4.1) By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
In 2010, Ericsson partnered with the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Millennium Promise to launch “Connect To Learn,” an education initiative that has provided scholarships and ICT technologies to schools in remote, impoverished areas worldwide. The project has been implemented in 22 countries and has improved the lives of 50,000 students, especially girls. After deploying 5G networks to eight sites in Northern Ghana SADA with mobile operator Tigo, Ericson has launched Connect To Learn in all 11 of the Millennium Villages in sub Saharan Africa. In other parts of the world, Ericsson has partnered with Mobitel and Open University of Sri Lanka, Ericsson is also providing teenage girls in Sri Lanka’s farming communities with ICT and computer literacy education.
6.B) Support and strengthen the participation of local communities for improving water and sanitation management
In Nairobi Kenya, Ericsson implemented the “Citizen Field Engineer” project, an initiative that uses sensors to monitor water quality and supply which enables community residents to govern, maintain, and repair the physical infrastructure for water delivery. In exchange for their monitoring, residents receive mobile credits, thereby providing a financial incentive to continue with their water management.
8.10) Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
Ericsson has worked with public and private entities to improve mobile banking in developing regions. In 2014, Ericsson partnered with ASBANC, Peru’s National Bank Association, to develop the Mobile Money project, an initiative that would ensure financial inclusion for members of the unbanked population. Their user-friendly platform, termed as a “mobile wallet,” hosts a variety of financial and commercial services, allowing for banking, payments or remittances.
12.4) By 2020, achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
Ericsson offers free product take-back services in efforts to reduce waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Since 2005, the company’s ecology management program has taken back e-waste from over 107 countries and has significantly increased their product-take back and recycling levels. Ninety-eight percent of the materials from these products are recycled. In Ghana, Ericsson teamed up with mobile operator Airtel to recycle and dispose of e-waste, a significant concern of the country.
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16.1) Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
Teaming up with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), Ericsson promotes peace in conflict-prone regions through youth engagement. Ericsson and WPDI train young individuals in peaceful ways to facilitate change in their communities. Complimenting WPDI’s training in conflict prevention and reconciliation, Ericsson provides ICT training that helps youth stay connected and share their experiences while developing ICT skills for future employment. The program operates in South Sudan, Uganda and Mexico. In Tijuana, Mexico, WPDI launched the Harmonizer Program in 2014 with the hopes of curbing urban violence and conflict. Thirty-five Ericsson volunteers in Mexico are training the program participants in ICT and social media. To date, 34 youth have graduated with new skills in conflict resolution, leadership, and ICT usage. Harmonizer will expand to Mexico’s Chiapas state this year.