INTRODUCTION
Digital technologies are one of the core enablers in the path towards a brighter, more resilient and inclusive future. ICTs and the Internet have the potential to radically transform lives and help the world rapidly recover much of the ground that has been lost due to the Covid19 pandemic.
However, half of the planet remains unconnected and devoid of the impact, the facilities and services provided by the ICTs. The gender gap in global Internet usage is a stark example of how digital divides reflect and amplify existing social, cultural and economic inequalities: in two out of every three countries, more men use the Internet than women.
This session of the Road to Addis Series addressed the specific needs for Digital Inclusion of women and girls, youth and elderly, persons with disabilities, children, indigenous people and people living in remote areas to achieve true and meaningful universal connectivity. Another milestone for WTDC, the Connect2Include session provided all the necessary answers to ensure that no one was left out in this movement for bridging the digital divide and gender gap with the transformative powers of the Internet and ICTs.
The session answered the following questions:
-
What
concrete actions must be undertaken in regards to connectivity and ICT/digital accessibility to fulfil the specific needs of each of these 6 target groups?
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How can we ensure
inclusive,
equal access and
use of ICTs for all?
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Which
countries,
private sector companies and
International Organizations are leading the way for digital inclusion and what can the global community learn from them?
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What
types of partnerships or
global cooperation efforts must be developed/scaled for these 6 target groups to be included in the universal connectivity agenda?
This event was highly interactive with multiple mini dialogue segments addressing the needs of each of the target groups, as well as videos, polls and other elements added to enrich the program.
If you have missed the episode, watch it here: