:: netwoman's blog ::

"Much of today's information is accessible on the Internet and other electronic forms through ICTs. For many people however, access to electronic information is difficult or even impossible - leaving them excluded from opportunities to access global markets and information resources. This lack of access creates what is commonly referred to as the 'digital divide'.

This 'divide' threatens economic growth and social development and mostly affects marginalized people with reduced access to ICTs due to a lack of capacity, finances or infrastructures. Overcoming this divide through digital inclusion is mostly about enabling social inclusion - using ICT as a vehicle to improve skills, enhance quality of life, drive education and promote economic wellbeing for all of society."

This is a good reminder that many people are not so connected. We have to remind outselves that while 62% of Canadians may be online (see Statistics Canada 2002), I believe only 14% of the world's population has access to the communication tools and information sources that many North Americans do.

posted by Netwoman @ 10:29 AM