Digitization is the key element for economic recovery, especially in this pandemic period. The event will focus precisely on the new digital challenges, on future scenarios and on the interventions to be implemented Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Italy 2020, conducted under the aegis of the UN, organized for the first time by the Italian Chamber System which will be held online from 7 to 9 October 2020.
It is a multilateral and multi-stakeholder meeting place, open to all, with over 30 appointments and more than 150 speakers (representatives of the main national and non-national Internet players), to discuss the main issues relating to Internet governance: from rules to procedures up to the infrastructures and programs that determine their functioning and evolution, from a technical, economic and social point of view.
In the last 5 years, about 70% of companies have invested in digital transformation, of which 40% focused on "human capital". In detail, 37,8% of companies have invested in "reskiling", that is, in the training of existing personnel, while 2,9% have recruited new professional figures as an investment.
However, according to the Desi 2020 index, elaborated by the European Commission, theItaly is in 25th place in Europe in terms of digitization and in last place for digital skills (only 44% possess them).
"The Covid 19 crisis - said the Minister for Technological Innovation and Digitization, Paola pisano – has reinforced the need to integrate digital solutions into all sectors of the economy and society: from health to education to manufacturing and industrial production and social inclusion. Sectors that can offer a crucial contribution to growth and productivity and which can guarantee greater resilience in the post-crisis phase".
"But if governments are to be ready to promote this technological change and to find solutions to adapt to this new dimension of normality, citizens must be accompanied in embracing the new technologies - continued Pisano - This will require a rapid update of the policies of the digital economy, for example by strengthening infrastructure and digital connectivity, promoting the penetration of technologies within our territory, guaranteeing privacy and data security".
The undersecretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Mirella Liuzzi, instead underlined how the pandemic has brought to light the difficulty of having a high-performance connection. How the government should work to offer all citizens all the possibilities to do business but also to educate themselves and dialogue with the PA. The goal is bridging the digital gap, not only for industrial policy but above all for a question of social inclusion.
In this regard, according to Istat data on 2019, 1 out of 3 families (38,8%) did not have a device, PC or tablet. To stimulate the demand for access to an ultra-broadband connection, the Ministry of Economic Development has published 2 decrees: one concerning the "School Plan" and the other the "Family Voucher Plan”. Both aimed at reducing the digital divide, especially in "grey areas", and to support low-income families, as well as the diffusion of IT equipment.
Digital transformation must not aim at mere technological progress, but must operate in accordance with human values, it must be fair and sustainable, so as to improve not only the collective well-being, but also the personal one.
We need to equip all citizens and businesses with the same tools, to strengthen competitiveness and enhance digital skills. Focus on young people and internet literacy, to provide the necessary knowledge and greater responsibility in using the internet. Finally, take advantage of this crisis to develop targeted and immediate interventions to bridge the digital divide that still afflicts our country.
