Page 7 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

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