"The importance of digital skills for social inclusion has been fairly evident to most of us over the past decade. But a global pandemic put us on the spot and forced us to take a closer look at the gaps in our policies and the ground reality," writes Lucie Taurines who works in Strategy and Transformation at Capgemini as Global Head of Digital Inclusion.
She shares why, in a 'new normal' where physical interactions are replaced by virtual existence, digital literacy is just as important as basic literacy.
"We need more action on digital inclusion and we need it now," she adds, with a call to make digital skills and tools accessible to everyone.
Digital technologies are the new normal
Lucie outlines how, during the COVID-19 crisis, we turned to digital technologies, from working to socializing.
But where does this transition leave those who do not have the skills or the tools to use digital technologies?" she asks.
The impact of reduced access to technology
Lucie highlights the social and economic implications to those who lack access to technology: reduced education, reduced work opportunities, and increased social isolation.
These implications, and the reasons for being offline, are revealed in Capgemini's The Great Digital Divide Report.
Steps towards digital inclusion
"The responsibility to address the challenge of digital inclusion cannot fall to one group. Private and public organizations need to work with local governments to create a global framework of cooperation to close the digital gap," says Lucie.
With COVID-19's lasting impact, Lucie suggests that solutions to the digital gap need to create long-term change, not just a "quick fix".
Capgemini is already making strides in helping communities gain access and skills to cope with the situation. This includes the company's collaboration with Digital Unite, a leading Digital Inclusion organization in the UK, and the launch of Digital Futures initiative, spearheaded by Capgemini UK's Cloud Infrastructure Services leaders and colleagues.
"In 2020, Capgemini aims to support 100,000 digitally marginalized people through digital literacy program across the world," adds Lucie. "Though we set the target before the pandemic, we are determined to achieve it despite new challenges in these extraordinary times."
Read the full article here.
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