Archive for category: Technology

Information and stories about technology news.

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How Technology Transformed Moldova

Technology Transformed MoldovaThe Republic of Moldova has dedicated much effort to reaching developmental sustainability since its inception in 1991. After decades of struggles and considerable overlapping crises over the past few years, the nation is one of the poorest in Europe. The country’s progress towards addressing its more in-need residents has come under stress from the pressures of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine; demanding new avenues of development to keep the nation afloat- such as increasing investment in a tech-led future.

In the past decades, the country has come to focus heavily on its investment in tech sectors. Technology transformed Moldova, providing blueprints the government is still actively pursuing. With the influx of roughly 113,000 Ukrainian refugees into the country since the start of the war, those tech-focused initiatives and aid programs are going to become essential in the decade to come. Moldova is in a unique position as far as countries struggling with high levels of poverty go, as the country boasts a developed technological infrastructure, with 3G coverage in more than 99% of the country and 4G coverage in more than 95%. Moldova has the foundations to build measures that can affect all the country’s needy.

2020 Digital Moldova

In 2013, the Moldovan government pledged to implement a comprehensive development initiative for the nation called “Digital Moldova 2020” to foster sustainability in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. By enhancing national Internet coverage, facilitating access to new government digital services and ensuring stable Internet connections, the program has yielded significant returns in providing Internet accessibility to those who can leverage its benefits. With 98% coverage across the country, Moldova is well-positioned to capitalize on the advantages of digitization. This includes collaborations such as its partnership with the US-based “Betterthancash,” a G20 partner, which aims to simplify and digitize government payments for the economically disadvantaged population in Moldova.

Technology transformed Moldova and its infrastructure to such a degree that in 2023, the Ministry of Economy revealed its extension to push the achievements of the digitization efforts further up to 2030. Plans are now being laid down to create digital channels between the friction points of communication between citizens and the authorities, services, or companies. All are improving the viability for digital-reliant companies to expand within Moldova and even creating the opportunity for a “Digital Education” focused program. Lacking digital education is a vulnerability that has become apparent following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Energy Poverty

Following the occupation of Ukraine, inflation rose to 34% in August 2022 and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has reported more than 60% of the country is living with “energy poverty” stipulations despite all the progress of the “digital Moldova 2020” strategy. Hence, the Moldova government birthed the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund, leveraging EU partners and rapid development provisions to compensate those most affected by these compounding challenges. Thanks to these efforts, the UNDP observed significant improvement over 2023, with a 43% reduction in energy poverty and 83% of natural gas bills covered within the fund.

Education

Improving technological infrastructure has profoundly affected the education system, with the EU presenting digital laboratories for schools, offering more opportunities for future generations. Further, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has worked to set up ambitious EDUTech laboratories across 81 schools. With the provision of modern equipment and IT lesson plans, UNICEF hopes to open avenues into STEM fields for the nation’s young and learning for the displaced refugees who have had their lives halted by the conflict in Ukraine.

EU4Molvoda has invested heavily in tech-powered infrastructure improvements, too. This includes providing IT equipment to 15 kindergartens in the Chaul and Ungeheni Municipalities. Additionally, they have established a new water supply network in Ugheni, ensuring safe drinking water for more than 24,000 people. Moreover, EU4Molvoda has set up temporary refugee shelters with light generators, heaters and electric fans, all in pursuit of reinforced sustainability in the face of Moldova’s modern crises.

Final Remark

The Republic of Moldova has been placed under many compounding crises in recent years. The rapid development of modern technologies and their intelligent implementation has allowed the country to withstand and even build up. Reacting to the refugee crisis and accepting targeted aid has provided opportunities for rapid development, empowering the country’s youth and relieving people experiencing poverty. There is a long way to go for the nation, notably being one of the poorest countries in Europe. Still, with increasing commitments to Technology-led 2020, the Republic is poised towards a technology-transformed Moldova.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Technology Reduces Poverty: Jeremiah’s Magic School Bus

Technology Reduces Poverty“At the Age of 25, I got to know about computers and ever since it has impacted my life in a very remarkable way.”Jeremiah Cooper is a post-war survivor of Liberia and these were his first words to The Borgen Project during an interview in early 2024. He faced harrowing trials throughout his life, but those experiences only encouraged him to be a positive force in the world.

How Technology Reduces Poverty

Many studies have tackled the correlation between poverty and access to technology and the results indicate that access to the internet and poverty rates are directly associated. Technology reduces poverty, at least when that technology provides access to the Internet. That association goes as far as the life expectancy of a given household. The Rockefeller Foundation concluded that even a small bump in Africa’s access to the Internet evolved into a considerable improvement in the country’s economy.

Knowledge Is Power

However, the Internet is not the only barrier to economic improvement in poorer areas. The knowledge to use that access to further one’s goals is essential. The World Bank found that the number of people using the Internet provided to them decreased in 2021. More than half of Africa now has Internet access, yet less than a quarter of the population uses it.

This is where intervention occurs and this is where people like Jeremiah Cooper step in to help. Cooper is the founder of the New Breed Tech Hub. He used his technology to reduce poverty and improve life. He eventually built a computer lab, believing that digital education would help his community help themselves.

“Knowing how to use basic computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, the internet browser and other basic digital literacy skills and tools has greatly empowered me over the years, ranging from applying for mini-grants to a fully funded Mandela Washington fellowship.”

Bringing It to the People

However, Cooper discovered a problem with his initial operation. “I still found out that there were lots more women and youths who desired to attend our computer classes, but our location was a little bit too far for them and it would cost them a lot more money in transportation to attend our classes at our computer lab.”

A taxi ride in Liberia can cost as much as $2 per mile. At best, the average household below the extreme poverty line survives on $1.9 daily. A taxi ride costs their entire daily living wage. It is just not equitable.

Never one to give up or let his hope diminish, Cooper found a solution. He built a mobile computer lab to bring technology to the people. “It would be costly to operate multiple computer labs at different locations. It was then that I started to think of converting a yellow school bus into a mobile computer lab.” Cooper has helped more than a thousand people since beginning this venture, but he is unsatisfied. He wants to help more. He is focused on expansion, working on the belief that technology reduces poverty and access is the largest barrier towards long-term economic growth and, in turn, freedom for his home and his people.

– Antonio Muhs
Photo: Flickr

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The Rise of Digital Adherence Technologies for Tuberculosis

Digital Adherence TechnologiesAccording to a report by the World Health Organization, more than 80% of tuberculosis (TB) cases and deaths were associated with low and middle-income countries in 2022. Common poverty conditions, such as crowding and inadequate ventilation, were found to contribute greatly to its spread. 

To treat tuberculosis, patients are required to undergo months of antibiotic therapy. Directly observed therapy (DOT), is a widely employed strategy that relies on confirming patient adherence to treatment protocol, where health care workers observe patients taking anti-TB medication. However, DOT requires significant time and resources for health care providers and patients. Digital Adherence Technologies (DATs), on the other hand, are digital tools (internet, phones, computers, or detectors) that allow patients to take their medication at their convenience while adherence is relayed to healthcare providers without direct observation. As a modern strategy to combat TB, DATs can help affected individuals and families from a wide range of income levels by reducing implementation costs over time.

Types of Digital Adherence Technologies

Several types of DATs can be implemented to improve TB treatment outcomes:

  1. Medication sleeves/labels are a form of custom packaging on fixed-dose anti-TB medication that contains a unique code the patient can use to report adherence. After removing a pill, the patient is required to call a toll-free phone number or send a free SMS message to submit the code and prove daily consumption. This DAT was first implemented in India and is now used throughout Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Tanzania and Uganda. 
  2. Equipped with a sensor and mobile data connection, Smart Pill Boxes alert healthcare providers to patient medication adherence whenever they are opened. This DAT includes features such as a rechargeable battery and a LED and/or speaker to enable reminders and has been implemented in 20 countries with varying income levels, including Brazil, Mozambique, and China.
  3. Video Supported Treatment (VAT) requires patients to use a secure remote application to record then upload videos of themselves ingesting medication that the provider can later access. This DAT has been implemented in 17 countries, spanning across Asia and Africa.

DATs have varying costs, levels of accessibility and ease of implementation. Poverty, resource limitations and insufficient infrastructure can pose challenges to implementing these technologies. Medication sleeves require phone access and communication infrastructure to support phone calls or text messages. Smart pillboxes require adherence platform access but are user-friendly and work with various pill types. VATs require phone access, mobile data or Wi-Fi and an in-country server to store video files yet are considered suitable for use with different drug types.  These requirements help determine the logistics of implementing a DAT for a specific country.

Implementing Digital Adherence Technologies

The Stop TB Partnership and the ASCENT Project are two organizations among many that continually research and implement digital adherence technologies for tuberculosis treatment. The Stop TB Partnership funded the implementation of medication sleeves and video-observed treatment in Nigeria, where tuberculosis rates are high, from October 2021 to August 2022. According to a December 2023 report, more than 7,600 patients received digital adherence technologies through this project. Patients achieved success with a medication sleeve called 99DOTS, but limited access to smartphones and network difficulties hindered the success of video observed treatment. The project highlighted the importance of digital adherence technologies with low technology requirements, especially in remote locations. 

In 2021, the ASCENT project, organized and funded by Unitaid, began implementing smart pill boxes and medication sleeves in Ethiopia, a low-income country with a high tuberculosis burden. The project provided more than 4,000 people with DATs. In November 2023, the ASCENT team reported broad acceptance of the technologies among patients with tuberculosis, high national support, and concerns regarding costs. The project also revealed ways leaders could improve and increase the use of digital adherence technologies in Ethiopia in the future. 

Conclusion

Digital adherence technologies offer several strategies to support tuberculosis patients through months of medications. Implementing these tools in areas of poverty presents challenges to overcome, including limited resources and frail infrastructure. To this end, organizations will continue to implement, research, and improve the use of DATs for tuberculosis treatment around the world.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Poverty With Data in Africa

Fighting Poverty With DataThe digital revolution in the 20th century brought a host of sweeping changes to the way populations live and work. Among them is the importance of data in addressing global challenges, such as poverty. Data provides the basis for informed decision-making and bridges the gaps to solutions for those most impoverished.

Data in low-income countries is typically collected through in-person household surveys that are on paper, extensive, often costly and infrequent. Organizations throughout Africa are partnering on projects that strive to change that. Here are four projects fighting poverty with data in Africa.

Open Data in Sierra Leone’s Mining Communities

Mining communities in the West African country of Sierra Leone are vulnerable to extreme poverty. The diamond mining industry in Sierra Leone generates hundreds of millions of dollars; however, there is a lack of transparency regarding the allocation of these funds. Evidence suggests that a significant portion rarely returns to local communities, highlighting issues such as a lack of oversight in the sector and inadequate compensation for the labor involved.

In 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched the Disclosure to Development “D2D” Sierra Leone Project to tackle the lack of data surrounding mining revenue flows. The project seeks to address this issue by forming partnerships with local government agencies and engaging local individuals interested in data collection. The IFC aims to utilize the collected data to create markets and opportunities for the local community.

Boosting Data Accumulation in Kenya

In 2007, the World Bank collaborated with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to improve data collection to bolster development. In 2019, they improved data collection efforts from a 15-year gap between population reports to a quarterly gap. This included technical assistance to create an online archive for the government, transitioning over from pen and paper. KNBS also implemented several surveys to ascertain updated labor and poverty statistics quarterly.

The frequent dissemination of results also boosted the Kenyan economy by providing more frequent and reliable financial metrics for figures such as GDP. Although the data collection project concluded in 2020, the World Bank reported in Nairobi in 2023 that the Kenyan government is actively working to ensure that the benefits of the partnership’s progress are equally distributed among the poor and vulnerable populations.

Data Collection Framework in Madagascar

Data and Evidence to End Extreme Poverty, a consortium of universities and governmental organizations, developed Measurement Indicators for Resilience Analysis (MIRA) as part of their central mission in fighting poverty with data in Africa. MIRA is a data collection framework that collaborates with community members who take surveys via mobile applications. The data collected measure factors such as the persistence of natural disasters and statistics contributing to a household’s resilience.

This gathered data is then provided to relief organizations serving the populations most affected. Using low-cost, platform-based systems and relying on “enumerators,” who are locals from within the community of focus, the data is updated monthly. This frequent updating ensures the availability of actionable information for communities and organizations seeking to provide support.

Multilateral Data Project in Mozambique

In 2022, the African Development Bank (AFDB) and the World Bank’s Geo-Enabling Initiative extended membership of their Remote Appraisal Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (RASME) project to Mozambique (the sixth African country to join). With Mozambique’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, the program launched with the capability for both online and offline usage in remote areas using satellite and smartphones.

RASME allows for more timely and accurate monitoring of multilateral AFDB initiatives in Mozambique, focusing on wide-ranging sectors to help the population. These include “agriculture, transportation, water, sanitation, energy, communications, mining and finance.” Beyond helping the populations in these areas, the partnership has resulted in more than a billion U.S. dollars of investment into Mozambique.

