Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Education and Learning Opportunities through Technology
TakingITGlobal
Session 225
Digital Inclusion in Action
As the digital world accelerates, ensuring equitable access, meaningful participation and use of digital tools to support student wellbeing remains a global challenge. In this session, you will hear reflections on 20 years of advancing digital inclusion in alignment with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) vision.
In this session you will hear about innovative programs that have empowered children, youth and educators, particularly in remote communities. By leveraging technology for live, interactive learning, creative coding, and culturally relevant mentorship, these initiatives have effectively addressed barriers of geography, access, and representation.
The session will highlight the importance of youth-led innovation, partnerships across sectors, and capacity-building for educators to create sustainable, inclusive digital ecosystems. Data-driven outcomes and powerful stories of impact, demonstrating program approaches that fosters digital literacy, leadership, and confidence among equity deserving communities.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into designing and scaling programs that bridge the digital divide, foster cultural diversity, and empower individuals as digital citizens. Join us to explore proven strategies and collaborative models that can help realize the WSIS goal of a people-centered, inclusive Information Society—where everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to learn, create, and thrive.
This session will also feature voices of former WSIS Youth Caucus delegates who have been key influencers shaping today’s information society over the past 20 years. They will share their reflections on the evolution of digital inclusion, the progress made in bridging the divide, and the persistent challenges that remain to realize a truly inclusive Information Society.
Jennifer Corriero is a globally recognized social innovator and leader dedicated to advancing digital inclusion, youth engagement, and equitable access to education. As co-founder and Executive Director of TakingITGlobal, she has spent over two decades empowering children, youth, and educators—especially in remote and underserved communities—by leveraging technology to foster interactive learning, creative coding, and culturally relevant mentorship.
Under Jennifer’s leadership, Connected North—a flagship program of TakingITGlobal—has grown to 40,000+ Indigenous students in over 200 schools across northern, remote First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Her work is marked by a deep commitment to bridging digital divides, amplifying youth voices, and building sustainable partnerships across sectors to create inclusive digital ecosystems.
Jennifer’s expertise spans program design, community development, digital learning, and systems change. She has curated and co-edited resources such as Flourish: A Workbook for Social Innovators and Connected North in Our Classroom, reflecting her passion for sharing best practices and supporting educators and youth leaders. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to education and social innovation, Jennifer was recently honoured with the prestigious 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal. TakingITGlobal is also a recipient of one of Canada’s Healthiest Workplaces in 2025 awarded by Dialogue.
A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Jennifer has presented at major international forums and served as a delegate to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Her approach centers on multistakeholder collaboration, capacity-building, and data-driven impact—aligning with the WSIS vision of a people-centered, inclusive Information Society where everyone has the opportunity to learn, create, and thrive.
Michael Furdyk is a visionary leader in digital education and youth empowerment, recognized globally for his pioneering work in leveraging technology to advance inclusive learning. As Co-founder and Director of Innovation at TakingITGlobal, Michael has dedicated over two decades to designing and implementing programs that empower youth to understand and act on the world’s greatest challenges, with a particular focus on bridging digital divides in remote communities.
Michael has been a driver of building digital tools to support digital equity where he has led the development of a platform to suppor the offering of virtual field trips, language revitalization, STEM, arts, mental wellness, and culturally relevant content for students.
With his Master of Design in Inclusive Design at OCAD University, Michael brings a deep commitment to accessibility and equity to his work. He has also served an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Education Technology program at Long Island University, sharing his expertise in digital citizenship, social entrepreneurship, and youth engagement with future educators. Michael has presented at TED, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and delivered over 100 keynote addresses worldwide, inspiring audiences to embrace innovation and collaboration for a more inclusive digital future.
His leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the ISTE Making It Happen Award and the Intercultural Innovation Award from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and BMW. Michael’s approach centers on technological innovation, data-driven impact, and amplifying tools for student success —making him a vital contributor to the WSIS vision of a people-centered, inclusive Information Society.
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
Action Line 2: Information and Communication Infrastructure
The session highlights the use of technology to overcome geographic and access barriers, addressing the need for robust ICT infrastructure to connect remote communities and ensure equitable access.
Innovative programs leveraging live, interactive learning and digital tools directly support the goal of building inclusive digital ecosystems.
Action Line 4: Capacity Building
Capacity-building for educators and youth is a central theme, supporting the development of digital skills and leadership within communities.
The session’s actionable insights and data-driven outcomes demonstrate a commitment to equipping individuals with the skills needed to participate fully in the digital society.
Action Line 7: ICT Applications: E-Learning and E-Health
The use of technology for live, interactive learning and creative coding exemplifies e-learning applications that empower students and educators
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
The session strongly links to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Here’s how the session aligns with SDG 4 and its targets:
Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education
The session highlights innovative programs empowering children, youth, and educators—especially those in remote and equity-deserving communities—by leveraging technology for interactive learning and mentorship. This directly addresses SDG 4’s focus on reducing disparities and ensuring quality education reaches all, including vulnerable populations.
Digital Literacy and Skills Development
By promoting digital literacy through creative coding, mentorship, and educator capacity-building, the session supports the development of essential skills for the digital economy, aligning with SDG 4’s targets on relevant skills and universal literacy
ConnectedNorth.org: Leveraging high-definition video technology, Connected North delivers live, interactive learning experiences to over 35,000 students in remote Indigenous communities. The program connects classrooms with experts, virtual field trips, cultural exchanges, and Indigenous role models, addressing barriers of geography and fostering engagement, confidence, and academic success.
YourVoiceisPower.ca: This national competition engages middle and high school students in coding, music production, and social justice. By remixing songs from Indigenous artists using the EarSketch platform, students develop computer science skills while exploring themes of equity and entrepreneurship, promoting both technical and creative growth.
SproutIdeas.org: The Sprout Ideas Fellowship supports young changemakers with mentorship, training, and funding to implement community service projects. The fellowship cultivates leadership, systems thinking, and creative problem-solving, empowering youth to design and scale impactful initiatives in their communities.
CreatetoLearn.org: Through hands-on, minds-on learning, Create to Learn inspires students and educators to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) through making, coding, and creative projects. The program fosters digital and transferable skills, encouraging innovation and confidence in learners of all ages.
FiresideChats.ca: Fireside Chats offers a safe, supportive platform for youth to connect with Indigenous educators and role models, exploring diverse career pathways and post-secondary opportunities. The initiative is part of Connected North and emphasizes mentorship, cultural identity, and future readiness.