Education
Addressing the Digital Divide: Revitalizing Barbados' CommunityTech Program for Inclusive Digital Citizenship
This article discusses the importance of addressing the digital divide in Barbados, particularly for elderly citizens. It highlights the Community Technology Programme and the need for updated digital citizenship initiatives.
5 min read
Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
Today’s article was inspired by a caller to a local morning radio show who highlighted the need for the country to ensure that its citizens, especially the elderly, are not left behind as Barbados evolves in the global digital age. The caller lamented that an elderly person struggled to use their ATM card at a bank terminal, creating a backup of users. Since this occurred after banking hours, there was no staff available to assist the elderly person, so the caller stepped up to help.
Hearing this story reminded me of my days as a consultant for the Community Technology Programme (CommunityTech) and why it was started in the first place. This government led initiative used community centres as hubs for training citizens of modest means, aiming to mitigate the impact of the “digital divide” from an educational perspective. The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have easy access to and proficiency with digital technologies and the internet, and those who do not, often due to socioeconomic, geographic, or educational disparities.
CommunityTech was initiated under the Owen Arthur administration but seems to have languished in recent years. I vaguely recall it being part of a three-pronged approach to bring Barbados into the digital age, targeting three distinct groups: EduTech for young people in mandatory schooling, a digital retooling initiative for the labour force, and CommunityTech, which was mainly aimed at senior citizens to ensure they were not left behind.
From mobile banking apps to Artificial Intelligence (AI) infused into the new Microsoft ecosystem (desktop and productivity tools like office365), it’s time that Barbados reevaluates what its digital citizenship initiatives should be given all the changes that have occurred and all that is on the horizon with AI. Using Prime Minister Mottley’s oft-quoted words, “take out-front before out-front take you,” requires reimagining a new digitally capable citizen with skills in three distinct domains: 1. Understanding Digital Access and Literacy, 2. Understanding Digital Etiquette and Basic Cybersecurity, and 3. Understanding Effective Digital Commerce and Functional Digital Law.
Access and Literacy
Understanding the digital world requires a grasp of three key subdomains: digital access, digital literacy, and AI literacy. Digital access involves providing equitable infrastructure and tools to bridge the digital divide, enabling all citizens to participate in the digital economy, evidenced through programs such as Jump, an initiative developed to foster greater digital inclusion across Barbados. The program offers low-cost, affordable internet to the most vulnerable with the support of the Government of Barbados.
Digital literacy equips individuals with the skills to navigate, evaluate, and create digital content, empowering them to use technology for education, employment, and daily life. AI literacy introduces understanding and critical assessment of artificial intelligence, preparing citizens to engage responsibly with AI technologies. Together, these elements ensure that everyone can benefit from and contribute to the digital world, fostering an inclusive and technologically adept society.
