FGS South Island’s Participation in  Workshop on Decisions and Algorithms

On 23rd September 2020, represented by its members Kok-Wei Low and Ryan Wang, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island participated in a workshop on Decisions and Algorithms at Turanga, Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central. The workshop was organised by the Office of Ethnic Communities (OEC) on behalf of the Digital Council for Aotearoa New Zealand and Toi Aria: Design for Public Good, with Massey University as the facilitator. It was attended by 20 people consisting of lecturers from Massey University, and community representatives of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Korean and Sikh ethnicity.

In the workshop, the facilitators shared with the participants examples where New Zealand Government has extensively used algorithms in data processing and analysis in its decision makings. These are found in the domain of Public Health, Immigration, Recruitments, and Media. Though the systems using algorithms have been running well, nevertheless, it is noted that, given the multi-ethnicity of New Zealand, there is a need to include the views of the minor communities as these views are critical to provide recommendations on digital inclusion and to make contribution to a positive impact on people in Aotearoa New Zealand. For this purpose, representatives from minority ethnic communities were invited to the workshop to learn about how algorithms has helped their communities, and to present their views and state their needs.

The holding of the workshop was meaningful and useful for it not only provided the participants with the opportunity to better understand how algorithms has been used in New Zealand Government’s decision-making process, but it also enabled the Government to improve its decision making process, taking into account the needs of the minority ethnic communities. The workshop clearly showed the importance the Government of New Zealand places on the rights and welfare of the minority communities.