Thursday, 20th June, 2024: Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe has been appointed to the Global Network Initiative (GNI) Board. GNI is a leading multi-stakeholder organisation for accountability, shared learning, and collective advocacy on government and company policies and practices at the intersection of technology and human rights. GNI was launched in 2008 to set a standard for how technology companies should respect the freedom of expression and privacy rights of their users when addressing government requests and restrictions, and be accountable for the same.
Global Network Initiative comprises 100 organisations, academicians, investors and fellows such as Paradigm Initiative, Internews, Nokia, Human Rights Watch, Google, Meta, CIPESA, Freedom House, Zoom and National Democratic Institute.
The Board, responsible for the organisation’s strategic direction and overseeing its operations, is composed of six representatives from companies, three from civil society organisations, two from the academic community and one from the investor community and an Independent Chair and Vice Chair. The Alternate Board comprises 13 members, drawn from the membership.
Thobekile welcomed her appointment to the Board, saying:” I’m looking forward to lending my expertise, collaborating with phenomenal leaders to promote a harmonious intersection of technology and human rights in a trusted space,encouraging responsible conduct across the technology ecosystem.”
GNI provides a framework for responsible business conduct based on international human rights standards and fosters accountability for company members through a unique multistakeholder, independent assessment process. It also sets a global standard for responsible company decision-making to promote and advance freedom of expression and privacy rights across the technology ecosystem while collaborating with diverse actors including international, multilaterals and multistakeholder organisations and initiatives.
Paradigm Initiative joined GNI in 2017 and celebrates Thobekile Matimbe’s appointment, representing the civil society membership constituency globally.
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About PIN
Paradigm Initiative has worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, building experience, community trust, and an organisational culture that positions us as a leading social enterprise in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent.
Across our regional offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, , and beyond, we have impacted youth with improved livelihoods through our digital inclusion and digital rights programs. The organisation’s programs include LIFE training program, and life at schools club program.
PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations. These mediums, in the form of reports, short films, and educational online platforms, include Ayeta, Londa, and Ripoti.