Topic: 2026 – Digital Equity for Children
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Helena Zweig
Representing: Sudan
Committee: UNICEF
Digital Equality for Children
For decades, humanity has been met with the onslaught of technology that overwhelms the senses and the minds of society, particularly our most vulnerable: children. However, two-thirds of that population does not have access to the internet, with the largest concentration of that group in sub-Saharan Africa [1-UNICEF]. Bearing this metric in mind, Sudan believes in the importance of protecting citizens and the world via access to all digital tools for citizens that comply with government protocols.
In 2018, the Sudan government signed into law the “Cybercrime Law” that prosecuted fake news online. More recently, it faced significant backlash during the pandemic because of its restrictions that posed problems during the pandemic because it was not in accordance with international free expression rules [2-ARTICLE 19]. In periods of war, beginning in 2022, Sudan has been known to deliberately cut off internet access, sometimes for weeks on end, as a tool of disruption [3-ACCESS NOW]. Sudan’s digital status is listed as “Emergency” on the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster [4-ETC].
Worldwide, concerns about digital equality have skyrocketed as advancements in technology affect more and more citizens. In Europe, the EU Digital Services Act has cracked down on misinformation while protecting minors from inappropriate content [5-EU]. In regards to access, initiatives like the Giga Project (a program under UNICEF) have seen success in connecting children with online hubs in over 50 countries with an impact exceeding 2.2 million children’s lives [6-UNICEF USA]. As such, plans sponsored by major world players would be a huge step in securing the accessibility children need.
Believing in the possibility of a better world means giving the next generation the chance to succeed as best they can. With the critical discussion we have scheduled to lay a foundation of digital equality, Sudan is hopeful about the prospect of our collective future.
Works Cited
Access Now. “#KeepItOn in Times of War: Sudan’s Communications Shutdown Must Be Reversed Urgently – Access Now.” Access Now, 13 Feb. 2024, www.accessnow.org/press-release/keepiton-sudan-shutdown/.
Article 19. Sudan: Cybercrime Law Can Restrict Vital Information during the Pandemic.
European Union. “Shaping Europe’s Digital Future.” Europa.eu, 2024, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act.
“Sudan | Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).” Etcluster.org, 4 Sept. 2025, www.etcluster.org/country/sudan.
UNICEF. “Two Thirds of the World’s School-Age Children Have No Internet Access at Home, New UNICEF-ITU Report Says.” UNICEF, 30 Nov. 2020, www.unicef.org/press-releases/two-thirds-worlds-school-age-children-have-no-internet-access-home-new-unicef-itu.
UNICEF USA. “Meta and UNICEF: Working Together to Close the Digital Divide.” UNICEF USA, 2023, www.unicefusa.org/stories/meta-and-unicef-working-together-close-digital-divide.
