The digital revolution, which deeply affects many aspects of our development, is occurring within a political, social, economic and cultural context shaken by recent globalisation trends. Governments in industrialised countries must cope with the emergence of new stakeholders and thus be forced into real politics. Public institutions are unable to mainstream technological change and therefore the private sector’s room to manoeuvre is increased. International organisations are expected to assist governments by providing a general framework for development. Yet, their intergovernmental nature deprives them of the necessary means to regulate the international system.

Private businesses, confronted with the challenges of the global economy and intense competition, strive above all to ensure their own development. This struggle to survive leads them to reject any new constraints likely to affect their growth.

Unless we accept a new set of social and political responsibilities, we will be unable to escape this climate of uncertainty. This is the paradox of the liberalisation so desired by economic stakeholders; the resulting situation now requires them to develop significantly new approaches to management. As part of such new approaches, we call on businesses to adopt the “one percent digital solidarity principle”: the only means by which to reduce the digital divide, whose social, economic, political and cultural consequences remain of major concern.

We would like to congratulate all those who decide to support the Global Digital Solidarity Fund. We hope that they may serve as an example to others.

Alain Clerc
Executive Secretary