Caribbean Netherlands and other island nations see digital transformation

Excerpt and Photo from biometricupdate.com

The Netherlands has made strides towards its program line in its work agenda to bring digital transformation to Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba – the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands – as well as constituent countries Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten.

When the program was first implemented one year ago, roughly 85 percent of citizens in the Caribbean Netherlands had home internet access. One in five were not digitally proficient. Internet access is especially expensive and unstable for Saba and St. Eustatius.

A lack of digital infrastructure creates many challenges to information access. For instance, island residents would need to notify government organizations individually of important PII changes such as  changes to address.

The Netherlands has sought to improve internet access by making digital public infrastructure upgrades to increase affordability, coverage, and device access, as well as supporting education to bolster digital literacy and improve privacy and cybersecurity measures.