DFA co-organizes human rights, ICT seminar in Seoul, Korea

Thursday 5th of July 2012

SEOUL, Korea, July 5 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) co-organized the 12th Informal Asia-Europe (ASEM) seminar on human rights and information and communications technology (ICT) from June 27 to 29 in Seoul, Korea.

A DFA press statement said the government of the Republic of Korea hosted the seminar, which is an annual event co-organized with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden’s Raoul Wallenberg Institute and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

DFA said that this year’s theme was “Human Rights and ICT” specifically focusing on working group topics such as freedom of expression, right to privacy, the digital divide, and the right to the cultural enjoyment of the Internet.

DFA reported that Philippine ASEF Governor, Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo, said in her opening remarks, “the linkages between human rights and ICT are not only evident. They can also be developed and explored to further advance both. While the issue of access to ICTs as a human right remains open to debate, what is certain though is that governments and businesses must work together to create a favorable environment and the conditions that will allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of ICT.”

While diverging views were expressed on such complex issues as the relationship between freedom of expression and the right to privacy online as well as intellectual property rights and the right to the cultural enjoyment of the Internet, participants agreed that there is a need to strike a balance between these seemingly opposed concepts in order to maximize the benefits of ICT while safeguarding human rights, DFA said.

According to DFA, more than 100 participants from Asia and Europe attended the seminar representing civil society organizations and government agencies in charge of human rights policies, ICT, individual privacy protection, copyright, and justice among others.

Aside from Manalo, the Philippines was also represented by Luningning G. Camoying of the DFA Office of European Affairs, Benjamin F. Mora of the Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology Office, Al Alegre of the Foundation for Media Alternatives, and Ellen Tordesillas of Vera Files, DFA said.

DFA said the informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights is organized within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting, a dialogue process gathering 46 Asian and European countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, and the European Commission. The 13th edition of the seminar will be held next year in Europe.

As a co-organizer since 2011, the Philippines sits in the Steering Committee and contributes in the substantive and administrative preparations for the annual informal seminar, DFA said. (DFA)