{"id":2162,"date":"2021-03-22T19:30:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T19:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/?p=2162"},"modified":"2021-05-03T16:03:34","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T16:03:34","slug":"worldwide-divide-technology-poverty-differs-from-continent-to-continent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/2021\/03\/22\/worldwide-divide-technology-poverty-differs-from-continent-to-continent\/","title":{"rendered":"Worldwide divide\u2014technology poverty differs from continent to continent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Across Canada and around the world, people are working hard to bridge the digital divide and foster digital equity. Here\u2019s a quick snapshot of five areas around the globe, viewed through media coverage amongst a few other sources.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quick take-aways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The bulk of the focus is on the internet which, indeed, is a major issue. But attention to the computers, IT and digital literacy needed at the end of a high-speed internet connection is arguably not receiving as much attention. What we do see largely stems from articles on pandemic-related education issues <\/li><li>Non-profits are leading the charge<\/li><li>One of the unseen gaps is not income-related, or geographical; it\u2019s gender-related. We\u2019ll visit this topic in-depth in the future<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">CANADA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"><strong>CANADA\u2019S <\/strong><strong>COMPUTERS FOR SCHOOLS PLUS PROGRAM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, the Government of Canada created the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+ ) program to make it even easier for youth and under-represented groups to access the internet and acquire the skills and training needed to work in today\u2019s digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/cfs-ope.nsf\/eng\/home\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/cfs-ope.nsf\/eng\/home\">Computers for Schools Plus &#8211; Home &#8211; Computers for Schools (ic.gc.ca)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CALLS FOR ACTION IN THE NORTH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent op-ed piece in the Edmonton Journal speaks exactly to internet needs in remote northern Canada:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/edmontonjournal.com\/opinion\/columnists\/opinion-the-north-needs-more-equitable-accessible-internet\">Opinion: The North needs more equitable, accessible Internet | Edmonton Journal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DIGITAL NWT AND INDIGENOUS ACCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Northwest Territories are particularly challenged by poor internet access. DigitalNWT.ca is led by the Gwich\u2019in Tribal Council, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Saht\u00fa Renewable Resources Board, and the T\u0142\u0131\u0328ch\u01eb Government. With a variety of partners including the University of Alberta, they are working together to increase both access and digital literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/ualberta.ca\/digitalnwt\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DigitalNWT.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>THE YEGUILD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Edmonton-based non-profit YEGuild advocates for better connectivity in Northern Alberta as well provide training programs and services designed to assist and support the creation, education, and promotion of independent new technology entrepreneurs in Northern Alberta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yeguild.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YEGuild \u2013 Bridging the Digital Divide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>REVIEW OF THE STATE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN CANADA\u2019S NORTH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Internet and other communications largely fall to one for-profit provider in the north. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is currently reviewing the framework that provider operates under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crtc.gc.ca\/eng\/archive\/2020\/2020-367.htm?_ga=2.226957534.295810259.1615422860-1977636137.1610741193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-367 | CRTC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MEDIA CALLS TO ACTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canadian news media is full of op-ed articles challenging large provider pricing. Opinions across Canada vary, here\u2019s what some advocates are saying<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northumberlandnews.com\/news-story\/10353170--we-need-the-internet-now-advocates-call-on-government-to-make-internet-accessible-and-affordable-to-everyone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018We need the internet now\u2019: Advocates call on government to make internet accessible \u2014 and affordable \u2014 to everyone (northumberlandnews.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/news-releases\/enough-is-enough-national-day-of-action-demands-affordable-internet-for-canadians-812170715.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Enough is Enough: National Day of Action Demands Affordable Internet for Canadians (newswire.ca)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>THE INTERNET IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT COMPUTER ACCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Articles like the one below are cropping up in every Canadian jurisdiction. This one from Manitoba sums up what most of them have to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/lack-computers-internet-shortfall-at-home-learning-manitoba-winnipeg-1.5531100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lack of computers, internet access exposes shortfall of at-home learning in Manitoba | CBC News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">THE PHILIPPINES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WORLD BANK REPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The World Bank reports that despite being relatively technologically advanced, huge gaps in access exist in the Philippines. The Philippines ranks low in connectivity and report age gaps in digital literacy larger than the worldwide average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/news\/press-release\/2020\/10\/05\/harnessing-digital-technologies-can-help-philippines-overcome-impact-of-pandemic-hasten-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harnessing Digital Technologies Can Help Philippines Overcome Impact of Pandemic, Hasten Recovery (worldbank.org)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MEDIA SNAPSHOT\u2014THE PHILLIPINES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The above issues, as illustrated by media in the Philippines<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manilatimes.net\/2020\/05\/07\/opinion\/columnists\/topanalysis\/different-aspects-of-the-digital-divide\/723134\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Different aspects of the digital divide \u2013 The Manila Times<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rappler.com\/technology\/pew-internet-use-report-philippines-march-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Big divide in internet use in Philippines by age, education level \u2013 report (rappler.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2021-03-philippines-crisis-yearlong-school-shutdown.