Mission: Digital Inclusion - with Andrew Cushen

Andrew Cushen is the Engagement Director at InternetNZ and leads the Community, Events and Communications teams ~

I speak for myself when I say that I take the internet and everything it affords for granted. These days, at least in terms of access, it’s not often that I think twice about grabbing my smartphone, messaging a friend, scrolling through apps, purchasing something via online banking or downloading and listening to a podcast (hi!) - but as we’ll explore today, not everyone is included in this powerful internet space. And not being included can have massive repercussions, which will only increase as our lives and our world barrel towards an increasingly digital future.

Our guest today is the very engaging Engagement Director of InternetNZ, Andrew Cushen, who has over 15 years experience in managing relationships, messages and issues across the Internet, telco and tech sectors. InternetNZ is a non-profit organization who are the guardians of the .nz domain names. They also have the social mission of creating an internet for New Zealanders that is safe, accessible and good, and a big part of their work advocates for digital inclusion.

In this episode, Andrew and I discuss what digital inclusion means, what some of the different elements of digital inclusion are and the straightforward, challenging and sometimes complex hurdles that exist within each of those elements.

This conversation with Andrew makes it hugely apparent that although many of us can leverage and do enjoy what the internet affords, in an increasingly digital world, we must ensure that we are not leaving anyone behind - but of equal importance is making sure that the internet is a safe and trustworthy place in which to be.

Although InternetNZ is a New Zealand based organization, this episode may provide some inspiration for ideas to pursue in relation to digital inclusion wherever you are in the world.

Shownotes:

You can learn more about InternetNZ by checking out their website. For specific info about Digital Inclusion, click here.

InternetNZ also support this show, which means that I am able to keep creating and you are able to keep listening to the different perspectives that are presented here at Selfie Reflective - so on behalf of us all, thanks a tonne, InternetNZ!

Tweet your thoughts on this episode to @selfiereflect or email [email protected]