Category: digital literacy

The Switchboard Confluence event in June 2025 brought together technology innovators and refugee resettlement professionals to reimagine newcomer support through emerging technologies. Participants shared practical tools, techniques, and examples of how ethical and affordable technologies can address current resettlement challenges, with an emphasis on reaching and serving clients who are not located in proximity to services and resources.

It's true that I often write about the upside of using technology in Settlement work. I do focus heavily on ethical issues and safeguards in my writing. Perhaps I don't spend enough time sharing useful resources to help guide us in these areas. Especially resources that take a deep dive into the underbelly of the tech world to remind us that we need to be creating not just consuming technology in our work. Tactical Tech is an organization whose work you should be aware of and following. This essay is part of their Digitized Divides series, a multi-part series about technology and crisis.

Migration is an increasingly digitized process, from visa applications to credential recognition and social services. That means access to digital tools alone is not enough — what also matters is the ability to effectively navigate complex digital systems. aChanges to immigration policies can often leave migrants confused about what their rights are and the opportunities available to them. This confusion can damage Canada’s image as a country welcoming to immigrants.

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a significant aspect of how we look at digital transformation in the sector right now, too much of our focus is on AI. In this piece, I'm offering an AI-generated summary of 30 webinars (yes, 30) conducted over the past 4-5 years. The cover a broad scope of digital transformation within the settlement and immigrant-serving sector.

Are our technology practices helping or harming the communities we serve? As digital tools become more deeply woven into every part of nonprofit work, from client services and communications to data collection and decision-making, it essential that we pause and ask this question. NTEN’s newly updated Equity Guide for Nonprofit Technology gives you some useful starting points.

At the March 2025 Metropolis Conference I participated with Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) on a panel presentation. If you weren't in the room, you may think you missed it. But, thankfully recently ran a similar panel and the 2024 P2P conference, virtually, so there is a recording. I didn't participate then, but I also have a recording of a very similar presentation I did on the topic of digital inclusion/equity and digital transformation in the sector.

This February 2025 Pathways to Prosperity session provided 3 presentations explored language courses and teacher training designed to promote digital inclusion and support Canadian newcomers’ settlement.

In this February 2025 webinar, Refugee 613 presented the latest findings from MTM Newcomer's 4th annual survey.

Presented at the 2024 Pathways to Prosperity conference, this session explored where we’ve been and where we are going when it comes to digital transformation in the settlement sector, as well as emerging and promising digital practices in service provision.