Post on 27-Mar-2015
transcript
Developing an inclusive information society
Research and policy approachesESDIS meeting, Brussels
13 January 2003
Dr. Susan O’Donnell
Itech Research - Ireland
Some current and recent projects
1. Irish policy for an inclusive info society
2. Diversity Ireland website
3. IST project - voluntary organisations
4. EU eDemocracy research network
5. IST project - employment and disadvantage
6. eCitizen skills
1.1 Irish policy for inclusive IS
Question: How can national policy be developed to encourage an inclusive info society?
Method: Analyse new survey data; profile late adopter groups; build a policy framework; interview stakeholders at local, regional and national levels; international practice
1.2 Current work …
Measure inclusive info society development (new indices)
Synthesis of local, regional, national social and economic policies
Develop list of stakeholders for interview and consultation
1.3 Policy framework…
Motivate late adopter groups to engage with ICTs
Develop ICT skills and learning in late adopter groups
Develop ICT capacity in community and voluntary organisations
Develop online community and local content for late adopter groups
1.3 Policy framework (cont’d)
Provide online government info and services for all
Affordable and accessible broadband access for late adopter groups
Research and evaluation of inclusive info society development
Coordinate all actors
2.1 Diversity Ireland website
Question: How can the Internet meet the information needs of immigrants to Ireland and ethnic minority groups in Ireland?
Method: Analysis and interviews with international websites, consultations with stakeholders, interviews with Internet café users
2.2 Some findings .. info needed:
About ethnic minority communities in Ireland
Working in Ireland Being an entrepreneur Languages and
literacy Training and
education
Accommodation and housing
Services and support Government and NGO
policies Laws, legisation and
rights Ireland – general info Europe – general info
2.3 Findings … the site should:
Direct newcomers and ethnic minority groups to existing sources of information
Introduce existing info, revise or rewrite it to meet users needs
Identify gaps in info provision Encourage existing info providers to fill the
gaps Encourage users to produce info for the site
3.1 IST – voluntary organisations
Question: What is the potential role of voluntary organisations in encouraging a more inclusive info society in Europe?
Method: Literature review, interviews in 5 countries, policy analysis
3.2 Some findings…roles:
Providing training and employment in the information society
Expanding democratic participation and online content
Increasing social capital and participation for all
3.3 Human capital aspects
People experiencing disadvantage can acquire ICT skills through voluntary activities
Voluntary orgs are providing training and learning in ICT skills
Some voluntary orgs are providing ICT training aimed at sustainable employment
3.4 Social capital aspects
Voluntary orgs are increasing awareness of ICTs among disadvantaged people
Through using computer applications, voluntary orgs can build trust in ICTs among disadvantaged people
Voluntary-run ICT initiatives can help build peer-support for ICT use
4.1 EU eDemocracy network
Purpose: Linking EU-level researchers working on IST projects related to ICTs and democracy
www.eve.cnrs.fr: Coordinated by CNRS and MTA in Paris, linking a wide group of researchers and projects
4.2 Some findings …
Shift by public authorities from “e-democracy” to “e-government”
Countries with postal voting moving more quickly to e-voting
Online tools of great use to those outside the democratic process
5.1 IST research – employment and disadvantage
Question: Which interventions will effectively support the transition of women and men experiencing disadvantage into sustainable employment in the IS?
Method: Analysis of EMPLOYMENT projects in IRL, UK, Spain, Italy and Finland
5.2 Some findings
Need to be training towards existing local jobs – teleworking???
Childcare, childcare, childcare
Are online support tools relevant for disadvantaged groups?
6.1 eCitizen skills
Product in development by the ECDL Foundation
ICT skills training and certification programme for e-citizen – to make them more “included” in the digital environment
Conclusions re human capital
If ICT jobs exist, some can be filled by training “disadvantaged” groups (Belfast)
Voluntary/community orgs an important place for informal learning of ICTs
Weak public services infrastructure inhibits human capital/ ICT skills development
Conclusions re social capital
Voluntary/community orgs need ICT development and support to perform social capital role (trust, awareness) re ICTs
Social capital can be developed through wide consultation in policy development and research
Observations re social capital
“Social capital” a fuzzy term
Different usage across academic disciplines and policy areas
Need to keep linking social, human and economic capital
Observations re social capital
Social capital not “good” in itself
Similar to technology, social capital can help to develop both democratic and undemocratic social/economic processes
Important to focus on democracy and see how social capital can help develop it
Thank you!
Dr. Susan O’Donnell
Itech Research (new name)
Abbey House
15-17 Upper Abbey Street
Dublin 1 Ireland
susan@itech-research.ie
www.itech-research.ie