By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager
This week’s “Embracing Faith” article will focus on Embracing Faith through Advocacy.
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”
-Matthew 7:12
Last Saturday, people worldwide came together to observe World Day of Social Justice and its 2021 theme, “A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy.”
As many of us pivoted our lives to become remote-based due to the pandemic, the troubling fact that 3.6 billion people lack reliable, affordable, and meaningful access to the internet has become apparent. (1)
Whether it’s having a stable broadband connection or access to cloud computing, the digital divide for many communities and the effect it has had on people not being able to work or attend school remotely has grown tremendously over the past year. (1)
In efforts to raise awareness about these issues, the United Nations expressed their views on how the digital economy is transforming the world of work and how the pandemic has further affected it.
“Since early 2020, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to remote working arrangements and allowed for the continuation of many business activities, further reinforcing the growth and impact of the digital economy. The crisis has also laid bare and exacerbated the growing digital divide within, between and across developed and developing countries, particularly in terms of the availability, affordability and use of information ICTs and access to the internet, deepening existing inequalities. Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are exposing the risks and inequalities of workers engaged in location-based platforms.” (2)
Furthermore, the United Nations hopes that this year’s theme for World Day of Social Justice will support the “efforts by the international community to search for solutions to achieve sustainable development, poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, universal social protection, gender equality and access to social well-being and justice for all. Consequently, it aims at fostering dialogue with member States and relevant UN institutions and other stakeholders on actions needed to overcome the digital divide, provide decent work opportunities, and protect labor and human rights in the modern era of digital technologies.” (2)