BY: Jasleen Kambo
Today, technology has never been more relevant. With this ever-changing digital landscape, however, comes the responsibility to guide its growth to ensure it continues to play a positive role in our societies.
Commemorated every 17th of May, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was established to recognize the importance of information and communication technologies in society and the inequities in their access. This occasion also recognizes the founding of the International Communication Union (ICU) and the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.
This year's theme is focused on the role that information communication technologies, or ICTs, play in our health and wellbeing, connection with others, and independence, with a particular focus on technology in relation to the elderly and an emphasis on healthy and sustainable aging with our digital world. These goals are part of a larger initiative, the UN decade of healthy ageing.
Mekki MacAulay is the founder of Evidence-Based Social Enterprises Canada, a Downsview-based charity that acts on various social issues with an evidence-based approach. The charity’s various community initiatives, which include a health protection and animal welfare program, heavily rely on communication technologies to garner awareness and support on a local and global level. Modern technology has allowed organizations to support individuals and communities that would not be reachable otherwise.
“Sustainable aging is about finding meaning later in life. Technology can connect us to meaning. Whatever is important to us, technology allows us to connect. It allows us to connect in ways that go beyond words and language.” Music, video games, film and TV create limitless opportunities for growth. Numerous studies have shown that senior engagement with technology has various positive impacts, including promoting brain activity and reducing risk of dementia and alzheimers. Video games, for instance, are a huge opportunity for seniors to connect with their grandchildren and explore their interests while exercising their brain.
Modern technology has allowed us to connect in new ways and has created new worlds of opportunities and solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues. In order for us to utilize today’s technologies to its fullest potential, we need to continue to evaluate our use of current systems around the world.