Communities and TechnologiesCommunities and TechnologiesMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University

30 June 200730 June 2007

World Wide Webs:World Wide Webs: Social Transformation in Social Transformation in

CyberspaceCyberspace

Crossing the Digital Divide through Public Crossing the Digital Divide through Public Access in AfricaAccess in Africa

Liezl CoetzeeLiezl CoetzeeUniversity of StellenboschUniversity of Stellenbosch

South AfricaSouth Africa

Social Impacts of the InternetSocial Impacts of the Internet““As Bill Gates and Steve Case proclaim the global omnipresence of the Internet, the As Bill Gates and Steve Case proclaim the global omnipresence of the Internet, the

majority of non-Western nations and 97 per cent of the world’s population remain majority of non-Western nations and 97 per cent of the world’s population remain unconnected to the net for lack of money, access, or knowledge. This exclusion unconnected to the net for lack of money, access, or knowledge. This exclusion of so vast a share of the global population from the Internet sharply contradicts of so vast a share of the global population from the Internet sharply contradicts the claims of those who posit the World Wide Web as a ‘universal’ medium of the claims of those who posit the World Wide Web as a ‘universal’ medium of

egalitarian communicationegalitarian communication.” .” (Trend 2001:2)(Trend 2001:2)

ICT benefits restricted to those with access ICT benefits restricted to those with access = Economic & Class Distinctions = Economic & Class Distinctions

……Digital Divide…Digital Divide…

Social Inclusion & Real AccessSocial Inclusion & Real Access

Public Access in Cape Town, South AfricaPublic Access in Cape Town, South Africa

Digital AgeDigital Age==

Connections Connections (?)(?)

Information Age InequalityInformation Age Inequality

““Network Society” Network Society” ““[i]n the new, information mode of development the [i]n the new, information mode of development the

source of productivitysource of productivity lies in the technology of lies in the technology of knowledge generation, information processing, and knowledge generation, information processing, and symbol communicationsymbol communication.”.”

(Castells,1996:17)(Castells,1996:17)

Implications for (in)equalityImplications for (in)equality ““Whereas enthusiasts proclaim a better world awash Whereas enthusiasts proclaim a better world awash

with information for everyone, sceptics raise issues of with information for everyone, sceptics raise issues of availability, access and cost of informationavailability, access and cost of information.”.”

(Kraidy, 2001:27)(Kraidy, 2001:27)

Digital DivideDigital Divide““Of all the Internet users worldwide, 60 per Of all the Internet users worldwide, 60 per cent reside in North America, where a cent reside in North America, where a mere five per cent of the world's mere five per cent of the world's population residepopulation reside.”.” ( (Nkrumah, 2000)Nkrumah, 2000)

Global and Local DividesGlobal and Local Divides International digital divideInternational digital divide

personal computer (PC) density, and the number personal computer (PC) density, and the number of Internet and mobile phone usersof Internet and mobile phone users

Domestic digital divideDomestic digital divide race, gender, age, disability, location, and incomerace, gender, age, disability, location, and income

