see that as a major problem. And a quick food for thought I wonder if we can take a positive spin on

Ijun Kim:
the concept or the keyword fragmentation and consider it diversification. Diversification that respects and cars out spaces for diversity but without the challenges of fragmentation which hinders communication and cooperation so just food for thought. Maybe I just want to add one more thing, while we do see the challenges of cross-border cooperation

Manjiang He:
or international cooperation in the region, given that the countries in the region are in a very different, they’re at very different stages of development, economically, socially and also culturally. So to keep that in mind is, while we wanted to have a kind of regional initiative, intergovernmental or international cooperation, but I think important is also to respect the local context, the differences, that all the societies have their own uniqueness, although we want to have a kind of regional initiative and cooperation, but back to the digital literacy program, we can kind of integrate the local context into the literacy programs or metaverse, into the mechanism, while also we keep that in mind, the overarching goal is to create a more inclusive and also open online digital space or platform. I would like to add some insights, cross-border cooperation is happening in some kind of regions, for example Mongolia, and due to some issues, for example skill gaps and cultural awareness

Oyundalai Odkhuu:
and also some kind of mechanisms, and so that it’s so valuable that in ways, in capacity building, promoting that enhancement. the skills and knowledge of individuals and users and organizations involved in the metaverse context. And this can help bridge skill gaps and promote effective cross-border cooperation. And secondly, I would like to put some points. There is inquiry in promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity training for metaverse developers and users. And it is more helpful that understanding the cultural nuances in the Northeast Asian countries. Countries can facilitate smoother, more smoother cooperation and collaboration, digital literacy and metaverse context, and even more sectors. And lastly, the point is going to establish some kind of mechanisms and for solving conflicts and disputes that may arise during cross-border metaverse activities. And so arbitration and meditation processes can be valuable in this crisis. And also, it wastes some kind of funding for education sector is more valuable, because a metaverse is newly born and new sector that we are facing today. And so we need to encourage and gain more knowledge in terms of the metaverse context. Yeah, that is what I am thinking that. Thank you so much. I have a relatively longer time to think about my answer, but this is a very challenging question. but cross-border cooperation is challenging but particularly in

Yukako Ban :
political area but economically we already have a lot of cooperation within the region like because just manufacturing some like smartphone those things oh like no no single country can manufacture single product these days and especially like China, Japan, Korea we have a lot of economic cooperation and also Mongolia like also as you mentioned like those capacity building those things that there are cooperation in some ways but because we are peacebuilder when we’re talking about peace we can’t avoid you know like political issues so like just that the conversation from politics makes the conversation more difficult but the internet and then something related to education and capacity building it can be like how to say like milder topic to start the cooperation so that’s why I personally like this topic like technology and skill development and also like we already have a kind of inter like university like those academic program among three nations at least so starting the compensation from like non-political layer but it is definitely connected to the broader like concept of peace like citizen level awareness and if you like this kind of initiative like you get to know each other and then I also really like your like not your like food of thoughts a diversification actually like having different unique culture it’s I think it’s very like it’s nothing bad about it and localization we have a different value and culture and it’s natural there is diversity but the issue is if it’s like closed off and it’s fragmented and divided but if they are like just in the system level and internet governance like if it’s like interoperated and also they are language barrier but the technology can break through those differences. So thinking about the cooperation from different angle,

Ijun Kim:
not only politics, then yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Thank you. Thank you all and Yukako, I love your point about essentially being more creative on how we start conversations and proposing innovative ways on how we can maneuver around political barriers or other challenges that we foresee for regional cooperation. Thank you. We have just over five minutes left. Any questions from the audience? Not to worry because I have another question to pose to our panelists. But just to be mindful of time, let’s keep our responses short so we can clear the room just right on time. So last but not least, and also if the audience is very much interested in this program, I’m sure this question will be fascinating. But I want to hear from you guys, what are our next steps for these policy recommendations. Thank you, Yijun. So as Yukako mentioned, there are existing

Jerry Li:
cross-border regional collaboration groups already and a lot of them do pertain to the education space. So research consortiums and research groups, university efforts. So we hope to collaborate more with existing groups to develop and be more informed about what is possible and what needs to also be further discussed and source more voices and experts in in the fields to make our policy proposals more informed. Yeah, I have two points about the next steps of the metaverse.

Oyundalai Odkhuu:
And first of all is we need to invest in some kind of funding to educational sector. And it is still new sector and so implement education programs to improve digital literacy and responsibility use of the metaverse. And these initiatives should target both young and young people and adults and also intergenerational peoples should target that. And it can help to raise awareness of the potential risks and benefits, of course. And secondly, contributing the developing code of conduct or regulating a framework is more crucial. And industry standards that address privacy and data security and content moderation and digital property rights within the metaverse is crucial. And so the next step is to contribute some kind of code of conduct and regulating of the metaverse and also education programs. I think it’s more crucial for the next step.

Ijun Kim:
Quick note, let’s try to keep our responses to a minute. I know it’s hard, but… Okay, yeah, because we are running out of time. After the next step, so our recommendation

Yukako Ban :
is not for recommendation, like we shouldn’t stop there. So it should be implemented in some ways, then we need a cooperation and collaboration with other organization, and that potentially as a youth organization, maybe like youth IGF, and also other, of course like different, also like not only like having dialogue, but have a more practical conversation with different organization, but that’s why we are here. So that is going to be a next step, and I’m also open to talk each of you like attending these sessions, yeah.

Manjiang He:
Yeah, maybe just want to add the last point that for next step and the future plans, we do see the realistic limitations. For example, the funding investment and how to keep this program sustainable. But I just want to echo what Jerry mentioned is we can start with integrate our possible recommendation into the existing original initiative already that make it easier, and also we already have the stakeholders around, and then we reach out to them and just add the element of digital literacy and also metaverse into it. I think it could be make it more easier to implement and proceed further, yeah.

Ijun Kim:
I think we are right on time. I just want to reiterate, thank you to the Internet Governance Forum for providing this platform for us to share our recommendations and insights. And to our audience, if you are interested in continuing to observe and also explore how young people can shape governance and beyond that peace-building, especially in Northeast Asia, please keep up with Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia, thank you. Good job. Thank you. Thank you. Good job guys, good job. That went by so much faster than I thought it would, right?