FAIR Denmark

English Info

In Denmark, hundreds of thousands computers are being discarded each year. Computers are thrown away because they are not fast enough, or do not have enough disk space etc. We exchange them with new computers, because we want to have a computer which is faster, more modern, and has new features and functions - Rarely because the old computer is broken!

In developing countries, institutions such as schools, universities and hospitals, have a great need for IT to become a part of and make use of the global information community. Information technologies are an important prerequisite for the creation and development of democracy, education and healt-care.

What is the digital divide?

Through IT and the internet, new ways of telling stories and exchanging information have become a natural part of our every day life. But what about those, that are not connected to the internet or do not speak English or other major languages? These people do not have access to information that could give them a different and quite possibly a better life. The problem is deeper than simply not having a computer.

Solutions

FAIR is working to bridge the digital divide between countries that are technically more developed and countries that are technically less developed. Schools in recipient countries are given complete and working computer solutions for use in IT classes - based on open source software and reused hardware, which otherwise would have been destroyed during recycling.

Humanitarian and environmental effort

FAIR is the only Scandinavian organisation, that certifies that equipment will be reused in developing countries before it breaks down.The certification can be granted to public institution, private companies, organizations, etc.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian gains from the reuse of IT hardware, FAIR's solution also gives an environmental benefit. According to the UN, each time a PC is reused, 20% less CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere than when the equipment is directly recycled. This is because production of IT hardware is very energy intensive. Through the FAIR-backed scheme, we make sure that the equipment we send to developing countries does not end up in local landfills, where working conditions are poor and the process damages the environment. Instead we strive to support the development of safe and environment friendly recycling plants in Africa.