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Education

Bridging the Digital Divide in Santo Domingo

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Arthur Navarro, founder of Communications Careers For Latinos, Inc. (CCL, Inc.), emphasized the importance of closing the digital divide in Santo Domingo during a technology policy speech at the Model U.N. conference hosted by the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic on March 12th. The conference, attended by over 2,000 participants from major universities and international organizations, highlighted the need for equitable access to broadband and digital resources. Navarro stressed that while the global information society has created new opportunities, a significant portion of the world's population remains untouched by this revolution, exacerbating existing gaps between the rich and the poor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Approximately 85% of the world's population has yet to log on, with a significant digital divide existing in Santo Domingo.
  • The connectivity balance sheet is in the red for Dominicans, indicating a need for immediate attention to bridge the gap between technology "haves" and have-nots.
  • The Dominican government must take public policies to ensure that all Dominicans have access to computers and broadband, with a focus on supporting the education sector.
  • Jobs are being exported to other countries due to the Dominican Republic's inadequate preparation to utilize advanced electronic network resources.

Arthur Navarro emphasized the importance of digital literacy and access to broadband for all Dominicans, especially in the education sector. He stated, "We must leave no Dominican child and teacher behind without a computer and access to broadband."

Statistics:

  • 85% of the world's population has yet to log on.
  • Over 2,000 participants attended the Model U.N. conference hosted by the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic.
  • The conference featured participants and staff members from 12 countries, including the United States, Morocco, Mexico, Argentina, Nicaragua, Sweden, Germany, Colombia, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Egypt.

Sources:

  • "Arthur Navarro of Communications Careers For Latinos, Inc.: 'We must leave no Dominican child and teacher behind without a computer and access to broadband'"
  • Model U.N. conference hosted by the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic
  • Communications Careers For Latinos, Inc. website: http://www.alct.org/

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