4-5 December 2024
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Online
Creating a safer digital world, free from child sexual exploitation and abuse for future generations
We are facing a global crisis. More than 300 million children a year are estimated to be victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation. It has never been more critical to drive global, transformative change in ending child sexual exploitation and abuse online.
On 4-5 December, WeProtect Global Alliance’s 2024 Global Summit, co-hosted by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates took place in Abu Dhabi.
The 2024 Global Summit provided a momentous opportunity to create a different future for children online as we fostered collaboration and candid conversations among Ministers, innovators, tech leaders, civil society organisations, policymakers, and emerging changemakers. Together, we explored and identified tangible solutions to create a world where children are safeguarded from sexual exploitation and abuse online.
Summit programme
09:00 – 09:20
Keynote: Looking back, looking forward
Reflections on changes in child sexual exploitation and abuse and the key challenges ahead
- Ernie Allen, WeProtect Global Alliance Board Chair [Virtual]
09:20 – 10:00
Keynote: Hopes, reflections and creating a different future
As online risks continue to evolve, influential voices will share their visions, strategies, and commitments to creating a safer digital world.
Introduction by Jacqueline Beauchere, Snap Inc & WeProtect Board member
- Evan Spiegel, CEO Snap Inc (pre-recorded 10-minute video)
- Fireside chat – in discussion with Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, UN Special Representative on Violence against Children and Iain Drennan, Executive Director, WeProtect Global Alliance
10:00 – 10:15
#MyVoice#MyFuture – youth film
Screening of a short film featuring voice of young people in two countries and their perspectives on their concerns, digital rights and the future world they would like to see online.
Speakers:
- Felicity, SheLeads GYW Youth Advocate Network
- Juliet Ohahuru Obiora, ACSAI
10:15 – 10:20
Video message from Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE, Chair 5Rights Foundation
10:15 – 10:45
Refreshments and networking
10:45 – 11:45
A focus on the future: practical applications
Breakout 1 : #MyVoice#MySay – participation in practice
Alliance members from across sectors will bring to life innovative child-centred case studies and explore key standards and principles for ethical child and youth participation. This session is co-produced and led by youth advocates.
Interactive session facilitated by the SheLeads GYW Youth Advocates – Felicity, Hajaru, Betty and Phenny
Presentation panel to follow featuring:
- Natalie Foos – Youth Founder, Voicebox
- Minister Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection of the Republic of Estonia [Virtual]
- TikTok Youth Council (Precord)
- Luisa Sotomayor, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
- Dr Mustafa Yusuf Ali (Secretary General Global Network of Religions for Children; Director, Arigatou International – Nairobi)
Breakout 2: Using AI in the fight against child sexual abuse
From clustering users on darknet forums to AI-driven analysis of support chats for children, World Childhood Foundation will share insights on how society can use artificial intelligence (AI) to advance the fight against child sexual abuse. Participants will gain insights into the potential of leveraging AI to keep children safe, and inspiration on how to engage in cross-sectoral collaborations.
Presenters: Susanne Drakborg, World Childhood Foundation’s Thematic Lead on Child Safety Online, and Erika Olsson, Stella Polaris Project Coordinator.
Breakout 3 : How technology and new learning is shaping law enforcement
How is AI technology and new learning providing tools and opportunities for law enforcement around the world? This session will feature four case studies from leading law enforcement and academic professionals, highlighting the latest research and the value of international collaboration across borders.
Introduced by Mark Beavan, Head of Crimes Against Children, INTERPOL
Case study presentations from:
- Project Artemis – Simon Bailey, International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University
- Research to Practice Kenya Case Study – Lydia Davenport, Childlight Institute
- AI for Safer Children – Irakli Beridze, UNICRI
- Virtual Global Taskforce – Sean Sutton, National Crime Agency
Breakout 4: Innovations and responding to future risks
As we continue to face new and emerging threats, we also need innovative ways to tackle them. This session will feature innovations being developed to protect children online. Praesidio Safeguarding will share work they have been doing with influencers in West Africa and shed light on some of the protection gaps children face in Africa and Asia, and the solutions needed to safeguard them in the future. They will be joined by two technology organisations who will showcase their innovations in gaming and the work they have been doing to make gaming experiences safer.
