ST Foundation supports the use of ICT for Development and is committed to contributing a part of its budget to deserving NGOs active in this field as well as to experienced NGOs that have a significant impact for human development and progress in countries with precarious political and socio-economic conditions.
2007
In 2007, ST Foundation donated 50,000 USD to the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID).
This was done in the context of the Foundation’s membership to the Global Alliance and as a contribution to its mission of creating an inclusive global forum and platform for cross-sectoral policy dialogue on the use of ICT for enhancing the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, notably reduction of poverty.
In particular, the donation sponsored the GAID Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development, which took place in Geneva on September 24-26, 2007.
This event was jointly organized with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with other major United Nations organizations (ILO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, WHO, etc.) as partners and supporters. Other civil society organizations, such as CONGO, WFUNA, ICCC, ATHGO, TalkingItGlobal, UEF and EDC, among others, also contributed to the Forum.
The event allowed a precious opportunity for youth representatives from all over the world to get together with representatives from United Nations agencies, policy makers, civil society and the private sector and discuss issues dealing with ICTs and their application to development objectives in the area of education, health, entrepreneurship and governance, and brainstorm ideas for innovative solutions.
It highlighted the tremendous potential for the future of ICT-led development initiatives, particularly with a focus on youth, and allowed sharing of experiences and networking between different actors of such initiatives.
13,000 USD were exceptionally donated to the OMCT (Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture) in support of its effort in fighting against torture, summary executions, enforced disappearances and all other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
44,000 USD have been donated to the Swiss Red Cross in support of its relief effort in Bangladesh for the victims of the cyclone which struck the country in November 2007.