In light of the ongoing pandemic, likely travel restrictions and to deepen the impact of the digital rights community’s work, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) will host the 8th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), from April 12 to 30, 2021, using a format that will celebrate the multi-country community that contributes to promoting digital rights and inclusion in Africa. The upcoming DRIF21 will be a distributed multi-country festival of in-person convenings, under appropriate safety protocols, and that others outside the physical location can join virtually. The multi-country festival will open with a virtual open day on April 12, followed by in-country day convenings across Africa, and the Forum will end with a virtual closing day on April 30. PIN is calling for sessions to be hosted virtually or by in-country partners (some support is available) during DRIF21.

The deadline for DRIF21 session proposals is October 31, 2020, after which PIN will announce a call for registration so that participants can choose which physical or virtual events they wish to join.

We welcome session proposals for panel discussions, virtual lectures, exhibitions, presentations of pre-recorded content, research launches or any other exciting proposals which advance digital rights and inclusion. To participate in DRIF21, please see how you can participate below;

• Register to host a DRIF21 virtual Open or Closing Day Session from anywhere in the world.
• Partner with Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and host a DRIF Session in an African country between the 12th – 30th of April 2021.

Important Dates

Call for Session Proposals Deadline: 31 October 2020
Registration for Participation: 15 December 2020 – 15 January 2021
DRIF21 Virtual Open Day: 12 April 2021
DRIF21 Virtual Closing Day: 30 April 2021
Multi-Country In-Person Sessions: Between the 12th – 30th of April 2021