TOPIC 02 Sub 03 2024: Difference between revisions

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== Session teaser ==
== Session teaser ==
While Europe is one of the territories in the world with the highest Internet penetration, peripheral areas and areas within countries at war (Ukraine) struggle to attain stable connectivity and the possibility to access online services. Online services in this context include essential public administration services. This section discusses technical and political solutions to this element of inequality affecting the citizens of Europe at large.
While Europe can be considered the champion of Internet access, stable connectivity and the possibility to access online services may be a challenge for some communities, especially in remote areas or in areas at war. The digital divide results in a social divide, leaving many citizens beyond the opportunities of modern society. This session aims to discuss technical and strategic solutions and the roles of different actors in addressing digital inequality affecting the citizens of Europe and beyond.


== Session description ==  
== Session description ==  
Always use your own words to describe the session. If you decide to quote the words of an external source, give them the due respect and acknowledgement by specifying the source.
The pandemic accelerated the digital shift, underscoring the digital divide. In 2020, 466 million people gained internet access for the first time, with global usage and penetration increasing by 7% and 6%, respectively, from 2021 to 2022. However, as of 2022, 2.7 billion people lack internet access, and 53% lack high-speed broadband, risking exacerbation of economic, political, and social inequalities. Policymakers must address this global digital gap, considering continental disparities in technology access and use.
 
The issue of digital access and divides is multifaceted, lacking a single cause or linear effect. Disparities in internet and mobile device access vary by geographic location, gender, age, and rural vs. urban populations. In 2022, Europe boasted 89% internet penetration, while Africa lagged at 40%. Additionally, there are 264 million fewer women than men online, and younger populations are more connected. Urban areas typically have double the internet users of rural areas.
 
However, the digital divide extends beyond mere access to encompass divides in digital skills, usage, infrastructure quality, and access to content. The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) divides its goals for bridging the digital divide into two categories: universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity, encompassing various types of access.
 
Various approaches have been employed to mitigate digital divides, evolving from a focus on infrastructure access to encompassing digital skills, usage gaps, and societal internet awareness. Numerous initiatives and strategic plans from intergovernmental bodies and private companies are addressing these issues.
 
The United Nations leads initiatives such as the Broadband Commission and the Giga Initiative to ensure universal internet connectivity and connect schools worldwide. UNHCR’s Innovation Service promotes digital access for refugees, while the UN Commission on the Status of Women focuses on embedding gender inclusivity into the digital economy.
 
Private actors also contribute to solving digital divide components. Space X's Starlink expands broadband to remote areas, while Google's Next Billion Users initiative creates digital products based on user research. These initiatives often target specific aspects of the divide, providing funding for resource-constrained public sectors.
 
This session aims to accelerate progress and ensure that various efforts complement, rather than undermine, one another.


== Format ==  
== Format ==  
Please try out new interactive formats. EuroDIG is about dialogue not about statements, presentations and speeches. Workshops should not be organised as a small plenary.
Panel discussion


== Further reading ==  
== Further reading ==  
Links to relevant websites, declarations, books, documents. Please note we cannot offer web space, so only links to external resources are possible. Example for an external link: [http://www.eurodig.org/ Main page of EuroDIG]
*[https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/europes-digital-decade Europe's Digital Decade]
*How governments in developing countries can close the digital divide: [https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/international-development/how-governments-in-developing-countries-can-close-the-digital-gap How governments in developing countries can close the digital divide | EY - Global]
*Digital divide, e-government and trust in public service: [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1140416/full The key role of education: Frontiers | Digital divide, e-government and trust in public service: The key role of education (frontiersin.org)]


== People ==  
== People ==  
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'''Focal Point'''  
'''Focal Point'''  
 
*Laura Guobužaitė, Head of Export and Market Development at Lithuania‘s DigiTech association ‚Infobalt‘
Focal Points take over the responsibility and lead of the session organisation. They work in close cooperation with the respective Programme Committee member(s) and the EuroDIG Secretariat and are kindly requested to follow [https://www.eurodig.org/get-involved/planning-process/#tab-organising-a-session EuroDIG’s session principles]  
Focal Points take over the responsibility and lead of the session organisation. They work in close cooperation with the respective Programme Committee member(s) and the EuroDIG Secretariat and are kindly requested to follow [https://www.eurodig.org/get-involved/planning-process/#tab-organising-a-session EuroDIG’s session principles]  


'''Organising Team (Org Team)''' ''List Org Team members here as they sign up.''
'''Organising Team (Org Team)''' ''List Org Team members here as they sign up.''
 
*Amali De Silva – Mitchell
The Org Team is a group of people shaping the session. Org Teams are open and every interested individual can become a member by subscribing to the mailing list.
The Org Team is a group of people shaping the session. Org Teams are open and every interested individual can become a member by subscribing to the mailing list.


'''Key Participants'''
'''Key Participants'''


Key Participants are experts willing to provide their knowledge during a session – not necessarily on stage. Key Participants should contribute to the session planning process and keep statements short and punchy during the session. They will be selected and assigned by the Org Team, ensuring a stakeholder balanced dialogue also considering gender and geographical balance.
Key participants will include representatives and experts from Lithuania and abroad who possess personal experience in leading significant digital transformation reforms and addressing the digital divide.
Please provide short CV’s of the Key Participants involved in your session at the Wiki or link to another source.


'''Moderator'''
'''Moderator'''
 
*[[Artūras Piliponis]], Partner at EY Advisory Services Practice
The moderator is the facilitator of the session at the event. Moderators are responsible for including the audience and encouraging a lively interaction among all session attendants. Please make sure the moderator takes a neutral role and can balance between all speakers. Please provide short CV of the moderator of your session at the Wiki or link to another source.


