I.T.U. – leaving no one behind…. I need a Telephone to connect to yoU
Institute for Digital Culture, University of Leicester
Session 352
Leaving no-one behind: rights and technology....
Connecting the world and beyond is the key driver for the ITU. Today, this is facilitated by movements in a digital world that increasingly connects us virtually while often aiding physical transport. But arguably, therein lies a possible misconnect, which this session seeks to explore…
Session overview:
This session argues that while a digital divide across the globe exists, technology advancements also risk a further divide, not just in terms of marginalised populations but across and between generations.
Today, we increasingly refer to our point in history - the ‘Millennials, or Generation Y or Z;’ and it remains admirable and essential that we seek inclusivity in terms of inviting and listening to our youth at events such as WSIS.
But what about the generations that came before?
- The ‘Baby Boomers,’ or 'the Traditionalists' (perhaps even more telling in terms of their ‘pseudonym’ – the ‘Silent Generation’).
There is no doubt that advancing technology aids the lives of so many, including an older or even elderly population but, globally, as this number grows, it risks leaving the ageing ‘Babies,’ also ‘Silent.’ While this segment of our world is not homogenous by any means, in many countries our seniors are also becoming more diverse, which brings with it increased challenges. Yet, at the same time, ageism is becoming a perpetuated prejudice.
There remains the potential that all older users are stigmatised as ‘technophobes’ or ‘digitally illiterate’ while conversely, it remains a fact, that some interfaces are poorly designed, and sometimes to the exclusion of older users.
Discussions within this proposed session, looks to:
1) Heighten these variable issues,
2) Gain critical insight and thoughts from the wider audience,
3) Propose solutions and/or,
4) Look at research opportunities to tackle related aspects and ensure…… ‘
‘no one get left behind….’
As a starting and basic point – there will be a study on a simple function: the phone, as a means of communicating you to me!
NOTE: this links into last years session (Back to the Future: Putting the “I” back into AI)
The 1980’s (when the Baby Boomers were growing up) was significant from alerting us to the plight of ensuring our future was sustainable. From a cultural perspective 1985 also marked the film ‘Back to the Future,’ which considered the power of technology in terms of the ability to change the human destiny, this being facilitated through an advanced electric car. Putting the “I” back into AI – means making sure the ‘individual,’ not just the human, but the ‘you and me’ have an equitable voice and fair opportunity, regardless of culture and other differences - age, race, colour, disability, sex and sexuality. This necessities ensuring that technology advancements embrace diversity and remain an advantage and not disadvantage.
This year's session builds on this, whereby, the focus relates to (human) rights and especially for an ageing generation - today - the baby boomers have grown-up!
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C6. Enabling environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
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C11. International and regional cooperation
C1. C2. C3. C6. C7. C8. C10. C11.
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Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
G3. G4. G5. G8. G10. G11. G16. G17.
The focus is on inclusivity and leaving no one behind with emphasis on the older generations - to promote equalities in today's digital and technology enabled world and to question whether human rights frameworks are ultimately fit for purpose.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
- Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity