President Lazarus Chakwera has called for an international inclusive society in which young people should be empowered to contribute to sustainable development.
Chakwera made the remarks during a virtual summit for democracy hosted by South Korean President Yoon Suk, which he attended alongside other world leaders.
“We must align our national programmes and international policies to that goal, and back them up with the requisite resources.
“As I travel across Malawi and interact with young people, their vision of a democracy for their generations and their children is very clear.
“They desire a democracy that creates economic opportunities through entrepreneurship ventures that have access to the global market and through dignified employment,” the President said.
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He further asked the world leaders to promote accessibility of digital platforms, arguing this is the age where information is shared globally.
“We must understand that the digital age now gives a young person in Karonga, Malawi, access to information and events in Comrat, Moldova. That is what tech companies and online digital platforms have achieved,” he said.
In his address, Yoon warned that the “freedom and democracy we have built through sweat and sacrifice are being seriously undermined around the world and faced with grave challenges.”
He called fake news and disinformation based on artificial intelligence and digital technology threats to democracy.
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“Fake news and disinformation based on AI and digital technology not only violates individual freedom and human rights but also threatens democratic systems,” Yoon said.
The third summit for democracy was an initiative of United States President Joe Biden aimed at discussing ways to stop democratic backsliding and erosion of rights and freedoms.
Biden and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the opening session of the summit.
