The document defines key terms related to information and communication technology (ICT) and the digital divide. It discusses debates around prioritizing ICT development, both criticisms and arguments in support. United Nations Millennium Development Goals related to ICT access are outlined. The document explores how ICTs can support education, health, small and medium enterprises, and governance. It analyzes dimensions of the digital divide and importance of closing the gap, proposing strategies to increase access and relevance of ICTs.

1. ICT & DIGITAL DIVIDE John Jacob II - M.A. Mass Communication Department of Electronic Media & Mass Communication Submitted to: M. Shuaib Mohamed Haneef Assistant Professor

2. Defining the ICT Information And Communication(s) Technology stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications, computers, middleware as well as necessary software, storage and audio-visual systems, which enable users to create, access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. The expression was first used in 1997 in a report by Dennis Stevenson to the United Kingdom government and Promoted by the new national Curriculum documents for the UK 2000.

3. Defining the digital divide The term digital divide refers to the increasing access gap between those who have and those who do not have: access to information and communication technologies; access to content that benefits them socially and economically; skills to take advantage of ICT services; the ability to afford to pay for digital services.

4. Debate on the priority of ICTs for development – against Critics argue: ICTs are a waste of money Funding should be directed to more important areas of impact and real need There is the risk of disillusionment ICTs will not necessarily provide benefits and may infact open people up to new forms of harm

5. Debate on the priority of ICTs for development – pro Supporters argue: The digital divide will become perilously wider if ICTs are not promoted ICTs can support other social and economic goals to improve peoples lives Access to ICTs and participation in the Information Society will have far reaching benefits

6. United Nations Millennium Development Goals Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development. Target 18: In cooperation with the private sector make available the benefits of new technologies, specifically information and communications. Indicator 47: Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population. Indicator 48: Personal computers in use per 100 population and Internet users per 100 population.

7. ICTs and development goals (education & health) ICTs as a subject: information literacy, programming and other related skills. Computer - based training and distance education Access to learning communities Access to increased and up-to-date information Telemedicine: broadband applications – from health clinic to hospital Telehealth: phone and computer support for clinic management and information flows Information sharing: information and exchange on health priorities, e.g. HIV / AIDS, TB, cholera Epidemiology: statistics and information to support knowledge and disease management

8. ICTs and development goals (SMMEs & governance) ICTs can support routine business operations: accounts, letters, plans ICTs can be an opportunity themselves: training, support, sale, program, web Linking suppliers directly to markets: reducing role of intermediaries Info for tenders, linking SMMEs, support & funding, supply and sales chain E-Commerce opportunities Access to government information, services and processes Transparency of governance Mitigation of corruption Access to representatives: constituents direct link to members of Parliament

9. Dimensions of gap High vs Degraded quality of access Low performance computers Low performance connections High price connections Internet access through Internet café or at home Internet connectivity Different levels of skills Ability to operate the technology Ability to actually use the technology for some purpose Need for reading and writing skills Different levels of training capabilities “ Computer-literate”

10. Importance of “closing” gap Economic equality Important, possibly vital information may be accessed/provided through Internet Social issues Raise educational level of disfavoured socio-economic children Gender issues Eg. To allow girls to access information Democracy Increased information / Increased participation to elections, etc. Economic Growth Exploitation of latest technologies provide competitive advantage Economic benefit further provided to highly educated population Loop

11. “ Global” digital divide Widening of gap: the economic issue Wide Internet access => high economics advances Poor Internet access => low economics result Awareness of Importance of technology, in particular information and communication technology (ICT) for economic development Problem Difficult to connect both

12. How to close the gap? Make access easier and wider Make content more useful and relevant Promote entrepreneurial efforts Change laws and policies at national level foster information creation and knowledge sharing Usefulness adjust technology to human beings and their needs provide ICT-enabled solutions to help the poor: using new technology to provide clean drinking water improve (rural) health care services extend quality of education Internet-connected libraries Inform people advantages and prospect of ICT

13. How to close the gap? Investment in human resources Investment in high quality education Define strategy for Combining openness to trade, education, government regulations

14. THANK YOU John Jacob II - M.A. Mass Communication Department of Electronic Media & Mass Communication Submitted to: M. Shuaib Mohamed Haneef Assistant Professor