DIA Keeping the spotlight on digital inclusion
DIA’s digital inclusion team is helping to keep the government’s spotlight on digital inclusion, which is good news for the many groups working hard to ensure their communities get digitally connected and stay connected. DIA (Department of Internal Affairs) – not to be confused with us – DIAA (Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa) has recently published their Digital Inclusion Action Plan for 2020-21. The Action Plan provides an excellent summary of current government-supported initiatives. These are a good start, but much more is needed to strengthen the digital resilience of everyone living in New Zealand. Covid-19 has highlighted the critical importance of digital inclusion and government has demonstrated how it has the capacity to react swiftly when necessary.
We agree with the comments in DIA’s Action Plan that “digital inclusion is much more than getting a device and an internet connection”. We hope the incoming government can take up this mantle and make the investment necessary to ensure that everyone has the skills and the confidence to engage in the digital world.