The Ministry of Communication and Informatics together with the Communication and Information Office of East Java Province, and the Indonesian Anti-Defamation Society (MAFINDO) recently held a Digital Literacy Week which aimed to increase the digital literacy capacity of the local communities and the millennials so that they can utilise the digital technology effectively and responsibly.
There is a pressing need for digital literacy since the pace of technological advancement continues to outpace the skills of the human workforce. To keep up with the pace of technology advancements, HR development needs to accelerate.
– Hudiyono, Head, Communications and Information Technology, East Java Province
The Digital Literacy Week is one part of the National Digital Literacy Programme entitled Indonesia Makin Cakap Digital which raises four pillars of digital literacy, namely Digital Ethics, Digital Capability, Digital Security, and Digital Culture. This activity aims to reach 50 million people by 2024.
Digital literacy has been promoted since 2017 by the Ministry of Communications and Informatics but because of the pandemic, digital literacy programmes became part of President Jokowi’s vision and mission efforts regarding the development of digital human resources.
With this, millennials or the younger generation are referred to as one of the potential generations in the current era of technological disruption.
Moreover, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics has created digital literacy modules such as the digital security module on fundamental personal digital privacy and security practices; hoax resistance class; personal branding class; and creator content class.
The digital literacy discussion assembly, in which participants from millennial groups and local communities explored how to become more digitally literate using the four pillars of digital literacy, was attended by more than 350 individuals.
Meanwhile, according to the Director General of Information and Public Communication of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Usman Kansong, the development of digital skills for MSMEs is needed to be able to promote their products in the online market (e-commerce). In addition, with digital skills, MSMEs are expected to be able to produce new technology or applications that can be used by other similar business actors.
The agency also involves scholars, priests and the younger generation to encourage the productive use of digital space. Director General Usman emphasised that the Ministry continues to aid MSMEs in actively selling on digital platforms.
After the recently held 3rd Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) Meeting of the G20 Presidency, the Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny G. Plate visited the MSME exhibition booth in West Manggarai Regency.
The Minister noticed the product produced and interacted with West Manggarai MSME entrepreneurs and appreciated the process of agricultural products and packaging with good, attractive designs and the “Proudly Made Indonesia” logo.
The Minister also provides input so that MSME entrepreneurs can narrate their products well and are able to take advantage of technological advances to market MSME products and transact with buyers such as barcode technology.
Local entrepreneurs hope that the MSME digitisation process will be able to elevate the West Manggarai MSMEs to compete at national and international levels.
The visit of Minister Johnny is a matter of pride for them, and they hope that the process of digitising MSMEs will be able to elevate West Manggarai MSMEs to international markets, which will lead to improving the economy of MSME entrepreneurs.
