Officials from Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, Australia and Canada give the thumbs-up at the opening of the GCTF International Workshop on Human Rights in the Digital Age Nov. 15 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

An international workshop on protecting human rights in the digital age was held Nov. 15-17 in Taipei City under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, reflecting Taiwan’s commitment to working with like-minded partners to promote internet freedom, advance norms and safeguards for artificial intelligence, counter misuse of surveillance technology and strengthen digital inclusion.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the three-day event was jointly organized with Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Digital Affairs and Institute for Information Industry, as well as the American Institute in Taiwan, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Australian Office, Taipei and Canada Trade Office in Taipei.

The event involved officials, academics, civil society experts and private sector representatives from 18 countries in the Indo-Pacific and Latin America. NHRC Chair Chen Chu, Digital Minister Audrey Tang, AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk and CTOT Executive Director Jim Nickel all gave remarks during the opening ceremony.

In addition to sharing views on ways to tackle related challenges in the digital age, participants also toured III in Taipei to explore Taiwan’s approach to respecting rights in cybersecurity and data collection, as well policies to narrow the digital divide and safeguard human rights online, the ministry added.

Since its launch in June 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S., with Japan and Australia joining later, GCTF has become a critical platform for the four sides to contribute to global problem-solving and share expertise with regional stakeholders in areas such as energy cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, media literacy, public health, and women’s empowerment. (SFC-E)