The e-Learning Centre, University of Hyderabad (UoH) was one of the initiators of the IFAP/BRICS conference on “International Policy Dialogue on IFAP Priority Areas in BRICS Countries” held from 4-6 July, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The objectives of the conference were:

Creating a platform for the International Policy Dialogue on IFAP Priority Areas;
To support the development of a sustainable dialogue group in BRICS, African countries and
Pacific Region;
That the project will be to strengthen the collaboration between the BRICS countries;
To create and revitalize the IFAP structures in the BRICS and African countries;
To create a network of IFAP in BRICS countries

The Conference themes included:

Cultural Diversity – opportunities and threats
Radicalism in the digital environment
Digital Learning among BRICS Countries
Cyber Journalism and Ethics
Multilingualism, migration and adaptation
Equitable and sustainable development
Gender and Inclusivity
Ramifications of Fourth Industrial Revolution on Cultural Diversities and development
Access and accessibility considerations for people with disabilities
Youth mobility
IFAP and the Sustainable Development Goals

Prof. J. Prabhakar Rao coordinated the conference on behalf of the University. He also delivered a keynote address on “Challenges of Multiculturalism to Digital Learning: Trans-disciplinary Discourse” co-authored by Prof. R. Siva Prasad. He also chaired a session in the conference and participated in the round-table discussion on “Establishing a new IFAP footprint”. Prof. R. Siva Prasad presented a paper on “Sustainable Development, Equitability and Multiculturalism: Can A Balance among the Three Possible?” co-authored by Prof.J. Prabhakar Rao and Prof. Vasuki Belavadi presented a paper on “Digital Dilemmas: Whither Ethics in Online Journalism?”. The conference was attended by scholars from Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Eritrea, France, Germany, India, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

With regard to University of Hyderabad, India it was proposed to initiate setting up IFAP, a conference on information ethics in 2019 and an online course on Information ethics in collaboration International Centre for Information Ethics, Canada and African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics, Capetown.

The next conference is planned in Rio, Brazil.

-Inputs from Prof. J Prabhakar Rao