CFAs: Strengthening Advocacy and Communications on AI Ethics and Data and Digital Rights Programme

This builds on TRF’s mission to support free, fair and informed societies and its expertise in using the power of journalism and the law to advance media freedom, promote inclusive economies and protect human rights.

The training will deepen participants’ understanding of the principles of AI ethics, data privacy, and other issues related to digital rights. The course will cover various topics, including the ethical implications of AI, data collection and protection, bias (and fairness) in AI systems, regulatory gaps, AI and mis/dis information, amongst others. The programme will involve a blend of lively interactive sessions, expert guest speakers and practical exercises, to sustain a highly engaging and relevant training experience. TRF will deliver the hybrid training in English, combining 1 day of online sessions, offline work, and 4 days of face-to-face sessions in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Course Objectives

• Equipping CSOs with skills and tools to communicate clearly, accurately, and confidently in relation to issues of data and AI ethics, boosting their ability to engage effectively with the media and policymakers to drive change.
• Improving advocacy efforts of CSOs by equipping participants with strategy-building and implementation skills.
• Strengthening the resilience of CSOs by facilitating access to free legal advisory support.

Course Logistics

• Online training: Tuesday 05 November, 09:00 – 13:00 SAST.
• Face-to-face training in Johannesburg: 11, 12 13 and 14 November, 09:00 – 17:00 SAST.
• Course structure: The course will begin with one half-day (4-hour session) of online training where you and your trainers will have a chance to get to know each other as well as your fellow participants. You will then receive 4 full days of in-person training in Johannesburg. During the face-to-face training, you will have opportunities to meet and network with journalists working in this area who will be receiving a separate training at the same time.
• Participation costs: Participation in this programme is free. If you are based outside of Johannesburg, your travel (e.g., flight) and accommodation costs will be covered by TRF. All participants will receive a modest per diem allowance during the in-person training.

Course Learning Outcomes 

• Following the programme, participants will:
  • Design and implement impactful advocacy and communications strategies;
  • Improve their communication and advocacy skills;
  • Increase their organisational resilience;
  • Gain support to produce high-impact advocacy tools;
  • Network with journalists reporting on these issues from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • Increase knowledge of existing regulation of AI in Africa, international frameworks and standards in AI and advocacy approaches to inform the development of rights-based AI regulations;
  • Gain access to pro-bono legal support to produce research with the goal to set policy recommendations or highlight best practice;
  • Leverage the multi-stakeholder approach facilitated by the programme to facilitate better collaboration, information sharing, and coordination.

Who can apply?

• Applicants must be working full-time for a civil society organisation operating in South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
• Their role in the organisation must involve some communications capacity.
• Applicants should have a minimum of two years’ professional experience and should explain through their application why they will benefit from participation in this course, and how they plan to use the learning in their professional work.
• Once selected, applicants will also be asked to provide a letter from their organisation supporting their participation in the programme. This will only be requested by TRF once applicants have been selected for the course.
• Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8 MB/second. (You can check the speed of your device. Applicants will also need access to a computer to participate in the online training; participation from a mobile or smart phone will not be possible.
• Preference will be given to applicants from organisations that are working on digital rights issues and who can explain how the training will enable their organisation to strengthen their work on the human rights risks of AI and digital rights.
• Organisations that are unsuccessful in securing a place at the training may still be able to benefit from free legal support from Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw service. The TrustLaw team will follow up with applicants regarding this potential support.

For more information, visit Thomson Reuters Foundation.