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Introduction

D r Genevieve Bell is an anthropologist, author and a champion of consumer-

centric innovation in electronic business and communication. She is a prestigious Intel Fellow and Intel Labs Director Interaction & Experience Research at Intel Corporation. Born and raised in Australia and now based in Oregon in the United States, she is a world leader in people focused business strategies and is recognised as one of the 100 most innovative people in business.

As South Australia’s 15th Thinker in Residence, with a brief to explore SA’s digital futures, Dr Bell took a fieldwork approach. She talked with South Australians living and working in rural and metropolitan locations about what they wanted and needed from new technologies and identified the big barriers to using them. Her report, Getting Connected, Staying Connected: Exploring South Australia’s Digital Futures, is essentially a story about the role digital technologies will play in shaping South Australia.

Aimed at the South Australian and Australian Governments, private enterprise and the broader community, Dr Bell’s report called for action in four areas:

• Broadbanding the State – Infrastructure Development

• Switching on the State – Capacity Building

• Strong Communities – Community Engagement

• South Australia’s Future – Growth and Innovation

When Dr Bell set out in early 2009 to document first hand the South Australian experiences of digital technologies, the National Broadband Network (NBN) was still just a ‘promise’. Eighteen months later, the media is awash with daily stories about the NBN and endless debate about the merits of such a huge project. Notably, the NBN debate so far has been focused on technology rather than about people and their everyday uses of technology.

Many of Australia’s near neighbours, trade partners and regional leaders already have broadband with speeds well in excess of 100Mbps and broadband is recognised as a key element in building solutions to the great global challenges of the 21st century - poverty, health, education, gender and social equality, climate change and population. The Australian Government has made the digital economy a priority, appointing a Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity to drive a whole-of-government approach to the role of new technologies. Evidence is mounting in countries such as Korea and Singapore that access to high-speed internet has measurable impact on national economies. It is estimated that for every 10 percent increase in broadband penetration an average

of 1.3 percent additional growth in national gross domestic product can be expected1 .

So what doeS thiS mean for South auStralian citizenS, governmentS, buSineSSeS and communitieS?The answer lies in many of the conversations that Dr Bell had during her Thinker’s residency which have subsequently been documented in her report.

Dr Bell said in her report that people still cherish and worry about the things they have for years – employment, family, education, health, security, love, comfort and friendship. Through technology it becomes possible to be more connected to family, friends and community; to be better informed and more economically secure. To achieve this, active participation is required by everybody; hence her recommendations are a call to action to all – not just government.

Here is what the South Australian Government is doing in response to the four priorities in Dr Bell’s report:

Broadbanding the State - Infrastructure DevelopmentDr Bell’s residency coincided with the announcement in April 2009 of the NBN. Consequently Dr Bell’s

1 Joint publication of UNESCO and International Telecommunications Union for the Broadband Commission, “A 2010 Leadership Imperative: The Future Built on Broadband”, pg 6, http://www.broadbandcommission.org/report1.pdf

Dr Bell was able to gain insights into how digital technologies have (and have not) changed people’s lives already, and glimpse the promised future state enabled by high speed broadband. Dr Bell uses stories to illustrate and illuminate the challenges that face South Australians, found on her journey of some 14,000 kilometres criss-crossing the State. As a result, Dr Bell’s four priority action areas and 49 recommendations present a road map to ensure that SA can participate in an exciting future.

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recommendations focus on maximising the benefits from the NBN for South Australia. This means positioning South Australia for affordable and reliable high-speed broadband and fostering the development of a robust ecosystem of technical support for broadband users while maximising equity of access and delivery.

Digital economy policy should be a fundamental and central platform for government to ensure that it capitalises on the NBN investment. New technology has a role to play in effecting positive changes to government efficiency in decision-making processes and responding to the needs of an increasingly diverse citizen base. This role is critical in an environment of constrained budgets.

As schools move to a student-centred learning model, the role of new technologies will expand, further enabling student learning and opportunities for improved outcomes for individuals and communities. Providing all schools with reliable, consistent high-speed internet connections is an important step. Ultimately, ICT capabilities including digital literacy will be a fundamental basis for education, including early childhood development.

How is the South Australian Government responding?• In recognition of the importance of

the roll out of the NBN investment, an NBN taskforce has been established in SA to lead the Government’s interaction with NBNCo (www.nbnco.com.au) the company established to implement NBN nationally and provide a forum for consideration and resolution of implementation issues.

• A whole-of-government leadership group has been providing strategic input and direction in relation to Dr Bell’s recommendations.

• The township of Willunga, a rural community on the Fleurieu Peninsula, has been selected as one of NBNCo’s five first release sites in mainland Australia. Fibre-optic cable has been laid throughout the township. The first release site in Willunga and the second release sites in McLaren Vale-Seaford, Prospect and Modbury are being specifically targeted as trial sites for new processes, applications and technologies. The Government is working with the community to maximise the use and benefits of this new infrastructure.

