The world is changing at a dizzying speed and in this volatility in which we find ourselves immersed, two concepts are taking center stage. On the one hand, we find new technologies and, on the other, the expansion of the Internet .
The network of networks has achieved what until not many years ago seemed an impossible task: democratising access to information . A term inherently associated with power and which makes societies free. It gives them the ability to choose based on well-founded facts and common knowledge. The Internet is the delicate and, more often than we would like, controversial scenario that makes this possible.
Given the power that we have granted and that the network of networks currently holds, it will not be strange to anyone that it has a day to commemorate everything that it makes possible. Specifically, it is May 17th. A date marked on the calendar on which we celebrate Internet Day .
This year, the event has a very clear objective: digital empowerment . This is the claim that will be the theme of all the events held during Internet Day 2017.
“ Technology can help change people’s lives, especially those who live in a bulgaria phone number situation of exclusion,” explains Miguel Pérez Subías, president of the Association of Internet Users (AUI).
Internet as a driver of change
The aim of the association in Spain (which coordinates more than 60 entities) in choosing this challenge is to demonstrate that technology is a tool for social transformation, especially when it comes to helping disadvantaged groups.
Under this premise, the first international conference on the theme “From exclusion to empowerment: information and communication technology at the service of persons with disabilities” was held, organized by UNESCO in New Delhi (India) in November 2014.
There are many examples that we have seen in recent years about how technology and the Internet can improve the lives of many groups .
Tech giants such as Facebook , Tesla and Google have developed numerous projects in recent years to bring the Internet to every corner of the world . They do not hesitate to describe this work as altruistic and in defence of the global democratisation of access to information as the basis for social progress.
Although the shadow of suspicion regarding their interests is long, we must remember that the foundations of these companies' businesses depend on the number of people who are connected and have access to their services.
Later, it was decided to extend the concept of digital empowerment to the rest of society . Since then, the goal has not only been to help disadvantaged groups with technology and the Internet as driving forces for change.
We are currently faced with a concept that also implies preparation and willingness to live in the digital world.
Is Spain ready for that?
On the occasion of the celebration of Internet Day and in light of the landscape drawn in these lines, we at this medium have asked ourselves what the situation of the network of networks is in our country.
“The relatively low level of digital skills hinders the development of the digital economy in Spain” . This is what the European Commission indicates in its report on the subject prepared in 2016.
In an interview with Kippel01.com , Luis Pardo, CEO of Sage in Spain, is clear that Spanish SMEs still have a long way to go when it comes to innovation.
In this, the expert assures that only 7% of small and medium-sized companies in the country have fully developed the digitalization of their businesses.
“ Educational reform is needed that takes into account digital profiles , both for young people and adults. The Government, for example, should support the retraining of these generations that were born in the analogue industry,” Pardo explains in the aforementioned interview.
“On the other hand, companies should support the training of their own employees to add value to their jobs. The third commitment has to be made by the people themselves, with all the content that is available on YouTube today , ignoring this source of information for self-training would be a mistake,” he adds.