International Day of Peace 2024: A Cohesive Digital Sphere in the Maldives

The United Nations in the Maldives, in partnership with Maldives National University (MNU), commemorated the International Day of Peace 2024 by focusing on the theme of "Fostering a Culture of Peace in the Digital Sphere." The event, hosted at MNU on 24 September 2024, brought together a wide range of stakeholders including government, diplomatic missions, civil society, the tech industry, academia and youth, to discuss the importance of creating a cohesive and safe digital space in the Maldives.

In his opening remarks, Interim Resident Coordinator Mr. Bradley Busetto noted the UN Secretary General's statement to mark Peace Day had noted that "everywhere we look, peace is under attack" as conflicts exacerbate around the world. As such, he observed that there was no better time to reflect on the actions we all need to take within society to foster and maintain a 'culture of peace'. He also noted it was especially apt that the theme of the event focuses on fostering a culture of peace in the digital sphere just as the Summit of the Future in New York is concluding. At a side-event in the run up to the Summit, co-hosted by the government and the UN, President Dr. Muizzu outlined his vision for an 'intelligence-driven future" for the Maldives and for SIDS (or Small Island Developing States) countries in general.

A key feature of the event was a panel discussion followed by a live Q&A session. The panel explored how the Maldives can continue to further digital connectivity while fostering social cohesion and maintaining a culture of peace. The distinguished panel included the Information Commissioner of the Maldives, Uz. Ahmed Ahid Rasheed, civil society representative and Associate Member of Women in Tech Maldives Ms. Nazha Ibrahim, and two panelists representing the MNU student body, Ms. Hawwa Dheema Adnan BA student (Political Science and International Relations) and Mr. Leevaan Ali Nasir BA student (Journalism) and career journalist. The panel's wide-ranging conversation focused on enhancing social cohesion through promoting ethical journalism, tackling online misinformation, mitigating serious digital harms including hate speech and Tech-enabled Gender Based Violence (TE-GBV), while reflecting on H.E. President Dr. Muizzu's vision for an intelligence-driven future that emphasizes digital inclusion for all residents.

Noting the rapid dissemination of misinformation and disinformation online, the Information Commissioner called for greater access to credible information to improve information integrity. MNU student and journalist Mr. Leevan flagged the role of ethical journalism and verifying information before sharing or publishing online. Women in Tech representative Ms. Nazha highlighted the challenges of inaction or lack of timely action by social media platforms to prevent digital harms. MNU student Ms. Dheema was among the panelists who emphasized the importance of promoting digital literacy to combat these issues, noting that empowering youth was insufficient as senior citizens also struggled to identify credible sources in a rapidly changing information environment. Panelists also underlined the need for implementing human rights compliant policies and regulations to ensure a safe and inclusive digital sphere for all.

In line with the Maldives' broader focus on digital transformation, the event reflected the government's commitment to creating an inclusive, intelligence-driven society, as discussed during the recent SIDS4 Conference and the Summit of the Future. The panel's discussions aligned with international efforts such as the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, underscoring the need for collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector to address the complex peace issues of the digital age.

The event's partnership with MNU also highlighted the role of youth in shaping the future of digital engagement in the Maldives. The event was also unique in being a 'student-led' event with UN Maldives and MNU faculty support, reflecting the university's commitment to empowering young people to take an active role in national dialogues about social cohesion, peace, and digital literacy.

The panel discussion provided a timely and valuable platform for key stakeholders to reflect on how the Maldives could build a more cohesive and peaceful society that enjoys the full benefits of digital connectivity with an inclusive and conflict-sensitive approach. As the country continues to embrace digitalization, ensuring that peace, inclusion, and human rights remain central to this transformation will be vital for the nation's digital future.