In a world where digital technologies have become the linchpin of global progress, a stark reality has emerged: a society characterised by inequalities and injustice. The glaring inequality in the distribution of essential resources, as exemplified by the unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines, was underscored by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the New Global Financing Pact summit in Paris, France, in June 2023. It serves as a reminder of the enduring disparities that define our world.
Digital technologies remain a force with the potential to disrupt existing power structures and democratise access to opportunities. They have empowered communities to engage in social, political, and economic spheres that were once out of reach. The impact of digital technologies has extended to catalysing global social justice movements and creating platforms for marginalised voices. Yet, the transformative potential of technology is nuanced and replete with complexities.

The 18th Working Group 9.4 Conference of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP WG 9.4) gathers scholars and practitioners dealing with how ICT affects social development. The conference theme, “Reshaping an Unequal World Through Social Justice and Digital Technologies,” aims to initiate the journey to explore digital technology’s multifaceted role in forging a more equitable and just world. The conference aims to provide a platform for rigorous discourse, innovative solutions, and collaborative endeavours that leverage the potential of digital technologies to tackle global inequalities and champion social justice. 

We invite you to submit full research papers and short papers to the 18th International Conference on the The Implications of Information and Digital Technologies for Development. Papers are invited to be submitted to the following 15 tracks. Track 12 welcomes research papers and short papers in indigenous African languages related to the conference theme in general. Short papers in English should be submitted to all other tracks.