STOLKHOLM – Ericsson announced yesterday it has committed to empowering one million children and young people through access to digital learning, tools and skills.
“This commitment forms part of the World Economic Forum-aligned EDISON Alliance 1 Billion Lives Challenge – a global movement of forty-five champions from the public and private sectors,” a press release explains.
Members including Ericsson have made a commitment “to prioritize digital inclusion as foundational to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that every person can fully participate in the digital economy and society.”
Ericsson plans to realize its goal through its Connect To Learn program, “which has positively impacted more than 200,000 children and young people in more than 25 countries around the world since its foundation in 2010,” according to the release.
“The initiative is enabling access to quality education for underserved and unconnected communities and establishing an inclusive digital platform with a focus on empowering the next generation with digital skills, essential for their socio-economic development. It also aims to improve gender equality by empowering women and girls through ICT.”
Ericsson’s commitment was unveiled yesterday in a virtual address to the Global Forum for Children and Youth made by the company’s president and CEO Börje Ekholm.
“At the heart of Ericsson’s purpose is the belief that connectivity creates possibilities for all people,” Ekholm said, in the press release.
“We believe it is a responsibility of government and business to work together to build a more equitable future for children and young people – digital connection is a critical enabler of this, ensuring that every young person has access to a quality internet connection and can acquire the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy,” he said.
“This is why we are making this pledge to help narrow the digital divide and create a more equitable society. This is the latest milestone for Ericsson’s Connect To Learn program, which has been working for over 10 years to advance digital inclusion. However, there is still much more to be done. We call on partners, customers, governments and NGOs to join us in pledging the resources needed to make a real, lasting difference.”
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