Final Remark

As the digital revolution continues to progress, the necessity for timely and accurate data collection to increase solutions and aid for the areas that are most in need cannot be under-appraised. From protecting local populations to creating multilateral economic opportunities, data collection can have positive impacts on countries that need it most.

– Ava Johnson
Photo: Flickr

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UK AI for Development Program

UK AI for Development Program Aims to Boost AI Benefits in AfricaOn November 1st and 2nd 2023, the United Kingdom (U.K.) in collaboration with a host of different international partners, such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the government of Canada and local partners in Africa launched the U.K. AI for development program. The initiative unveiled at the AI safety summit at Bletchley Park, seeks to utilize AI to alleviate some of the most salient challenges felt by developing nations, harnessing this technology to speed up drug development, tackling food insecurity and using cutting-edge technology to create a more equitable and prosperous future.

The U.K. AI for development program pledged £80 million to be able to achieve its goals with the U.K. providing £38 million worth of funding to tackle the aforementioned issues and to spur technology-led innovation within the African population, facilitating long-term development.

Tackling Food Insecurity

Sub-Saharan Africa experiences the most severe effects of undernutrition, with some countries seeing a regression in nutritional improvements contrary to global trends, including rising cases of conditions like stunting. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have significantly hindered progress in addressing food insecurity. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains, while the conflict has driven up global food prices. Additionally, climate change with its most acute impacts in the global south, threatens food security by disrupting the factors necessary for food production.

U.K. AI for development program will aid in alleviating these challenges by integrating AI into Sub-Saharan African practices, in which farmers are generally operating through non-mechanized practices. The introduction of AI will allow for the uptake of the different facets of ‘precision farming’ which allows for more food production through the reduction of wastage and accurate allocation of resources, more reactive and informed planting decisions with regards to conditions induced by climate change, the reduction of inputs (conservation) and improved market efficiency and technology such as geographic information systems, microcomputers, and global navigation satellite systems to inform the farmers on optimal seed selection, crop rotations, irrigation and various other decision processes in the production process.

AI-led soil fertility measurement systems can identify yield-limiting factors, guiding farmers on the optimal locations for planting crops to maximize production and advising where to avoid planting until chemical balances become more favorable. Moreover, this boost in production can complement AI-based market tools that enhance communication among market participants. As a result, consumers gain access to more affordable and diverse food options, while reducing wastage that often results from overestimating market size. Together, these innovations contribute to mitigating the factors that lead to food insecurity.

AI for Development: Medical Innovation

In part, £100 million in funding will be used to accelerate the use of AI in health care and medical sciences. AI when used in conjunction with medical practices can have significant positive impacts on tackling disease, hospital function and inefficiencies in drug development, all of which contribute to mortality rates, disability rates and hospitalization all of which have the potential to stifle the prosperity of a nation.

Through the U.K. AI for development program, Africa can benefit, by reducing the traditionally protracted timeline associated with drug production, which is typically 10-15 years and costs approximately $2.5 Billion. Furthermore, Africa is primarily an importer of foreign medicines, relying on Asian-made supplies, but utilizing AI will allow these barriers, such as the high cost to be reduced and so will allow Africa to participate in the pharmaceutical development process.

Additionally, health care services can access crucial patient data in a more streamlined, contextual and timely manner. Efforts are underway to facilitate remote consultations via AI, especially in rural areas where distances from health care facilities pose challenges.

Technology Fluency and AI Innovation

The U.K. AI for Development Programme acknowledges the critical role of African nations in the discourse on AI and its future. It mirrors the U.K.’s aim to use AI as a ‘force for good.’ Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, emphasizes the power of inclusivity. This approach enables Africans to transition from merely consuming high technology and AI to producing it. The initiative specifically aims to ensure that at least five African nations become influential in the global conversation about AI.

They must be able to keep pace with this AI ‘revolution’ and not fall victim to previous lags in technological advances due to a lack of local capacity and knowledge, to be able to experience self-determined social growth. Examples of how this will be achieved are through investment in post-graduate study programmes in Nigeria and the provision of locally focussed data sets which are open to use for the country.

Leap Forward in Sub-Saharan Africa

The U.K. AI for Development program, in collaboration with African partners, recognizes the essential criteria for the success of AI technologies: relevance, affordability and usability within the communities they aim to benefit. By actively engaging with local organizations that share their vision, the project is significantly enhancing technological literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative stands as a beacon of innovation, demonstrating the profound impact that tailored, accessible AI solutions can have in transforming lives and fostering sustainable development across the region.

