REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE 14TH ANNUAL NATIONAL IT TRAINING CONFERENCE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE 14TH ANNUAL NATIONAL IT TRAINING CONFERENCE, NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, DUBLIN
Dia dhíbh go léir a chairde. Is mór an onóir agus pléisúir dom bheith anseo inniu.
Ladies and Gentlemen I am delighted to be here this morning at your annual conference, a special one where we are marking the fact that ECDL has reached its 500,000th candidate in Ireland. I would like to thank Jim Friars and Damien O Sullivan for inviting me to join you for this important occasion.
Half a million candidates should cause us to stop and consider the significance of what that really means. Isn’t it just wonderful to think of the many new doors and windows of opportunity that have opened up for so many people by taking that all important step towards joining the information society, a step forward that has become increasingly important in recent years.
In many ways it seems like no time since computer skills were a highly specialised area, and a computer was a massive piece of equipment that took up an entire room. Yet in other ways it is difficult to remember an era when computers were not an integral part of life, that most essential of tools connecting us to each other and to the rest of the world. In fact, with the proliferation of computers into every aspect of modern life, most of us are probably no longer even aware of how much of our activities are centred around information technology. We casually surf the net, text, skype friends and relatives, email important communications, book flights and cinema tickets on-line and check out the latest breaking news on media websites. And because we do it so casually, we might fail to become aware of the danger of a growing isolation for those who are not computer literate, who do not have the basic IT skills that so many of us take for granted. We have moved, very rapidly, from a society where it was possible to ‘get by’ without computer skills to one where those skills are used in almost every sphere of life.
The breathtaking speed of technological advancement has meant that ‘keeping up’ has become very difficult for many people – particularly for those who left school before computer studies became an important part of the curriculum, or those who left the workplace before a desk was more likely to hold a computer than a pen or piece of paper. With more and more information being made available on line; more and more transactions required to be completed on line, there is a risk that society will become split into two groups – the information ‘haves’ and the information ‘have nots’.
That is where the role of organisations like the ECDL Foundation and ICS Skills, who make the information society accessible to so many people, is so crucial. By turning the ‘have nots’ into ‘haves’ you are not just teaching people a new skill but empowering them to achieve their full potential, to be productive and creative, to seek new knowledge, to study, research, communicate, collaborate and to avail of new doors and windows of opportunity.
The famous architect Nicholas Negroponte once said that ‘Computing is not about computers any more. It is about living.’ While that may sound like a somewhat bleak statement, there is no doubt that computers draw the outside world in and help us to maintain and establish contact with other people in an often busy and frenetic world. Social networking, often thought of as something negative that puts at risk genuine friendships and true community spirit has many positive aspects that are often overlooked. Not so long ago, those suffering the bleak forlornness of being far away from family and friends, surrounded by an unfamiliar language, a different climate and a new set of social norms had little to alleviate their loneliness except irregular letters and hurried, often tearful phone calls. Today, social networking sites allow them to keep in daily contact with friends and family, chatting casually, sharing the ups and downs of their new lives and keeping up to date with what’s happening at home. Many older people face the loss of their social networks because they or their friends are housebound, sick or have had to move away. By getting to grips with on-line communication they remain connected to society and to the outside world. They can also become that bit more independent as they shop, bank and pay bills on line. Of course social networking can be abused but it can also be a positive force for the better for vulnerable or isolated people. It has been a godsend to people with disabilities for it has helped them to transcend deafness, blindness, mobility and many other issues in ways unimaginable a short few years ago.
We should also not forget that investment in computer skills is an investment in Ireland’s future. Flexible, adaptable people, always ready to relearn and re-skill, to constantly adjust to changing economic conditions and new labour market requirements are needed more than ever in this challenging and difficult time. As we move towards economic recovery and continue to build our knowledge economy we know we have the innovation, the creativity, the get-up-and-go and the can-do attitude that our country needs so badly at the moment. As we do what must be done to become, once again, strong players on the global stage we also have a labour force that is constantly upskilling and relearning for the high quality jobs of tomorrow. Nowhere is that more evident that here today as we mark the 500,000th person who has taken that often intimidating or challenging step forward and become a proud member of our information society. Not only have you gained a very valuable and marketable qualification, you are also an inspiration to the many other people who would also like to move forward, to improve their job prospects, change their future, widen their options, have a wealth of information at their fingertips, communicate more effectively or simply make their daily lives a little bit easier.
I would like to conclude by congratulating ICS Skills and the ECDL Foundation for reaching this milestone event. I know that your excellent work will continue to empower, engage and open up a new world to many people. I wish you every success in the future and hope you have a very fruitful conference.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.