Page 93 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITU’s Digital Transformation Centers Train Over 80 000 People – 65 Percent

are Women

Women from underserved and
marginalized communities made up 65
percent of 80 000 trainees in the first phase
of ITU's Digital Transformation Centres
(DTC) Initiative. The Initiative, launched in
September 2019, saw the ITU partner with
technology conglomerate Cisco in nine
countries to help strengthen the digital
capacities of their citizens, particularly
in underserved communities. ITU has
opened applications for the second phase
of its DTC Initiative, aiming to close the
persistent gap in digital skills worldwide.
Interested eligible institutions can submit
their applications by 31 August 2021. “We gap and ensuring that no one is left offline. materials developed by ITU, Cisco, HP, and
want to leverage the momentum we gained That is why we are expanding the network other partners at the global, regional and
in phase one, during which over 80 000 to increase the number of DTCs globally. national levels; access to train-the-trainer
people from underserved and marginalized We are continuously engaging with new programmes under the DTC Initiative;
communities received digital skills training potential partners to collaborate with us in networking opportunities through
through nine DTCs. The popularity of this Initiative." DTCs worldwide; use of ITU and Cisco
this training has far exceeded what we Application criteria branding for promotion and marketing
anticipated, and greatly encourages us. The second phase is open to applications of DTC courses; authorization to award
Clearly, the pandemic has made everyone from any eligible national institution that internationally recognized certifications to
more aware of the need to be equipped commits to being an active partner in local citizens; and the chance get access
with digital skills. ITU wants to expand the network. Applying institutions must to resources that will allow them to scale
the DTC network, but at a pace which have the mandate, or the support of their their national activities. The first phase
will ensure that the quality of training is national government, to foster digital of the Initiative runs from January 2020
maintained," said ITU Secretary-General, capacity in their respective countries, as to August 2021, with nine DTCs: four in
Houlin Zhao. In the first phase, DTCs were well as a proven track record in delivering Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda,
established in nine countries in Africa, digital skills training at basic and Zambia), two in the Americas (Brazil,
Americas and Asia Pacific. The individuals intermediate levels to local communities. Dominican Republic), and three in Asia-
who signed up for DTC courses received Selected DTCs become part of a global Pacific (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,
training in basic and intermediate digital network that aims to accelerate digital and the Philippines). The courses offered
skills. “Closing the global digital divide uptake among citizens and boost the are designed both for people who have
is consistent with empowering people capacity of young entrepreneurs and never used a computer, as well as those
and communities, improving lives and small and medium-sized enterprises with basic digital skills and those looking
livelihoods, and promoting sustainable (SMEs) to succeed in the digital economy. to enhance their entrepreneurial skills
development," emphasized the Secretary- Any proposed DTC requires a network of through information and communication
General. “Empowering people with fully equipped physical training centers, technologies (ICTs). ITU has promoted
essential digital skills is a key part of this – along with sufficient resources to deliver wider partnerships to support the Initiative
a challenge we are proud to tackle together digital skills training. Detailed criteria are with both financial and material resources.
with partners from the private sector." available here. The second phase of the In November 2020, the Government of
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of ITU's DTC Initiative will commence operations Norway joined the Initiative financially
Telecommunication Development Bureau, from January 2022. Going forward, more supporting the implementation of training
said: “The pandemic underlined that digital DTCs will be able to join the global network through the DTC network. Going forward,
skills are key to inclusion and leaving no in order to reach a critical mass of people ITU aims to mobilize more partnerships in
one behind in today's digital world. The with digital skills training in countries and the second phase of the Initiative, widen
lack of these skills is becoming the main thus allow them to meaningfully participate the network of DTCs and scale the number
barrier to digital participation, particularly in the digital economy. of training activities through a systemic
in developing countries. ITU's network Benefits of participation engagement with partners both at national
of Digital Transformation Centers plays Institutions that become part of the DTC and international levels.
a crucial role in bridging the digital skills network will receive free access to training

93 JUN-AUG 2021