Singapore (CU)_ The Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the President’s Challenge on Monday released a joint press statement saying that this year’s President’s Challenge will concentrate on supporting Singapore build a digitally inclusive society. The release further said that a new national campaign named Digital for Life has been introduced to help Singaporeans accept a digital future.
A fund to promote digital inclusion initiatives and events related to the new movement has also been set up, along with the President’s Challenge contributing S$2.5 million in seed funding. The latest fund set up by IMDA will finance community-initiated projects up to 2023 and act as a public contribution channel. The aim is to increase the fund to S$10 million in the next three years, with the government matching the dollar-for-dollar contribution.
While announcing the launch of the President’s Challenge 2021 and the Digital for Life movement on Monday, President Halimah Yacob said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened Singapore’s digitalization efforts, but also has the potential to widen the digital divide”. He added, “The President’s Challenge hopes to support efforts to build a digitally inclusive society, where all Singaporeans feel excited, empowered and enriched by digital technologies. The Digital for Life movement and Fund brings us a step closer to achieving Singapore’s vision of becoming a digitally inclusive society.”
The Digital for Life Fund will support the initiatives of digital technology promotion and programs that are focused on building digital resilience. Digital literacy and wellness will also be promoted, fostering healthy digital habits, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, media literacy and reducing the risks of online threats.
