RLUK’s Digital Shift Forum brings together colleagues from across the information, research, cultural and heritage communities, and third and commercial sectors, to discuss the future of the digital shift in collections, services, and audiences.
The series aims to promote cross-sector discussion and debate, to enable knowledge exchange, and inspire collaborative endeavour across sectors and communities, for the benefit of RLUK members and the wider research and information management communities.
The Digital Shift Forum is open to all, and you do not need to belong to an RLUK member institution to attend or participate.
Digital initiatives in Africa: creating an environment for digital equity – Digital initiatives in Africa: creating an environment for digital equity
23 March, 14:00-15:00 (GMT)
African content constitutes 4% of digital content worldwide. Furthermore, 20% of Africa’s population is below the age of 50. The youthfulness of the African population is the hope of the continent. It is anticipated that the youthful population would be consuming and contributing to development of digital Africa’s digital content. In order to contribute to the development of digital content, Africa and its youth needs, digital environments, infrastructures and digital skills to engage with creation of digital content from Africa. Such content development will grow Africa’s content in digital spaces, enabling it to grow beyond 4%, an imperative for social justice. This paper explores Africa wide development initiatives around digital infrastructure, creation of digital content and development of digital skills that will promote the digital equity in digital knowledge spaces.
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Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata is the University Librarian of the National University of Lesotho. Dr Mbambo-Thata previously served as the Director- Resources Development of the African Library and Information Association and Institutions (AfLIA); Executive Director, Library Services, University of South Africa; University Librarian, University of Zimbabwe, and Senior Librarian, University of Botswana.
She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), and a member of the board of directors of African Journals Online (AJOL). She served two terms as Governing Board member of IFLA. She has also served on boards of other Library and Information Service support organisations. Dr Mbambo-Thata is a distinguished librarian whose knowledge and expertise have recognised thru awards for service excellence and leadership. Her research interests are in Women and ICT, and library development in Africa.