Sri Lanka launches first Internet Day with Indian Co-Chair
View(s):The digital chapter of the Federation of Information Technology in Sri Lanka (FITIS) is gearing up to launch the first ever ‘Sri Lanka Internet Day 2021’ next month. The two-day virtual event which will be held in association with the Ministry of Technology and the State Ministry of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion, will be held from April 6-7.
Spearheading the Internet Day 2021 under the theme ‘Digital Inclusion’ are Co-Chairs Zulfer Jiffry, President of the FITIS digital chapter and founder CEO of digital app-based mobility company PickMe; and Lathika Pai, Country Head, Venture Capital & Private Equity Partnerships at Microsoft India, with the support of Aruna Alwis, CEO of FITIS and the project committee, FITIS said in a media release.
“Creating an event around the Internet is significant for FITIS, as this has become the single most important salvaging factor of the pandemic which impacted all our lives. One of the things that surfaced during this time is that we are not doing enough to bridge the digital divide and be inclusive. It has also become clear that it is not the responsibility of just one set of individuals to create opportunity for all, but more of a community effort to build structures that are inclusive to all levels of society,” says Zulfer Jiffry, President of the FITIS digital chapter.
Last year the Internet crossed its 25th year milepost and there are almost 4 billion people around the world using it. What this highlights is that there is a lot more work to be done for it to reach every nook and cranny. The Internet is particularly absent or very low amongst marginalized communities who are more vulnerable to the volatilities of day-to-day life.
The digital chapter of FITIS has tied up its goals in this respect with the roadmap for digital cooperation released by the Secretary-General of the UN. The goals outlined in the roadmap and inculcated by FITIS are not only a call to action for governments of nations but also the private sector, technocrats and technical communities, civil society, and the public at large, in order to address key issues of this digital age. In line with that FITIS has connected with several key players from the government, local and international business and tech communities, educators and experts in different fields to conduct workshops, panel discussions and online activities.