Purpose of the WRDL

The World Report on Digital Literacy (WRDL) is a research initiative, undertaken by Certiport, that assesses the progress of various countries around the world in terms of addressing the Digital Divide problem. The initiative commenced in 2006, and updates are planned for release on an annual basis.

Through this annual report, Certiport hopes to help countries find ways to bridge their own Digital Divides by highlighting the successes of others. Thus, the WRDL is a vehicle for sharing information on bringing ICT infrastructure and digital-skills development to underserved segments of the world's population.

Country Activity Level in Addressing Digital Divide
(Basis for the World Report on Digital Literacy)

Stage 1: Government Acknowledges Digital Divide as a real issue.
• Policy
• Commissioned Study
• Third-Party Study

Stage 2: Government makes addressing the Digital Divide a national priority.
• Budget
• Assignment of task to group
• Formulation of action plan(s)

Stage 3: Government is actively involved in implementing strategies to narrow the Digital Divide.
• Focus: Infrastructure or human capital
• Scale: 1. City-wide, 2. Province, 3. National
• Plan Duration
• Stage: 1. Early, 2. Advanced, 3. Advanced with monitoring & evaluating

Stage 4: Government continues to monitor and evaluate progress being made toward
narrowing the Digital Divide.
• Scale is national
• Stage is advanced with monitoring & evaluating