Introduction from Guillaume Landry, WeProtect Board Member and Executive Director, ECPAT International
- Helen King, Founder and Director, Praesidio Safeguarding
- Maria Tamellini, Co Founder and COO, Gamer Safer
- James Smith, Head of Trust and Safety, Protect Group International (PGI)
11:45 – 12:30
Uniting for impact: national and transnational state collaboration
As technology continues to outpace traditional methods of investigation and prosecution, governments and law enforcement agencies face growing challenges in combating online child sexual abuse and exploitation. This session will explore actionable strategies on how governments can strengthen legal frameworks, work collaboratively with industry, enhance international collaboration and harmonization, and support proactive measures to address transnational crimes.
Introduction and moderation by Antonio Labrador Jimenez, WeProtect Board member and Team Leader, Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse, European Commission
Panellists:
- Sambath Sokunthea, Deputy Secretary General, General Secretariat of the Cambodia National Council for Children, Cambodia
- Shem Nyakutu, Secretary, Children’s Services, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Kenya
- Kate Charlet, Head of Global Privacy, Safety, and Security, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google
- Brenno Andrade, Commander, Cyber Crimes Division, Police, Brazil
- Lt. Col. Abdulrahman AlTamimi, Deputy Director General, International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Interior, UAE
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch and networking
13:30 – 13:40
Video message from the eSafety Commissioner, Australian Government, Julie Inman Grant
13:40 – 14:30
Shifting safety on a regional scale
International cooperation and globally aligned approaches are essential for ensuring that all children can explore the digital world without fear of abuse or violence. This panel will bring together high-level representatives from regional bodies across the world to share their respective and shared challenges, showcase successful initiatives and spark further action at the national and international level.
Introduction and moderation by Sheema Sen Gupta, WeProtect Board member and Director Child Protection, UNICEF
Panellists:
- Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe
- Angela Martins, Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport, African Union
14:30 – 15:30
The future of regulation
Can regulation keep pace with the rate of technological change? What’s on the horizon and how can be join up global responses to close the gaps? What needs to be done to support countries at the beginning of their regulatory journey? The session will look at key emerging issues, the impact of current regulations on child safety, and discuss the need for a coherent global framework with clear targets for the future.
Introduction and moderation by Sarah Blight, Head of OS Strategic Partnerships and Security, Online Safety Group, Ofcom
Panellists:
- Soyoung Park, Non-Proliferation Division Manager, Digital Sex Crime Content Review Bureau, Korea Communications Standards Commission , Republic of Korea
- Tajeshwari Devi, Acting Commissioner, Online Safety Commission, Fiji
- Arda Gerkens, President, Authority for the prevention of online Terrorist Content and Child Sexual Abuse Material, Netherlands
- Abdelaziz Alzarooni, Team Leader – Digital Awareness, UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority; Chairman – International Child Online Protection group, International Telecommunication Union
15:30 – 16:00
Refreshments and networking
16:00 – 16:30
Reframing the future: a new narrative and lessons from India
How we talk about child sexual exploitation and abuse online matters. Our words and language can make the difference between salience and dismissal, between hope and fatalism, between collective action and stepping back. In a recent landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India ruled that individuals can face criminal liability for viewing, downloading, storing, or distributing child pornography. This session takes a first-hand look at Just Rights for Children Alliance’s experience of delivering landmark change through the courts and legislation.
Introduction from Steve Grocki, WeProtect Global Alliance Board Member and Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, United States Department of Justice
Speaker: Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder, Just Rights for Children Alliance
16:30 – 17:00
Closing address
- Iain Drennan, Executive Director, WeProtect Global Alliance
- Lt. Col. Dana Humaid AlMarzooqi, Director General, International Affairs Bureau, UAE Ministry of Interior; WeProtect Board member
- UNICEF Youth Advocate, Abdul Mukeet
What to expect
Iain Drennan, Executive Director
WeProtect Global Alliance
Guillaume Landry, Executive Director
ECPAT International
