Session
Digital Divides & Inclusion
Gender Digital Divide
Skills Building for Basic and Advanced Technologies (Meaningful Access)
Organizer 1: Shadrach Ankrah, Ghana Youth IGF
Organizer 2: Ashirwad Tripathy, 🔒
Organizer 3: Imani Luvanga, Kings FM
Organizer 4: samuel lemma, 🔒civil society
Organizer 5: Maxwell Beganim, 🔒
Speaker 1: Shadrach Ankrah, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 2: Ashirwad Tripathy, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Vallarie Wendy Yiega, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Umut Pajaro Velasquez, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Maxwell Beganim, Civil Society, African Group
samuel lemma, Civil Society, African Group
Imani Luvanga, Private Sector, African Group
Break-out Group Discussions - 90 Min
1. How can governments and organizations ensure equitable access to digital education infrastructure in Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America & Caribbean regions? 2. What policy measures can be implemented to enhance educator capacity and address cybersecurity risks in digital education across these regions? 3. How can digital education programs empower youth with necessary skills for evolving labor market dynamics in Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America & Caribbean? 4. What policies should be implemented to promote lifelong learning and continuous skill development through digital education, considering the socio-economic impact of the internet on employment opportunities in these regions?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants and attendees of our session on "Digital Education for the Future: Improving Accessibility, Capacity, and Workforce Readiness" will gain valuable knowledge, insights, and practical tools. They will develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in digital education, particularly in the Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions. By incorporating diverse perspectives, attendees will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by these regions and potential strategies to address them. They will acquire practical tools and approaches to enhance digital education practices, including infrastructure development, educator capacity building, and cybersecurity training. Overall, participants will leave the session equipped with new knowledge, valuable insights, and practical tools to make a positive impact on inclusive and equitable quality education in their respective communities.
Description:
The Internet for Education SIG envisions a world where one global internet ensures inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning for all. Our session on "Digital Education for the Future: Improving Accessibility, Capacity, and Workforce Readiness" addresses the challenges of resiliency in digital education, with a focus on Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions. Incorporating perspectives from these regions, we aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Designing a people-centric internet is crucial for improving lives by addressing the needs and aspirations of individuals in these regions. The session explores three key challenges. Firstly, we discuss equitable access to suitable infrastructure, bridging the digital divide, enhancing accessibility, and promoting empowerment. We highlight perspectives from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the LAC regions to understand their unique challenges in establishing digital education infrastructure. Secondly, we delve into equipping educators with the necessary skills to facilitate digital learning and addressing cyber risks. Capacity building and cybersecurity training are vital for educators and learners, addressing issues such as cyberbullying and cyber-crime. Insights from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the LAC regions inform discussions on specific requirements in these areas. Lastly, we focus on empowering young people to adapt to evolving labor market dynamics across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the LAC regions. Digital education has the potential to provide relevant skills for future employment, encompassing capacity building, empowerment, and considering the socio-economic impact of the internet. Perspectives from these regions contribute to understanding the impact of digital education on youth and labor markets. By exploring these aspects, our session aims to foster discussions and generate insights into improving accessibility, capacity, and workforce readiness in digital education. Together, we can work towards a future where a people-centric internet enables inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Outcomes: 1. Preliminary Policy Recommendations: Generate initial policy recommendations for improving accessibility, capacity, and workforce readiness in digital education, laying the groundwork for future implementation and refinement. 2. Initiate Collaboration: Foster discussions among governments, organizations, and stakeholders to explore potential collaboration and partnerships for promoting inclusive and equitable quality education through digital education. 3. Raise Awareness and Knowledge Exchange: Increase awareness about the significance of digital education in enhancing accessibility, capacity building, and workforce readiness. Facilitate an initial exchange of knowledge and insights among participants, recognizing the ongoing need for continued efforts to deepen understanding and drive action.
Hybrid Format: To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, the session will utilize a combination of real-time communication tools and engagement strategies. This includes: 1. Seamless Virtual Integration: Utilize the IGF Zoom Client video conferencing platform for smooth integration between onsite and online participants, enabling real-time engagement, questions, and input. 2. Balanced Speaker Participation: Ensure equitable opportunities for both onsite and online speakers, with moderators facilitating a balanced distribution of speaking time to maintain inclusivity and diversity of voices. 3. Hybrid Interaction: Utilize the IGF Zoom Client, and dedicated online collaboration spaces to enhance participation and interaction among both onsite and virtual attendees. 4. Audience Engagement: Actively involve the audience through interactive elements such as Q&A sessions, and interactive presentations to foster engagement, encourage active participation, and cater to the needs and interests of all attendees.
Report
Digital education has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people in Latin America & Caribbean. To achieve this, governments and organizations can: Expand broadband access to schools and other educational institutions, especially in rural and underserved areas. Provide affordable devices and connectivity to students and teachers. Train teachers and administrators on digital tools and resources.