Bridging the Digital Divide

The belief that advances in science and technology represent the first (and most crucial) step toward economic, cultural and social progress is by no means new to the Americas. Over 150 years ago, Brazilian scientists and the socio-economic elite, greatly influenced by the French positivists, rallied around the idea that developments in science would pave the way for social order and material progress in that country. Its flag alone, which in fact boasts “order and progress” as the national motto, proves to what extent Brazil has championed the ideals and potential benefits of scientific innovation.

More recently, like many other facets of social and political life, technological innovation often has been discussed on a global scale, since it pulls the strings of the international political economy now more than ever before. Likewise, the advent of communications and other forms of electronic media have prompted some to envision a kind of “network society,” whereby these technologies have come to dictate social interaction, urban space, and more than anything, the modern workplace.

While this may be the case in many developed countries, advances in science and technology remain a local issue in developing countries, where technological innovation is now widely considered among one of the only viable paths to economic growth and prosperity. One of the many challenges developing countries face, however, is how to advance their scientific and technological capabilities without exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities.

Last Friday’s “International Seminar on Science, Technology, Innovation and Social Inclusion,” sponsored by the Universidad de la Republica and UNESCO (the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), was testament to the effort of governmental and non-governmental organizations, universities, and other associations in Latin America to eradicate social inequality through scientific innovation. Many of the speakers—among them researchers and other representatives from the public and private sectors throughout Latin America, Europe, and the US—spoke to the importance of establishing socially oriented innovation that will seek both to promote the sciences as well as address issues of social concern. The speakers challenged other business leaders, politicians, and members of the academy to look beyond profit gain as the sole outcome of technological innovation and toward a form of social inclusion that will work to bridge the digital divide. Their message was clear: Advances in technology will only really begin to benefit the developing world as soon as they are used to benefit all sectors of society and not just the technologically elite.

In case you were wondering what all of this has to do with my time here in Uruguay, I inform you that I will be meeting with the Parque Rodó Rotaract Club later this week, a 12-year-old club that has collaborated with the Computers for the World organization and the Emerald City Rotary Club (Seattle, WA) to bring 200 computers to Uruguay. It is inspiring to know that Uruguayan Rotarians are at the forefront of this effort and are actively helping to bridge the gap between the technological haves and have nots. I look forward to working closely with the Rotaract group while I´m here, and, as always, I promise to keep you informed of our progress.