http://www.gapminder.org/ http://www.gapminder.org/

http://tools.google.com/gapminderhttp://tools.google.com/gapminder

Internet Penetration per World Internet Penetration per World RegionRegion

WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS

World Regions Population Population

Internet Usage,

% Population Usage

Usage Growth

( 2006 Est.) % of World Latest Data

( Penetration

) % of

World 2000-2006

Africa 915,210,928 14.10% 32,765,700 3.60% 3.00% 625.80%

Asia 3,667,774,066 56.40% 394,872,213 10.80% 36.40% 245.50%

Europe 807,289,020 12.40% 308,712,903 38.20% 28.40% 193.70%

Middle East 190,084,161 2.90% 19,028,400 10.00% 1.80% 479.30%

North America 331,473,276 5.10% 229,138,706 69.10% 21.10% 112.00%

Latin America/Caribbean 553,908,632 8.50% 83,368,209 15.10% 7.70% 361.40%

Oceania / Australia 33,956,977 0.50% 18,364,772 54.10% 1.70% 141.00%

WORLD TOTAL 6,499,697,060 100.00% 1,086,250,903 16.70% 100.00% 200.90%

Access in AfricaAccess in Africa

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm#africa

AFRICA REGION Total for Africa Rest of World WORLD TOTAL

Population ( 2006 Est. ) 915,210,928 5,584,486,132 6,499,697,060

Pop. % in World 14.10% 85.90% 100.00%

Internet Users, Latest Data 32,765,700 1,053,485,203 1,086,250,903

Penetration (% Population) 3.60% 18.90% 16.70%

% Users in World 3.00% 97.00% 100.00%

Use Growth (2000-2006) 625.80% 195.50% 200.90%

INTERNET USERS AND POPULATION STATISTICS FOR AFRICA

Internet Use South AfricaPopulation ( 2006 Est. ) 48,861,805

Internet Users Dec 2000 2,400,000

Internet Users, Latest Data 5,100,000

Penetration (% Population) 10.40%

% Users in Africa 15.60%

Use Growth (2000-2006) 112.50%

Social InclusionSocial Inclusion

““Digital divide” framingDigital divide” framing Physical access to technologyPhysical access to technology

““important set of complementary resources and important set of complementary resources and complex interventions to support social inclusion”complex interventions to support social inclusion”

(Warschauer 2003:7-8)(Warschauer 2003:7-8)

Resources required for social inclusion:Resources required for social inclusion: Physical Physical – computers & connectivity– computers & connectivity DigitalDigital – content & language – content & language HumanHuman – literacy & education, and – literacy & education, and SocialSocial – communities & institutions. – communities & institutions.

““It’s not about the technology, It’s not about the technology, it’s about the people” it’s about the people”

(Bridges.org: 2002)(Bridges.org: 2002)

1. Physical Access: Is technology available and physically accessible? 2. Affordability: Is technology affordable for people to use? 3. Capacity: Do people understand how to use technology and its potential uses? 4. Relevant Content: Is there locally relevant content available, especially in terms of language? 5. Integration: Is technology use a burden to people's lives or does it integrate into daily

routines? 6. Socio-cultural

inequality: Are people limited in their use of technology based on gender, race, or other socio-cultural factors?

7. Appropriateness: Is the technology that is available appropriate to local needs and conditions? What is the appropriate technology according how people need and want to put technology to use?

8. Trust: Do people have confidence in and understand the implications of the technology they use, for instance in terms of privacy, security, or cybercrime?

9. Legal Environment:

Do laws and regulations limit technology use and what changes are needed to create an environment that fosters its use?

10. Local Economics: Is there a local economic environment favourable to technology use? Is technology part of local economic development? If not, what is needed to make it a part?

11. Macro-economics:

Is technology use limited by the macro economic environment, for example, in terms of transparency, deregulation, investment, and labour issues?

12. Political Will: Is there political will for government to do what is needed to enable the integration of technology throughout society? Is there public support for government ICT policy?

Real AccessReal Access

Access in Cape TownAccess in Cape Town

City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality:City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality: Smart City StrategySmart City Strategy

AccessAccess 3 pronged approach:3 pronged approach: Local Local

ContentContent

TrainingTraining

Smart Cape Access ProjectSmart Cape Access ProjectLaunched in July 2002Launched in July 2002

36 computers in 6 public libraries in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town:36 computers in 6 public libraries in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town: Lwandle, Delft, Grassy Park, Atlantis Wesfleur, Guguletu, and Brooklyn Lwandle, Delft, Grassy Park, Atlantis Wesfleur, Guguletu, and Brooklyn

1 computer – administrative, linked to central management for entire network1 computer – administrative, linked to central management for entire network Minimal capacity required from library staffMinimal capacity required from library staff

5 computers for public use5 computers for public use 45 minutes/ day45 minutes/ day

100% Open Source Software100% Open Source Software

2006 - Expanded to all 98 libraries in Cape Town2006 - Expanded to all 98 libraries in Cape Town

Project GoalsProject Goals

Stimulate ‘Unfelt Need’ Stimulate ‘Unfelt Need’ (Sooful, Ismail, and Neville, 2002)(Sooful, Ismail, and Neville, 2002)

To provide free public access to computers and the InternetTo provide free public access to computers and the Internet

To prove that open source software is affordable, To prove that open source software is affordable, appropriate technology for a public service digital divide initiativeappropriate technology for a public service digital divide initiative

To increase opportunities for members of disadvantaged communitiesTo increase opportunities for members of disadvantaged communities

““it is hard to understand how it is hard to understand how disempowered you are by being denied disempowered you are by being denied access to information that you don’t access to information that you don’t know exists and have no way of know exists and have no way of obtaining and using”obtaining and using”

Who benefits?Who benefits?

