The digital
divide has many faces. It may involve inequality
based on socio-economic standing, geographical
location, gender, age or physical ability.
We see that
the most important aspects of the digital divide in
priority order are:
- ICT
literacy - the ability to operate technology
effectively and having technology that is
user-friendly when we consider that the user may
be disadvantaged by factors such as age and
physical disability;
- Access
- the ability to access technology as regards
infrastructure, economical factors and
standardization;
- Cultural
issues - such as gender, language, traditions
and customs, ethnicity and social standing.
Our Vision
Our vision is
a world in which the digital divide has been
bridged, where communication is a fundamental right,
a world where we become closer in a global human
network. In the following declaration we will
demonstrate how we may achieve our vision.
Our Mission
We, the youth
have been born into a world where ICT is fundamental
to social and economic development. It is our
generation which is the main source of ICT knowledge
and innovation. We have the ability and the duty to
bridge the digital divide through ICT literacy. We
will share our knowledge with our communities
through education and the development of new
user-friendly technologies to ensure that everyone
is ICT literate.
We, the youth
will encourage the developed countries to invest in
developing countries in order to build
infrastructure for a global human network. This
network will be accessible and affordable to
everyone allowing free exchange of information and
knowledge, thus fostering the economies of all our
countries.
We, the youth
will make an effort to effect the formation of
regulatory policy frameworks to promote moral use of
ICT and ensure accessibility and availability of ICT
on a non-discriminatory basis. The policies will aim
to preserve local cultures, as we become part of the
global society. ICT will also be used to create
awareness of environmental issues.
Our
Recommendations
To commit what
we have suggested these are our immediate
recommendations:
- We
encourage the youth to mobilize to build
transnational and cross-cultural networks for the
purpose of having effective dialogue and
collaboration on a regular basis. This will enable
us to have our voices to be heard in shaping
policy and directing the future of the ICT
industry and society as a whole.
- We
advocate young people bringing their talents,
energy and innovative ideas to the ICT field.
Further, we encourage young professionals to
embrace the global human network and develop
community-oriented content for the benefit of a
community as a whole while retaining cultural
identity.
- We
encourage the youth to take initiatives in
bringing greater social awareness into
policy-making regarding resource allocation and
development of infrastructure in the ICT sector.
Youth will play a greater leadership role in
socially-aware enterprises, narrowing the gap,
making ICT more equal and inclusive for all.
- We urge
the ITU to continue to promote a competitive
climate within ICT industry to ensure that users
will gain the benefit of technology at
increasingly lower prices. Competition will also
help to stimulate products and services
innovations to increasingly meet the specific
needs of people, giving them the ability to better
communicate and thereby bridge the digital divide.
- We
strongly urge the ITU development sector to invest
in the youth by continuing to support youth fora
and other youth involvement in ICT activities.
This produces socially aware young leaders who are
empowered to fulfil our stated mission.
