Through the ‘WeThinkDigital’ programme, over 30,000 students and 10,000 women are expected to be trained to think critically and share online thoughtfully.
News Desk
Gilgit, Oct 20: A global multinational technology conglomerate joins forces with the Gilgit-Baltistan government to promote digital literacy in the mountainous region.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will expand its ‘WeThinkDigital’ programme in G-B in collaboration with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and the Gilgit-Baltistan’s education department.
The programme “aims to equip the people who live in one of the most marginalised regions in the country with the necessary skills to become responsible digital citizens,” said a statement released on Thursday.
The programme was launched in Gilgit the other day.
Speaking at the launch event, Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama, Policy Programs Manager for South Asia said, “We care deeply about the safety of our community”.
With the expansion of the programme to Gilgit-Baltistan, the tech giant expects to train over 30,000 students and more than 10,000 women to help them think critically and share online thoughtfully.
Commenting on the development, Raja Azam Khan, Minister of Education, Gilgit-Baltistan said, over the last few years, our region has witnessed rapid and significant progress across diverse digital fronts.
Providing resources that can help people have meaningful interactions online is an important part of the work we do to ensure the safety of our community, he elaborated.
“As we continue to explore broader horizons for learning and development of our community, it is a pleasure to have key players like Meta assisting in our objectives to bring sustainable change across Gilgit-Baltistan.”
Through its expansion in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the programme focuses on building awareness regarding cyberbullying, potential abuse over the internet, safe internet practices, safeguarding personal interests and assisting vulnerable segments like women and children on how to navigate digital spaces.
“We are grateful for the collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Department of Education and hope this program will empower people in Gilgit-Baltistan with the necessary skills to become responsible digital citizens.”
Gilgit-Baltistan’s Senior Minister Abaidullah Baig appreciated Meta for expanding the programme to Gilgit-Baltistan.
The initiative will see Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi as a key partner in implementing the objective.
Launched in Pakistan in 2021, the programme “is one of Meta’s multifaceted approaches to building a safe and informed community in the country, the statement read.
The programme has reached 130,000 students and 3,094 teachers across 28 districts of the country providing them with a collection of accessible learning modules that help people think critically and share online thoughtfully, as well as empowering them with the skills needed to be informed and safe online.