Session
Digital Divides & Inclusion
Affordable Access
Digital, Media, and Information Literacy
Skills Building for Basic and Advanced Technologies (Meaningful Access)
Organizer 1: Millenium Anthony Malamla, 🔒
Organizer 2: Athanase Bahizire, ITU Generation Connect
Organizer 3: Wataru Ohgai, 🔒Keio University / WIDE Project
Speaker 1: Christopher Fabian, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Lee McKnight, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Venceslas Katimba, Government, African Group
Speaker 4: Yawri Carr, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 5: Gabriel Karsan, Civil Society, African Group
Millenium Anthony Malamla, Technical Community, African Group
Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group
Wataru Ohgai, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Other - 90 Min
Format description: An auditorium or a U-like setup would be appropriate for our session.
How can legislative policies be designed and implemented to ensure equal access to digital resources and bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas?
What strategies and initiatives can be undertaken to enhance digital literacy and skills in rural communities, thereby empowering individuals to fully participate in the digital ecosystem?
How can public-private partnerships be fostered to promote infrastructure development in underserved areas, ensuring affordable and reliable internet connectivity for all?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants of this session will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in achieving meaningful and inclusive universal connectivity in the digital ecosystem. They will gain new knowledge and insights into the factors contributing to digital divides, such as the lack of affordable devices, digital literacy, and accessible networking systems.
The session will offer various approaches, efforts and tools to build infrastructure and networking systems that empower normative participation in equal access to resources, particularly in rural areas.
Participants will learn about the impact of digital cooperation and structural imbalances on universal connectivity and the importance of addressing the digital divide as a public need for achieving inclusive and sustainable development. They will gain from our distinguished panellists, recommendations, expertise and insights on fostering a more democratic and equal digital ecosystem.
Description:
This session aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving universal connectivity in the digital ecosystem. With over 5 billion internet users worldwide, the digital revolution has transformed the way we communicate, conduct business and access information. However, despite the potential of the Internet to provide equal access to resources and build progressive communities, significant digital divides persist, particularly in peripheral and rural regions.
Through a critical and introspective lens, this session will discuss the factors contributing to these digital divides, such as the lack of affordable devices, digital literacy, and accessible networking systems. It will also explore the role of legislative policy, economic systems, and liberty issues in achieving meaningful and inclusive universal connectivity.
Our distinguished panellists who include senior stakeholders who are actively contributing to fostering universal connectivity, will present various approaches to building infrastructure and networking systems that can empower societal participation in equal access to resources, particularly in rural areas. It will also look at how digital collaboration impacts universal connectivity.
This session will emphasize the importance of addressing the digital divide as a public need and an essential aspect of achieving inclusive and sustainable development. The panellists will offer insights and recommendations on how to foster a more inclusive and equal digital ecosystem that benefits everyone.
This session aims to enhance understanding of the multifaceted challenges contributing to digital divides in peripheral and rural regions, including factors such as affordability, digital literacy, and networking systems. We will discuss innovative approaches and policy best practices for building infrastructure and networking systems that promote equal access to digital resources.
The session will result in a comprehensive summary report capturing key insights and recommendations from the session. This report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, organizations, and researchers striving to address the digital divide. The session will also facilitate networking opportunities and collaboration among stakeholders, fostering ongoing dialogue to sustain efforts to bridge the digital divide and create inclusive digital ecosystems.
Hybrid Format: The session is designed to alternate between speakers who will be present in person and those who will be speaking online, ensuring equal opportunities for participation and interaction. We will use Metimeter presentations and other online tools and platforms, including virtual whiteboards and Google Docs, to increase engagement and participation during the session, including real-time polls, questions and answers activities.
We will strive to create an environment that encourages active engagement and dialogue, with opportunities for both onsite and online participants to share their perspectives and contribute to the conversation.