1. 1 Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries by Ramon Puigjaner IFIP Vice-President Emeritus Professor of Computer Architecture and Technology of the Universitat de les Illes Balears October 7, 2015

2. OUTLINE Concept of Digital Equity Relation between Digital Equity and the ITU-WSIS Action Lines ITU-WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries Conclusions 2

3. Concept of Digital Equity Digital equity is the social-justice goal of ensuring that everyone has equal access to: o technology tools o computers o Internet. Even more, it is when all individuals have the knowledge and skills to access and use technology tools, computers and the Internet. 3

4. Concept of Digital Equity Digital equity is a state in which both the digital divide and the participation gap are bridged Digital equity ensures that everyone has equal opportunities to use the tools and resources needed to fully participate in today's digitally- powered world. 4

5. Concept of Digital Equity Lacking these opportunities causes people to encounter educational, economic and social limitations that negatively impact their quality of life. Technology is so commonplace in our lives that it is hard to believe there are still many people with limited access to and knowledge of the resources that are available online today. 5

6. FIVE DIMENSIONS OF DIGITAL EQUITY Technology resources o Access to technology resources (hardware, software, wiring and connectivity) and learning their use. Quality content o Access to high quality digital content. Culturally responsive content o Access to high quality, culturally relevant content. 6

7. FIVE DIMENSIONS OF DIGITAL EQUITY Effective use o Educators skilled in using these resources effectively for teaching and learning. Content creation o Opportunities for learners and educators to create their own content. 7

8. PROMOTION OF DIGITAL EQUITY Promoting accessibility to ICT, Promoting good practices, Promoting and enhancing appropriate access to knowledge and experiences, Organizing and contributing to activities aimed at achieving the goals of the World Summit on the Information Society (ITU-WSIS), Organizing and contributing to activities aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 8

9. DIGITAL DIVIDE - DIGITAL EQUITY If digital equity is not attained people falls in the digital divide. How to initially avoid this inconvenient situation? o First it is necessary to allow that people can obtain the education from well formed educators, allowing to conveniently use computers and networks in a large sense. o And second people should be able to easily and deeply use both computers and networks for accessing and using all kind of information. 9

10. OUTLINE Concept of Digital Equity Relation between Digital Equity and the ITU-WSIS Action Lines ITU-WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries Conclusions 10

11. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Action Lines of the World Summit in Information Society (WSIS) are: AL1. The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development AL2. Information and communication infrastructure AL3. Access to information and knowledge AL4. Capacity building AL5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs AL6. Enabling environment 11

12. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Action Lines of the World Summit in Information Society (WSIS) are (cont.): AL7. ICT Applications: benefits in all aspects of life –AL7.1E-Government –AL7.2E-Business –AL7.3E-Learning –AL7.4E-Health –AL7.5E-Employment –AL7.6E-Environment –AL7.7E-Agriculture –AL7.8E-Science 12

13. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Action Lines of the World Summit in Information Society (WSIS) are (cont.): AL8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content AL9. Media AL10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society AL11. International and regional cooperation 13

14. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY The WSIS action lines have as global goal the implementation of the Digital Equity and to avoid the Digital Divide. The idea of Digital Equity in these Action Lines is not explicitly expressed The comparison between these Action Lines and the Digital Equity dimensions concludes that Digital Equity is a transversal goal, common to all these Action Lines. The goal of each one of these Action Lines works in some way to complete one or several dimensions of Digital Equity. 14

15. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY 15

16. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 1: Action Line 2: Information and communication infrastructure –Vision: Infrastructure is the cornerstone in achieving goals such as digital inclusion, enabling universal, sustainable, ubiquitous and affordable access to ICTs by all, taking into account relevant experiences from developing countries and countries with economies in transition (Digital Equity). 16

17. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 1: Information and communication infrastructure (cont.) –Target: The access to Broadband telecommunication networks, and bridge the gaps: By 2020, XX % of households should have Internet access (World, developing countries) By 2020, Internet user penetration should reach YY% (World, developing countries) 17

18. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 1: Information and communication infrastructure (cont.) –Digital Equity should be supported by a convenient infrastructure. So the infrastructure suggested in this AL has to be able to allow all citizens the correct access and use of ICT. 18

19. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 2: AL3 Access to information and knowledge –Vision: For the post-2015, it is envisioned inclusive information and knowledge societies to facilitate access and use of information and exchange of knowledge among all people, including those coming from previously marginalized groups and regions in addition to persons with impairments with a significant portion of knowledge flows and innovations that advance human rights and the attainment of development goals (Digital Equity). 19

20. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 2: Access to information and knowledge (cont.) –Target: Governments to undertake necessary efforts to support expansion of public domain, accessibility of public information services and products through the use of free and open source software, open data and open solutions. Enhancing levels of Media and Information Literacy levels, and mass media and communications amongst school age population. Development and integration of accessible and inclusive ICTs including for persons with disabilities. 20

21. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 2: Access to information and knowledge (cont.) –To succeed with the Digital Equity the government has to create and offer information and knowledge to all citizens or establish the appropriate mechanisms allowing the creation and offering of information and knowledge. Otherwise there is the risk of provoking the Digital Divide between the citizens of the country or between the citizens of the country with the citizens of other countries. 21

22. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 3: AL4 Capacity building –Vision: Everyone should have an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to benefit from the information society in order to reduce the digital divide. Capacity building, digital literacy and competences are essential as well as professionalism that is a necessary standard for all who are engaged in the ICT sector. Specialized training programmes in telecommunications/ICT, development of professional standards, lifelong learning and more affordable ICTs will empower all layers of society towards improving the quality of their lives (Digital Equity). 22

23. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 3: Capacity building (cont.) –Targets: Professional standards in telecommunications/ICT utilizing existing global schemes and developing new ones where gaps exist. Development of specialized training programmes for all in ITU membership priority areas. Build human capacity through provision of specialized ongoing training in all aspects of telecommunications/ICT. Promotion of efforts towards the development of necessary recommendations and policies for skills development and lifelong learning through distance learning. 23

24. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 3: Capacity building (cont.) –Targets: Capacity building for all including women, youth, elderly population, indigenous people and people with disabilities E-skilling, up-skilling and reskilling activities for individuals in order to be up to date in the changing environment. Provision of support to information professionals in order to help implementing training activities at community levels. Organization of events and initiatives for facilitation of public-private partnership at the local, regional and international levels in capacity building activities through all the sectors. Improving partnerships with existing organisations that operate in capacity building activities. 24

25. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 3: Capacity building (cont.) –This action line fits completely with Digital Equity because it takes into account not only the education at professional and user levels but also requires the existence of a convenient infrastructure allowing the easy access of well-formed users but also the formation of the needed professional able to install and maintain the infrastructure and to educate new professionals. 25

26. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 4: AL8 Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content –Vision: The vision on inclusive Knowledge Societies is that of a more culturally and linguistically diverse digital world, where around 40% of all existing languages are present in cyberspace and where development takes into account local, national and regional contexts, builds on the knowledge generated by all communities, promotes innovation and creativity, and allows all human beings to practice their own culture and enjoy that of others free from fear. 26

27. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 4: Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content (cont.) –Vision: It is a world where marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, and those coming from migrations, diasporas and from language minorities, enjoy increased recognition and equity; artists, cultural professionals and practitioners are empowered to create, produce, disseminate enjoy and preserve a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities; and where intangible expressions inherited from past generations are kept alive for future generations (Digital Equity). 27

28. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 4: Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content (cont.) –Targets: A more culturally and linguistically diverse world, where at least 40% of the existing 6,000 languages are present in public life; An increase of Intangible Cultural Heritage safeguarding plans with a linguistic dimension; Near universal ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and significant new resources mobilized for the International Fund for Cultural Diversity; Strong increase of measures implementing the principles of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples. 28

