Digitalization as Key to Surinamese Autonomy
Necessity in Times of Change
eyesonsuriname
Amsterdam, December 19, 2024– A blind horse can see and perceive that digitalization is not a luxury, but a strategic investment for the future of Suriname.
It offers the key to financial-economic growth, improved education, increased earning capacity and strengthening of national autonomy.
To overcome the challenges of rigidity, fear and aging, decisive leadership, investments and cooperation are needed. By embracing digitalization as a spearhead, Suriname can shape its own future and become a more prosperous and autonomous country. Suriname is at an inevitable crossroads.
Socio-economic but especially important financial challenges require innovative solutions that have social implications for education and the earning capacity of the economy. In this field of forces, digitalization is no longer an option, but an absolute necessity for the preservation and strengthening of Surinamese autonomy.
In this light, the importance of digitalization is inescapable and the publication addresses obstacles that need to be overcome to make this transition successful.
- Why Digitalization is Crucial for Suriname: Economic Growth and Diversification. Digitalization opens doors to new economic sectors and modernizes existing industries. Think of e-commerce, digital services and innovation in sectors such as controlling the costs arising from crime, or such as those of modern forms of agriculture, food security, energy and tourism. This leads to more economic diversification, less dependence on traditional sectors, and attracting investments.
- Improving Education: Digital learning tools and online platforms can increase the quality and accessibility of education, both in urban and rural areas. This results in a better educated population, ready for the jobs of the future.
- Increasing Earning Capacity: Digitalization creates new jobs and improves productivity in existing functions. By promoting digital skills, Surinamese people can better compete in the labor market, both nationally and internationally.
- More efficient government services: Digital government (e-government) makes government services more efficient, transparent and accessible to citizens. This reduces bureaucracy, promotes good governance and strengthens trust in our supposedly government.
- Strengthening autonomy: By investing in digital infrastructure and capacity, Suriname can determine its own digital future and become less dependent on external actors. This is essential for maintaining national autonomy in an increasingly digitized world.
The challenges: inflexibility, fear and aging:
Despite the clear benefits, the adoption of digitalization in Suriname is hampered by several factors: inflexibility and blindness. In some parts of society, there is a lack of awareness about the urgency and potential of digitalization. People cling to traditional methods and are reluctant to embrace new technologies.
Fear of change:
Change often provokes resistance, especially among those who do not feel confident in the digital world. This fear can lead to delays and missed opportunities. Ageing and Declining Labor Productivity: The ageing of the workforce can lead to a decline in effective labor productivity, especially if older workers are not supported in developing digital skills.
The Way Forward:
Digitalization as a Spearhead. To fully realize the potential of digitalization, a proactive and coordinated approach is needed: Leadership and Vision: Leaders in Paramaribo must recognize the importance of digitalization and develop a clear vision and strategy.
This requires political will and a long-term perspective.
- Investments in Infrastructure: Investments must be made in reliable and affordable internet access throughout Suriname, including rural areas.
- Education and Training: Programs must be set up to promote digital skills at all levels of the population, from schoolchildren to older workers.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between government, business, education and civil society is essential to successfully implement digitalization.
- Awareness: There must be active communication about the benefits of digitalization and the need for change. Removing fears and creating support is crucial.
Taking Estonia as an example, a relatively small and unknown country in North-Eastern Europe, it is important to transform a backward and tradition-based society that was also oppressed and enslaved by the then Soviet Union and now one of the digital leaders worldwide.