The HSRC BRICS Seminar Series
Digital Liberty, the Knowledge Commons and some Challenges for the Governance of ICTs and the Internet for the BRICS
Speaker: Prof Rasigan Maharajh, Nodal Head of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation’ Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and founding Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation at Tshwane University of Technology
Venues in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town (Videoconferencing facilities: see below)
Date: 10 November 2015
Time: 13:15 for 13:30 – 14H30
This Seminar will explore the challenges posed by the current dynamics in the political economy of ICTs and the Internet for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). The Seminar paper comprises four sections. After an introduction which broadly defines the domains and identifies the focus of the paper, our attention will shift to an exploration of some of the contemporary dynamics in the political economy of ICTs and the Internet, including some aspects of ICTs, Internet infrastructures, global knowledge and culture, and the debate concerning the governance of the Internet. Section three provides a brief economic history of ICTs and the Internet in the BRICS with a particular emphasis on South Africa. The fourth and concluding section synthesises the paper and recommends a strategic orientation appropriate to the progressive objectives articulated by the BRICS in working together and seeking to realise a better world-order for all.