29. WSIS AND DIGITAL EQUITY Example 4: Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content (cont.) –If the global goal is to attain the Digital Equity it is necessary to respect the cultural diversity and identity giving the convenient importance to the linguistic diversity and local content. Otherwise there will be people without interest in accessing the information existing in the network and consequently avoiding the attainment of the Digital Equity. 29

30. OUTLINE Concept of Digital Equity Relation between Digital Equity and the ITU-WSIS Action Lines ITU-WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries Conclusions 30

31. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY UN has proposed for a near future the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): SDG1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere SDG2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture SDG3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages SDG4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 31

32. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY SDG (cont.): SDG5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls SDG6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all SDG7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all SDG8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 32

33. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY SDG (cont.): SDG9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation SDG10. Reduce inequality within and among countries SDG11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable SDG12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns SDG13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 33

34. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY SDG (cont.): SDG14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development SDG15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss SDG16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 34

35. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY SDG (cont.): SDG17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development 35

36. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 36 Sustainable Development GoalWSIS Action Lines 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL7.2, AL7.4, AL7.7, AL7.8, AL10 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture AL3, AL4, AL6, AL7.2, AL7.4, AL7.7, AL8, AL10 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages AL1, AL3, AL4, AL7.4, AL7.7, AL8, AL10 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7.3, AL7.5, AL7.7, AL8, AL10 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls AL1, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7.2, AL7.4, AL7.7, AL9, AL10

37. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 37 Sustainable Development GoalWSIS Action Lines 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all AL3, AL4, AL7.8, AL8 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all AL3, AL5, AL7.8 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all AL2, AL3, AL5, AL6, AL7.5, AL7.7, AL8, AL10 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation AL2, AL3, AL5, AL6, AL7.1, AL7.2, AL7.6, AL7.7, AL9, AL10

38. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 38 Sustainable Development GoalWSIS Action Lines 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all AL3, AL4, AL7.8, AL8 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all AL3, AL5, AL7.8 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all AL2, AL3, AL5, AL6, AL7.5, AL7.7, AL8, AL10 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation AL2, AL3, AL5, AL6, AL7.1, AL7.2, AL7.6, AL7.7, AL9, AL10

39. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 39 Sustainable Development GoalWSIS Action Lines 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries AL1, AL3, AL6, AL7.5, AL10 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable AL2, AL3, AL5, AL6, AL7.6, AL8, AL10 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns AL3, AL4, AL7.5, AL7.7, AL8, AL9, AL10 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts AL3, AL4, AL7.6, AL7.7, AL7.8, AL10 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development AL3, AL4, AL7.6, AL7.8

40. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 40 Sustainable Development Goal WSIS Action Lines 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss AL3, AL7.6, AL7.8 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels AL1, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7.1, AL9, AL10

41. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY 41 Sustainable Development GoalWSIS Action Lines 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development AL1, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7.1, AL7.2, AL7.4, AL7.5, AL7.7, AL7.8, AL9, AL10, AL11

42. UN SDG AND DIGITAL EQUITY The WSIS Action Lines have some impact in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and also are actions contributing to the Digital Equity. So we can say that Digital Equity establishes the UN SDCs in the specific domain of ICT. The dimensions of Digital Equity are included in one or several SDG. So the actions going toward Digital Equity contribute also to the UN SDGs. 42

43. OUTLINE Concept of Digital Equity Relation between Digital Equity and the ITU-WSIS Action Lines ITU-WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries (DEDDC) Conclusions 43

44. DEDDC Summary of the comparison between developed and developing countries with respect the five dimensions of Digital Equity: Infrastructure: Better in developed than in developing countries mainly for implementation of more technological advances. Access to high quality digital content: Better in developed than in developing countries for the quality of the physical connection and the freedom for accessing all kind of information. 44

