Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Clare Curran has released a research report describing the digital divide in New Zealand. Ms Curran says: “We’re doing well in terms of improving connectivity for New Zealanders, but while more people are getting better connectivity, more people are also being left behind. ... Read more
20/20 strategic partner InternetNZ has released the 2017 State of the Internet report, looking at 1) access to the Internet, 2) creative uses of the Internet, and 3) look at trust and security issues in New Zealand. Amongst other conclusions, InternetNZ said “We are going to focus much more on digital divides…” ... Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
