Page 7 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021
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FEATURED   SAMENA TRENDS

        “This marks the first time so many private   social  cohesion.  Achieving  this  will  take   inclusion  as  a  platform of partners with
        and public sector leaders  from across   deep, sustained collaboration. It is critical   a  common purpose  for achieving the
        industries  are coming together  to close   that we move together and that we move   Sustainable  Development  Goals.  In  2021,
        the  digital  divide.  Accelerating  affordable   fast.”  Derek  O’Halloran,  Member  of  the   the Alliance will focus on increasing digital
        access to digitally enabled services – like   Executive  Committee,  Head  of  the  Digital   inclusion  in healthcare, education and
        healthcare, education or financial services   Economy at the World Economic Forum.  financial services.
        - is foundational to economic recovery and   The  EDISON  Alliance  will  prioritize  digital


           The  Alliance  will  prioritize  three  focus  areas related  to         we can collectively take to advance
                                                                                    the digital inclusion agenda  across
           the Sustainable Development Goals each year. For 2021,                   relevant  sectors.  The  Board  will
           EDISON will focus on Healthcare, Education, and Financial                contribute  to the strategic  direction
           Inclusion.                                                               and provide institutional support in
                                                                                    developing  and helping  deliver the
                                               COVID-19 has exposed digital inequities   objectives of the Alliance.
                                               and exacerbated the digital divide. The   •  Champions,  the  broader group of
                                               pandemic has revealed the affordability   public  and private  sector leaders
                                               challenges  in  wealthier nations  and   that are the  public  Champions and
                                               deepening  digital  divide – nearly half   mobilize peers  and network  to
                                               the world is still not online.       drive awareness of the issue, core
                                                                                    objectives, and initiatives.
                                               The World Economic  Forum  has    •  Executive  Network,  the Champions
                                               launched  the  EDISON  Alliance  to   will  each nominate a representative
                                               accelerate  digital inclusion,  address   for  the  Executive  Network.  Network
                                               inequality, and connect  critical sectors   members  will  advance  specific
                                               of  the  economy.  It  is  the  first  global   initiatives and objectives in relevant
                                               mobilization of  public sector  and   subgroups  (e.g.,  around  health,
                                               industry leaders  from all  industries  to   education,  or  financial  inclusion  –
                                               ensure everyone can participate in the   and will convene at least twice a year
                                               digital economy.                     as a full cohort to report on progress
                                                                                    in the different domains).
                                               The following groups are responsible for
                                               the governance and day-to-day work of   The  Alliance  will prioritize three focus
                                               The EDISON Alliance:              areas  related  to  the  Sustainable
                                               •  Board of the Alliance,  the small   Development  Goals  each  year.  For
                                                 group of  the Board  will  help shape   2021, EDISON will focus on Healthcare,
                                                 what are the most impactful  steps   Education, and Financial Inclusion.































                                                                                                    7     JANUARY 2021
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