USAID Hosts Roundtable on Human Rights and Communication Technology
On Wednesday, December 10, USAID Assistant Administrator Kent Hill, on behalf of Administrator Henrietta H. Fore, welcomed international human rights activists from Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, and Iran, along with other invited guests from the human rights and technology community in the U.S., to a roundtable discussion on "Human Rights and Communication Technology." The roundtable followed the activists' meeting with President George W. Bush. The USAID event was part of a series of events hosted by the President, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other U.S. officials in recognition of International Human Rights Week (December 8-12) and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 The roundtable discussion was moderated by Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, David Kramer and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, Elisabeth Kvitashvili. Discussion focused on best practices for USAID and the Department of State to promote human rights using cutting edge communication and information technology. A current trend involves the use of Internet blogging and cell phones to advocate for human rights in closed countries where freedom of expression is severely limited. At the event, USAID Assistant Administrator Kent Hill announced the release of a new USAID-supported publication, "A Mobile Voice: The Use of Mobile Phones in Citizen Media," (pdf, 797kb) which explores the dynamics of the role of mobile phones in enhancing access to and creating information for citizen-produced media. Hill also announced the establishment of a new annual award for USAID mission directors in recognition of "Excellence in the Advancement of Human Rights and Freedom."
Back to Top ^
|
