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I
NFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
technology (ICT) has
been a powerful tool in providing developing countries with
new opportunities, to enable them to catch up with more
developed countries by strengthening their capacity to drive
social, economic and human progress. However, the fact that
80 per cent of the global population does not own a mobile
phone suggests that developing countries enjoy relatively fewer
benefits from ICT than developed ones, and that a digital divide
has emerged that reflects the wealth gap between countries. In
terms of global internet use, wealthy countries account for only
16 per cent of the global population but have 70 per cent of the
world’s internet users. However, mid to poor countries account
for 80 per cent of the world population but only 24 per cent of
internet users.
1
The term ‘digital divide’ signifies the differences in access to
ICT and use of the internet in various socioeconomic activities
among individuals, families, companies, regions, and countries,
based on distinctive social and economic status. The digital divide
restricts digitally underserved populations in terms of social
participation and financial opportunities because it limits people’s
access to knowledge and information. But it also discourages
social integration because it aggravates social and economic
inequalities.
Various domestic and international organizations have been
working since 1990 to raise awareness of the global digital divide
and its dangers, and a variety of initiatives have been carried out
in an attempt to diminish the gap. The United Nations has stated
that ICT will play a key role in realizing the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) adopted at the Millennium Summit
in 2000. It is working towards the goals through organizations
such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). As a means of achieving digital equal-
ity as well as other MDGs, the International Telecommunication
Multi-stakeholder partnerships for
tackling the digital divide
Yeongi Son Ph.D, CEO, The Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion
Korean volunteers in the community, Phnom Penh, Cambodia