During the Marconi Society's ''Decade of Digital Inclusion'' event, BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin delivered a keynote address on ''Inclusive Connectivity: Opportunities and Imperatives'' in the event's kick-off with Executive Director Samantha Schartman-Cycyk and Chairman of the Board Vint Cerf.
The digital divide adversely impacts certain groups more than others, with rural dwellers, women, indigenous communities, persons living with disabilities, people on low incomes and other marginalized groups more likely to suffer digital exclusion.
Ms Bogdan-Martin explained ITU's model to conceptualize inclusive, digital transformation based on a virtuous circle where access drives adoption, which drives digital value creation. In addition to getting vital connectivity infrastructure in place, meaningful connectivity will only be achieved when populations have the digital skills to adopt and use ICTs, and have locally relevant content that will be valuable to them.
The BDT Director affirmed that achieving a breakthrough on the critical issues facing the planet and its people will involve putting aside our differences and learning to collaborate and cooperate on a truly unprecedented scale. ''Digital inclusion will be the bedrock of that global collaboration,'' she said.
Read the BDT Director's full address here.
Read the Marconi Society's interview of the BDT Director here.
