Forge Academy is the brainchild of social entrepreneurs Arthur Wade Anderson and Craig Clutty is leading the crusade to address Digital Divide in Southern Africa.
It is organized South Africa’s first fully inclusive 4IR lab hosted a Digital Divide breakfast at its digital laboratory at The Gantry in Fourways, Gauteng.
The breakfast was attended by international dignitaries, multinational corporations and diplomats and was organized by the Finnish Embassy to address the Digital Divide that exists in Southern Africa and to discuss ideas on how to bridge the divide.
The Digital Divide breakfast was attended by the Ambassador of Finland, Anne Lammila; the Department of Basic Education’s, Seliki Tlhabane; Code School Finland’s Dr. Marcus Duveskog and Founder and President of Funzi, Aape Pohjavirta.
“The Global Digital Divide poses a challenge to the realisation of building inclusive economies where all individuals have access to education, freedom of association and equal opportunities. Citizens of poorer nations have fewer opportunities to access the global digital economy and bridging the Digital Divide is therefore important to ensure the human rights of all citizens both online and offline,” said Arthur Wade Anderson, CEO of Forge Academy.
Finland and other Finnish organisations are working together with South African stakeholders to address the Digital Divide that exists in South Africa and the broader Southern African region.
Finland is the first bilateral partner to support the development of South Africa’s National Innovation system and continues to support it through the regional programme for Southern Africa.
“We feel the work of Finnish stakeholders is important to addressing Africa’s Digital Divide and we want to play a role in supporting their initiatives in any way we can,” said Anderson.
Finland has placed an emphasis on skills development in the tech sector and are leading the way with multiple projects such as their ‘Generation Equality’ work and programmes in Science, Technology and Innovation.
The Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Mirella Marin has affirmed Finland’s commitment to resolving the Digital Divide.
“As we look forward to brighter times, we must work towards a world where human rights are a reality for all and where no one is left behind.” said Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland during a public speech on YouTube, February 15 2021, for the Finnish candidacy to the Human Rights Council 2022 to 2024.
Forge Academy partners with Finnish multinational corporation Nokia, who have sponsored students to pursue tertiary diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate programmes at the Forge Academy 4IR laboratory.
Forge Academy uses a Finnish pedagogy of education at its 4IR laboratory, and its programmes are overseen by Finland’s educational experts, Edu excellence. The educational facility is on a mission to forge people of purpose and prepare African and South African students from all walks of life with theoretical, laboratory and on-the-job training for their participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the global digital economy.
Forge Academy
Forge Academy is the brainchild of social entrepreneurs Arthur Wade Anderson and Craig Clutty. It is a forerunner education facility focused on training African students for careers that rely on 3D printing, next generation computing, virtual and augmented reality and digital marketing so that they can be equipped to have influence, impact and increase in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Forge Academy is an education facility of the highest standard, with the highest reputation, answering to the highest call. Modelled on the Finnish pedagogy of education that will equip our youths to actively participate and perform in economies built on the Fourth Industrial.
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Revolution. Forge Academy’s mission is to make an investment in people, aligning them to their purpose, providing an education of the highest quality and transferring skills that will make them exceptional in the world.
Sectors that rely on the Fourth Industrial Revolution include economic development, trade and industry, agriculture, infrastructure, labour, science and technology, higher education, basic education, health and communications.