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The Benefits of Space-Based Technology for Human Rights under the Auspices of SDGs

Valentina Nardone Sapienza, University of Rome

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Space-Based ICTs

Development

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1985, The Missing Link. Report of the

Independent Commission for World-Wide

Telecommunications Development

-1992/1994 ITU-D

-the ‘economic and social development’ is an objective of the

ITU as a whole

2015, Transforming our World: The 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development

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“the spread of information and communications technology and global interconnectedness has great potential to

accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide and to develop knowledge societies”

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SUBSTANTIAL

role

Theyarepartoftheinfrastructurecreatedorre-launchedtoimplement

SDGs

FORMAL

role

Theyareusedasindicatorstomonitorandassesstheimplementa:onofSDGs;thedatacollectedareusedtoguidepolicy-makers

Impact of Space-Based ICTs on development is TWOFOLD

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SATELLITETELECOMMUNICATIONS

GOLBALACCESSINFORMATION

SOCIETY(GOAL10)

TELE-HEALTH(GOAL3)

TELE-EDUCATION(GOAL4)

IMPROVEGENDEREQUALITY(GOAL5)

ACCESSHIGHQUALITYJOBS

(GOAL8)

SUBSTANTIAL ROLE

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Development of Satellite Communication Capacity and Emergency Communication Solutions for the Pacific

2014 Samoa

ITU Inmarsat Intelsat ITSO

Kacific Broadband Satellites

PTE LTD

11

Pacific Islands

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FORMAL ROLE

Monitoring the implementation of

SDGs Furnish reliable data to influence choices

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SDG4–QUALITYEDUCATION

Target 4.4

Indicator 4. 4. 1 - Percentage of youth/

adults with information and communication

technology (ICT) skills by type of skill

SDG 5 – GENDER EQUALITY

Target 5.b

Indicator 5.b.1 – Proportion of

individuals who own a mobile telephone

SDG 9 - INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Target 9.c

Indicator 9.c.1 - Percentage of

population covered by mobile network, by

technology

SDG 17- PARTNERSHIP FOR

THE GOALS

Targets 17.6 & 17.8

Indicator 17.8.1 – Proportion of

individuals using the Internet

Indicator 17.6.2 – Fixed Internet broadband

subscription, by speed

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“We will support developing countries, particularly African countries, least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in strengthening the capacity of

national statistical offices and data systems to ensure access to high-quality, timely, reliable and disaggregated data. We will promote transparent and accountable scaling-up of appropriate public-private cooperation to exploit the contribution to be made by a wide range of data, including earth

observation and geospatial information, while ensuring national ownership in supporting and tracking progress”. (para. 76)

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“Adoption of an open satellite data-collection and dissemination policy for sustainable economic and social development would be consistent with General Assembly resolution 41/65, entitled “Principles relating to remote sensing of the Earth from outer space”. In promoting data dissemination policies, States could also consider establishing programmes aimed at training and educating users in developing countries to receive

and interpret relevant satellite-based data and to make such data available, useful and accessible to domestic and international end users. The Group noted that some States already disseminate free remote

sensing data for the promotion of economic and social development. The Group also noted that the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012, recognized the

important role that space science and technology play in promoting sustainable development”.

Para. 56 of the Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities, 2013.

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WORLD BANK & ESA • At Paris COP21 Climate Change Summit they signed a Memorandum of

Intent concerning the use by the WB of data and information delivered by ESA Earth Observation satellites from space

GOOGLE & FAO •  They have recently agreed upon a three- year strategy that will make available

data from space more easily for users all over the world

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SDGs

&Hum

anRights

Foundation: “The new Agenda […] is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international

human rights treaties […]” (para. 10)

Guideline: “[…] the Agenda is to be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the rights and obligations of

States under international law ” (para. 18)

Aim: “We reaffirm the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international instruments relating to human rights […]. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States […] to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental

freedoms for all, […]” (para. 19)

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Civil and Political Rights

•  Goals 5, 10, 16

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

•  Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Solidarity Rights

•  Goals 12, 13, 14, 15

SDGS ARE RELEVANT FOR MANY HUMAN RIGHTS

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Space-Based ICTs

Development

Human Rights

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SUBSTANTIAL

role

TheyareusefultoimplementHRsobliga:ons

FORMAL

role

TheyarenecessarytomonitorHRsandinfluencechoicesinordertoimprovetheknowledge,respectandenforcementofHRs

Under the SDGs magnifying glass, the benefits of Space-Based ICTs for Human Rights are TWOFOLD

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Thank you for your kind attention!

Valentina Nardone +393458425432

nardone.valentina@gmail.com