Technology's Power to Transform
 Despite significant improvements in the access to - and use of - ICT around the world, there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that there is a persistent digital divide between and within countries. Numerous multilateral organizations and NGOs, think tanks and educational institutions see the need for new models of collaboration to accelerate these efforts related to digital access and inclusion.
Recognizing this opportunity, the World Economic Forum works closely with leading technology companies, governments and experts to catalyse public private partnerships to reduce the digital divide. In January 2004, leading IT and Telecoms companies and organizations launched the IT Access for Everyone Initiative (ITAFE) - during the Forum’s Annual Meeting 2004. The findings from this cross-company engagement has created significant insight and impetus for continued unilateral and multilateral initiatives involving the Forum and its partners.
Executive summary of conclusions
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Contrary to the popular belief that internet access would provide only email, chat and general entertainment content to younger citizens at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP), it was proven that young people clearly prioritize employment-related, health-related and educational services.
An eco-system approach is required to deliver these services in an economically sustainable manner. This involves multiple partners from the Public Sector, NGO community and Private Sector having to collaborate. Government , the NGO community and the private sector provide and harvest substantial value for differing reasons:
1) Government is most able to impact multiple areas of the ‘ecosystem’.
2) Community-based NGOs are the most able to link the true needs of the target low income communities with the digital inclusion channels.
3) The private sector plays a critical role. Not only does it provide critical complementary assets and know how, but it also provides services and funding models that can be paid for in relatively untapped markets.
Objectives and detailed outcomes
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Objective: Develop a global benchmarking study focused on Digital Inclusion globally to learn from the successes and failures of prior efforts in this area.
Outcome: ITAFE has surveyed over fifty ICT projects in developing and emerging countries. Approximately two dozen of those fifty were then selected for in-depth analysis. The key insight obtained was that a robust eco-system solution should be designed and the right business model established for its long term sustainability. The ITAFE Global Benchmarking Study (PDF; 57 pgs; 6MB) is the summary of that research.
Objective: Develop a strategic framework and methodology that utilizes a market based “ecosystem” approach to accelerate digital inclusion efforts in the developing world.
Outcome: ITAFE succeeded in developing a strategic framework to deliver life improvement services to low income communities with an economically sustainable business model.
The ITAFE Strategic Framework Summary is the summary of the framework, the supporting research and analytical tools built.
Objective: Based on the business case, develop & test prototype solutions that can prove the eco-system concept in Brazil.
Outcome: Partnering with Brazil’s largest education foundation, Fundação Bradesco, the ITAFE pilot successfully offered a job training service and job search application to test the viability of a market based eco-system approach to digital inclusion.
The Brazil ITAFE Pilot Report (PDF; 24 pgs; 1MB) documents the pilot results and key learnings.
Today ITAFE leaves an up-and-running digital inclusion programme in São Paulo, supported through initiative members’ sponsorship and Fundação Bradesco’s management.
Initiative Leaders: Accenture, AMD, Cisco, Dell, Intel, Philips Electronics
The following organizations have pledged significant financial resources to the initiative:
Institute for Connectivity in the Americas, BMC Software, Ingram Micro, Synopsys, VeriSign
The following organizations have or are contributing their resources and time to assist the initiative:
Fundação Bradesco, DiamondCluster, Tritone, Global Learning Ventures, Digital Vision Fellowship Program at Stanford University, MobileMedia, Salvetti & Lombart, Research International, Recherche, ABAFilmes
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