Colombia: Plan Vive Digital aimed to lower poverty levels

Latin America’s Silicon Valley: That would be Colombia
OPINION PIECE

By Luis Carlos Villegas

But our use of technology to change the lives of millions of our citizens has the potential to transform the way the world thinks about lifting those in need out of poverty.

While Colombia’s transformation has ushered in a new era of prosperity, poverty remains one of the most critical challenges we face.

Through a series of government actions, over the last decade the poverty rate in Colombia has decreased from 60 percent to 30 percent. Clearly, there has been progress, and we are currently unleashing one of the most innovative and scalable plans that could not only help reduce poverty in Colombia but the world over: Plan Vive Digital.

Launched in 2010, Plan Vive Digital is the most ambitious strategy ever implemented by the Colombian government in the information and communication technologies sector. While it is focused on accelerating Internet usage, including in remote regions, and expanding broadband connectivity, its primary aim is to reduce poverty and create jobs. Read Article