• The Government will continue to work with multiple stakeholders in industry, the community and all tiers of government to ensure that it maximises high speed broadband outcomes for the State’s regional population.

• A whole-of-government approach to online delivery of services and empowering the public sector to deliver better services to citizens (www.sa.gov.au).

• The South Australian Government: – is supporting a number of

government and industry-led initiatives focused on increasing professional ICT skills. Consistent with the Government’s ICT strategy, Ask Just Once, Dr Bell endorsed developing a whole-of-government Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills Strategy, to increase skills in the physical and mathematical sciences, engineering and ICT.

– is monitoring the national e-waste agenda for implementation in South Australia. It will continue to include an environmentally friendly take-back/disposal schedule within all new contracts (www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/e-waste).

– negotiated the amount of $12 million per annum to schools for additional ICT support as a component of the last Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. This wil l complement current support for ICT infrastructure in schools with years 9 to 12 enrolments that are achieving a computer to student ratio of 1:1 under the nationally funded Digital Education Revolution (www.decs.sa.gov.au).

– has been successful in recruiting two ICT support officers for regional and remote schools in line with Dr Bell’s recommendation and is considering other support models.

– is implementing the Australian national school curriculum which includes ICT as one of the general capabilities which are taught within each learning area and incorporates social and ethical practices.

– i s s u p p o r t i n g t h e implementation of the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) for Indigenous Public Internet Access, which builds demand for ICT functionality through community access centres and training programs to remote communities.

– released an ICT Access Mapping initiative which has identified the availability and nature of free and low cost access to computers,

At the heart of Dr Bell’s work is the notion that core values of people have remained relatively unchanged even though technologies have changed very rapidly.

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internet services and training for community groups within local council jurisdictions (www.ofv.sa.gov.au/ICT_Resources.htm).

– is supporting the delivery of workforce development and training to assist in the supply of a skilled workforce to support the installation and rollout of the NBN.

Switching on the State – Capacity Building The adoption of broadband and the engagement of citizens, businesses and government in its use is the principal thrust of many of Dr Bell’s recommendations.

Dr Bell says that an understanding of digital literacy and the basic skills necessary for this will be fundamental to equip citizens to successfully operate in an increasingly digital world.

Dr Bell proposes that the South Australian Government remains attuned to changing citizen needs and preferred models of interaction. There is an opportunity to actively encourage innovation in online services and engagement using many online tools.

A key theme of the recommendations focused on effective engagement with information, communication and entertainment technologies by the whole population, which requires the development of practical skills, an applied knowledge base and the capacity to think critically. Deploying these skills is crucial to digital productivity outcomes in using the NBN.

How is the South Australian Government responding?• The South Australian Government

has developed a Digital Literacy Skills Framework which recognises the importance of digital literacy skills beyond school years by articulating a skill set that is necessary for full social and economic participation in a 21st century society. The framework provides a shared understanding of the digital literacy skills and knowledge required. It provides a model for delivery which is supported by high quality

learning resources to assist trainers in meeting the needs of individual learners and to maintain a consistent standard across the State for non–accredited digital literacy training. The methodology for the implementation of the framework aims to engage members of the community in developing their digital literacy skills based on their own needs and motivations.

• In line with Dr Bell’s recommendation, the digital literacy foundation skills competency developed as part of the framework will be delivered as part of the Governments’ Sk i l ls for A l l f ramework (www.dfeest.sa.gov.au) through Adult and Community Education (ACE) using an existing state-wide network of technology access and learning node providers. The aim of this accredited competency is to assist community members to gain the skills and confidence to use technology to enhance their lives, work readiness and workforce participation. The delivery of this competency will be trialled in Willunga, to take advantage of the increased public awareness brought about by the delivery of the NBN.

• One of the first things highlighted by Dr Bell’s residency was the South Australian Government’s approach regarding online practices. The State Government is creating a more personalised customer focused approach to service delivery based on the Ask Just Once strategy and optimising the mix of online and other service delivery mechanisms. The development of www.sa.gov.au is central to this approach.

• In response to Dr Bell’s report and developments in community engagement, the South Australian Government is being proactive in adopting new social media technologies. Social media guidelines have been implemented and various Web 2.0 applications have been used across government – YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, blogs and wikis. A comprehensive Web 2.0 campaign has been a major part of the recent consultation on the update of South Australia’s Strategic Plan (www.saplan.org.au).

• The State Government is delivering national Australian Flexible Learning Framework (FLAG) projects, recognising the importance of flexible learning and

South Australian citizens should be able to access the internet to work, play and connect with the world equally with other Australians.