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Philippines faces &#8216;learning crisis&#8217; after yearlong school shutdown (phys.org)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">AFRICA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>INTERTWINED ISSUES\u2014A MEDIA SNAPSHOT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that the beauty and vitality of African life is often overshadowed in the West by our coverage of poverty and conflict. That said, the issues being fought around the world also exist there, and sometimes manifest differently. Often, technology poverty and digital divide issues are wrapped in a package that includes food scarcity, access to electricity infrastructure and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africanews.com\/2021\/02\/06\/cyber-heroines-changing-the-future-for-african-girls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cyber Heroines: Changing the Future for African Girls | Africanews<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/why-hasnt-africa-gone-digital\/\">Why Hasn&#8217;t Africa Gone Digital? &#8211; Scientific American<\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.developafrica.org\/computer-training\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lack of Computers and Insufficient Training (developafrica.org)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itnewsafrica.com\/2021\/02\/how-technology-can-give-employees-access-to-their-wages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Technology can Give Employees Access to their Wages &#8211; IT News Africa &#8211; Up to date technology news, IT news, Digital news, Telecom news, Mobile news, Gadgets news, Analysis and Reports<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/techstream\/the-promises-and-perils-of-africas-digital-revolution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The promises and perils of Africa\u2019s digital revolution (brookings.edu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/microsoftcaregh.com\/2021\/02\/17\/how-technology-could-promote-growth-in-africa-5-african-countries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How technology could promote growth in 5 African countries &#8211; MCGH (microsoftcaregh.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.developingtelecoms.com\/telecom-technology\/wireless-networks\/10434-can-mobile-broadband-reduce-poverty-in-africa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Can mobile broadband reduce poverty in Africa? &#8211; Developing Telecoms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/punchng.com\/the-state-of-funding-in-africas-tech-landscape\/\">The state of funding in Africa\u2019s tech landscape &#8211; Punch Newspapers (punchng.com)<\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/techbuild.africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Techbuild.africa Innovation | Startups | Funding | Tech Blog In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/446102\/south-africas-best-universities-to-study-technology-and-engineering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Africa\u2019s best universities to study technology and engineering (businesstech.co.za)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">INDIA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MEDIA SNAPSHOT\u2014ALL THE USUAL PROBLEMS PLUS WIDE GENDER GAPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In India, the fight confronts many of the same issues as around the world, but a scan of media articles reveals heightened focus on gender discrimination<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0736585305000195\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bridging digital divide: Efforts in India &#8211; ScienceDirect<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-india-49085846\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">India&#8217;s on a digital sprint that is leaving millions behind &#8211; BBC News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tribuneindia.com\/news\/archive\/features\/internet-the-big-indian-gender-divide-737100\">Internet &amp;\u2008the big Indian gender divide : The Tribune India<\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/opinion\/quick-edit\/opinion-the-gender-digital-divide-11571221197431.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Opinion | The gender digital divide (livemint.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-digital-divide-grows-among-rural-women\/a-55949074\">India\u2032s digital divide grows among rural women | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 15.12.2020<\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fortuneindia.com\/polemicist\/to-transform-the-world-teach-girls-technology\/105270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">To transform the world, teach girls technology (fortuneindia.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">UNITED STATES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fight to end technology poverty in the United States bears many similarities to what is happening in Canada, though there is evidence that heightened racial tension and political divisions acerbate the problem and make finding solutions more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OVERVIEW TO THE US DIGITAL DIVIDE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As journalistic sources, one must always be careful pulling possibly-dated or unsubstantiated information from Wikipedia, but this page serves as a good overview of the US approach at a national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Digital_divide_in_the_United_States\">Digital divide in t<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Digital_divide_in_the_United_States\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">h<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Digital_divide_in_the_United_States\">e United States &#8211; Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewtrusts.org\/en\/trust\/archive\/summer-2019\/americas-digital-divide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Americas Digital Divide | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL STANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like its Canadian counterpart (the CRTC), the US\u2019 Federal Communications Commission has taken a position on the Digital Divide, and outlines the steps it is taking here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/about-fcc\/fcc-initiatives\/bridging-digital-divide-all-americans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bridging The Digital Divide For All Americans | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>COMPUTER SHORTAGES FOR STUDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s difficult to say without true statistical analysis, but computer access for students seems to be receiving more media play than it does in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/tech\/2020\/08\/23\/laptop-shortage-coronavirus-school-remote-learning-covid-19\/3424903001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Laptop shortage amid coronavirus threatens back-to-school plans (usatoday.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/10\/12\/technology\/laptops-schools-digital-divide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Digital Divide Starts With a Laptop Shortage &#8211; The New York Times (nytimes.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesafrica.com\/video\/2020\/12\/09\/how-allheres-joanna-smith-is-tackling-americas-education-problem-forbes\/\" target=\"_blank\">How AllHere&#8217;s Joanna Smith Is Tackling America&#8217;s Education Problem | Forbes &#8211; Forbes Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><em style=\"\"><b><span class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Interested in discussing <\/span><\/b><\/em><strong><em><span class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">technology poverty?<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/contact\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/contact\/\">Contact Media &amp; Information<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Across Canada and around the world, people are working hard to bridge the digital divide and foster digital equity. Here\u2019s a quick snapshot of five areas around the globe, viewed through media coverage amongst a few other sources. Quick take-aways: The bulk of the focus is on the internet which, indeed, is a major issue.&hellip; <br \/> <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/2021\/03\/22\/worldwide-divide-technology-poverty-differs-from-continent-to-continent\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,2,1],"tags":[17,18,19,20,21],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/laptop-3420934_1920.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2162"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2177,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162\/revisions\/2177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/technologyhelps.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}