The Challenge
Digital inclusion – the ability to gain access to online information and services - is now a basic building block of economic inclusion and a crucial enabler to economic regeneration and growth. Research shows this impact is not simply a hypothesis - it is a reality from which additional per capita GDP can be generated.
More fundamentally, access to online services is transforming the way that many of us live, learn, work and create. Hence ICT services have become a key factor in both economic productivity and economic engagement – at an organisational level, at an individual level, and at the social level.
- For businesses, ICT is now clearly a factor in increased competitiveness and ability to develop new markets.
- For individuals, ICT is now invaluable in locating employment, purchasing goods and services (cheaply) and in participating in broader social and economic engagement.
- For society, digital engagement has a vital and cross-cutting influence on economic competitiveness, educational performance, health, employment and on overall social cohesion.
However, neither all businesses nor all individuals have access to these online services, networks and products. Moreover, the level of exclusion from such digital assets is above average in the North West of England. Despite all the hype about increased broadband access and reducing costs over recent years, 2007 studies show that only 56% of households had internet access, compared to 61% across the UK . This rate of digital exclusion is a handicap to regional development which will not disappear of its own accord. There is now an opportunity for the North West of England - building upon existing activity - to make a significant positive impact on digital exclusion. In doing so the North West could improve its economic and social performance in a manner that is rarely achievable with public intervention.
“Research shows an overwhelming correlation between digital and social exclusion. Indeed, one of the key figures in this report is that a staggering three quarters of people counted as socially excluded are also digitally excluded That means that people already at a disadvantage – and arguably with most to gain from ICT – are the least likely to be making use of it and most likely to be further disadvantaged by their non-use. It may sound like a Catch-22, but actually it’s an opportunity. If digital and social exclusion are inter-related, positive action on one front can affect the other, and greater equity be the result.”
Understanding Digital Inclusion, UK Online Centres / UfI 2007.
http://www.ukonlinecentres.com/downloads/UK_Online_digitalinclusion.pdf
Digital inclusion is also on the agenda at European level; conferences discussing initiatives in Riga, Latvia in 2006 and a follow up in Lisbon, Portugal in 2008 will feed into the i2010 info-age strategy – the European Commission’s strategic policy framework for the information society in the years up to 2010. It promotes an open and competitive digital economy, research into information and communication technologies, as well as their application to improve social inclusion, public services and quality of life.
“the innovative use of ICT can lead to better access to education, to employment, to health and to a socially fulfilling life. It can be an additional support tool for people to lift themselves out of their disadvantaged social situations, and also to improve the communities in which they live. Technology can be an enabler for social inclusion and neighbourhood renewal.”
The Digital Inclusion Landscape in England, UK Government Digital Inclusion Team, March 2007.
http://digitalinclusion.pbwiki.com/f/The+Digital+Inclusion+Landscape+In+England.pdf
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