Summit of the Future risks missing an opportunity to push for a healthier digital future

• The introduction (chapeau) acknowledges that technologies can both cause adverse impacts as well as have the potential to deliver a better future if they are properly managed. It recognizes that multilateral systems must be able to adapt to future technological changes and that governance reform and greater international cooperation are essential to this. Health is only referenced once in relation to disease; three references to well-being may also implicitly denote health.

   

• In the section on Sustainable development and financing for development, health only features in relation to a commitment to follow up on high-level meetings on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; universal health coverage; and tuberculosis.

   

• The accelerating pace of technological change is strongly highlighted as an issue for International peace and security, but not for health and well-being.

   

• The section on Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation focuses heavily on the potential benefits of digital technologies. No concern is raised about their risks or potential harms, including for health and well-being or for different population groups such as children and youth. Concern is raised about the existing disparities between countries in terms of their ability to generate innovation but less about the multiple forms of inequities arising from divides in digital access, literacy and skills. One exception is a commitment to close gender-related digital divides.

   

• This section includes the only link between digital transformations and health: a support for calls to share technologies and skills to solve the basic health issues of water, sanitation and food security.

   

• The section on youth and future generations acknowledges that young people’s well-being is closely intertwined with their right to health. Young people are rightly acknowledged as critical agents of change who need to be meaningfully included in decision-making. Digital barriers are noted as a potential challenge for young people’s participation but the section makes no reference to the digital determinants of health – the wide range of benefits and risks of digital transformations for young people’s health, well-being and rights.

OUR RECOMMENDATION:

• We urge member states to prioritise achieving better health and well-being for all in the Pact for the Futures, as a human right and essential for realising better futures. The Pact should also reinforce the need to address risks and inequities associated with digital transformations, particularly for young people and future generations.

• The only reference to (human) health is in the final of ten commitments within the declaration to “Guarantee the rights of future generations to the highest standard of health, through universal healthcare, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all throughout the life course.” No links are made between digital transformations and human or planetary health.
  
  
• Risks associated with new and emerging technologies are acknowledged as well as the need for more effective and equitable digital governance.

   

• The need for intergenerational dialogue and the inclusion of young people in decision-making is recognized. No recommendation is made about how young people can support the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, for example.

   

OUR RECOMMENDATION:

• We urge member states to reflect the significant impacts of digital transformations for young people’s health and well-being, both now and in the future, in the declaration.