Canada* selected as one of this
year's focus countries to tackle digital equity challenges
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News Highlights
- Applications are now open for The Digital Equity Accelerator,
qualified organizations in Canada*, Brazil, and Poland are invited to apply until March 1, 2024.
- The Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative between HP
Inc. and the HP Foundation, helps nonprofits from around the world
strengthen capacity and scale digital impact.
- In the first two years, the Accelerator helped 17 participating
organizations expand their reach by 8.1 million people.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 15,
2024 /CNW/ - In an effort to bridge the global
digital divide and foster inclusive opportunities, HP Inc. (NYSE:
HPQ) and the HP Foundation invite submissions for the 2024 Digital
Equity Accelerator. The program offers 10 selected nonprofit
organizations a USD $100,000 grant,
HP technology (~USD $100,000 value),
and six months of virtual training to scale digital equity
solutions focused on educational, healthcare, and economic
opportunities. HP will accept applications until March 1, 2024, and organizations in Canada*, Brazil, and Poland are invited to apply.
"Digital equity is a core pillar of HP's sustainability
commitment as we believe in the power of technology to connect
people and communities to create positive and lasting change," said
Mary Ann Yule, President and CEO, HP
Canada. "We are excited to launch the Digital Accelerator program
to provide solutions that reduce the digital divide and advance
digital equity in Canada and
accelerate the valuable work of local nonprofits to allow them to
thrive."
A $1 trillion-plus digital divide
is limiting billions from achieving equal access to educational,
healthcare, and economic opportunities. Through the Digital Equity
Accelerator, HP is helping to create a more equitable world through
access to hardware, connectivity, digital literacy, and quality,
relevant content. The Accelerator helps organizations strengthen
capacity and scale impact for digital equity solutions,
particularly among people who are traditionally excluded.
Since 2022, Accelerator alum have focused on helping to drive
progress for women, advancing technology for people with
disabilities and aging populations, and increasing digital equity
in underrepresented or under-resourced communities including women
and girls, people with disabilities and aging populations,
historically disconnected groups, and educators and healthcare
practitioners. Over the first two years, the Accelerator helped
extend the reach of 17 participating organizations by 8.1 million
people.
2024 Program Countries: Driving
Digital Equity in Canada*,
Brazil, and Poland
HP has strategically selected countries to address specific
digital equity gaps. These countries represent diverse challenges
in digital equity, aligning with HP's commitment to fostering
inclusive access globally.
- Canada*, despite high
internet usage, has persistent inequalities among Indigenous and
rural communities and other marginalized groups, with targeted
efforts to bridge connectivity gaps.1
- Brazil, despite
increased home internet access, has a pronounced digital gap
affecting vulnerable groups, including Indigenous and
Afro-Brazilian populations and aging demographics.2
- Poland faces lingering
divides, especially in rural areas and among refugee
populations.3
Global Digital Divide Limits Equal
Access to Educational, Healthcare, and Economic
Opportunities
The growing digital divide is reshaping the educational
landscape, impacting learning experiences of young individuals and
influencing the future workforce, as highlighted by Global Business
Coalition for Education (2022):
- Digital Inequity: In 2020, only (34%) of primary, (41%)
of secondary, and (68%) of tertiary education students had access
to an internet-connected computer at home.
- Educational Shortfalls: Over half of young
individuals are falling behind in acquiring essential skills for
employment by 2030.
- Looming Talent Deficit: Projections indicate a
significant 'human talent shortage' exceeding 85 million people by
the year 2030.
Communities that bridge the digital divide have greater access
to healthcare and economic opportunities:
- Enhanced Healthcare Reach: In 2021, (37%) of adults
accessed telemedicine services, with usage correlated to education
levels, family income, and urbanization, as reported by the
CDC (2022).
- Bridging Urban-Rural Gaps: Globally, (82%) of urban
residents utilized the Internet in 2022, marking a 1.8-fold
increase compared to rural areas. This ratio has steadily reduced
from 2.3 to 1.8 over the past three years, showcasing a narrowing
divide, according to ITU (2022).
HP's Commitment to Digital Equity
and Sustainable Impact
As nearly half of the world's population remains offline,
closing the digital divide through equitable access to technology,
skills and content will transform lives and communities and create
a more equitable world. Since the beginning of 2021, HP has been on
a journey to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by
2030. HP's vision is to become the world's most sustainable and
just technology company, which is reflected in its focus areas of
climate action, human rights and digital equity.
For more information on the Digital Equity
Accelerator, please visit the website.
* Excluding the Province of Quebec
About HP
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of
solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and
connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170
countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable
devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing,
printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more
information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.
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1
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-canada
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2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37477958/#:~:text=Thedigitaldivideisthe,achievinginternetaccessforall
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3
https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7786/Artykul/2901954,polish-pm-unveils-eur-130m-plan-to-close-digital-divide
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SOURCE HP Canada