From Connectivity to Community: Redefining Global Literacy in the Digital Era

In an era where technological innovations evolve at rapid speeds and digital interactions shape our daily lives, a revolution has transformed how we communicate, work, and learn. Yet, amongst this digital surge, something is becoming clearer: the heart of our progress lies in the strength of our communities and the connections we nurture.?

As technology becomes more deeply ingrained in our lives, the significance of strong, resilient communities and meaningful connections becomes increasingly evident. Communities serve as essential pillars for individuals as they navigate the digital world. They offer guidance, mentorship, and shared resources, ensuring that the benefits of the digital age are accessible to all.?

At the Mars Wrigley Foundation, I am very proud to be part of an organization that is dedicated to enhancing physical well-being and fostering social connections. This mission has led us to champion transformative initiatives, that stand as powerful examples of how communities can come together to bridge gaps, such as the digital divide, and nurture connections.?

UNESCO declared September 8 as International Literacy Day in 1967, emphasizing literacy as a basic human right needed to advance our society. Global literacy rates have risen steadily over the years, currently at 87% according to the World Economic Forum. However, work remains to assist the 763 million people lacking basic literacy skills.?

Unfortunately, some of the educational gains made in some communities were impacted when the world was struck with nationwide lockdowns necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1.6 billion children had their education disrupted, affected by school closures. Education was forced to get creative and remote learning structures were implemented, harnessing the power of communities and technology. While this strategy proved difficult to even first-world countries, nations without the privilege of connectivity struggled even further. ?

The Importance of Digital Literacy in Communities?

The World Economic Forum has developed an educational framework that calls for technology as a key required skill for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. While basic computer skills are the building blocks of digital literacy; experts expand the meaning of digital literacy to recognize the relevance of technology in specific contexts and creatively apply them. The foundation of this required skill for the 21st century begins in youth.?

In a rapidly digitizing world, possessing digital fluency equates to unlocking the doors to employability, economic empowerment, and unbounded access to a wealth of online resources. As individuals master the art of navigating the digital space, they gain a competitive edge in the job market, enabling them to contribute more effectively to their communities and society at large.?

Studies have illuminated the profound relationship between digital skills and improving the quality of life in communities. In embracing the digital landscape, young people are encouraged to amplify their voices and develop an inclusive community of informed citizens. ?

The psychological and societal benefits of digital inclusion are immeasurable. Engaging online cultivates a sense of confidence and empowerment while allowing for ideas to be shared, talents showcased, and dreams pursued. Digital inclusion helps foster a more equitable society and drives children to fulfill their potential.?

How the Digital Divide Plays a Role in Global Literacy Rates?

Our society has become increasingly reliant on technology to perform even the most basic everyday functions. Since the speed of its transformation is so rapid, it is vital that children and young people adapt to digital technologies and leverage their capabilities, so they don’t fall behind.??

In U.S. classrooms, 71 percent of students declared they were using laptops, measuring higher than any other region in the world. At home, 95 percent of 3 to 18-year-olds in the United States had internet access in 2019, whether it be via computer or smartphone. Meanwhile, entering the 2022-23 school year, 94% of public schools reported providing laptops or tablets to students who needed them, with over half providing internet access to students lacking it at home.??

When comparing this to a global scale, 33% of young people under 25 lack internet access at home. These numbers drop significantly in countries with low incomes, such as West and Central Africa, which provide internet access to only 5 percent of children. The global average of students with laptops in the classroom reflects almost half of U.S. students (37%) with many rural communities not being able to afford technology for classrooms.?

As you can see, a digital divide exists, and these statistics demonstrate unequal technology access and the urgent need to bridge the gap. With the help of government resources,?community engagement has proven to be a necessary component in improving literacy and children receiving the digital education they need, which ultimately keeps them connected to society.?

At the Mars Wrigley Foundation, we have been funding efforts to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities for decades. Our partner organizations work tirelessly to support young people and have brought over 1.8 million people together to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. I have witnessed how these organizations have adapted to the educational needs of children and promoted valuable social connections in their countries. ?

