WSIS & SDG TalkX Webinar
Title: The Power of Connectivity and Digital Tools for Small Businesses
Date: 27 June 2023
Time: 9:30 EST / 15:30 CET
Host: Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs
Session Description:
The session will center on the importance of connectivity and digital tools for empowering MSMEs, and the current work of the Broadband Commission on this topic. As Co-Chairs of the Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs, representatives from GSMA and ITC will introduce the background and motivation for the creation of the Working Group. In anticipation of the group’s report launch this September 2023, Co-Chairs will highlight the major challenges experienced by MSMEs and the need to advance the digital inclusion of MSMEs. Working Group members will present case studies that exemplify how multistakeholder collaboration is key to empowering entrepreneurs. Finally, we will hear a first-person experience from a small business on how connectivity and digital tools have changed their business for the better.
Speakers:
- Ms. Sulyna Abdullah, the Interim Executive Director of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development
- Mr. James Howe, Head of Digital, Markets and Connectivity, ITC
- Mr. Melle Tiel Groenestege, Director Digital Inclusion Policy & Advocacy, GSMA
- Mr. Michael Kende, Chair of The Board of Trustees, Datasphere Initiative
- Mr. Angelos Munezero, Public Sector Digitization Analyst, Ministry of ICT and Innovation in Rwanda
- Mr. Akeel Khalid, CEO, Vceela
- Ms. Sylvia Achebet, Executive Director, Masha Quality
- Ms. Neha Gandhi, Director SME Segment, Public Sector, Mastercard
June 27 - MSME Day
The United Nations General Assembly designated 27 June as “Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day” to raise awareness of the tremendous contributions of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to the achievement of SDGs. MSMEs account for 90% of businesses, 60 to 70% of employment and 50% of GDP worldwide. As the backbone of societies everywhere, they contribute to local and national economies and to sustaining livelihoods, in particular among the working poor, women, youth, and groups in vulnerable situations.
The Broadband Commission is committed to advancing connectivity for MSMEs. Broadband Advocacy Target 6: Get MSMEs Online aims to reduce the number who are unconnected by 50% before 2025. View progress towards achieving this goal here.
Are you an MSME with an inspiring digitalization story? We want to hear from you! The Broadband Commission is seeking submissions from MSMEs worldwide whose businesses have been impacted by digitalization. Let us know how the use of digital tools and connectivity has allowed you to grow your business. On MSME day we will celebrate individuals and initiatives that inspire, mobilize, and connect people to advance progress on the Broadband Commission’s Targets and Sustainable Development Goals
About WSIS&SDG TalkX:
The WSIS&SDG TalkX is a platform, both virtual and physical, dedicated to sharing experiences and inspirational stories about ICTs for development (implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for Development) by stakeholders all over the world. The WSIS TalkX was initiated during the WSIS Forum 2019 and at the request of stakeholders as a continuous virtual series since April 2020. More than 30 physical and virtual sessions have been conducted, which have all been adapted to podcasts and are available to listen and download at WSIS TalkX Podcast. The WSIS TalkX this year have been conducted in a virtual format where WSIS stakeholders have highlighted their linkages with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs, in particular, in relation to the global response to COVID-19. The interactive talk series is also an opportunity to hear from the globally recognized WSIS Prizes awardees, as well as from the partners of the WSIS Forum.
