The Commission’s commitment to broadband for a sustainable digital transformation
On September 16, 2023, at its annual autumn meeting, the UNESCO/ITU Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development unveiled the State of Broadband 2023 Report, entitled “Digital Connectivity – A Transformative Opportunity.” Examining the shift from supply-driven to demand-driven access to communications, the report focuses on the next steps in connectivity for digital transformation by analyzing the increasing use of online communications by individuals, businesses, and governments.
Emphasizing the need to remove the main barriers to internet adoption and use where coverage is available, the publication also identifies the need for better connectivity funding to strengthen the positive movement towards universal, affordable and equitable access to broadband internet.
Overall, the Commission’s annual Broadband Report provides an overview of global progress towards universal connectivity, updates on broadband promotion targets for 2025, and testimonies from Commissioners on the actions needed to achieve universal connectivity.
A high-level public-private partnership initiative promoting digital cooperation, this event brought together more than 50 commissioners and representatives from international organizations, governments, the private sector, and academia at UN Headquarters in New York. The main objective was to discuss a shared vision for a world where everyone has not only access to the internet and high-speed connectivity, but also the skills and knowledge to use them.
Furthermore, this year saw the launch of the working group’s report entitled “The Transformative Power of Data for Learning.” The working group, chaired by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, examined the potential of data to foster a safe, inclusive, and equitable transformation of education. Providing key findings on the current global educational data ecosystem, the report concludes that data for learning is a double-edged sword, requiring careful action to minimize risks and maximize benefits, as global asymmetries related to access to data, skills, and sovereignty continue to prevail.
The report underscores the need for all education stakeholders to be able to communicate information about data, assess data quality, understand the fundamental principles of data governance and ownership, and grasp the impact of data use on people and human rights. To this end, it identifies investments in capacity building aimed at strengthening the ability of education and training institutions to lead, design, and drive the data revolution toward improved learning opportunities for all as crucial.
The report offers recommendations on how the international community can collaborate to bridge the digital data gap and strongly recommends implementing a whole-of-government, whole-of-ecosystem approach. Among the actions that can be taken, the report suggests establishing a sustainable financing strategy, strengthening data literacy and essential data skills, prioritizing the use of data in education that addresses systemic barriers, and leveraging multilateralism, solidarity, and cooperation to establish international standards.
UNESCO has announced the creation of a new working group on “digital policy transformation”. This group aims to comprehensively assess the various digital policy options within UNESCO’s remit, focusing on key opportunities and safeguards, while providing guidance to governments and public sector departments.