– Tevin Muendo
Photo: Unsplash

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Tech Firms Take On Poverty

Tech FirmsOver the last three decades, technology has profoundly influenced our lives, with a handful of tech firms, notably Alphabet and Meta, attaining substantial profitability. These companies play a pivotal role in shaping the future through technological advancements. However, their philanthropic endeavors, aimed at contributing to a better future for all, often go underappreciated. These are examples of how the cornerstones of modern-age technology firms are alleviating poverty.

Alphabet (Google)

As the leading powerhouse in the search engine industry, according to Forbes, Google has established itself as the second-largest brand in the world while turning in $279 billion in revenue as of 2023. Google has been actively involved in philanthropic initiatives through Google.org, its charitable arm established in 2005. The organization has engaged in various poverty alleviation projects across the globe. Google.org has invested more than $250 million into closing educational gaps worldwide, especially in impoverished areas. This includes supplying technological resources to facilitate learning, a collaboration that extends to partnerships with entities like Khan Academy.

Furthermore, the organization has contributed to economic empowerment across countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa by supporting those who suffer from systematic barriers as small to medium-sized business owners. One of Google’s more recent contributions is a $5 million grant provided to underserved businesses worldwide during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Google.org is an example of how technology firms are alleviating poverty by supporting various communities. This support includes ensuring access to education and fostering financial stability, which helps to lift households out of poverty.

Meta

Recently rebranded from Facebook, Meta holds significant control over media consumption through platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. The multinational technology company has expanded its philanthropic efforts through the founders, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Having pledged to donate more than 99% of their fortune throughout their lifetime, estimated to be around $45 billion, the couple established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) in 2015.

The initiative has become an important player in lobbying U.S. legislators, leveraging its substantial funding to address social issues on a global scale. Furthermore, it has given away more than $4.9 billion in grants to various nonprofit organizations globally, with a keen focus on medical research, which can positively contribute to impoverished communities across the globe by improving living standards.

CZI contributes significantly to the fight against poverty by making global venture investments in emerging companies. These investments aim to alleviate poverty through research and innovation, particularly in the discovery of new techniques to establish food security and ensure equal access to education on a global scale, leveraging the power of technology.

While it may be challenging to entirely separate the philanthropic motives of tech firms from their corporate social responsibility branding, potential tax breaks and other benefits, it is nonetheless encouraging to see these companies actively alleviating poverty through generous donations and efforts aimed at creating positive change.

– Matthew Fung
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Fourth Revolution – Cambodia’s Digital Innovation

Cambodia’s Fourth Revolution- The Age of Digital InnovationPrime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia at the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in September 2023 stated “My government is committed to taking transformative actions…The five key priorities are people, roads, water, electricity and technology – especially digital technology to address the fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation of Cambodia’s economy.” Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of Cambodia’s digital innovation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

History and Economic Situation

With a tumultuous history of civil war, political unrest and economic instability under the regime of the Khmer Rouge, the Kingdom of Cambodia has tackled the aftermath of genocide with years of widespread poverty and injustice. Within the last two decades, however, Cambodia has developed exponentially, sustaining an annual economic increase of approximately 8% between 1998 and 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

While this indicates Cambodia’s desire to leave history in the past, radical socioeconomic transformation is being implemented through the government’s Pentagonal Strategy to achieve the U.N. SDGs by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.

Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy

For the first time in two decades, Cambodia’s economy contracted at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In response, the nation has pledged to diversify its economy through the implementation of phase one of its Pentagonal Strategy. This plan focuses on growth, employment, equity, efficiency and sustainability. A cornerstone of Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is to roll out initiatives at the local level. These initiatives aim to encourage Cambodia’s digital innovation and entrepreneurship, modernizing the rural landscape and paving the way for a more resilient and diverse economic future.

Cambodia has made remarkable strides in reducing poverty, cutting the rate of those living in multidimensional poverty from 36.7% to 16.6% in recent years. Despite these achievements, a significant gap persists between rural and urban areas, positioning Cambodia at the brink of transitioning from least developed country (LDC) status. In the country’s poorest regions, many people still depend on subsistence farming for their livelihoods, with agriculture comprising 39% of total employment in 2021. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges and the critical need for targeted development strategies to bridge the urban-rural divide and foster sustainable economic growth across all communities.

