Digital Inclusion for Grassroots & Underprivileged Communities.pdf

digital inclusion

1. Gab Billones
Founder & President
Break the Fake Movement
Digital Inclusion for
Grassroots & Underprivileged
Communities: Lessons from
the Philippines and Beyond
National Taipei University
Taiwan
August 17, 2024 at 4:30 P.M.

2. The Current State of Digital Access
The Impact of Digital Exclusion
Our agenda
Table of Content
Introduction
Strategies for Promoting
Digital Inclusion
Future Directions
Conclusion

3. About Me
Gab Billones Jr.
I’m a digital
professional and
development worker
specializing in the promotion of media
and information literacy (MIL) and
digital inclusion in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Founder and President of the Break the Fake Movement,
committed in promoting responsible digital citizenship and
debunking disinformation across Southeast Asian Region.

4. MEDIA AND
INFORMATION
LITERACY
Media and information literacy ( MI)L)
empowers people to think critically about
information and the use of digital tools.
It refers to people’s ability to engage critically
with information and navigate the online
environment safely and responsibly.
Media and Information Literacy provides a set
of essential skills to address the challenges of
the 21st century including the proliferation of
mis- and disinformation and hate speech, the
decline of trust in media and digital innovations
notably Artificial Intelligence.

13. What is digital
inclusion?
Digital inclusion is defined as “equitable,
meaningful, and safe access to use, lead,
and design of digital technologies,
services, and associated opportunities for
everyone, everywhere”

14. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?

15. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?
Digital inclusion drives economic development by creating new jobs,
increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.

16. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?
Digital inclusion drives economic development by creating new jobs,
increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.
Online learning platforms and resources provide access to education
for people in remote or underserved areas.

17. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?
Digital inclusion drives economic development by creating new jobs,
increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.
Online learning platforms and resources provide access to education
for people in remote or underserved areas.
Telemedicine and digital health records improve access to
healthcare, especially in rural or underserved communities.

18. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?
Digital inclusion drives economic development by creating new jobs,
increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.
Online learning platforms and resources provide access to education
for people in remote or underserved areas.
Telemedicine and digital health records improve access to
healthcare, especially in rural or underserved communities.
The internet connects people, reduces social isolation, and
empowers marginalized communities.

19. Why is it important in today’s
digital age?
Digital inclusion drives economic development by creating new jobs,
increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.
Online government services improve efficiency and accessibility for
citizens.
Online learning platforms and resources provide access to education
for people in remote or underserved areas.
Telemedicine and digital health records improve access to
healthcare, especially in rural or underserved communities.
The internet connects people, reduces social isolation, and empowers
marginalized communities.

20. The digital
divide:
What it is and how it
affects these communities.

21. Communities that
are most affected
by this divide:
Women and girls
Children and youth
Older people
Urban and rural poor
Marginalized or minority
communities
Persons with disabilities
Indigenous communities
Refugees and migrants

22. Limited access to
information
Difficulty in accessing essential information about healthcare,
education, employment, and government services.
Limited access to healthcare information Delayed care
Online health resources and telemedicine can
improve health outcomes, but these are
inaccessible to the digitally excluded.
Difficulty in making appointments and accessing
healthcare services due to lack of online access
can lead to worsened health conditions.

23. Economic
disadvantage
Reduced opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship,
and financial inclusion.
Limited job opportunities Reduced income Financial exclusion
In today's digital economy,
many jobs require digital skills.
Those without access to
technology or digital literacy
are at a severe disadvantage.
Lack of digital skills hinders
entrepreneurship and self-
employment opportunities,
leading to lower income levels.
Many financial services are now
online, limiting access to
banking, loans, and other
financial tools for the digitally
excluded.

24. Social isolation
Decreased social interaction and participation in
community life.
Reduced social interaction Limited access to information Reduced civic engagement
Digital technology plays a
crucial role in social
connections. Those without
access may experience
increased isolation.
Lack of internet access can
restrict access to news,
government services, and other
essential information.
Online platforms are used for
civic participation, and those
without access may be less
involved in their communities.

25. Limited job opportunities Reduced income Financial exclusion
In today's digital economy,
many jobs require digital skills.
Those without access to
technology or digital literacy
are at a severe disadvantage.
Lack of digital skills hinders
entrepreneurship and self-
employment opportunities,
leading to lower income levels.
Many financial services are now
online, limiting access to
banking, loans, and other
financial tools for the digitally
excluded.
How digital exclusion exacerbates
poverty and inequality.
*Economic Disparity

26. Continue
Political
disengagement
Limited ability to participate in democratic processes and
engage with policymakers.

27. Educational inequality
Reduced access to quality education and learning resources.

34. The role of
digital
inclusion
in fostering equity and
opportunities.

35. In a nutshell, digital inclusion
levels the playing field
Education: Provides access to online learning resources,
enabling individuals to acquire new skills and advance
their education.
Employment: Opens up new job opportunities and
facilitates remote work, expanding the labor market for
diverse populations.
Healthcare: Improves access to telemedicine, health
information, and appointment scheduling, reducing
disparities in healthcare outcomes.

36. It empowers marginalized communities
Economic empowerment: Creates opportunities for
entrepreneurship and online businesses, fostering
economic growth in underserved areas.
Social inclusion: Connects people, builds communities,
and reduces social isolation, especially for those with
disabilities or in rural areas.
Civic engagement: Facilitates participation in democratic
processes, allowing marginalized voices to be heard.

37. It bridges the digital divide
Access: Ensuring affordable internet connectivity and
devices for all.
Literacy: Providing digital literacy training to build
essential skills.
Infrastructure: Developing robust digital infrastructure to
support widespread access.

