CITIZENSHIP INTERNET ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Universal Internet access Goal 9 of the Agenda sets an ambitious target to significantly increase access to information and communications technology and to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in the least developed countries. But how far have we come toward making universal, affordable Internet access a reality? Experts often use coverage of mobile networks as an indicator to measure progress toward SDG 9. In 2015, when the SDGs were adopted, 51% of the population in the least developed countries were covered by mobile-broadband signals. By 2021, this number had grown to 82%. As for Internet use, a report produced by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows that only 13% of the population in the least developed countries were using the Internet in 2015. This number has slowly grown to 20% in 2020, meaning that fewer than 1 in 5 people were online, despite having a mobile-broadband signal available where they live. At the global level, only 54% of the population uses the Internet. In a recent progress report on the SDGs, the UN Secretary-General noted “in the least developed countries, because of lack of infrastructure, there were nearly no fixed broadband connections. This has an extremely negative impact from a health, economic and social perspective.” Adapted from: https://www.accessnow.org/internet-access/ 9. Complete the sentences. SDG 9 of the 2030 Agenda is related to the use of the Internet because its target is to…… One of the indicators used by experts to measure progress made in achieving SDG 9 is…… In 2021 a report showed that 82% of the population of the least developed countries had…… In 2020 reports said that even if people in the least developed countries had a mobile-broadband signal available, less than…… Only 54% of the global population…… In a recent report the U.N. Secretary General said that in the least developed countries there were nearly no fixed broadband connections because of…… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 10. Discuss the implications that the limited use of the Internet might have on people in the least developed countries. Take the following factors into consideration. Health Education Civil rights 11. Read the passage and make some hypotheses about the points given below. Internet Shutdowns In 2021 at least 213 Internet shutdowns were reported in 33 countries. More recently, we have seen governments perpetrate deliberate Internet shutdowns in Ethiopia and Belarus, in the context of civil and political protests, using them as a tool to silence dissent. Adapted from: https://www.accessnow.org/internet-access/ What are Internet shutdowns? What may the consequences of these shutdowns have on the population? Why is the Internet considered dangerous by certain dictatorial governments? 1. 2. 3. 12. Choose a developing country, go online to get information about the quality of the access to the Internet, then prepare an infographic that shows all the data you have collected. GLOSSARY : : : : : : to discharge andare in congedo injury infortunio, ferita to leak fuoriuscire meanwhile nel frattempo shelter rifugio surveillance sorveglianza