Two of the organizations I am proud to highlight are Pratham Education Foundation in India and Safe Spaces Foundation in Kenya.?

Bridging the Gap with Community Support?

This year, the Mars Wrigley Foundation celebrates ten years of improving literacy through its longstanding partnership with Pratham. Pratham addresses one of the most critical community needs in India – improving basic literacy, and it innovatively rose to the challenge when COVID-19 hit.??

Pratham is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India, and it works directly with children and youth to address gaps in education. It does this by organizing learning camps in schools, developing village-level children’s and mother’s groups, and its approach to “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL), which assigns children to their education level, instead of their age.?

Pratham provides digital initiatives for children in its Hybrid learning program that heavily relies on community support. The engaging content consists of over 3,000 videos, 400 games, 200 stories, and 3 learning applications. Children are given the opportunity to learn on tablets, which currently reaches 300,000 learners through 18,000 tablets across India.??

Technology access remains a non-reality in many regions of India, with the country having the world’s largest offline population. Just over half (52%) have access to the internet at least once a month, while less than one-third of the population has access to 5G. The economic disparity between rural and urban communities was starkly highlighted during the pandemic.?

Understanding this disparity, Pratham sprang into action and explored low-tech resources such as SMS, Whatsapp, TV, and radio to ensure that children in rural areas did not fall behind. A collaboration with parents allowed children to access their parents’ mobile devices where one Whatsapp or SMS message was sent every day with short and simple content, such as an activity, story, or simple rhyme.?

While rural areas may not be equipped to handle technology due to a lack of infrastructure or socio-economic standards, actions such as these that leverage the help of the community help students access technology and critically use it, opening the door to lifelong learning.??

Communal Digital Libraries Provide Strategic Solutions for Resource-Deficient Communities??

In 2019, the Mars Wrigley Foundation also provided a?grant to Safe Spaces in Kenya to transform a shared community resource that brings residents together while meeting an outstanding need. Safe Spaces was able to construct a roof for their basketball court and install a digital library for the girls and women they serve. East Africa is the third largest region in the world with people who are not connected to the internet but Peninah Nthenya, the founder of Safe Spaces recognizes the immense benefits that a digital library can offer to her community in the Eastland slums of Nairobi.?

“A digital library offers a treasure trove of educational resources, enabling girls and women to engage in self-directed learning, complete their homework, and conduct research. This empowers them with knowledge and skills that can lead to personal growth and improved life opportunities,” says Nthenya.?

The digital library, which was completed in 2020, has provided a space for over 4,500 girls to conduct academic research and homework, develop important life skills, become a tool for reproductive health education, and expand general knowledge.?It also provides a valuable meeting space for the community to come together and collectively learn while nurturing social connections.?

An example of its impact is Marion, a young girl living in the community, who faced numerous challenges to her academic performance, such as bad lighting and disruptive neighborhood domestic violence. The community intervention team intervened and approached Marion and her mother, offering support and counseling. Marion was enrolled in the Safe Spaces program, which provided a nurturing and safe environment for her. With access to the refurbished digital library, Marion found a place where she could focus on her homework after school and on weekends. The availability of resources and a conducive learning space contributed significantly to her academic progress.?

Over time, Marion's grades improved noticeably. She became more confident and determined, turning her life around. Marion's story showcases how a supportive community, combined with access to educational resources like the digital library, can uplift and empower young women to overcome challenges and excel in their academics.?

In a world defined by technology's evolution, organizations like Pratham and Safe Spaces are helping communities address the education gap while also tackling the barriers of the digital divide and reinforcing the importance of bringing the community together to strengthen the non-technical connections needed to sustain learning. ?

Recognizing International Literacy Day is a good reminder that while some of us may take education and technology for granted, many around the world are in a deficit and have developed innovative solutions that need our attention and support. After all, this holds the key to a more inclusive tomorrow.?

Anne Vela-Wagner is an experienced corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility professional. She is the Executive Director at the Mars Wrigley Foundation.