What we talk about when we talk about digital inclusion – Part 1

Why digital inclusion matters #4PositiveFutures

Before I get to the topic of digital inclusion, I would like to draw your attention to the evolving environment in which we live and work today. While the digital revolution has set us on a path of rapid growth and progress in the past two decades, the fears of technological advances increasing social inequalities are on the rise as well. With automation, some legacy jobs are becoming obsolete, but it is also creating new jobs and roles that didn’t exist even a decade ago.

These new jobs need new skills as workplaces are changing faster than ever before. To manage the impact of digital transformation on marginalization and exclusion, we need market leaders to come forward and help people from disadvantaged and diverse sections participate in the global digital society.

We see this social responsibility as a unique opportunity to use our tech skills to bridge the digital divide, improve citizenship experience, and address specific societal issues. Through the Digital Inclusion program of our Architects of Positive Futures strategy, we aim to be the bridge between technology and society.

We have already made great strides towards our goal, with several exciting ideas and projects in the pipeline to take us closer to realizing our dream of a sustainable, inclusive society.

Here’s a selection of our projects focused on digital literacy and digital skills.

Kids who code

In France, we support basic digital skills training for children. The project Cap sur le code, in Nantes, entails a series of workshops for kids aged 8 to 14 on computer programming, organized in partnership with local institutions. Its main goal is to encourage and inspire children, especially girls, to learn coding and pursue careers in computer sciences. In 2018, we trained more than 900 school kids in Capgemini premises with the help of 200 volunteers.

Digital revolution — an opportunity for everyone

Academy project is designed to support excluded populations by using our collective skills to bridge the digital divide. We partnered with our Global Digital Inclusion partner, Simplon, and local partner, the Pratham Infotech Foundation, to make our growing network of Digital Academies in India a reality. As part of this project, 100 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds will be trained in digital skills to help them find jobs in a competitive market.

Towards an inclusive future

In the Netherlands, Capgemini launched a software engineering training program for a group of ten people originally from Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan in November 2018. The goal is to see them employed within a year. This unique project was realized in close collaboration with the municipality of Amsterdam.

We work with people with disabilities in India to help empower them through digital skills training. With our local partner, Saarthak, our LEAP (Livelihood Education through Action against Poverty) Digital Academy in Hyderabad has already helped hundreds of people with disabilities find employment and better pay.

This post is the first of a series of two. Stay tuned for the next post: Part 2. Visit our pages to find out more about Capgemini’s commitment to Digital Inclusion.

Related post:

How witnessing exclusion in Manila inspired me to become an Architect of Positive Futures