Developing an inclusive information society

Research and policy approachesESDIS meeting, Brussels

13 January 2003

Dr. Susan O’Donnell

Itech Research - Ireland

Some current and recent projects

1. Irish policy for an inclusive info society

2. Diversity Ireland website

3. IST project - voluntary organisations

4. EU eDemocracy research network

5. IST project - employment and disadvantage

6. eCitizen skills

1.1 Irish policy for inclusive IS

Question: How can national policy be developed to encourage an inclusive info society?

Method: Analyse new survey data; profile late adopter groups; build a policy framework; interview stakeholders at local, regional and national levels; international practice

1.2 Current work …

Measure inclusive info society development (new indices)

Synthesis of local, regional, national social and economic policies

Develop list of stakeholders for interview and consultation

1.3 Policy framework…

Motivate late adopter groups to engage with ICTs

Develop ICT skills and learning in late adopter groups

Develop ICT capacity in community and voluntary organisations

Develop online community and local content for late adopter groups

1.3 Policy framework (cont’d)

Provide online government info and services for all

Affordable and accessible broadband access for late adopter groups

Research and evaluation of inclusive info society development

Coordinate all actors

2.1 Diversity Ireland website

Question: How can the Internet meet the information needs of immigrants to Ireland and ethnic minority groups in Ireland?

Method: Analysis and interviews with international websites, consultations with stakeholders, interviews with Internet café users

2.2 Some findings .. info needed:

About ethnic minority communities in Ireland

Working in Ireland Being an entrepreneur Languages and

literacy Training and

education

Accommodation and housing

Services and support Government and NGO

policies Laws, legisation and

rights Ireland – general info Europe – general info

2.3 Findings … the site should:

Direct newcomers and ethnic minority groups to existing sources of information

Introduce existing info, revise or rewrite it to meet users needs

Identify gaps in info provision Encourage existing info providers to fill the

gaps Encourage users to produce info for the site

3.1 IST – voluntary organisations

Question: What is the potential role of voluntary organisations in encouraging a more inclusive info society in Europe?

Method: Literature review, interviews in 5 countries, policy analysis

3.2 Some findings…roles:

Providing training and employment in the information society

Expanding democratic participation and online content

Increasing social capital and participation for all

3.3 Human capital aspects

People experiencing disadvantage can acquire ICT skills through voluntary activities

Voluntary orgs are providing training and learning in ICT skills

Some voluntary orgs are providing ICT training aimed at sustainable employment

3.4 Social capital aspects

Voluntary orgs are increasing awareness of ICTs among disadvantaged people

Through using computer applications, voluntary orgs can build trust in ICTs among disadvantaged people

Voluntary-run ICT initiatives can help build peer-support for ICT use

4.1 EU eDemocracy network

Purpose: Linking EU-level researchers working on IST projects related to ICTs and democracy

www.eve.cnrs.fr: Coordinated by CNRS and MTA in Paris, linking a wide group of researchers and projects

4.2 Some findings …

Shift by public authorities from “e-democracy” to “e-government”

Countries with postal voting moving more quickly to e-voting

Online tools of great use to those outside the democratic process

5.1 IST research – employment and disadvantage

Question: Which interventions will effectively support the transition of women and men experiencing disadvantage into sustainable employment in the IS?

Method: Analysis of EMPLOYMENT projects in IRL, UK, Spain, Italy and Finland

5.2 Some findings

Need to be training towards existing local jobs – teleworking???

Childcare, childcare, childcare

Are online support tools relevant for disadvantaged groups?

6.1 eCitizen skills

Product in development by the ECDL Foundation

ICT skills training and certification programme for e-citizen – to make them more “included” in the digital environment

Conclusions re human capital

If ICT jobs exist, some can be filled by training “disadvantaged” groups (Belfast)

Voluntary/community orgs an important place for informal learning of ICTs

Weak public services infrastructure inhibits human capital/ ICT skills development

Conclusions re social capital

Voluntary/community orgs need ICT development and support to perform social capital role (trust, awareness) re ICTs

Social capital can be developed through wide consultation in policy development and research

Observations re social capital

“Social capital” a fuzzy term

Different usage across academic disciplines and policy areas

Need to keep linking social, human and economic capital

Observations re social capital

Social capital not “good” in itself

Similar to technology, social capital can help to develop both democratic and undemocratic social/economic processes

Important to focus on democracy and see how social capital can help develop it

Thank you!

Dr. Susan O’Donnell

Itech Research (new name)

Abbey House

15-17 Upper Abbey Street

Dublin 1 Ireland

susan@itech-research.ie

www.itech-research.ie