Short Abstract:

This roundtable addresses how digital transformation in Central Asia and explores the ways local communities, governments, and international organizations can contribute to creating a more inclusive internet environment and thus bridging the digital divide within and across national borders.

Long Abstract:

Digital transformation is thought of as the main driver of economic and social growth. With the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to the acceleration of digital technologies adoption, digital transformation is perceived as not only necessary but also inevitable. However, scholars have discovered that technological expansion alone does not necessarily guarantee the expansion of social, economic, and political inclusion and the benefits of digital technologies can only be shared by the wider population through a carefully-planned strategy for enhancing digital inclusiveness. This roundtable addresses how digital technologies are shaping today’s Central Asia and explores the ways that local communities, national governments, and regional/international organizations could contribute to creating a more inclusive internet environment and thus bridging the digital divide within and across national borders. The panel will first examine the different indicators currently used by international organizations and governments to measure digital progress and internet inclusiveness in Central Asian countries. Then it will explore whether these indicators sufficiently reflect the reality on the ground and suggest a methodology to bring social, economic, political, and cultural context to understanding digital transformation in Central Asia. This roundtable is funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency as a part of the international collaborative research project entitled Development and Application of K-Better Digital Inclusiveness Indicator for South Korea’s Central Asian ODA Strategy in the Post-COVID Era.