Is there life-after-death for the dot.com revolution? Yes, if the continuing flow of initiatives from ICT companies is to be believed. Now, old economy companies should reexamine the role they can play.
IBM is boosting interest and enthusiasm for science among young people based on a new interactive website launched on November 15. Tryscience.org offers access to interactive exhibits and multimedia adventures for young people, as well as science education resources for parents and teachers, in partnership with 450 science and technology centres in 42 countries. IBM is donating Tryscience kiosks to 20 science museums across Europe. These will enable young people to access services such as online polling and a multimedia science programme through live webcam feeds.
IBM is also sponsoring ITbeat, a UK government initiative to encourage young women to get involved in careers in IT, launched on November 7. The scheme is employing female role models currently working in IT, from companies such as Sony Music and Yahoo!, to inspire the younger generations. IBM also celebrated the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the disability and technology charity, AbilityNet, on October 31. Contact Mark Wakefield, IBM, on 020 7202 3608 ( http://www.ibm.com)
Cisco launched its first Networking Academy programme in Afghanistan at the University of Kabul on October 10, working in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Networking Academies, which now extend to 145 countries, aim to teach students about building and maintaining computer networks. The programme provides web-based curriculum and online management tools, along with the necessary hardware. Over 260,000 have enrolled worldwide since the scheme’s launch in 1997. In Jordan, the company has succeeded in encouraging women to participate, with female students taking more than six out of ten (63%) of the 600 places available. Ten academies have opened in the country during 2002. Contact Wendy Awai, Cisco, on 00 971 4 331 8788 ( http://www.cisco.com)
Microsoft recently gave its voice to the debate around the potential contribution of digital technologies to a dynamic, innovative economy and inclusive society. The discussion was hosted by the IPPR, Forum for the Future, Demos, and iSociety on November 7.
The debate builds on previous discussions by companies such as HP, Barclays and EMI, which were among those demonstrating the synergies between e-business and sustainable development at the Beyond the Backlash conference hosted by the CBI and Forum for the Future. Delegates agreed that UK companies continue to lack understanding of how technology can be used to improve sustainability performance, and called for more research and better presentation of hard evidence demonstrating the link between the two. Contact Clare Bowers, Forum for the Future, on 020 7251 6070 ( http://www.forumforthefuture.org.uk)
Barclays is helping deaf students to acquire IT skills as part of a drive to combat high levels of unemployment among young people with a hearing disability. The TogetherITworks initiative, a joint partnership with the RNID, uses communication aides such as sign language interpreters and speech-to-text operators to help teach the students key workplace IT skills. The project took the award for the most impressive community service programme at the Institute of Financial Services’ financial innovation awards on November 28, sponsored by BT. Other companies investing in enabling technology include T-Mobile, which is launching a mobile communication package for deaf customers. BT also recently announced that it is developing technology with the RNIB that enables visually impaired people to send and receive text messages. Contact Moya Welsh, Barclays, on 020 7626 1567 ( http://www.barclays.co.uk)
Barclays is supporting a new email support service from the Samaritans, launched on November 27. The new service will allow people to contact the charity via completely anonymous and confidential emails, 24 hours a day. Contact Moya Welsh, Barclays, on 020 7626 1567 ( http://www.barclays.co.uk)
BSkyB is enabling local councils to offer services direct to constituents via digital TV as part of its UpMyStreet service. Contact Caroline Knight, UpMyStreet, on 020 7693 8000 ( http://www.upmystreet.com)
BT’s new online museum of telecommunications, which includes an education centre with school curriculum materials, was voted Interactive Project of The Year at the 2002 Sony Audio Visual Industry Awards on October. Contact Claire Morgan, BT, on 020 7356 5000 ( http://www.bt.com)
Shell is supporting a new website for young people starting up their own business. It includes up-to-date advice and information as well as an interactive learning section, an online library and a discussion forum. http://www.shell-livewire.org
The Partnership for Climate Action, made up of companies including BP, Dupont and Shell, has launched a website to publish their efforts in emissions trading. http://www.pca-online.org
The government is hosting a website aimed at providing information and teaching materials on the subject of citizenship. http://www.dfes.gov.uk/citizenship
Reuters is launching a site to share global news, communications and logistics services to the international disaster relief community and the public. http://www.Alert.net
The Washington-based Kenan Institute has set up a website to examine the role of public policy in promoting CSR. The site offers an overview of public policy efforts around the world, as well as a CSR calendar and general CSR news. http://www.csrpolicies.org
BP, ExxonMobil and Shell are sponsoring the launch of an internet portal to help people in north east England cope with change and make informed decisions on personal development, education, training, careers, and starting a business. http://www.where-now.org
The UN Global Compact has launched a new website to promote on-line consultation on good corporate citizenship and responsible globalisation, offering case studies and examples of global good practice. http://www.globalcompact.org/portal
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