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Diakonie calls for billions in program for »digital participation«

2021-01-05T12:25:48.714Z


At home without internet? In times of lockdown and increasing digitalization, people with experience of poverty are becoming increasingly invisible, warns the Diakonie - and calls for state investments.


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People in front of the Leipziger Tafel issuing office: some of the social debates take place exclusively online

Photo: Waltraud Grubitzsch / DPA

The social association Diakonie Deutschland advocates a minimum digital equipment also for poorer people.

A federal program called "Digital Participation" should create digital access for all population groups within four years, the association said on Tuesday.

"The pandemic and lockdown have made it clear how great the need for digital action is in Germany," said Maria Loheide, Head of Social Policy.

"Above all people who live in poverty are excluded without computers and WLAN."

People affected by poverty "often have no access to authorities, can only apply for social benefits with great difficulty and have few opportunities to participate culturally or politically," Loheide explained.

"That is why public WLAN and a minimum digital set of computers or laptops with a printer must be available to everyone everywhere."

For pupils living in poverty, the situation is "dramatic," says Loheide.

"Many families are suing the social courts to get a school computer."

"Digital participation is a basic social right"

Jürgen Schneider, who is involved in the poverty network of Diakonie, pointed out that the experiences of those entitled to social benefits and especially the homeless in the pandemic were depressing.

Even before the Corona crisis, it was difficult to participate, "now it is almost impossible".

People with experience of poverty would become increasingly invisible to other people.

"While some are exploring new digital worlds, others are marginalized more than they have been for a long time," criticized Schneider.

"Digital participation is a basic social right that must be guaranteed."

Although there are a few funding programs, according to Schneider, these are "far too complicated": "They also don't reach the people who need it most."

Estimated cost of six billion euros

It should go without saying that everyone should have access to devices and the Internet, says Schneider.

“The usual computer programs must also be available to all people.

You can't afford that with a modest pension, topping up your basic security or even more so if you live on the street. "

Another problem that Schneider sees: “If people receiving basic security manage to buy a cheap computer or homeless people have trouble getting a cell phone, they are told: It can't be that bad if there is enough money for technical equipment.

In the meantime, even as a homeless person, it is hardly possible to get sufficient information about emergency aid without the Internet. "

Diakonie estimates the total costs of a four-year program “Digital Participation” for the federal government at six billion euros.

"Digital participation opportunities are part of the subsistence level," emphasized Loheide and Schneider.

"They must now be implemented for everyone in Germany."

The Diakonie's proposal is presented in more detail in this PDF.

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mbö / AFP

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2021-01-05

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