Registered users Registered users May 07 May 07

100 926100 926

Smart Cape Registrations 01/06/2007

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1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

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istratio

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20000

40000

60000

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120000

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Registrations

Total Registrations

Gender & AgeGender & Age

Mostly male: 79%Mostly male: 79%

Aged from ~6/7 – 70+Aged from ~6/7 – 70+ Predominantly young: Predominantly young:

75%<2575%<25Over 50% < 13 (Delft, Over 50% < 13 (Delft, Gugulethu)Gugulethu)

NB implications for social NB implications for social transformation into the transformation into the future future

““We are trying to bring in female volunteers... We are trying to bring in female volunteers... There is still a hierarchy in our communities. There is still a hierarchy in our communities. Men are the public face, and girls won’t ask Men are the public face, and girls won’t ask boys how to use the Internet”boys how to use the Internet” Mymoela Ismael (former Project Manager)Mymoela Ismael (former Project Manager)

Funding and sustainabilityFunding and sustainabilityDonations & PartnershipsDonations & Partnerships

Pilot PhasePilot Phase 22ndnd hand machines from City’s IT directorate hand machines from City’s IT directorate Refurbished by students from Peninsula TechniconRefurbished by students from Peninsula Technicon Open Source technical expertise from Shuttleworth Open Source technical expertise from Shuttleworth

FoundationFoundation Printers from Xerox; Cabling from Cablecon Ltd.Printers from Xerox; Cabling from Cablecon Ltd. City of Cape Town paid for installationCity of Cape Town paid for installation

Sustainability of donor funding?Sustainability of donor funding? Improves if project can be shown to effectively Improves if project can be shown to effectively

address socio-economic needs address socio-economic needs (Benjamin, 2000)(Benjamin, 2000)

Access AwardAccess Award

Recipient of Bill & Melinda Gates Access to Learning Recipient of Bill & Melinda Gates Access to Learning Award in 2003:Award in 2003: Used to expand from pilot in 6 libraries to all 98 Used to expand from pilot in 6 libraries to all 98

across Cape Townacross Cape Town Conditions to funds: can only be used for expansion, Conditions to funds: can only be used for expansion,

not maintenancenot maintenance Although some of $1 mil remains, maintenance funds Although some of $1 mil remains, maintenance funds

limitedlimited

Currently depend on:Currently depend on: City of Cape Town – E-Governance DirectorateCity of Cape Town – E-Governance Directorate Applying for other fundsApplying for other funds

What do people do online?What do people do online?

Internet UseInternet Use

Access InformationAccess Information

EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs

JobsJobs

Communication with relatives/ friendsCommunication with relatives/ friends

Connecting with Global NetworksConnecting with Global Networks

Public InputPublic Input

Original Home PageOriginal Home Page Health & EducationHealth & Education Government IssuesGovernment Issues NewsNews BusinessBusiness Job sitesJob sites Etc…Etc…

Revamped Home PageRevamped Home Page Community PagesCommunity Pages Current eventsCurrent events CompetitionsCompetitions Career IssuesCareer Issues

Does Smart Cape provide Does Smart Cape provide Real Access?Real Access?

1.1. Physical AccessPhysical Access2.2. AffordabilityAffordability 3.3. CapacityCapacity 4.4. Relevant ContentRelevant Content 5.5. IntegrationIntegration 6.6. Socio-cultural inequalitySocio-cultural inequality 7.7. AppropriatenessAppropriateness 8.8. TrustTrust 9.9. Legal EnvironmentLegal Environment 10.10. Local EconomicsLocal Economics 11.11. Macro EconomicsMacro Economics 12.12. Political WillPolitical Will

1. Physical Access1. Physical Access

Public Access to computers and internet Public Access to computers and internet @98 Cape Town Libraries@98 Cape Town Libraries