'''Remote Moderator'''
'''Remote Moderator'''

Latest revision as of 23:10, 9 May 2024

18 June 2024 | 17:00 - 17:45 EEST | Auditorium
Consolidated programme 2024 overview

Sessions are organised in a multi-stakeholder bottom up manner. Anyone interested in the topic can become a member of the Org Team. The EuroDIG session principles must be followed.

Title and all sections of this page should be finalised by .

DO NOT edit the title yourself, the link to your session may otherwise disappear. Please send the final title as early as possible to wiki@eurodig.org.




Main Topic 2: GovTech – putting people first in digitising public services and the use of data
Working title: Subtopic 3: Access to services
Proposals: (#2) (#3) (#11) #28 #46 (see list of proposals)

You are invited to become a member of the Session Org Team by simply subscribing to the mailing list. By doing so, you agree that your name and affiliation will be published at the relevant session wiki page. Please reply to the email send to you to confirm your subscription.

Kindly note that it may take a while until the Org Team is formed and starts working.

To follow the current discussion on this topic, see the discussion tab on the upper left side of this page.

Session teaser

While Europe can be considered the champion of Internet access, stable connectivity and the possibility to access online services may be a challenge for some communities, especially in remote areas or in areas at war. The digital divide results in a social divide, leaving many citizens beyond the opportunities of modern society. This session aims to discuss technical and strategic solutions and the roles of different actors in addressing digital inequality affecting the citizens of Europe and beyond.

Session description

The pandemic accelerated the digital shift, underscoring the digital divide. In 2020, 466 million people gained internet access for the first time, with global usage and penetration increasing by 7% and 6%, respectively, from 2021 to 2022. However, as of 2022, 2.7 billion people lack internet access, and 53% lack high-speed broadband, risking exacerbation of economic, political, and social inequalities. Policymakers must address this global digital gap, considering continental disparities in technology access and use.

The issue of digital access and divides is multifaceted, lacking a single cause or linear effect. Disparities in internet and mobile device access vary by geographic location, gender, age, and rural vs. urban populations. In 2022, Europe boasted 89% internet penetration, while Africa lagged at 40%. Additionally, there are 264 million fewer women than men online, and younger populations are more connected. Urban areas typically have double the internet users of rural areas.

However, the digital divide extends beyond mere access to encompass divides in digital skills, usage, infrastructure quality, and access to content. The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) divides its goals for bridging the digital divide into two categories: universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity, encompassing various types of access.

Various approaches have been employed to mitigate digital divides, evolving from a focus on infrastructure access to encompassing digital skills, usage gaps, and societal internet awareness. Numerous initiatives and strategic plans from intergovernmental bodies and private companies are addressing these issues.

The United Nations leads initiatives such as the Broadband Commission and the Giga Initiative to ensure universal internet connectivity and connect schools worldwide. UNHCR’s Innovation Service promotes digital access for refugees, while the UN Commission on the Status of Women focuses on embedding gender inclusivity into the digital economy.

Private actors also contribute to solving digital divide components. Space X's Starlink expands broadband to remote areas, while Google's Next Billion Users initiative creates digital products based on user research. These initiatives often target specific aspects of the divide, providing funding for resource-constrained public sectors.

This session aims to accelerate progress and ensure that various efforts complement, rather than undermine, one another.

Format

Panel discussion

Further reading

People

Please provide name and institution for all people you list here.

Programme Committee member(s)

  • Inga Rimkevičienė
  • Riccardo Nanni

The Programme Committee supports the programme planning process throughout the year and works closely with the Secretariat. Members of the committee give advice on the topics, cluster the proposals and assist session organisers in their work. They also ensure that session principles are followed and monitor the complete programme to avoid repetition.

Focal Point

  • Laura Guobužaitė, Head of Export and Market Development at Lithuania‘s DigiTech association ‚Infobalt‘

Focal Points take over the responsibility and lead of the session organisation. They work in close cooperation with the respective Programme Committee member(s) and the EuroDIG Secretariat and are kindly requested to follow EuroDIG’s session principles

Organising Team (Org Team) List Org Team members here as they sign up.

  • Amali De Silva – Mitchell

The Org Team is a group of people shaping the session. Org Teams are open and every interested individual can become a member by subscribing to the mailing list.

Key Participants

Key participants will include representatives and experts from Lithuania and abroad who possess personal experience in leading significant digital transformation reforms and addressing the digital divide.

Moderator

Remote Moderator

Trained remote moderators will be assigned on the spot by the EuroDIG secretariat to each session.

Reporter

Reporters will be assigned by the EuroDIG secretariat in cooperation with the Geneva Internet Platform. The Reporter takes notes during the session and formulates 3 (max. 5) bullet points at the end of each session that:

  • are summarised on a slide and presented to the audience at the end of each session
  • relate to the particular session and to European Internet governance policy
  • are forward looking and propose goals and activities that can be initiated after EuroDIG (recommendations)
  • are in (rough) consensus with the audience

Current discussion, conference calls, schedules and minutes

See the discussion tab on the upper left side of this page. Please use this page to publish:

  • dates for virtual meetings or coordination calls
  • short summary of calls or email exchange

Please be as open and transparent as possible in order to allow others to get involved and contact you. Use the wiki not only as the place to publish results but also to summarize the discussion process.

Messages

A short summary of the session will be provided by the Reporter.

Video record

Will be provided here after the event.

Transcript

Will be provided here after the event.