This government incentive has created significant opportunities for technological development, positioning Cambodia’s startup and tech ecosystems as some of the fastest-growing markets. When startup enterprises and technological advancements receive adequate resources, they can profoundly impact rural communities. Here are two examples of initiatives that leverage digital technology to fuel Cambodia’s fourth industrial revolution, demonstrating the potential for innovation to drive sustainable development and economic growth in even the most remote areas.

Tap Effect

According to a report given by the World Bank in 2022, only 29% of Cambodia’s population has access to safely managed drinking water. Tap Effect is a Cambodian-based tech startup and social enterprise providing clean and affordable water to underserved rural and semi-rural communities. Tap Effect’s mission is to bridge systemic barriers often associated with clean water such as expensive set-up and maintenance costs by overseeing the entire value chain from installation to remote management. Their ethos views water supply as an ongoing process rather than a one-off installation, with their pioneering model combining technology, engineering and finance.

One water system can sustain up to 10,000 households while ‘Internet of Things’ technology allows for remote monitoring. Tap Effect’s first project, completed in 2020, covered the communes of Kouk Ballangk and Sambuor and provided clean and affordable water access to 19 villages and more than 14,000 people, including 12 schools and two health care facilities.

The BlocRice Project

The BlockChain project BlocRice was pioneered in Cambodia by Oxfam in partnership with Amru Rice, the largest producer and exporter of organic rice in Cambodia. The BlocRice project’s vision aims to bring greater representation to organic rice farmers in Preah Vihear Province who experience a living income gap of 31%. BlocRice introduces an app that enhances the connection between rural farmers and international exporters, offering a platform for farmers to access information about price fluctuations and the international value chain.

Historically, many farmers have lacked the knowledge and resources to negotiate effectively with middlemen, often resulting in underpayment and continued poverty. By implementing blockchain strategies, the BlocRice project aims to ensure transparency and traceability throughout the production chain. It provides digital access to contracts and payments, helping to prevent the exploitation of farmers in rural areas and promoting fair trade practices. This initiative represents a significant step toward empowering Cambodia’s agricultural sector in the global marketplace.

A Digital Future

Cambodia’s march toward a digital future sheds light on its dynamic socioeconomic and political landscape. Concentrating on bridging the rural-urban divide, the successful implementation of the Pentagonal Strategy will bolster Cambodia’s economy through collaboration with stakeholders, private and public investors. Additionally, closing the technology gap empowers the most vulnerable—those living in poverty—by leveraging digital solutions to foster a more equitable and sustainable future. This approach not only strengthens the national economy but also ensures that technological advancements benefit all segments of society, paving the way for inclusive growth and development.

– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Flickr

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Technology in Vietnam: How Vietnam Made Progress on Poverty

Technology in VietnamFollowing a 20-year war that decimated Vietnam’s economy, the country has dedicated the past 30 years to economic recovery. In 2021, through reforms, innovation and placing technology as a core element, Vietnam managed to directly whittle down the percentage of its population classified as living in “Extreme Poverty” under the Multidimensional Poverty Index from 49% to 4%. Here are some ways Vietnam is utilizing the modern world to address poverty.

Supporting Entrepreneurs

Despite significant progress, the effects of poverty continue to disproportionately affect individuals belonging to “Ethnic Minority” groups in Vietnam, highlighting this as a crucial area for development in the ongoing fight against poverty. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), an agency of the United Nations dedicated to assisting countries with their efforts to combat poverty, initiated a project called the 4M (Meet, Match, Mentor, Move) Solution to help female Vietnamese ethnic-minority micro-entrepreneurs expand their business through match up with e-commerce partners. This program has yielded positive results, with about 100 cooperatives experiencing a minimum 30% increase in revenue, benefitting more than 13,000 women.

Betting on Production

Vietnam, despite having a relatively low urban population proportion (38% as of 2021), has achieved impressive technology adoption with a remarkable 70.3% internet penetration rate. This achievement can be attributed, in part, to affordable data plans that keep costs low. However, one challenge remains: limited internet coverage for individuals living in extreme poverty.

These advancements align with the country’s pursuit of an “Industrial Revolution 4.0,” driven by a wholehearted embrace of modern technology and its economic potential. Strategic policies and tax incentives have positioned Vietnam as a regional hub for technology and semiconductor manufacturing. As a result, several major global corporations have relocated their production facilities to the country, contributing to significant GDP growth. With an expanding GDP, living standards are on the rise, and workers are securing higher productivity jobs, leading to improved income levels.

