Transcript MoBaile
MUTEIS: Social Impacts A Learning Society? Information Society Commission Advisory body to Irish Government Appointed by Taoiseach at end-2001 Key role: “Highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by Information Society developments” eInclusion: Expanding the Information Society in Ireland Report to Government, October 2003 Significant increases in engagement with ICTs 1 in 2 adults now with Internet access, from 1 in 20 in 1996 Fourfold increase in mobile phone use, now 4 in 5 adults eInclusion: Expanding the Information Society in Ireland But many don’t see as relevant Only 1 in 5 without Internet access are interested A drop from 2 in 5 in 1999 Concentrated among more marginalised groups Deeper socio-economic influences… eInclusion: Expanding the Information Society in Ireland ISC pointed to 2 sets of issues Build capacity to use ICTs on the one hand While creating conditions that make their use more relevant to peoples’ lives on the other And target available resources towards those at greatest risk of marginalisation eInclusion: Expanding the Information Society in Ireland Building ICT capacity Mainstream ICT literacy as core focus of all government-funded education and training provision Build community-based programmes to promote engagement amongst disadvantaged groups Foster local partnership-based ICT initiatives involving business community, education/training sector and community development groups eInclusion: Expanding the Information Society in Ireland Making ICT relevant Leverage the potential of eGovernment. Focus on community and local-level needs by recreating the spatial environment online Get local content online. Help community and voluntary groups by rolling out an easy-to-use content solution through the local government sector. Ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. WAI guidelines etc. your community online Digital Divide Analysis of the Uptake of Information Technology in the Dublin Region, November 2003 By Trutz Haase and Jonathan Pratschke Commissioned by Dublin Employment Pact 2-stage cluster sample of 40 neighbourhoods on a total of 1,200 households Examined awareness, use, ownership, proficiency and confidence Digital Divide - conclusions Computer ownership and home Internet access are by far the most conservative measures of the digital divide Of limited use when taken on their own Comparing people with post-graduate qualifications to those whose education concluded at primary level, the former are 4 times more likely to have computer at home, but 7 times more likely to use a a computer regularly 12 times more likely to feel confident using one 20 times more likely to be proficient using one Towards a 90% rule? Recent research by Eric Brynjolfsson at MIT on ICT and productivity Data from over 1000 large US companies Statistically significant correlation between ICT intensity and overall productivity But ICT only the tip of a much larger iceberg of complementary investments 90% of investment in successful projects goes into creating new organisational and human capital Digital divide not about access to technology but about access to resources and capabilities that make life choices possible and manageable (Tuomi) Global Information Society Common structural features Based on knowledge generation and information processing, supported by ICTs Organised in networks Core activities networked on a global scale, in real time Socio-technical structure develops and expands on basis of superior performing capacity But very diverse paths and outcomes of this transformation… (Castells) Globalising Learning Economy Intensified competition innovation the defining competitiveness factor Dramatic acceleration in rate of change Knowledge and skills being exposed to depreciation more rapid than previously experienced Capacity to learn (and unlearn) crucial to socioeconomic success of individuals, firms, regions, and national economies Increase capacity to absorb change by focusing on learning capability of weak learners – people and regions (Lundvall) New demands on welfare state Weakening of labour markets and family households as traditional spheres of care and welfare Labour market decline in demand for low-skilled labour Instability of traditional family increased risk of child poverty Increased female employment less care in family Ageing populations and declining birth rates New social risks of families and working life bearing primarily on young people and young families (Esping-Anderson) Why we need a new welfare state Esping-Anderson et al, 2002 (commissioned by Belgian Presidency) Overall argument can be sumamrised under 4 priorities Social inclusion through employment From passive income compensation to active social servicing (family services) Later and flexible retirement (rethinking the generational contract) Investing in younger generations (raising skill levels) Towards a systemic understanding? Towards a systemic understanding? A Learning Society? Environment of accelerated change Priority is not necessarily a perfect solution for today’s problems But processes through which key stakeholders can continuously identify changing challenges and opportunities Learning and unlearning The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping the old ones… (Keynes)