Verizon: Putting Vision into Action

I have long believed that technology is the critical tool to achieve progress toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a leading technology and telecommunications company, Verizon puts this vision into action. We have made a multi-year pledge of $3 billion USD to uplift vulnerable communities, help close the digital divide, and contribute to the achievement of the UN SDGs. As part of this effort, we are providing 10 million youths with digital skills training, supporting 1 million small businesses with tech resources and tools and upskilling 500 thousand individuals with tech training, all by 2030.

Our significant investments in digital skills training through our transformative education program, Verizon Innovative Learning, have helped to build and administer technology integrated programs that develop digital skills for students and teachers. Since 2012, Verizon Innovative Learning has reached more than 3.1 million students and invested over $1 billion in market value to support STEM education. We are also investing in technology-focused career training for individuals who are facing job displacement due to automation. And we sponsor a number of programs designed to support small businesses as they navigate and compete in an ever expanding digitally-driven business environment. Programs such as Verizon Small Business Digital Ready give small businesses personalized tools to succeed in today’s digital world.

Through these efforts and partnerships with the UN Broadband Commission, Partner2Connect, and the World Economic Forum’s Edison Alliance, we can make a difference. Technology is the essential enabler of the SDGs and working together we can make the progress needed.