Insuring Infrastructure

Agriculturally, Vietnam heavily relies on the abundant production of rice crops, exposing farmers to the uncertainties of changing climate conditions and fluctuating government policies. The reliability of produce is further threatened by water scarcity issues, opening the way to solutions such as the Mekong Delta Smart Irrigation Project.

Through the utilization of high-tech sensors and water pumps that provide real-time feedback directly to smartphones, farmers can instantly check water levels and experiment with techniques to ration their resources. 

In one notable farming cooperative, ‘Phu Can,’ the implementation of supportive monitoring hardware has yielded positive outcomes,  allowing a similar produce of rice with 20% less water usage. This technological intervention serves to fortify the rice industry against the challenges posed by the evolving world.

Looking Ahead

Vietnam has borne the brunt of its economic downturn for decades, making the turning of its fortune largely carried on the winds of developing technologies and modern conveniences an inspiring narrative. The examples of successful implementation of modern technology in Vietnam stand as a testament to the broadening of opportunities for various minority classes. This approach has helped empower the underprivileged and safeguarded crucial agricultural produce from the unpredictable impacts of changing circumstances.

Vietnam has made significant progress in its fight against poverty, with the Multidimensional Poverty Index reaching a low of 4% in 2021. However, recent data from early 2023 suggests a rise to 9%. Nevertheless, the nation has a strong track record of commitment to systemic improvement over the past 30 years. This dedication spurs hope for continued progress in the ongoing struggle against poverty.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Unsplash

CodeBrave: Pioneering Tech Education to Empower Vulnerable Youth

Tech education in LebanonIn Lebanon, poverty has denied more than 30% of children access to quality education, trapping generations in an inescapable cycle. CodeBrave aims to disrupt this status quo by equipping youth with coding and tech skills to unlock their potential and agency to build better futures. Since its establishment in 2018, CodeBrave has partnered with community organizations across Lebanon to deliver TechEd classes to more than 1,500 vulnerable students aged 5-18.

The Impact of CodeBrave’s Curriculum and Partnerships

The curriculum strategically builds creative confidence and skills in addressing challenges via project-based learning. Students bring their interests and passions to the table, designing games, developing solutions for global agriculture or accessibility challenges and more based on what drives them. Divided across three age groups, the program systematically develops skills to prepare even the youngest minds for more advanced coding and robotics in the future. The foundation established in this program serves as a precursor to more specialized training, such as the two-week Web and Robotics Camp hosted by CodeBrave in the summer of 2022.

The Malala Fund and the Lebanon Family Planning Association for Sustainable Development (LFPA) partnered with CodeBrave to host a camp in Sour, Lebanon, welcoming 100 youth aged 12-18 from the city and surrounding areas. Students opted into one of two tracks. Younger participants delved into programming health Fitbits using Arduino boards and sensors, alongside exploring Agri-tech solutions to global challenges. Meanwhile, older students embarked on a project wherein they researched challenges in their local community, devised innovative tech solutions and designed their website. Camp results were resoundingly positive, with 98% of participants reporting increased confidence in coding abilities. Additionally, there were substantial improvements in technological literacy and roughly 95% self-reported significant enhancements in soft skills such as creativity, communication and problem-solving. The sheer fun and collaborative environment shone through with a 100% student enjoyment rating.

Supporting Psychological Safety and Trauma-Informed Education

CodeBrave is distinctly intentional about promoting psychological safety in its programs, given the trauma burdens facing many refugees and vulnerable Lebanese youth. Teachers receive dedicated training in trauma-informed educational practices to nurture each child’s unique potential. In addition, the organization has established a tech education project at Dar Al Awlad residential shelter and school in Beit Mery, a town in Lebanon, teaching approximately 50 students aged 11-18 two coding classes weekly. Dar Al Awlad is a nonprofit initiative providing accommodation for up to 32 Syrian and Lebanese youth severely affected by conflict in the area. Reigniting the innate love of learning in students dealing with trauma and instability takes special care and skill – this is at the heart of the CodeBrave approach.

