Nations must bridge digital skills gap to boost economy

Nations must bridge digital skills gap to boost economy

Dubai: – People must recognize the vast difference between “equality and equity” to ensure everyone can participate in the digital economy and leave no one behind, Anca Bogdana Rusu, Head of Public Sector, cLabs, said at the Dubai Future Forum today.

Speaking on a panel titled ‘Is Digital Poverty the New Global Crisis?’, Rusu urged governments and global corporations to take steps now to address the divide. She was joined by Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, who added: “There is a wide gap in access to data between generations and their digital literacy, entailing the poor usage of digital by the older generation.”

She called attention to the unprecedented disruption brought on by Covid 19, claiming that it had affected an entire generation of students, impacting their mental health, wellbeing, socialization, and chances for active participation in society, including the labor market.

Digital poverty is one of the most pressing challenges which has been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Dr Eva-Marie Muller-Stuler, Partner of EY’s Data & AI practice, said: “It is not about closing the gap regarding access to tech; it is about bridging the gap and enhancing the economy.”

Vilas Dhar, President of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation,