[Advisors] CIRA forum - digital lit. ques & answ.
Marita Moll
mmoll at ca.inter.net
Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:08:49 -0400
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------070306050502060702020900
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hello all. I thought you might be interested in the responses to the
question I posed on the CIRA forum re: digital literacy. The forum is
open till Sept. 18 (Tuesday) so if you want to get a question or a point
in, there is still time.
I hope this table format is readable at your end. If now, you can look
at the original (and the other forum discussions) here
https://elections.cira.ca/2012/campaign/topic/35/en
*Author: * Marita Moll
*Date:* 2012/09/11 08:32pm
*Message:*
CIF participants have suggested that CIRA could play a larger role in
digital literacy program development and implementation in Canada. Can
CIRA, as it is currently constituted, play such a role? As a director,
would you see this as a relevant role for CIRA?
Replies:
*Author:* Kevin McArthur
<https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1398/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/11 09:22pm
*Message:*
Hi Marita, awesome question.
CIRA definitely has a role to play in supporting digital literacy in
Canada. Through the Community Investment Program (CIP) and the Canadian
Internet Forum (CIF), CIRA has done a lot of really great engagement
with the public and consistently it comes up that digital literacy needs
to be focused on if the Internet is to grow in Canada.
CIRA has made some really positive moves this year towards its goal of
supporting Internet development, including starting a great discussion
around Internet Exchange Points. So when it comes to digital literacy
and other CIF-arising concerns there's already a really good success
model that we can replicate amd build upon.
I'd like to see the CIP invest in grassroots community organizations -
organizations working to build a better Internet in Canada - while at
the same time ensuring that such investments don't turn into a tax on
internet users more generally. The best way I see to balance these two
goals would be to limit CIP investments to not-for-profit organizations
and ensure that CIRA doesn't engage in the direct funding of for-profit
organizations. This will make sure that CIRA's limited funding goes
where it is truly needed and not into the pockets of large
telecommunications companies.
Beyond funding support, CIRA also has a big voice and could easily
engage in advocacy around digital literacy in K-12 and post-secondary
programs. This fits in well with my platform around creating a digital
policy working group. I'd hope that going forward we'll see a strong
multi-stakeholder approach to digital policy at CIRA that would invite
members like yourself to participate in developing these policy positions.
Thanks for the question, hope I've done it justice.
*Author:* Marita Moll
*Date:* 2012/09/14 09:49pm
*Message:*
Thanks to all of you for your well considered responses. I ask the
question because, as we deliberate here, thousands of digital literacy
sites in Canada are going dark because of the cancellation of the
federal Community Access Program. This program supported public Internet
access combined with digital literacy support. This is affecting
thousands of real people right now, mostly people who have very little
voice. I know CIRA does not have the resources to solve this problem.
But, as Kevin McArther noted, CIRA has a big voice. It can take a loud
and clear stand on the need for such programs in this country and
implement some pilot projects or it can, as Michael Geist noted,
continue to "nibble around the edges." That would be an opportunity lost
for sure.
*Author:* Jennifer Shelton
<https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1367/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/11 11:13pm
*Message:*
Marita, you have picked a topic very close to my heart. I definitely see
value in CIRA taking a larger role in digital literacy development.
My approach is along a different vector than Kevin's, however: I am
particularly concerned with digital literacy programs for entrepreneurs
and small business. According to Industry Canada, we have 1.1 million
small businesses (<100 employees) and 1.1 million "employer businesses"
(=1 employee) in this country. How many of these entities have a .ca
domain, I wonder?
Unfortunately, the research I have done over my 10 years in market
strategy has shown me that these groups consistently lag behind large
companies, as well as their small business counterparts in the U.S., in
terms of technology adoption. In remote regions, where carrier service
is patchy (another area for advocacy) firms are still using pen and paper.
How might we reach them? Research indicates that these groups tend to
lack dedicated IT expertise, often relying upon their financial officers
(not to mention family members) to guide IT investment. By partnering
with professional advisory organizations in this area (e.g.
accountants), and with organizations that serve small business, CIRA
could develop and implement programs that would make an enormous
difference to an important segment of Canada's economy. In so doing, we
would be cultivating potential new members for our community.
*Author:* Jim Grey <https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1381/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/12 12:02am
*Message:*
CIRA has through the Community Investment Program run forums that have
raised the awareness and challenges of digital literacy in Canada. Based
on the feedback from these sessions the groups that are most
disadvantaged are lower income Canadians and small business. Given the
magnitude of the challenge it is difficult to see how CIRA by itself can
address the issue. However, what CIRA can do is seek out other partners
who can work on a co-ordinated basis to address the challenge. Also,
CIRA through it's forums and other activities can make sure that our
community is aware of the importance of digital literacy and the focus
it deserves.
*Author:* Michael Geist
<https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1406/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/12 03:08pm
*Message:*
Hi Marita,
I certainly think CIRA can play a role in digital literacy. Indeed, I
would have thought CIRA would be a leader in developing a Canadian
digital strategy more broadly. Thus far, it is only nibbled at the issue
as it struggles with the "right" role for TLD.
I believe that more aggressive involvement in these digital policy
issues will require governance reform. For years, CIRA's board has
debated whether/how to engage on these issues. I think the best way is
to create an arms-length, standalone organization that is funded by CIRA
that is free to pursue these kinds of policy objectives. Other ccTLDs
have followed this model. With a relatively modest investment relative
to CIRA's annual revenue, the organization could have profound impact on
digital policy, including digital literacy. The CIRA board would be
freed to address core operational concerns without getting bogged down
on questions about whether these issues fall squarely within its mandate.
*Author:* Daniel Kligerman
<https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1433/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/12 07:59pm
*Message:*
It is clear that improving Canadians' level of digital literacy is
important, and would have many benefits. CIRA should play a role in
this, but should not try to accomplish this alone. There are other
organizations who are well-equipped to help improve digital literacy,
including school boards, non-profits such as MediaSmarts, other
community groups, as well as other non-profit and for-profit
corporations. CIRA could work with all of the above to reach children,
parents, families, businesses, and the community at large.
As for digital policy, I agree with Michael that CIRA should play a much
larger role in developing and advancing such policy. Whether this is
through an arms-length, CIRA-funded organization, or directly by CIRA,
this is important work that is currently being neglected. I would
support evaluating the best approach to take on this, and then moving
decisively and expediently to make it happen.
Thanks,
Dan
*Author:* Rick Sutcliffe
<https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1445/en>
*Date:* 2012/09/13 10:16am
*Message:*
I do see digital literacy as part of the mandate of CIRA. However, it is
not core to the business model, so expanding the funding of and
organizations and events promoting digital literacy (and participating)
seems the best approach. Setting up a CIRA department to do such things
seems like a distraction to me.
Besides the kinds of fora already supported, here are some scattered
ideas (not systematic, just a few I've long advocated):
- scholarships for study at Canadian computing science schools
- grants for scholars working on internet-related research projects
whether at universities or at the CIRA campus
- sponsor development of course materials in internet functioning and
governance
- sponsor a chair in internet studies at a Canadian university
- internships for coop students at CIRA
- much more promotion of the .ca name in Canada
- directors participate in fora nationally
- directors and officers have a greater presence at national and
international bodies
- CIRA be a name in the national press on a regular basis (a PR function)
Open to other suggestions.
Rick
Marita
--------------070306050502060702020900
Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
</head>
<body text="#000000" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<br>
Hello all. I thought you might be interested in the responses to the
question I posed on the CIRA forum re: digital literacy. The forum is
open till Sept. 18 (Tuesday) so if you want to get a question or a
point in, there is still time.<br>
<br>
I hope this table format is readable at your end. If now, you can look
at the original (and the other forum discussions) here <a
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/campaign/topic/35/en">https://elections.cira.ca/2012/campaign/topic/35/en</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<div id="campaign"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 990px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="100%">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author: </strong><span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="author_user"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px;">Marita
Moll</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/11 08:32pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
CIF participants have suggested that CIRA could play a larger role in
digital literacy program development and implementation in Canada. Can
CIRA, as it is currently constituted, play such a role? As a director,
would you see this as a relevant role for CIRA?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<br
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<h2
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Replies:</h2>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1398/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Kevin
McArthur</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/11 09:22pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
Hi Marita, awesome question.<br>
<br>
CIRA definitely has a role to play in supporting digital literacy in
Canada. Through the Community Investment Program (CIP) and the Canadian
Internet Forum (CIF), CIRA has done a lot of really great engagement
with the public and consistently it comes up that digital literacy
needs to be focused on if the Internet is to grow in Canada.<br>
<br>
CIRA has made some really positive moves this year towards its goal of
supporting Internet development, including starting a great discussion
around Internet Exchange Points. So when it comes to digital literacy
and other CIF-arising concerns there's already a really good success
model that we can replicate amd build upon.<br>
<br>
I'd like to see the CIP invest in grassroots community organizations -
organizations working to build a better Internet in Canada - while at
the same time ensuring that such investments don't turn into a tax on
internet users more generally. The best way I see to balance these two
goals would be to limit CIP investments to not-for-profit organizations
and ensure that CIRA doesn't engage in the direct funding of for-profit
organizations. This will make sure that CIRA's limited funding goes
where it is truly needed and not into the pockets of large
telecommunications companies.<br>
<br>
Beyond funding support, CIRA also has a big voice and could easily
engage in advocacy around digital literacy in K-12 and post-secondary
programs. This fits in well with my platform around creating a digital
policy working group. I'd hope that going forward we'll see a strong
multi-stakeholder approach to digital policy at CIRA that would invite
members like yourself to participate in developing these policy
positions.<br>
<br>
Thanks for the question, hope I've done it justice.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="author_user"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px;">Marita
Moll</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/14 09:49pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
Thanks to all of you for your well considered responses. I ask the
question because, as we deliberate here, thousands of digital literacy
sites in Canada are going dark because of the cancellation of the
federal Community Access Program. This program supported public
Internet access combined with digital literacy support. This is
affecting thousands of real people right now, mostly people who have
very little voice. I know CIRA does not have the resources to solve
this problem. But, as Kevin McArther noted, CIRA has a big voice. It
can take a loud and clear stand on the need for such programs in this
country and implement some pilot projects or it can, as Michael Geist
noted, continue to "nibble around the edges." That would be an
opportunity lost for sure.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1367/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Jennifer
Shelton</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/11 11:13pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
Marita, you have picked a topic very close to my heart. I definitely
see value in CIRA taking a larger role in digital literacy development.<br>
<br>
My approach is along a different vector than Kevin's, however: I am
particularly concerned with digital literacy programs for entrepreneurs
and small business. According to Industry Canada, we have 1.1 million
small businesses (<100 employees) and 1.1 million "employer
businesses" (=1 employee) in this country. How many of these entities
have a .ca domain, I wonder?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<br>
Unfortunately, the research I have done over my 10 years in market
strategy has shown me that these groups consistently lag behind large
companies, as well as their small business counterparts in the U.S., in
terms of technology adoption. In remote regions, where carrier service
is patchy (another area for advocacy) firms are still using pen and
paper.<br>
<br>
How might we reach them? Research indicates that these groups tend to
lack dedicated IT expertise, often relying upon their financial
officers (not to mention family members) to guide IT investment. By
partnering with professional advisory organizations in this area (e.g.
accountants), and with organizations that serve small business, CIRA
could develop and implement programs that would make an enormous
difference to an important segment of Canada's economy. In so doing, we
would be cultivating potential new members for our community.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1381/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Jim
Grey</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/12 12:02am<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
CIRA has through the Community Investment Program run forums that have
raised the awareness and challenges of digital literacy in Canada.
Based on the feedback from these sessions the groups that are most
disadvantaged are lower income Canadians and small business. Given the
magnitude of the challenge it is difficult to see how CIRA by itself
can address the issue. However, what CIRA can do is seek out other
partners who can work on a co-ordinated basis to address the challenge.
Also, CIRA through it's forums and other activities can make sure that
our community is aware of the importance of digital literacy and the
focus it deserves.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1406/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Michael
Geist</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/12 03:08pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
Hi Marita,<br>
<br>
I certainly think CIRA can play a role in digital literacy. Indeed, I
would have thought CIRA would be a leader in developing a Canadian
digital strategy more broadly. Thus far, it is only nibbled at the
issue as it struggles with the "right" role for TLD.<br>
<br>
I believe that more aggressive involvement in these digital policy
issues will require governance reform. For years, CIRA's board has
debated whether/how to engage on these issues. I think the best way is
to create an arms-length, standalone organization that is funded by
CIRA that is free to pursue these kinds of policy objectives. Other
ccTLDs have followed this model. With a relatively modest investment
relative to CIRA's annual revenue, the organization could have profound
impact on digital policy, including digital literacy. The CIRA board
would be freed to address core operational concerns without getting
bogged down on questions about whether these issues fall squarely
within its mandate.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1433/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Daniel
Kligerman</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/12 07:59pm<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
It is clear that improving Canadians' level of digital literacy is
important, and would have many benefits. CIRA should play a role in
this, but should not try to accomplish this alone. There are other
organizations who are well-equipped to help improve digital literacy,
including school boards, non-profits such as MediaSmarts, other
community groups, as well as other non-profit and for-profit
corporations. CIRA could work with all of the above to reach children,
parents, families, businesses, and the community at large.<br>
<br>
As for digital policy, I agree with Michael that CIRA should play a
much larger role in developing and advancing such policy. Whether this
is through an arms-length, CIRA-funded organization, or directly by
CIRA, this is important work that is currently being neglected. I would
support evaluating the best approach to take on this, and then moving
decisively and expediently to make it happen.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Dan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="campaign-reply"
style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0em; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; width: 792px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<table
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px;"
cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<tr
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 13px;">
<td
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 5px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Author:</strong> <span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author_candidate"
href="https://elections.cira.ca/2012/finalslate/show/1445/en"
style="border: 0px none ; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;">Rick
Sutcliffe</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<strong>Date:</strong> 2012/09/13 10:16am<br>
<strong>Message:</strong><br>
I do see digital literacy as part of the mandate of CIRA. However, it
is not core to the business model, so expanding the funding of and
organizations and events promoting digital literacy (and participating)
seems the best approach. Setting up a CIRA department to do such things
seems like a distraction to me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<br>
Besides the kinds of fora already supported, here are some scattered
ideas (not systematic, just a few I've long advocated):<br>
- scholarships for study at Canadian computing science schools<br>
- grants for scholars working on internet-related research projects
whether at universities or at the CIRA campus<br>
- sponsor development of course materials in internet functioning and
governance<br>
- sponsor a chair in internet studies at a Canadian university<br>
- internships for coop students at CIRA<br>
- much more promotion of the .ca name in Canada<br>
- directors participate in fora nationally<br>
- directors and officers have a greater presence at national and
international bodies<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
- CIRA be a name in the national press on a regular basis (a PR
function)<br>
<br>
Open to other suggestions.<br>
<br>
Rick</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<br>
Marita<br>
</body>
</html>
--------------070306050502060702020900--