Module 9: Social Justice Issues

Digital Divide

Source of Photo: UN site

1. What is the Social Justice issue in THE GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL DIVIDE?
In one geographics website, an article entitled “Global Digital Divide Still Very Much in Existence” tells about the International Labor Organization’s "World Employment Report 2001: Life at Work in the Information Economy." According to the report, despite the communications revolution taking place in the world today, increasing numbers of workers are unable to find jobs or gain access to the emerging technological resources needed to ensure productivity in an increasingly digitalized global economy.”

2. How does it manifest itself? (Any personal experiences?)
Many of the jobs now require that the candidate should be computer literate, even if the job is a factor worker, which before require only physical strength.

3. How can it be resolved? What steps should be taken to resolve the issue?
This issue can be resolved by providing sufficient education to the people to attain a certain level of literacy.

4. What is my personal role in helping to resolve this issue?
Here in Tokyo, I am part of a group called “Friends In Tokyo” that had a small project to solicit unused functioning computers and donate them to a small school in Bicol region.

Since we believe that education is the key to poverty, we also support through scholarship some deserving children in province of Negros.

COMMENTS ON WSIS REPORT

1. Why is there a need to involve three groups (governments, private sector and civil society) in discussions on Internet governance ? (Related question: Why is the WSIS process so inclusive, and not confined to meetings among technical people such as engineers, network specialists, computer scientists only?)

The three groups are the major classification of the stakeholders of the Internet Governance. These three groups are the ones mostly impacted by any issues regarding the Internet Governance. That is why it important to get the feedback and involvement from them in order to come up with a solution that addresses the concerns of each group.

The WSIS process does not confine its meetings with technical people because the Internet Governance is not only a concern of the people with technical background but also of the whole populace that use the internet, as well as the government body whose function maybe is to regulate, control and prevent the abuse of this technology. The internet is virtual environment where people from different sectors meet, not only technical people.

To arrive in a policy that addresses all the parties involved in Internet Governance, there is a need to see the issues in different angles and faces. That would be the contribution of each group – to provide and express these angles and faces.

2. Choose two from among the 27 identified public policy issues relevant to Internet governance. What policies would you personally propose to the WGIG related to these two issues? Do you agree with the Philippine position on the two issues you selected? Explain.

1. DATA PROTECTION and PRIVACY RIGHTS
I agree that the Philippines lack the national legislation to enforce privacy and data protection rights over the internet. I also agree with the proposal of the Philippines that the more advanced countries with well defined rules and legal framework should help the developing countries to formulate the data protection and privacy policies. The developing countries could benefit from the learning experiences of other advanced nations, and in so doing they will be able to save some financial resources as well.

I propose that while each country strives to establish national legislations to support data protection and privacy, each country should participate in defining a global standard. This may not be a priority in developing nations but the advanced nations should consider the weakness in technological backbone of these nations in establishing the global standard.

2. CONSUMER RIGHTS
I agree with the Philippines stand on consumer rights. There is lack of standards for consumer rights over the internet, particularly on international purchase of goods through e-commerce. The users have few means of exercising their rights, even when these rights are supported by legislation.

Efforts should be made to enforce the consumer rights of people who are purchasing goods online.

I propose that each country should set a check on the legitimacy of the web sites of business established in their respective countries that engage in e-commerce, and try to hunt those that cheat people in their purchases.

3. From among the 4 models proposed for Internet governance, which one do you think is best? Explain your answer.

I think model 1 is best because it consists of members from different governments. Also, each region is well represented, and this involves other stakeholders. In this model, the Global Internet Council will take over the US department of Commerce in performing international internet governance, and will replace the ICANN Government Advisory Committee. The part I like in this model is that all stakeholders including the government, private sector and civil society will take part in the resolution of issues.

Model 2 suggests that there is no need for global organization to oversee the internet governance. I think this is not true because the internet is not bounded by region or countries. That is why it cannot be done within the country alone. There is a need for an organization, globe in scope to manage internet governance.

Model 3 considers the government participation in the resolution of internet issues but did not specify the active participation of the private sector and civil society.

Model 4 implies 3 global bodies with different responsibilities. I don't think that there is a need for multiple global bodies to manage internet governance issues.