Simone Amber, co-founder of Fab Lab Connect, is attending the high-level gathering “Sustainability Development Goals on Innovation and Technology” at the United Nations today.
Central points expressed at the SDG Innovation event are aligned with core of the School Fab Lab platform. Ms Ambers reports: “I am thrilled to see that what we have been focusing on in our School Fab Labs is considered some of the most important points, including Education, STEM, Inclusive technology access, Disadvantaged communities, Women/Girls should not be left behind, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Training for the jobs of tomorrow, Accelerating pace of change.”
Below is a summary of the key points discussed.
Opening remarks by Miroslav Lajack president of the UN general assembly:
- Work together using the frame of SDG
- Fair access for all especially the young generation
We need to:
- facilitate dialogue between innovators and government
- transfer innovation
- support collaboration
Key note Reid Hoffman, founder of Linkedin
Massive innovation needed and has to be shared to address the SDG
Answers are:
- Networks
- Entrepreneurship
- To create new business models
- Networks: UN can connect networks
- Allow transactions in a trusted way not only governments but all players
- Entrepreneurship: will bring new ideas and opportunities for profit, social entrepreneurs and intra entrepreneurs
Marc Benioff, CEO and founder of Salesforce, in conversation with Ashish Thakkar, founder of Mara Group and Chair of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council.
- Artificial Intelligence AI revolution will disrupt our lives and businesses.
- Africa where Ashish is from said that it has great opportunity to leapfrog because they start from a clean basis.
- It is critical that technology is shared equally around the world.
- They discussed if AI should one of the SDG because of its importance.
- Salesforce supports its communities through employers volunteering in schools.
Panel discussion:
James Manyika, Chairman, McKinsey Global Institute
Kersti Kaljukaid, President of Estonia
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark
UAE
Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman Mozilla (Firefox)
Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chair of Dangote Group
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and WikiTribune
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chair of Bharti Enterprises
David Wallerstein, Chief Exploration Officer, Tencent
How can governments and innovators work together?
Kersti Kaljukaid, President of Estonia: Estonia is the only country to offer services both public and private to its people 24/7. Asked about technology and inclusion, she said that “it is the washing machine that impacted more people than landing on the moon!” Really funny and true!
UAE put Innovation at the heart of its strategy and created a fund.
Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman Mozilla (Firefox) – They have given grants from their foundation to fund access networks, platforms to share and partnerships to support women’s engagement in Rwanda for example. Connectivity is old and needs to change. We need the government to change the regulations without stifling innovation.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chair of Bharti Enterprises – Technology is essential AI, VR etc., an essential force for good. Strong public private partnerships are key. Digital identity program in India, biometric based, was built locally and is cost effective. It covers 1 billion people and is common to different platforms like healthcare and banking.
Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chair of Dangote Group – In Nigeria, we cannot reach SDG without transparency, technology and collaboration with the government.
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and WikiTribune – Freedom of speech and asking about censorship in many countries.
High-Level Event on Innovation and Technology – Programme
Sustainability Development Goals on Innovation and Technology
Date: Monday, 18 September 2017 / Time: 10:30 – 13:00 hours / Venue: UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2
| 10:30 – 10:37 | OPENING SESSION
Opening remarks by H.E. Miroslav Lajčák President of the United Nations General Assembly |
| 10:38 – 10:45 | Keynote Address by Reid Hoffman, Founder and Chair of LinkedIn |
| 10:46 – 11:00 | Marc Benioff, CEO and Founder of Salesforce in conversation with Ashish Thakkar, Founder of Mara Group and Chair of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | PANEL DISCUSSION
How can governments and innovators effectively partner in solving pressing global challenges? · H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia · H.E. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark · Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman Mozilla (Firefox) · Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chair of Dangote Group · Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chair of Bharti Enterprises · Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and WikiTribune Moderator: James Manyika, Chairman, McKinsey Global Institute |
| 11.30 – 12.50 | INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE
What needs to be done to co-create innovation hubs in diverse countries and transfer skills from current epicentres, such as Silicon Valley, to the rest of the world and vice versa? Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers, CEOs of leading technology companies, thought-leaders, and UN entities will each speak for 3 minutes from the floor. This will be a vibrant interactive dialogue. Strictly no prepared statements RESPONDENTS: Baker, Hoffman, Manyika, Mittal, Wales, and Badr Jafar CEO Crescent Enterprises Moderator: David Wallerstein, Chief Exploration Officer, Tencent |
| 12:50 – 13:00 | CLOSING |
