The Social Forum of the Human Rights Council is an annual meeting with the aim of promoting a dialogue with contributions from civil society, representatives of member States and intergovernmental organisations.

Each annual meeting focuses on a different topic related to social cohesion based on social justice, equity and solidarity and approaching globalisation from a social dimension.

This year’s Social Forum focused on the Contribution of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to the promotion of Human Rights, Including in the Context of Post-Pandemic Recovery.
OIDEL participated by submitting two oral statements.

Oral Statement during the Interactive Dialogue on “the Triple Planetary Crisis: The Contribution of STI and Science-Based Decision-Making to the Rights of Present and Future Generations”.
In this oral statement, Claudia Verdesoto as representative of OIDEL, points out the multiple threads in relation to digitalisation for the development and protection of children’s rights. Simultaneously, she highlights the importance of parents when protecting the rights of children, describing their role as indispensable.

OIDEL encourages the international community to take into account families’ concerns and interests by referring to article 5 of the UN Covenant on the Rights of the Child.

Oral Statement during the Interactive Dialogue on “the Challenges and Risks from New and Emerging Technologies – STI and Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Democracy and Development”.

As representative of OIDEL, Josyane Zingg expresses one challenge that is sometimes not fully considered when talking about new technologies: the little accountability required of big tech companies when they distribute screens to children.

Moreover, Ms. Zingg stresses the importance of maintaining a holistic approach when analysing and looking for possible solutions to this problem, requesting the international community to demand responsibility and accountability from the said companies.