ConstraintsConstraints 45 min/day time limit45 min/day time limit Limited bandwidthLimited bandwidth Network slow, particularly pm’sNetwork slow, particularly pm’s Limited site accessLimited site access Only available during library hoursOnly available during library hours

2. Affordability2. Affordability

Free AccessFree Access Essential to meet public needEssential to meet public need

Ongoing sustainabilityOngoing sustainability Depends on further funding Depends on further funding

Cannot generate income from usersCannot generate income from users City of Cape Town continues to fund, limited City of Cape Town continues to fund, limited

budgetsbudgets Other funding soughtOther funding sought

Applied for more funds from Gates Foundation (awaiting Applied for more funds from Gates Foundation (awaiting response)response)

Partner with corporate sector, (e.g. Finance Houses?)Partner with corporate sector, (e.g. Finance Houses?)

3. Capacity – Users and Staff3. Capacity – Users and Staff

Education levels appallingEducation levels appalling Low literacy amongst adultsLow literacy amongst adults No facilities (including computers) at schoolsNo facilities (including computers) at schools

Smart Cape UsersSmart Cape Users 56% claim they know ‘adequate or more than to do what they 56% claim they know ‘adequate or more than to do what they

need’need’ 40% ‘could do all they wanted 1st time’40% ‘could do all they wanted 1st time’ Children ‘cleverer than we thought’ – hack system for more Children ‘cleverer than we thought’ – hack system for more

timetime

Library StaffLibrary Staff Designed to accommodate lack of skills amongst librariansDesigned to accommodate lack of skills amongst librarians External support through help deskExternal support through help desk

Capacity - TrainingCapacity - TrainingComputer literacy training at 3 pilot sitesComputer literacy training at 3 pilot sites

Develop skills to improve employabilityDevelop skills to improve employability 120 people trained (accredited)120 people trained (accredited)

Trainees “unemployable” prior to trainingTrainees “unemployable” prior to training knew nothing about computers, knew nothing about computers, now basic Office skillsnow basic Office skills

Most have found jobs subsequent to trainingMost have found jobs subsequent to training

Great need and demand for more such training Great need and demand for more such training identified.identified.

Funding soughtFunding sought

4. Relevant Content4. Relevant ContentLanguage Language

Log on in English, Afrikaans & XhosaLog on in English, Afrikaans & Xhosa

Local content & links to relevant sitesLocal content & links to relevant sites

User surveys to determine needsUser surveys to determine needs Emphasis on career/ job sitesEmphasis on career/ job sites Career page: Career page:

Links to jobsites; Links to jobsites; Advice on CVs, interviews etc.Advice on CVs, interviews etc.

Ubusha ProjectUbusha Project Create Create locallocal content content Community pages – websites for local SMMEsCommunity pages – websites for local SMMEs Put local people’s stories on the webPut local people’s stories on the web Promote a means of recording history and commemorating local Promote a means of recording history and commemorating local

events events

5. Integration5. Integration

Located in libraries Located in libraries where people go where people go for informationfor information

Popularity indicates Popularity indicates integration in integration in communitiescommunities

6. Socio-cultural inequality6. Socio-cultural inequality

Access free of chargeAccess free of charge

Age & gender distribution skewed: Age & gender distribution skewed: most male and youngmost male and young

Objective ‘to provide access in disadvantaged Objective ‘to provide access in disadvantaged areas’areas’

Located in the urban centre of one of SA’s Located in the urban centre of one of SA’s wealthier provinceswealthier provinces

Pilot in disadvantaged communities in Cape TownPilot in disadvantaged communities in Cape Town Expansion has included broader Cape Town (incl. Expansion has included broader Cape Town (incl.

many affluent suburbs) many affluent suburbs) Rural areas still excludedRural areas still excluded

7. Appropriateness7. Appropriateness

Open Source Open Source Lowers costsLowers costs

Centrally managed Centrally managed Minimal pressure on library staffMinimal pressure on library staff

Can be expanded at minimal costs Can be expanded at minimal costs Broaden coverage and consequently Broaden coverage and consequently

access.access.

