The benefits of governing through digital technologies are well recognized. However, the growing recognition of the risks of digital technologies necessitates a similar acknowledgement of the importance of governance over these technologies. It is well-known that digital technologies can transform governance and service delivery, enhancing efficiency, inclusion, and accountability. However, these technologies are not neutral and introduce new risks that challenge their developmental potential.

On the occasion of the launch of UNDP’s new report, “A Shared Vision for Digital Technology and Governance: The Role of Governance in Ensuring Digital Technologies Contribute to Development and Mitigate Risks,” and in partnership with the Global Governance Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, we will bring together voices from different stakeholder groups to reflect on the governance implications of digital transformation.

INTRODUCTION

James Hollway, Co-Director, Global Governance Centre and Associate Professor of International Relations/Political Science, Geneva Graduate Institute

Presenters

• Sarah Lister, Head of Governance, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP

Sarah Lister is UNDP’s Head of Governance and oversees policy and programme support to its governance portfolio globally, which includes electoral cycle support, parliamentary development, anti-corruption, legal identity, youth empowerment and disability inclusion. She has more than 25 years’ experience working on democratic governance, including civic engagement, media and communication, social accountability, public administration reform and governance measurement. From 2015-2019 she was the Director of UNDP’s Oslo Governance Centre where she led the team bridging research, policy and practice on governance and peacebuilding in transitional contexts, with a particular focus on SDG16.  Among other positions, she has also worked for BBC Media Action, the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit in Kabul and the Institute of Development Studies, UK. She has lived and worked in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Sarah holds a PhD and MSc in Social Policy from the London School of Economics, and a BA in History from Cambridge University, UK.

• Emrys Schoemaker, Senior Governance Advisor, UNDP and Research Director, Caribou Digital

Emrys Schoemaker is a Senior Governance Advisor at UNDP and Research Director at Caribou Digital, with nearly 20 years of experience working in the field of international development.  His research and advisory work focuses on digital technologies in processes of political, economic and social change. At UNDP he advises on governance and digital technologies, including Digital Public Infrastructure and safeguards. At Caribou Digital he leads the strategy and advisory practice, where he support donors, multi-lateral organisations and the private sector on digital technology and transformation. He is a fellow at the Graduate Institute, where he focuses on digital technologies, governance and the humanitarian sector, and at the London School of Economics, where he gained his PhD examining the relationship between social media and identity.

• Agi Veres, Director, UNDP office in Geneva

Agi Veres is the Director of the UNDP Office in Geneva, responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy, as well as UNDP’s Geneva-based policy and programme work. Prior to this, Ms. Veres served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia (2019-2021) providing leadership, oversight and advisory support to 18 UNDP offices in the Europe and Central Asia region. Before her regional role, Ms. Veres was posted in the People’s Republic of China as UNDP Resident Representative (2018-2019) and Country Director (2015-2018), where she led UNDP’s development programme, as well as engagement on global development cooperation with China.  She also served as Deputy Resident Representative (2011-2015) in UNDP Lesotho, and was assigned to UNDP’s Regional Centre in Bratislava, Slovakia (2006-2011), as Deputy Chief for Policy and Programme, and Senior Programme Coordinator.

• Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative, Sri Lanka

Azusa Kubota joined UNDP in Sri Lanka as the Resident Representative in January 2023. Prior to her appointment in Sri Lanka, Ms. Kubota served as the Resident Representative for UNDP in Bhutan from 2019-2022, where she led overall operations, programme implementation, strategic vision setting and representation of the office in the country. 

Panelists

• Jonas Pasquier, Head of Global Affairs, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations

Jonas Pasquier leads a team which covers both transversal issues such as peace/security, health, environment or digital policy and Geneva-based specialized organizations. Prior to this, he spent four years at the Mission of Switzerland at the UN in NY, where he led the political section and the Security Council team. His diplomatic career includes postings in Berlin and Bern. A political affairs and global governance specialist, Mr. Pasquier held previous positions at the University of Geneva’s and at the Swiss Parliament. He holds MA degrees from the Geneva Graduate Institute and the University of Geneva in political science and arts.

• Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation, United Nations University

Eleonore Fournier-Tombs is a senior researcher at UNU-CPR and Research Lead for the UN's High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. During her career, Eleonore Fournier-Tombs has worked as a data scientist throughout the United Nations system and conducted research at the intersection of technology and gender, migration, democracy and health.

• Kulani Abendroth-Dias, Research and Governance Program Manager, Project Liberty Foundation and PhD Candidate, Geneva Graduate Institute

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Kulani Abendroth-Dias a behavioural scientist and TED speaker specializing in human-centric AI and emerging technology policy. She is currently a Research and Governance Program Manager with Project Liberty Foundation and a doctoral candidate investigating public attitudes towards AI regulation at the Geneva Graduate Institute. She formerly worked with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Science, Technology, and Innovation Directorate in Paris, the Global Partnership on AI, and several UN agencies including the UNDP in Sri Lanka. 

• Danisha Decius, Program Manager, Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today

Danisha Decius is a dedicated Program Manager at Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today (DYLOTT), where she leads the Black Diplomats Academy. With a background in Economics and Public Administration, Danisha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She has notably led the delegation of the Black Diplomats Academy to the UN’s Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and took part in Canada’s delegation in the last session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, actively engaging in policy-making discussions on a global scale. Danisha is also currently pursuing a double-masters program catered to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, composed of a Master of Science in Innovation, Human Development, and Sustainability (MIHDS) at the University of Geneva and a Master of Public Administration at Tsinghua University. Her thesis is centralised on Canada's commitments to SDG 8 and its influence on their Indo-Pacific Strategy.

This event is co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Governance Centre.

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