Over the past 30 years, the number of Internet users surged from a few million to 5.3 billion. Yet the potential of the Internet for social and economic good remains untapped: one-third of humanity remains offline, and many users only enjoy basic connectivity. Multiple digital divides persist across and within countries, between men and women, between youth and older persons, between cities and rural areas, between those who enjoy a fibre connection and those who struggle on a spotty 3G connection.

Achieving universal and meaningful digital connectivity —the possibility for everyone to enjoy a safe, satisfying, enriching, productive and affordable online experience— is key for enabling digital transformation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Connecting everyone is no longer enough. Universality without meaningful connectivity does not allow to harness the Internet to its full potential. Worse: the risk is that connectivity and technology in general deepen existing economic and social inequalities across and within countries, that they become dividers rather than equalizers. This workshop will discuss the importance of integrating Universal and Meaningful Connectivity into digital strategies. It will feature policymakers and practitioners who will share their experience in promoting universal and meaningful connectivity, their successes, and the challenges they face. The session will also highlight the importance — and challenges – of measuring of measuring the enablers of meaningful connectivity.

The following two policy questions will be answered:

1. How can governments and stakeholders ensure universal and meaningful digital connectivity for all citizens, particularly those in underserved and marginalized communities?
2. How can policymakers establish robust measurement frameworks and indicators to accurately assess the progress, impact, and effectiveness of initiatives aimed at achieving universal and meaningful digital connectivity?

Moderator

• Deniz Susar, Governance & Public Administration Officer, Digital Government Branch, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Panellists

• Agne Vaiciukeviciute, Vice-Minister of Transport of Communications, Lithuania
• Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor a2i Program, Bangladesh (online)
• Alexandre Barbosa, Head, Center of Studies for Information and Communications Technologies (CETIC.br), Brazil
• Peter Mariën, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission

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