8. Trust8. Trust

Open layout Open layout some security concerns (passwords)some security concerns (passwords)

Greater privacy noted as a reason to move to other Greater privacy noted as a reason to move to other (commercial) facilities(commercial) facilities

Privacy Statement on website informs users that:Privacy Statement on website informs users that: Usage is monitored for applications and sites accessedUsage is monitored for applications and sites accessed Email is accessible to managementEmail is accessible to management

(Many users use the facility to access web based email which (Many users use the facility to access web based email which presumably management has less control over)presumably management has less control over)

Profiles of users obtained as part of registrationProfiles of users obtained as part of registration

9. Legal Environment9. Legal Environment

Enabling regulatory environmentEnabling regulatory environment

Telephone costs exorbitantTelephone costs exorbitant Telkom had monopoly over telecoms sector until Telkom had monopoly over telecoms sector until

recentlyrecently Slow but sure changesSlow but sure changes

Limited bandwidthLimited bandwidth

10. Local Economics10. Local Economics

LED policy & industry promote ICT usageLED policy & industry promote ICT usage

Stimulate other (commercial) development Stimulate other (commercial) development EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs

Improved employability through exposure to computersImproved employability through exposure to computers Unemployment in SA ranges: ~20-30% according to Unemployment in SA ranges: ~20-30% according to

conservative estimates conservative estimates (StatsSA)(StatsSA) Compare US: ~4.5% Compare US: ~4.5% (US Dept of Labour)(US Dept of Labour)

Promote local businessesPromote local businesses Community pages – websites for SMME’sCommunity pages – websites for SMME’s

11. Macro Economics11. Macro Economics

Financial pressures in ICT industry. Impacts Financial pressures in ICT industry. Impacts on on

job creation job creation opportunities, opportunities, empowermentempowerment

High cost of telecommunicationHigh cost of telecommunication Telkom monopolyTelkom monopoly Bandwidth amongst most expensive worldwideBandwidth amongst most expensive worldwide New service providers and technologies in the New service providers and technologies in the

pipeline.pipeline.

12. Political Will12. Political WillPart of Smart City InitiativePart of Smart City Initiative

Buy-in from City of Cape TownBuy-in from City of Cape Town

““Politicians love us”, but…Politicians love us”, but… E-Governance’s core function is to provide internal support to City of E-Governance’s core function is to provide internal support to City of

Cape Town municipality, Cape Town municipality, not not providing access to citizens, hence providing access to citizens, hence Not a budgetary priority.Not a budgetary priority.

Directorates involved:Directorates involved: E-GovernmentE-Government Social DevelopmentSocial Development HealthHealth

Bureaucratic bottlenecks Bureaucratic bottlenecks Various departments involved in content creation and decision makingVarious departments involved in content creation and decision making

Supported by users & library staffSupported by users & library staff Staff initially reluctantStaff initially reluctant Restructuring of Library SectorRestructuring of Library Sector

People’s PerceptionsPeople’s Perceptions

‘‘Real Access’ is all very well, but what do the Real Access’ is all very well, but what do the users think?users think?

Comments from story competition give some Comments from story competition give some insights…insights…

““Dreams Are Good Things”Dreams Are Good Things”

““Smartly Cape wind, storms and sun cannot keep me from journeying to the library to Smartly Cape wind, storms and sun cannot keep me from journeying to the library to access the Internet. I am overwhelmed and extremely thankful for this empowering access the Internet. I am overwhelmed and extremely thankful for this empowering service. The “birds without wings can now fly yes even soar to new possibilities, and service. The “birds without wings can now fly yes even soar to new possibilities, and someday to greatness – you have profoundly impacted our lives.someday to greatness – you have profoundly impacted our lives.

““Access to the internet has profusely empowered me to propel my dreams Access to the internet has profusely empowered me to propel my dreams forward.I can now give expression to so much of what is within me.forward.I can now give expression to so much of what is within me. The The list is endless - emails to friends, writing “Lentswe” poetry. research, networking.My list is endless - emails to friends, writing “Lentswe” poetry. research, networking.My ideas are burgeoning. I am about to start a “Vital Voices” foundation – it is a project ideas are burgeoning. I am about to start a “Vital Voices” foundation – it is a project that will provide existence education and also give voice to the voiceless. Long walks that will provide existence education and also give voice to the voiceless. Long walks to the library is paying off.to the library is paying off.

