Aligning digital transformation with social, environmental and feminist principles

Context

Digitalisation is changing the world at a dramatic pace: more than five billion people – or around 66 per cent of the world’s population – are now using the internet with the number of internet users having doubled since 2011. These developments present both opportunities and challenges. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has pointed out that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be achieved by 2030 if we make progress on digital transformation. Yet digitalisation also harbours risks such as data misuse and restrictions on freedom of expression. It is therefore the responsibility of international development policy to join partner countries in shaping the digital transformation to be fair, sustainable and people-centred. Available potential should be used and the digital divide in the Global South closed.

Objective

BMZ is successfully implementing a digital policy that takes account of social, environmental and feminist principles to bridge the digital divide.

Approach

BMZ’s digital policy was realigned in 2022 and digital transformation is now seen as a means of promoting environmental, economic and social sustainability. However, there is no denying that the transformation could have negative effects. The sector project assists BMZ in reshaping its digital policy. It also advises BMZ on ensuring that aspects of development policy affecting different sectors are firmly embedded in the overall strategy adopted by German development policy. The project’s services include the positioning of BMZ at national and international level and cooperation with relevant partners in the [digital.global] network for digital transformation.

Last update: August 2023