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The Digital Solidarity Pact

In September 2000, the Heads of State and Government gathered in New York for the United Nations Millennium Summit adopted the eight Millennium Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty and child mortality, universal access to education, the fight against HIV/AIDS and protection of the environment . The deadline set for attaining these goals was 2015.

Reducing the digital divide is part of the 8th goal of the Millennium Declaration. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are an essential tool for development. They enable access to knowledge and are key to the success of the other Millennium Development Goals.

Today, the means of providing universal access to ICTs are within reach. In other words, the digital divide can be reduced by 2015! We are no longer pursuing a utopian dream.

This statement is based on three factors:
  • New technologies at a more accessible cost are now available or are being developed;
  • The private sector and public authorities now share the same determination and interests with regard to overcoming this challenge;
  • There is a guarantee of a return on investment that will benefit all stakeholders. Indeed, financial arrangements can be set up very quickly through the application of the “1% digital solidarity principle”.
To achieve this result, a "Digital Solidarity Pact" is open to the main stakeholders concerned:
  • All public actors: International Organisations, nation States and local authorities;
  • The private sector, particularly companies active in the digital sector;
  • Civil society.
From now on, widespread access to information and communication technologies – and thus access to knowledge – only depends on the political will of the stakeholders concerned . This is the meaning of the Digital Solidarity Pact.

The success of the Digital Solidarity Pact depends on a commitment fully shared by the IT sector who takes on the challenge of developing the best and most accessible technologies, which are best able to bridge the digital gap.

An equitable information society built on principles of solidarity is a real possibility. It can become a reality by 2015 with the support and in the interest of all partners, both from North and South.


Achievements to date
  • Establishment of the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)
The DSF is born in the aftermath of the World Summit on the Information Society (Geneva 2003) as an initiative of the African Union and its Member States. It is an organisation of the 21st Century, formed by representatives of nation States, local authorities, civil society and the private sector.

The DSF aims to provide access to the knowledge society for all. To achieve this objective, it proposes an innovative financing mechanism for development: the “1% digital solidarity principle”. This is a contribution of 1% on ICT-related public procurement contracts, paid by the vendor from its profit margin.

To be effective, application of the “1% digital solidarity principle” must become universal. To enable its implementation at the global level, the Fund envisages the adoption of an International Convention on digital solidarity financing.
  • Proving its worth: implementation of DSF’s first projects
Only months after being created, the DSF commenced operations on the ground and presented its first projects at the WSIS in Tunis. As a priority, the Fund finances community-based projects within national programmes that are respectful of cultural diversity and local content. These projects must stimulate the creation of new activities, new jobs and new markets.

Currently, the DSF is financing 10 projects in Africa (supporting local associations in the fight against AIDS) and one in Asia (rebuilding the Banda Aceh community). Since its creation, the Fund has received financing applications for over €26 million.
  • Building political support
The DSF has been officially recognised by the United Nations Summit of Heads of States and Government (MDG+5) and the World Summit on the Information Society. Several resolutions supporting the work of the DSF have been adopted, by the Islamic Summit (OCI), the Francophonie Summit and the Summit of the African, Caribbean and the Pacific Group of States (ACP Group).
  • Acknowledgement of the “1% digital solidarity principle” as an innovative financing mechanism specifically designed to reduce the digital divide
The need for innovative financing mechanisms to achieve the Millennium Development Goals was recognised by the United Nations General Assembly following the Geneva Declaration (January 2004), adopted by Presidents Chirac, Lula and Lagos, in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. The “1% digital solidarity principle” proposed by the Fund is part of this political process: its relevance and feasibility have been acknowledged by the Pilot Group (46 States) in charge of reviewing the most promising initiatives in the field of financing mechanisms for development.
2007 - 2015 milestones
  • Launch of the Vision and the Digital Solidarity Pact
  • Presentation of information and communication technologies, as development tools, that may become key in reducing the digital divide
  • Organisation of a Pledging Conference to finance the development projects of the DSF and adoption of an International Convention for the implementation of the innovative financing mechanism to reduce the digital divide (the “1% digital solidarity principle”)
  • First phase: deployment of connectivity and access in a target group of around twenty countries in different regions of the world
  • Organisation of a follow-up Conference to evaluate the results of the first phase
  • Second phase: extension of connectivity and access to all countries affected by the digital divide
  • Completion of the programme
 

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