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Executive Champion: Mark Harris, IBM Corporation
Co-Champions:
Allen L. Hammond, The World Resources Institute
Stuart Hart, Cornell Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise
Linda Hill, Harvard Business School
Steve Kloeblen, IBM Corporation
Brian Trelstad, Acumen Fund
David Yaun, IBM Corporation
Learn more about these leaders and why they support this challenge.
Have you ever thought about changing the world? Or maybe just one continent at time? How about Africa?
Beginning in June 2007, IBM and its partners will convene more than 150 global thought leaders for several face-to-face sessions around the globe over a three month period. Why? To identify new opportunities to advance innovation and economic development for the people of Africa. From Nairobi to Beijing, from Atlanta to Cape Town, the leaders who will participate in these special Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) sessions are committed to identifying and acting on new frontiers in technology, business and societal advancement for the African continent.
Why does this matter?
Even in this era of global development and commerce, more than four billion people live on less than $5 per day. The needs at this so-called "base of the pyramid" are considerable... yet so are the opportunities. Philanthropy alone will not create opportunity. To drive economic development and to improve the standards of living for people in Africa, the private sector needs to get more involved to help develop local economies.
This is about business development, not charity
It's important to note that the GIO will not attempt to re-create or supplant the extensive range of charitable efforts already underway in Africa. Plain and simple, this is about using business opportunities to address key societal issues. While remaining sensitive to the realities of the complicated geopolitical issues or pervasive healthcare challenges facing the African population, we aim to fill gaps in the global conversation related to business and economic development in the region.
You can help
So what is there to think and talk about? Strategic partnerships. Business development. Policy enhancements. The role innovation — particularly in new business models and enabled by information technology — can play in advancing the African economy.
Use ThinkPlace to collaborate with other interested and informed people around the world to shape the agenda for these GIO sessions. Some questions to consider:
- How can global businesses best partner with local enterprises, universities and governments to build a better platform for economic growth and competitiveness?
- What policy initiatives, infrastructure investments and development programs can advance Africa's participation in the global economy? What specific opportunities are present in developing infrastructure for IT, communications, water and energy? What roles should micro-finance and lending play?
- Where should the focus be? In which areas should business leaders, policy makers, educators, non-profits and social entrepreneurs collaborate initially? What outcomes would best address the needs of those living in underserved communities and empower them to become financially self-sufficient?
- Are particular countries or regions in Africa emerging as bellwethers or key influencers for transformative innovation, and if so, why?
During this worldwide Challenge in May, more than 1,100 participants collaborated on 120 ideas. Seven of these ideas wer immediately added to the discussion agenda for the Global Innovaiton Outlook/Africa forum. Now Mark Harris, general manager of South Africa, has asked IBMers on the continent to keep the collaboration going. You can join them as this discussion continues to provide input for the in-person Global Innovation Outlook sessions through August 27, 2007.
What happens with the ideas?
The ideas from this unique and important ThinkPlace "Request for ideas" will be shared directly with the GIO team and its partners as they prepare the final agenda for their series of global discussions. You may even be given the opportunity to participate in further dialogue with the team or attend one of the in-person forums. Ideas will also be reviewed by the IBM World Development Initiative, an ongoing effort to identify new commercial ventures that will help drive positive change through economic development in under-served regions.
Your input can help improve the quality of life for many people in Africa. So share your best ideas today.
The GIO and World Development Initiative
Since its inception in 2004, the GIO has brought together more than 500 leaders from business, academia, government, venture capital, and NGOs to address pressing needs in areas as diverse as healthcare, the environment and the future of the enterprise. Outcomes have included breakthroughs in intellectual property policy, electronic healthcare records, mega-urban transportation management and leadership development programs.
The World Development Initiative represents the launch of a broader long-term commitment for IBM, designed to address the needs of long-underserved communities around the world. With our partners, we will search for ways to create solutions that advance local communities and society overall by providing sustainable roles for global businesses and local entrepreneurs.
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