Empowering Youth Through Scholarships and Entrepreneurship

CodeBrave also runs an annual scholarship program for youth aged 14-18, supporting them to advance their skills. In the most recent cohort, 20 scholars constructed websites, developed gaming applications, crafted professional portfolios showcasing their talents and benefitted from one-on-one mentoring in design, coding and entrepreneurship. Several secured competitive internships at tech firms and even founded their own enterprises post-graduation. The open-ended nature of the program enabled highly motivated teens to customize their experience based on personal objectives – whether launching startups, progressing to higher education or charting their vision as changemakers.

CodeBrave’s Continuing Journey

In just five years, CodeBrave has made a profound impact in Lebanon, reaching over 1,500 youth and delivering more than 50,000 teaching hours. With 53% of its participants being young women and girls, CodeBrave is contributing to diversity in the tech sector. The organization continues to lead the way in tech education, equipping children with more than just coding skills. By fostering creativity, confidence, and problem-solving abilities, CodeBrave nurtures the agency of youth to carve out their destinies and become architects of their futures.

-Haniya Rahman
Photo: Flickr

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Innovation and Technology in Nicaragua

Technology in NicaraguaThe nation of Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with almost 25% of families struggling below the extreme poverty line living off less than $1.25 per day. With more than 1.3 million citizens suffering from a lack of economic opportunity, access to decent health care and roadblocks to change, the country’s trajectory is in a downward spiral. However, the modern face of innovation and technology has provided opportunities for specialized groups to have a real effect on many contributors to national poverty.

Tackling Teen Pregnancy

In Latin America, the number of teen pregnancies (between the ages of 15 and 19) are some of the highest percentages in the world. In 2019, that recorded statistic reached as high as 83.3 cases of pregnancy per every 1,000 women. These pregnancies and the rise in STIs associated with them, when occurring within low-income families, present challenges to the medical, social and economic positions of those affected, further inflaming already struggling families and limiting future life opportunities. 

Sometimes, prevention of teen pregnancy altogether can be as simple as reaching out to and educating teens on safe practices, which was the goal of Teen Smart International’s (TSI) program in Nicaragua. In 2019, TSI developed information packets (micro-messages) delivered through email and mobile apps — delivery venues frequented by the demographic in question. As of 2022, efforts saw as many as 50,000 teens engaged with the online program over the three years, with 98% reporting being satisfied with the results, presenting a viable avenue for improving the education and eventually even the lives, of Nicaragua’s youth.

Technology in Farming

As an agriculturally reliant country, many of Nicaragua’s poorest families have to weather the many challenges and developing complications of fishing and farming, from water scarcity to market and environmental instability, to keep themselves fed. As of 2022, 16.78% of the country’s GDP could be attributed solely to the agricultural sector, necessitating efforts to empower struggling farmers.

Non-Profit International Development Enterprises (iDE) tackle these areas by addressing road bumps on the path to climate sustainability and providing technology to smooth them over. It established ‘iDEal Technologias’ in Nicaragua to directly support the various small farms of Nicaragua and keep them sustainable across competitive and unforgiving markets. Smart application of technology and innovation in Nicaragua, such as providing low-pressure irrigation systems combined with long-term consultancy, helps bridge the gap between what these farms need and what they can feasibly acquire as poor farmers. The iDE, in particular, has managed to seriously transform the lives of the farmers they work with, increasing the annual profits of their partners and reinforcing opportunity and the broader economy. 

Expanding Health Care

Health Care has remained a point of contention for Nicaragua’s developmental goals throughout most of the 2000s, with limited hospital coverage, lack of general health insurance and a high poverty rate limiting access to potentially life-saving medication and even just enough to keep children from suffering the effects of malnutrition. Advancements to the health care system can come slowly in Nicaragua, but the aftermath of COVID-19 helped spur efforts to preserve vaccines. 

A vaccine storage center opened in Nicaragua, funded with foreign investment from the governments of Canada and Japan, the GAVI alliance, PHAO and UNICEF — providing storage for vital vaccinations that support 30% of the country’s population. With these upgrades to technology and innovation in Nicaragua, the country’s health care can work better to promote the immunization of children and pregnant women and provide a buffer in the event of any viral outbreaks in the future.

Poverty statistics have improved steadily over the past decade. With the rigors of creative innovation and the utilization of modern technology, we have started to see further improvements in addressing pain points, which is key to dealing with the causes of poverty in Nicaragua. The trick is bridging the space between modern technology’s benefits and the feasibility of bringing these tools to developing countries and solving that the biggest hurdle to overcome is the joining of technology and innovation in Nicaragua for the future.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Flickr