Category: NGO/Nonprofit
Public Policy Framework Helps Provide Direction for Libraries Regarding Digital Inclusion
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the University of Washington Information School, and the International City/County Management Association have developed a comprehensive framework to help libraries identify, evaluate, and improve services regarding digital inclusion and digital literacy. More and more individuals without computer access at home are turning to libraries as a conduit to access the Internet. The document, “Building Digitally Inclusive Communities,” is the product of over 100 organizations’ comments and ideas. The document highlights five important principles: …
The Broadband Commission’s Online Sharehouse
In response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s directive to encourage the UN to meet the millennium Development Goals, The International Telecommunication Union and UNESCO set up the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. The Commission’s mission is to advocate for the inclusion of broadband on the international policy agendas and is working to increase broadband access internationally. One tool that the Broadband Commission has developed is a user-driven database of best practices ranging from case studies to policy recommendations. This database, …
The UK’s Digital Inclusion Network
The United Kingdom shares a similar demographic distribution to the United States in regards to Senior Citizens and digital inclusion. One way a group of NGOs are trying to bridge the digital divide is through their program called the Digital Inclusion Network. This group, founded in 2006, consists of more than 200 member organizations that provides computer and Internet training to Senior Citizens. Member NGOs sign an MOU and participate in this network by sharing best practices and local information …
CodeNow Teaches Students How to Code
CodeNow (a non-profit organization) focuses on developing the next pioneers in technology by teaching underserved youth foundational skills in computer science and programming with the objective of narrowing the current digital divide. The organization teaches high school students the basics of computer programming and computer science in free, extra-curricular, off-campus trainings and boot camps. Each student who completes their program receives a netbook, mentoring and assistance finding internships. Working with numerous partners, the organization successfully launched its pilot program in DC …
JobScout Teaches Job Skills Using Online Game
JobScout is like many of the start-ups launching on a daily basis in Silicon Valley, except for the fact that many of its users do not even know how to use the Internet yet. A project that has been supported and seed funded by the California State Library, JobScout is a platform that provides an interactive online environment that uses game design to teach job-hunting skills and the digital literacy basics that are necessary for finding employment. Users will be able …
Plan to get Every Australian Using Broadband by 2020 Released
A digital action plan to get every Australian using high-speed broadband by 2020 which involves the co-operation of the not-for-profit, private and government sectors has been proposed in a new report released by Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. The report, entitled A fair go for all in the digital era: Towards a Digital Inclusion Roadmap, pointed out that to get all Australians involved in the National Broadband Network (NBN), community centres with high-speed broadband are needed …
Freedom Rings Partnership will bring Internet access, training, and technology to low-income residents of Philadelphia
The Freedom Rings Partnership is a $25 million federally-funded initiative led by the Urban Affairs Coalition and the City of Philadelphia, with Drexel University as a major partner. The Freedom Rings Partnership is made up of grassroots organizations, government, and universities that will bring Internet access, training and technology to residents in low-income communities. This multi-year initiative officially kicked off on January 17, 2011 by sponsoring the signature project of the MLK Day of Service – refurbishing used computers to be distributed back into …
Grandchildren and Grandparents Team up to Increase Digital Literacy in Serbia
In Belgrade, Serbia, there was an unusual event which took place for grandparents and their grandchildren. The event was organized by local NGO IAN (International Aid Network). Teams were formed, and consisted of a grandparent who was older than 55, together with their grandchild who was younger than 13. Teams who had previously passed the qualifications had the task to efficiently and as accurately as possible provide numerous / various answers to interesting questions in an online quiz whilst using …
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Brazilian NGO Fights Digital Divide
Public and private sector organizations are teaming up to bridge the digital divide experienced by millions of Brazilians. The initiatives led by the Rede Marista de Solidariedade (or the in English the Marista Solidarity Network) – a Porto Alegre-based non-profit organization focused on social inclusion and solidarity through social projects – seek to help bridge the digital divide in Brazil by using the civil society approach. Through the Marista leadership, the first Computer Refurbishment Center was created in Brazil in 2005. Inserted in the “Computers …