PEER ZOOM RECORDING: Digital Gaps in Arab Society

WATCH RECORDING HERE

Digital accessibility and inclusion has become an urgent priority over the COVID-19 crisis, with immediate implications for employment, education and day-to-day access to information, services and benefits. The issue is broad, spanning infrastructure and equipment gaps all the way through digital skills and accessibility, and has equally wide-ranging implications, from employment, education and day-to-day activity. Digitization has been a growing priority in Israel, for Arab society and as a whole, but like many things over the Coronavirus period, the need to reduce digital gaps became more urgent and apparent. In short, levels of resilience and capacity to function under quarantine continue to depend on digital access and inclusion.

This recording, from an August 24 Task Force Peer Zoom, offers an overview of digital gaps and their implications, and immediate actions that were taken to ensure day-to-day functioning. Speakers included, Asmaa Ghanayem, InnDigital Center, the author of the authoritative report on digital gaps for Arab society that was used by the Knesset Research and Information Center in July to issue its recommendations; Jesse Rosenblit, Digital Israel, gave an overview of the government’s platform for increasing digital literacy and services, and Hiba Iselah and Mira Zohar Seban, JDC-ELKA, shared steps to close immediate gaps in this period.

Recording begins after host’s introduction with first speaker, Asmaa Ghanayem.