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actively supporting and extending levels of e-learning expertise (www.flexiblelearning.net.au) South Australia is also represented on FLAG at a national level (www.dfeest.sa.gov.au).

• ICT training for older people to keep them engaged in society is being offered through a number of South Australian Government initiatives. As part of the Improving with Age: Our Ageing Plan for South Australia a project called New Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) for Older People: Practice, Problems, Potential is being commissioned (www.ageing.sa.gov.au).

Strong Communities - Community EngagementSouth Australian communities are vibrant centres – engaging South Australians, as members of different communities, is an important piece of the digital economy. Dr Bell highlighted the importance of regional communities to the State’s economic prosperity and sense of identity. Her report advocated for South Australians to choose to remain in their communities and still participate actively in a range of services and experiences, preserving the unique character of local communities.

How is the South Australian Government responding?• The South Australian Government

has developed youthconnect South Australia’s Youth Strategy 2010-2014 which provides a framework and action plan to guide government programs and services for young people over the next four years. youthconnect commits to an ongoing conversation with young people in a range of ways, such as the Minister’s Youth Council, the Youth Advisory Committees (YAC) program, the

Office for Youth’s Facebook page and new online Youth Space (www.officeforyouth.sa.gov.au).

• RiverlandConnect was established to provide a ‘one stop shop’ with a range of information and services to people living, working and playing in the Riverland. The website promotes services for the community and events in the region (www.riverlandconnect.org.au). Riverland based volunteers will be trained to maintain and manage the website.

• In addition to trialling digital literacy foundation skill competencies in Willunga, the town’s unique blend of small and micro-enterprise, along with a flourishing health and well-being sector, offer a chance to test broadband, delivered as part of the NBN first release program in an existing regional community.

• The South Australian Government is working closely with the State’s Regional Development Australia committees and the Australian Government to deliver a strengthened focus on regional Australia, including maximising potential opportunities provided

by digital technologies and using the NBN as an enabler to support regional development.

South Australia’s Future –Growth and InnovationsWith a high-speed internet network in development for all Australians, the opportunities for future growth and innovation are plentiful. The ubiquity and scale of the network means that considerations around urban planning, transportation and resource management can all be re-imagined, and critical questions around citizenship and democracy can be revisited.

Dr Bell’s report also calls for developing a new set of metrics for measuring the impact of high-speed internet. Speed and connectivity are two measures but she also identified new ways of thinking about the impact of broadband on community participation and well-being.

How is the South Australian Government responding?• The South Australian Government:

– i s wo r k i n g w i th T he Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) to explore areas of signif icance to the State’s digital future (www.tacsi.org.au).

– has been working collaboratively with the Australian Government and its State counterparts to

The keys to greater productivity and innovation are found through creative collaboration using the internet.

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determine National Digital Economy Data Collection using existing relevant ABS data.

– is considering the broader measures of the digital economy in the update of South Australia’s Strategic Plan (www.saplan.org.au).

• Considerable progress has been made towards implementing Dr Bell’s recommendations. The South Australian Government is determining priorities and deliverables which will drive an ideal and vibrant digital economy for South Australia. It has become clear over the last two years, and in particular, over the last six months, that the National Broadband Network and the Digital Economy are going to shape the next decade’s public policy, private sector activity and the everyday lives of South Australians.

what are the hallmarkS of the digital economy? • A well-educated and well-equipped

workforce that is able to embrace and effectively use technologies for productive benefit.

• Well-educated and well-equipped citizens who are able to embrace and effectively use technologies for personal, professional, community and government engagement.

• Ubiquitous and affordable access to high-speed internet

• Affordable and effective tools, consisting of hardware, applications and services that are widely available and well supported.

• Public education campaigns and dialogues that engage South Australians around the benefits of ICTs.

• An innovative private sector willing to embrace new technologies.

• A rich and relevant content ecosystem that encourages the growth of locally produced applications, services and media.

• A supportive environment for the emergence and growth of new information intensive businesses, not just in ICT.

• A government that can deliver services efficiently and effectively to its citizens – when and where they are needed.

• A community that is fully engaged and involved with government through informed interaction.

• A strong recognition in the community of the value that is being created by the digital economy and its impact on the standard of living.

As the NBN is rolled out, the next steps will be up to all of us. We can make the future ours by being committed to finding ways to get connected or stay connected with new technologies as they arrive in our state, our communities and our homes!

PartnerS in the reSidency:Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

Department for Families and Communities

Department of Education and Children’s Services

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Department of Health

Flinders University

The University of Adelaide

University of South Australia

Australian Government

High speed broadband will facilitate online delivery of a range of services providing an opportunity for innovation and dramatically improving productivity.

Prepared by:Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and TechnologyGPO Box 320ADELAIDE SA 5001Ph: (08) 8226 3821www.dfeest.sa.gov.au