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Demystifying the Digital Divide
This article by Dr. Mark Warschauer of the University of California, Irvine,
was published in the August 2003 issue of Scientific
American. Its focus concerns the provision of hardware and technology
as a panacea for all issues, missing the salience of training, targeted
education, and properly contextualized technology when organizations address issues of
the digital divide.
The Finance
Project's Digital Divide pages
The Finance Project is an American policy research and technical assistance
organisation. It's digital divide pages provide links to pertinent articles,
funding sources, organisations and foundations concerned with the issue,
and to information on upcoming conferences and events.
The G8
Summit: Digital Divide
The June 2002 G8 summit at Kananaskis, Alberta emphasized the growing
disparity inherent in the digital divide and saw the acceptance of a number
of measures taken to reduce its influence. These initiatives are presented
in the Bridging the Digital Divide section of the government's G8 Summit
website.
The International
Development Research Centre (IDRC)
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Canadian-based
public corporation whose mandate includes assisting developing countries
with social, technological, educational, economic and environmental issues.
It's Connecting the Dots initiative tackles the digital divide, providing
globally-oriented articles, statistics, reports, videos, and program information.
The site currently has a focused section on how ICT can benefit international
development.
The United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The United Nations Development Programme examines issues surrounding the
global digital divide and offers a number of initiatives, articles, funds,
projects, and information for its resolution. The site also offers windows
on IT developments in other nations and regions, IT volunteer opportunities,
and breaking news regarding ICT on both a national and international basis.
The World
Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum's Global Digital Divide Initiative focuses attention
on the issue with a truly international perspective. A wealth of reports
and policy statements are available, as well as nation-specific data and
charters and fact statement aimed at various stakeholders surrounding
the issue.
The Digital
Divide Network
The Digital Divide Network, produced by the Benton Foundation and sundry
partners, provides a range of feature articles on digital divide issues
as well as current news and a topical discussion list. A plethora of articles
and links are provided on a range of subjects including access, literacy
and learning, content, economic development, and international issues.
Each category includes a summation of the issue, feature articles and
stories of concern, and a large number of related links for further information.
PowerUp
PowerUp is a consortium of non-profit and governments agencies and private
corporations with a mandate to help bridge the digital divide in the U.S.
The site offers a news service, policy options and positions, opportunities
for personal/corporate involvement, and select links for further information
on various subjects.
National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
This site, produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides a range
of reports, charts, and surveys regarding the digital divide issue in
the United States. Although somewhat dated (last updated in 2000), the
site has pertinent information regarding issues south of the border.
Digital
Divide.org
This site emanates from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
While light on actual content, it does a good job of explaining and documenting
the digital divide as well as tracking recent developments on a global
basis.
The Dual
Divide
This article examines the second level (or dual) digital divide: the gap
is personal levels of technological competence and capability. Effectively,
it notes that access is one thing and that capable usage of the technology
at hand quite another.
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