45. DEDDC Comparison summary (cont.): Access to high quality, culturally relevant content: Better in developed than in developing countries mainly for the dominant position of English language in the existing websites. Educators skilled in using resources for effectively teaching and learning: Better in developed than in developing countries for the existence of more education centres at all kind of user levels (basic user, advanced user, expert in installation and maintenance, hardware and software developer and builder, ICT research) and for educating educators. 45

46. DEDDC Comparison summary (cont.): Opportunities for learners and educators to create their own content: Better in developed than in developing countries mainly for the existence of stronger hardware and software infrastructures. 46

47. Contribution of IFIP We have seen there are several international entities directly or indirectly interested in the promotion and working for the Digital Equity. Digital Equity is one of the IFIP Strategic Activity Lines. We can consider that the work of all IFIP bodies (Technical Committees and Working Groups) contributes to the Digital Equity. However some of them are more specifically oriented to tackle the Digital Divide and empowering Digital Equity. 47

48. Contribution of IFIP TC1 on Foundations of Computer Science: Generic influence but not directly implied. TC2 on Software, Theory and Practice: To build good software products has a positive influence on Digital Equity. TC3 on Education: Education is a key factor for reaching Digital Equity, the aims of this TC are fully in line with the dimensions of Digital Equity. TC5 on Information Technology Applications: Generic interest for Digital Equity. 48

49. Contribution of IFIP TC6 on Communication Systems: The aims of this TC are fully in line with some dimensions of the Digital Equity. In this TC there is a WG devoted to Developing countries so dedicated to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries: WG6.9 on Communications Systems for Developing Countries, whose aims are fully in line with the dimensions of Digital Equity TC7 on System Modelling and Optimisation, whose aims are have not a specific interest for Digital Equity. 49

50. Contribution of IFIP TC8 on Information Systems: it has a generic interest for Digital Equity. TC9 on ICT and Society whose aims are fully in line with several dimensions of the Digital Equity. In particular in this TC there is a WG devoted to Developing countries so dedicated to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries with respect to Digital Equity: WG9.4 on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, whose aims are oriented to increase the Digital Equity specially in developing countries. TC10 on Computer Systems Technology, whose aim has a generic but not specific interest for Digital Equity. 50

51. Contribution of IFIP TC11 on Security and Privacy Protection in Information Processing Systems whose topics are of high importance for reaching Digital Equity, ensuring the needed security and privacy protection to the end users. TC12 on Artificial Intelligence whose aims are not of specific interest for Digital Equity. TC13 on Human-Computer Interaction whose topics are important for reaching Digital Equity, because a good interface to the searched information helps a lot to its usability by the end users. 51

52. Contribution of IFIP TC14 on Entertainment Computing whose topics are maybe marginal for reaching Digital Equity, but it works on topics making the access to information more attractive to the end users. 52

53. Contribution of IFIP So IFIP has convenient bodies to tackle the problems derived from and related to Digital Equity in general and specifically in developing countries. In this sense, the organisation of activities like WITFOR 2016 contributes in a significant way to Digital Equity 53

54. OUTLINE Concept of Digital Equity Relation between Digital Equity and the ITU-WSIS Action Lines ITU-WSIS Action Lines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries (DEDDC) Conclusions 54

55. Conclusions We have analysed the concept of Digital Equity and its different aspects. Also we have seen how several international organisations, like ITU (WSIS Action Lines), the United Nations (Sustainable Development Goals) and IFIP (Aims of Technical Committees) have a strong overlapping with the goals and actions going toward Digital Equity. We have also seen the differences between developed and developing countries with respect to Digital Equity 55

56. Thank you for your kind attention Questions? 56

57. 57 Digital Equity in Developing and Developed Countries by Ramon Puigjaner IFIP Vice-President Emeritus Professor of Computer Architecture and Technology of the Universitat de les Illes Balears October 7, 2015