Innovation 4 Digital Literacy
American Tower Corporation
Session 154
The session aims to discuss the need for innovation in developing the digital economy, bridging the digital divide, as well as increasing digital awareness and literacy, with emphasis on interventions in remote and rural areas.
Our panel brings together stakeholders from all corners of the telecommunications ecosystem, to provide holistic messaging on the need for collaboration to expand the benefits of the digital economy. As such, in a truly multistakeholder manner, we will hear insight from an intergovernmental organization, a development agency, a government regulator, a mobile network operator and an infrastructure owner/operator.
To highlight the impact of digital literacy on the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals, we will hear about American Tower Corporation's Digital Villages initiative among other successful interventions from the Ugandan Communications Commission, MTN Group, and the International Telecommunications Union.
Moderator
Mr. Greg Francis, Managing Director, Access Partnership
Speakers/Panellists
1) Mr. Ravi Suchak, Vice President, Public Affairs – EMEA, American Tower Corporation (ATC)
2) Dr. Eun-Ju Kim, Chief, Innovation and Partnership Department, International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
3) Ms. Julianne Mweheire, Director, Industry Affairs, Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC)
4) Ms. Anu Sing, Executive: Business Intelligence Competency Centre, MTN Group (MTN)
Session's link to WSIS Action Lines
-
C2. Information and communication infrastructure
-
C3. Access to information and knowledge
-
C4. Capacity building
-
C6. Enabling environment
-
C11. International and regional cooperation
Digital literacy is considered an essential set of skills needed to find information and communicate in today’s world. This is key to achieving the WSIS vision of the people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, and the 2030 Agenda plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.
Accordingly, promoting innovation 4 digital literacy links directly with Action Line C1 as it encourages the promotion of ICTs for development. While digital literacy initiatives link to Action Line C3 and C4 as they increase prosperity through enabling access to information and knowledge, as well as building capacities by enabling people to improve and retain the skills, knowledge and tools needed to do their jobs competently or to a greater capacity. To gain full advantage from this potential, an enabling environment is required (Action Line C6), supported by international and regional cooperation to foster innovation in bridging the digital divide (Action Line C11 and C2).
Session's link to Sustainable Development Process
-
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
-
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
-
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
-
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
-
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
-
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
-
Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Digital literacy initiatives bolster access to quality education for all (Goal 4), increases gender parity, and facilitates access decent work (Goal 8), which in turn can reduce inequalities (Goal 10) and uplift people from extreme poverty (Goal 1), enabling governments to dedicate more resources to ensuring peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16). Maximizing benefits of digital literacy initiatives, and enabling a knowledge based society requires multistakeholder cooperation as aligned with (Goal 17) on smart partnerships.