"A safe, inclusive and equitable digital future is essential for progress and peace… [and underpins] a digitally interdependent world that ‘Connects, Respects and Protects’ all people, in which all can thrive, and in which digital tools do not cause harm or reinforce inequalities but instead are a force for good." - António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
World events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian invasion have highlighted the importance of digital technologies to keep societies functioning and all segments of the population connected. Available data reveals that this is especially important for older persons. Barriers to digital equity for older persons are largely related to 1. Age Inclusive Design, 2. Broadband Access, and 3. Digital Literacy.
Today fewer than half of older persons are online. Experts agree that barriers to digital inclusion will only increase as global populations age, with estimates that by the year 2050, more than 2 billion people will be aged 60 years and over.
And though solving digital inequity is a human rights imperative, doing so also creates more opportunity and advancement for entire populations who will become wealthier consumers and a better educated workforce.
To identify and address challenges related to digital inequity, AARP has partnered with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy for Technology at the United Nations to create and convene an ecosystem of public- and private-sector leaders, civil society influencers, and multilateral changemakers to advance digital equity for older persons as a growing priority of the United Nations and international community, including in the implementation of the Secretary-General’s Roadmap and forthcoming Global Digital Compact.
Roundtable Goals
1) Collaborate on ideas to advance digital inclusion for older persons through overcoming barriers
2) Share a variety of successful initiatives, models, partnerships, technologies and policies that are helping to address digital equity barriers for present back to the UN Network-of-Networks
3) Raise visibility for incorporating older persons into all digital equity efforts at the United Nations and beyond
4) Disseminate opportunities, best practices, policy recommendations, and implementation strategies via post-meeting briefs and reports
5) Commence the ‘Network for the Digital Inclusion of Older Persons’ as a member of the UN’s Network-of-Networks
Join The Conversation
To engage with this network before, during, and after the event, please follow and contribute to the exclusive closed-door Network for the Digital Inclusion of Older Persons LinkedIn Group.
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