38. It fosters innovation and
creativity
Digital skills: Equipping individuals with the tools to
develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Entrepreneurship: Creating an environment where new
ideas can flourish and businesses can thrive.
Knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of
information and collaboration.

39. How might we create a fair and inclusive society across
Asia-Pacific in the digital age?

40. The Current
State of
Digital Access

41. Globally, around 60% of school-age children in urban
areas do not have internet access at home, compared
with around three-quarters of school-age children in
rural households.

42. Barriers to Digital
Inclusion
Barriers to digital inclusion prevent individuals and communities
from fully participating in the digital world.
These barriers can be categorized into several areas:
Access Barriers
Skills Barriers
Accessibility Barriers
Social and Cultural Barriers
Other Barriers

43. Access Barriers
Lack of infrastructure: Limited or no internet
connectivity in rural or remote areas.
Affordability: High costs of devices and
internet services.
Digital divide: Disparity in access to
technology and internet between different
socioeconomic groups.

44. Skills Barriers
Digital illiteracy: Lack of knowledge and skills
to use digital tools effectively.
Confidence: Fear or hesitation to use
technology.
Age: Older individuals may have difficulty
adapting to new technologies.

45. Physical disabilities: Difficulties in using
devices or accessing content.
Sensory impairments: Challenges for
individuals with visual or hearing impairments.
Cognitive disabilities: Difficulties in
understanding and using digital interfaces.
Accessibility Barriers

46. Language barriers: Difficulty accessing
information in non-native languages.

Cultural factors: Traditional values or beliefs
that may hinder technology adoption.
Digital discrimination: Bias and exclusion
based on digital status.
Social and Cultural Barriers

47. Privacy and security concerns: Hesitation to
use technology due to concerns about data
protection.
Lack of relevant content: Absence of content
tailored to specific needs and interests.
Government policies: Regulations that hinder
digital access or adoption.
Other Barriers

48. Strategies for
Promoting
Digital
Inclusion

49. Policy
Interventions
Community-
Based Programs
Partnerships
with
Stakeholders
Inclusive Design
Awareness
Campaigns
Governments and
organisations can
create policies aimed
at making technology
more accessible and
affordable. This might
include subsidies for
internet access or
providing public
spaces with free Wi-Fi
and digital devices.
Local initiatives can
play a pivotal role in
teaching digital skills.
Libraries, community
centres, and schools
can offer workshops
and training sessions.
Collaborations
between the public
sector, private
companies, and non-
profit organisations
can lead to innovative
solutions. For
example, tech
companies can
donate devices, while
educational
institutions provide
training.
Digital services should
be designed with
inclusivity in mind,
ensuring they are
accessible to people
with disabilities and
those with limited
digital skills.
Raising awareness
about the importance
of digital inclusion
can change public
perception, alleviate
technophobia, and
encourage more
people to get involved
in bridging the digital
divide.

50. For Governments and
Policymakers
Invest in infrastructure: Prioritize the expansion of broadband internet access
to underserved areas, including rural communities.
Support digital literacy: Fund programs that equip individuals with the
necessary digital skills to thrive in the digital age.
Create inclusive policies and remove co-branding in programs as a show of
tryst: Develop regulations that promote digital accessibility and affordability
for all.
Partner with the private sector: Collaborate with businesses to leverage their
resources and expertise in bridging the digital divide.

51. For Businesses and
Corporations
Corporate social responsibility: Allocate resources to support digital inclusion
initiatives.
Accessibility: Design products and services with accessibility in mind.
Employee training: Provide digital literacy training to employees to foster a
digitally inclusive workplace.
Community engagement: Partner with local organizations to address digital
needs within communities.

52. For Non-profit Organizations
and Civil Society
Digital literacy programs: Offer training and workshops to empower
individuals with digital skills - with localization and hyper-contextualization of
the modules used
Advocacy: Raise awareness about the digital divide and advocate for policies
that promote digital inclusion.
Community centers: Establish digital hubs to provide access to technology
and support services.
Partnerships: Collaborate with government and businesses to maximize
impact.

53. For Individuals
Digital literacy: Continuously enhance your digital skills to stay informed and
engaged.
Volunteer: Share your digital knowledge with others through tutoring or
mentoring programs. Participate in forums and events on internet governance
and digital rights.
Support digital initiatives: Donate to organizations working to bridge the
digital divide.
Spread awareness: Educate friends and family about the importance of digital
inclusion.

54. The Future of
Digital
Inclusion

55. Hyperconnectivity and Accessibility
5G and Beyond
Low-cost devices
Accessibility features
Digital Literacy and Skills
Development
Lifelong learning
Personalized learning
Digital citizenship

56. Public-Private Partnerships
Collaborative efforts
Innovative solutions
Impact measurement
Data and AI for Social Good
Data-driven insights
AI-powered tools
Ethical considerations

57. Digital Inclusion as a Sustainable
Development Goal
Global commitment
Policy integration
Monitoring and evaluation

58. By working together, we can
create a world where everyone
has the opportunity to benefit
from the digital age.
Let's bridge the digital divide and build a
more inclusive future.

59. Thank you for
listening!
Feel free to send in any questions to
[email protected]

60. Contact us
follow us
breakthefakemovement.com
[email protected]
Scan me

61. Resource Page
https://ctu.ieee.org/solutions-to-the-digital-divide-moving-
toward-a-more-equitable-future/
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2021/12/03/
addressing-the-digital-divide-in-education-technology-and-
internet-access-for-students-in-underserved-communities/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digital-divide-bridging-gaps-
rural-urban-communities-mw1ze/
https://digileaders.com/bridging-the-digital-divide-strategies-
for-encouraging-digital-inclusion/