An unprecedented opportunity to inclusively serve the poor is emerging as individuals and geographies are increasingly connected to the global economy via Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
Amplifying the Impact
One of the most promising dynamics in the adoption of mobile applications is how they can mutually reinforce one another. This report, produced by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Mobile Health Alliance, examines the intersection of mobile health and mobile finance. It explores the dynamics of when "wealth" meets “health”.
World Economic Forum Reports on ICT
In looking at the rapidly expanding adoption of mobile communications, one of the most promising opportunities for positive socioeconomic change lies in the scaling of mobile health and mobile financial services (MFS). Ini fact, more people today have access to a mobile phone than to clean water or the electrical grid. By 2012, it is estimated that there will be 1.7 billion people with mobile phones but no bank account. Of these, approximately 1 billion will also lack access to heatlhcare systems. Providing services in an affordable and sustainable manner for these individuals is a significant challenge. While reduced costs and advanced in network coverage are accelerating, the underlying business models to sustain this growth are unclear. The report, Examining the Intersection of Mobile Health and Mobile Finance, can be found here.
Utilizing Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) as a catalyst for social and economic progress is an opportunity long held in high regard by the international development community. Impacting society at the micro and macro levels, ICT can equip us to help address our greatest social, economic and environmental challenges. The report, Scaling Opportunity: Information and Communications Technology for Social Inclusion, can be found here.
Networks serve as a central metaphor for describing the complexities of modern life. They are also a technological foundation for unlocking tremendous social and economic benefits. Understanding the dynamics of networks - and theri potential for positive change - can help us collectively meet our greatest social, economic and environmental challenges. The report, Enabling Transformation: Information and Communications Technologies and the Networked Society, can be downloaded here.
The global economy is experiencing one of its most complex and comprehensive challenges in history. Focusing on the transformational opportunities posed by the global economic turmoil, leaders from industry, government and civil society attending the 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, agreed that information and communications technologies (ICT) can play a vital role in the pathway to an economic recovery. Details of the report, ICT For Economic Growth: A Dynamic Ecosystem Driving the Global Recovery, can be found here.
The World Economic Forum's inaugural mHealth Summit in San Diego, California established a rich dialogue among leading stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, telecommunications and heatlh industries. Witha focus on identifying key horizontal catalysts for global scale, the summit identified opportunities to leverage the ubiquity, cost effectiveness and personalization of the mobile platform. The collective expertise and influence of those participating in the event created an opportunity for aligning on key priorities in the development of the mHealth ecosystem. To access the full proceedings of the summit, Advancing mHealth Solutions, click here.
