BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Jack Growden, a 26-year-old visionary and the driving force behind LiteHaus International, captivated the audience with his passionate message on addressing inequality and advocating for digital equity on a global scale.

With disquieting statistics as a backdrop, Jack highlighted a grim reality: more than one-third of the world’s population faces various forms of digital inequality. Hailing from Australia, one of the world’s most developed nations according to the Human Development Index, he revealed a startling truth: one million Australian students lack access to a home computer.

In a poignant shift, Jack directed our attention to Papua New Guinea, Australia’s closest neighbour and a country ranked 158th on the Human Development Index. An astounding 94% of students have never had the opportunity to use a computer at school. Jack initiated a profound exploration of the digital divide, describing it as one of the twentyfirst century’s most significant yet least comprehended challenges. Somebody must bridge this wide gap. He emphasized, “It doesn’t just entail missing opportunities; it means being denied access to citizenship in the digital world.”

The genesis of Jack’s mission traces back to the 2017 University Scholars Leadership Symposium. “I was right here, in this very room, just like all of you,” he stressed. In that moment, a profound realization struck him, sparking an unwavering commitment to serve humanity. Amid impassioned discussions and world-changing visions, he jotted down ‘LiteHaus’ in his notebook, unknowingly sowing the seed from which his life’s purpose would grow.

A month after the symposium, Jack embarked on an Honours thesis project in Papua New Guinea. During surveys, a startling revelation emerged - schools there lacked a crucial element for quality education: technology. This realization led him to donate his personal laptop, but he didn’t stop there; he pledged to return with more, giving rise to LiteHaus International from the humble confines of his parent’s garage.

From that single act of generosity in 2017, LiteHaus has evolved into a formidable force for good. Over 9,000 devices have been collected, refurbished to pristine condition, and repurposed to provide brighter futures for needy students.

Among the numbers, Jack shared a story that transcended mere statistics. He recounted an emotional visit to Kunabau Primary School to inaugurate the 40th digital classroom. A jubilant crowd awaited him, radiating smiles. Amidst the cheers, a poignant cry - a mother’s cry pierced the air. She wept not out of sorrow but sheer joy, relief, and gratitude. Her children would grow up with opportunities she never had - the chance to be part of something greater.

“You cannot hope to quantify something as beautiful, raw, and human as impact with mere numbers,” he conveyed to the delegates. Impact brings hope, inspiration, happiness, belief, dignity, freedom, and salvation. It’s a profoundly human experience. “You don’t measure impact; you feel it.”

In conclusion, he issued a powerful call to action: “We are the generation of opportunity and responsibility,” he declared. “It is our time to lead.” Jack implored us to become net producers rather than net consumers, to generate a surplus of social goods, and to leverage our optimism, audacious ideas, and faith in the future as a potent force for positive change in the world.