Vision - January/February 2009 - (Page 44) to communicate with people anywhere. Because I now can communicate easily, I have been able to build a network of partners who have helped me find better information and materials to build my windmills. I also have connected with potential customers for my windmills.” Kamkwamba believes that, “If Malawians have greater access to mobile phones and other consumer electronic technologies, they will be able to build useful networks,” which will provide better access to information. In turn, “That will help Malawi’s economy to grow [and] … enable businesses to grow and contribute to Malawi’s development.” Ecosystem: Profits in Mind Electronics opportunities in Africa, South America, the Asian sub-continent and other regions once called “third-world” are a result of the growing penetration of both telecommunications infrastructure and specific devices, observes Eric Nonacs, managing director for global affairs at Endeavour Financial, a Vancouver, Canadian firm. “Despite the commonalities in …different countries, it is evident that one size does not fit all.” — Craig Barrett seek “to create businesses that are sustainable,” Nonacs says. Nonacs has worked on international projects intended “to get the private sector more engaged.” He notes that companies are feeling pressure from the bottom up as well as requests from governments. “Any company that operates in the developing world has to show that its presence in a community is yielding more positive benefits than before it was there,” Nonacs adds. With that directive, companies are making more strategic investments to support technology in emerging regions. Whereas they once might have funded clinics or schools, now they work with local communities to create Internet infrastructure, including mobile networks. “Government has asked them to fund more micro-financed [ventures] to supincreasing access to and use of technology through public-private partnerships. “Despite the commonalities in …different countries, it is evident that one size does not fit all,” says Barrett, who is also chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT (information/communications/ technology) and Development (UNG@ ID). “Individual governments should look at successful models in other countries, [seeking] how best to adapt these models to their specific circumstances.” In particular, Barrett cites the need for an “enabling environment,” which he characterizes as one with competitive telecommunications markets. These are necessary, he says, “to allow for affordable Internet access” and provide “flexible, technologyneutral radio spectrum policy that can spur competition by allowing breakthrough wireless technologies to enter the market.” In keynote remarks prepared for the 2009 International CES session on Technology and Emerging Countries, Barrett challenges the business community to collaborate and use its technology expertise “to inspire and empower the billions of people who have recently joined the world’s free economic system.” “Technology is a tool to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges related to healthcare, education, economic development and the environment,” he notes. Barrett encourages companies to help people “cope with real world challenges — such as climate control, reducing our use of energy consumption or growing more food.” Barrett also calls for the reduction or elimination of tariffs and taxes on ICT products, observing that “widespread usage “Investors look at each venture as a development project.” — Eric Nonacs Nonacs, who is also a senior advisor to the William J. Clinton Foundation, emphasizes the importance of the “ecosystem” to support the digital services. Nonacs credits a new breed of “philanthrocapitalists,” who have promoted technology deployment as a development tool, not merely a charitable effort. The terms “social entrepreneurs” as well as “philanthrocapitalists” were popularized in the book Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green. “Investors look at each venture as a development project,” Nonacs says. “They know capital is needed,” and they approach new services expecting to generate financial rewards. “They view themselves as financial backers, not merely [suppliers] of grants or donations.” As a result, they port local businesses,” Nonacs says. “In order to get a cell phone company to grow, you need capacity and building assistance. You need technical assistance that sometimes comes from outside suppliers.” Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett adds a similar perspective, citing a threepronged process that includes investing in education and training, establishing policies to create a supportive environment and “Creating the Global Tech Ecosystem” is the centerpiece of a 2009 International CES session at which Michael Fairbanks, Kazi Islam, William Kamkwamba and Kentaro Toyama will participate. Moderated by Eric Nonacs, the panel complements keynotes by Intel Chairman Craig Barrett and Cisco Chairman/ CEO John Chambers, who will discuss how technology can advance economic growth. The Friday afternoon program is part of the second annual CES “Technology and Emerging Countries” (TEC) program. 44 January/February 2009 www.ce.org http://www.ce.org
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