March 10, 2010
 
 

The mission of the Institute for Digital Inclusion is to promote the use of effective and affordable technology among all communities with the goal of enhancing individual lives, globally.

Through the initiatives of the Institute, we will look at the trends and issues that will make our vision a reality. We will address this by:

  • Focusing attention on the policy issues that come hand-in-hand with technology use and promoting policy-making that fosters the use of technology.

  • Bringing people in communities into technology policy discussions. By promoting a dialogue in the communities with all stakeholders, regardless of gender, race or age, to foster understanding of the socioeconomic issues, access issues, ethical problems, standards and assessment, special needs and political implications of the widespread integration of technology in society and helping them distribute and obtain information to coordinate their efforts nationally.

Perspective:

  • Studying the effects of technology use on economic development, human rights and democracy, and the impact of national technology policies on these issues.

  • Providing public education about technology use focused on training, business practices, and social issues, so that people are better able to work in the information economy and to participate fully in the information society.

  • Supporting the local and global use of technology by people in developing nations and underserved communities, in particular to support efforts that employ technology tools in areas such as healthcare, education, indigenous economic development, environmental protection, and managing resources for food, water and energy.

  • Putting together a body of knowledge about digital divide issues through research, analysis, and recommendations, and helping to spread the word about developments and activities in the field.

  • Serving as an information clearinghouse and using online access, papers, publications, conferences, and workshops, to foster the exchange of information about the effects of technology integration in developing nations and underserved communities and the key factors in maximizing the opportunities offered by technology.