““I am filled with hope with each new email, research project – yes to hope is dangerous, I am filled with hope with each new email, research project – yes to hope is dangerous, but it leads us to new heights. but it leads us to new heights. Smartly Cape has deeply impacted the lives Smartly Cape has deeply impacted the lives of many with this tool, it’s enabled us to banish the Titanic of despair – of many with this tool, it’s enabled us to banish the Titanic of despair – to explore,be creative and to bring forth the vast potential in us.to explore,be creative and to bring forth the vast potential in us.

““It’s very powerful when people who have suffered much discover they It’s very powerful when people who have suffered much discover they have options, they can make life changing choiceshave options, they can make life changing choices – – eg when you have no eg when you have no money to have a c.v. set up or to look for a job – Smart Cape is free.money to have a c.v. set up or to look for a job – Smart Cape is free.Smart Cape and the library are explosive tools to transform our lives.Smart Cape and the library are explosive tools to transform our lives.It has ignited inspiration, transformation.”It has ignited inspiration, transformation.”

Smart Cape User – Story Competition Smart Cape User – Story Competition (emphasis (emphasis added)added)

““the smartcape has change my life .I`m free now because I know how to use use a the smartcape has change my life .I`m free now because I know how to use use a smartcape computer smartcape computer I didn`t even know how to write using computerI didn`t even know how to write using computer but but with a presence of smartcape I know how to write a CV , letter,etc and with a presence of smartcape I know how to write a CV , letter,etc and Ieven know how to check my messagesIeven know how to check my messages to check wether what I was writing to check wether what I was writing and send has been successfully sent or not so now I know everything because of and send has been successfully sent or not so now I know everything because of smartcape.”smartcape.”

““i.am the person who is coming from rural and disadvantagers arears at eastern cape.i i.am the person who is coming from rural and disadvantagers arears at eastern cape.i meet the people who are working at library they told me about the smartcape.i did the meet the people who are working at library they told me about the smartcape.i did the library card then i get permision to use the library card then i get permision to use the smartcape.now i acceses the world smartcape.now i acceses the world and i also get to be in school to go on with my studisand i also get to be in school to go on with my studis.. i proud about i proud about smartcape becouse i stiil learning to use computer.i wich to be have my own”smartcape becouse i stiil learning to use computer.i wich to be have my own”

““Thank you for taking the initiative of giving us the smartcape account.I am a youth living Thank you for taking the initiative of giving us the smartcape account.I am a youth living in mitchells plain whos been doing on and of jobs for the past two years.I find that in mitchells plain whos been doing on and of jobs for the past two years.I find that being at home is depresing and idle.Athome i have nothing constructive to do exept being at home is depresing and idle.Athome i have nothing constructive to do exept doing chores,other than that i would be watching tv,going through magazines or doing chores,other than that i would be watching tv,going through magazines or sleeping.the only time i go out is when i go to the shop.I amnotdoing drugs or involved sleeping.the only time i go out is when i go to the shop.I amnotdoing drugs or involved in any criminal activity.Whith the smartcape account i can acces the internet for free,e-in any criminal activity.Whith the smartcape account i can acces the internet for free,e-mail cvs,learn new skills,meet new vriends at the library and enter competitions. mail cvs,learn new skills,meet new vriends at the library and enter competitions. Whith the current state the comuniyy is in smartcape is a must not a Whith the current state the comuniyy is in smartcape is a must not a luxuryluxury.”.”

Smart Cape Users – Story Smart Cape Users – Story Competition (emphasis added)Competition (emphasis added)

SummarySummary

Bridging the digital divideBridging the digital divide Social inclusion and Real AccessSocial inclusion and Real Access

Public Access e.g. Smart CapePublic Access e.g. Smart Cape Can it be replicated in other areas?Can it be replicated in other areas?

Political Will?Political Will?

Funding?Funding?

Ongoing ResearchOngoing Research

Social ImpactsSocial Impacts Inclusion & AccessInclusion & Access Skills & EmploymentSkills & Employment

Emphasis on impacts could draw funding Emphasis on impacts could draw funding and supportand support SustainabilitySustainability Expansion?Expansion?

Thank You Thank You