The annual global ‘Hour of Code’ campaign is next week, 4th December to 10th December, in Computer Science Education Week. According to hourofcode.com 302 events are taking place in New Zealand next week, including Minecraft in Te Reo. ... Read more
Digital inclusion: “We must never leave anyone behind” – Hon. Clare Curran
The Hon. Clare Curran, the new Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, and for Government Digital Services laid out the new government plans and her priority action list today. In her wide ranging speech – her first keynote speech as Minister – Clare Curran covered many digital issues, with a strong and consistent thread of digital inclusion and of addressing the rise of digital inequality in NZ. ... Read more
Chair’s 2017 Annual Report: well-being and digital inclusion
Poverty was one of the big issues in the 2017 New Zealand election. The Digital Divide Map, a joint project with our strategic partner Internet NZ, shows that there is a strong correlation between social well-being and digital inclusion (measured by access to the internet and digital skills). Our research has shown that digital skills provide a unique stepping stone to escape from poverty by reducing daily costs, improving employment and earning capacity. ... Read more
Join us at NetHui 2017 – first 3 free
NetHui is New Zealand’s most diverse and interactive Internet community event – and this year’s conversation promises to be as engaging as ever with a sterling line-up of keynotes, panels and facilitated sessions. We are super excited to support this event as session facilitators and as an InternetNZ strategic partner. We would love you to come and join in the conversation. ... Read more
Coalition Agreement restores funding for Computers in Homes
Laurence Millar, Chair of the 20/20 Trust, expressed his delight at this news. “Computers in Homes has been operating for 17 years and has supported nearly 19,000 families, but we estimate there are still 40,000 households with school-aged children without access to the internet,” he said. “Today’s announcement will help ensure the children in these households are not disadvantaged in their learning, and that the adults have the opportunity to use digital skills in all aspects of their lives.” ... Read more
Michael Gurstein 1944-2017, Community Informatics visionary
We note with sadness the death of Michael Gurstein at the age of 73. Michael Gurstein was an inspirational and visionary Canadian, the ‘father’ of Community Informatics, and a friend of the 20/20 Trust and other community organisations all over the world who share the goal of Effective use of the Internet to benefit everyone. ... Read more
World Poverty Day – how can digital skills help?
Tuesday was the 25th United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – World Poverty Day. In the face of cold damp expensive housing, high poverty rates and steady numbers of people unemployed, digital skills and internet access can seem to be an unaffordable luxury. But they can help, in many ways… ... Read more
Sue’s tips address top NZ web security worries
Recently 20/20’s Sue West was a guest lecturer for AUT students of Information Security Technologies. Dr William Liu, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, invited Sue because of her expertise and knowledge of digital inclusion and web security related challenges and opportunities. We share Sue’s top 5 tips for web security. ... Read more
Global Human Capital Report ranks NZ 7th; GDP lags; stresses digital fluency and lifelong learning
The World Economic Forums The Global Human Capital Report 2017 – Preparing people for the future of work provides a new benchmark for leaders to build the workforces of the future, with score cards for 130 countries researched. Its future focus reinforces the economic and social need for digital literacy and digital inclusion in building human capital. ... Read more
Support grows for Digital Inclusion Manifesto
More organisations are signing up to the Digital Inclusion Manifesto. which calls for digital inclusion in all government programmes. 20/20 Trust Chair, Laurence Millar said there is widespread community support for the Manifesto’s goals, but few government-funded programmes specifically address New Zealand’s digital divide. “Our Manifesto calls on government to prioritise digital inclusion and skills… ... Read more