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Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions about e-inclusion.
Select a link for details:
What does HP mean by "e-inclusion"?
HP is committed to increasing access to information and communications
technology worldwide and closing what is referred to as the "digital
divide." We pursue this through an initiative called "e-inclusion."
HP's e-inclusion initiative seeks to empower individuals and communities
and to apply technology to improve the impact of economic development
activities. Our experience has proven that HP's technology products
and solutions can accelerate the development of societies and economies,
when applied to areas such as medicine, entrepreneurship, agriculture,
banking, distance learning, commerce, and cultural preservation.
Structuring our e-inclusion work to advance social and economic
development also accelerates achievement of some of our long-term
business goals such as market development. By empowering people
in developing communities, we enhance our own competitiveness -
creating innovations we would not have thought of otherwise, discovering
talent we never would have found, and spurring revenue growth as
we devise new business models to serve emerging markets.
What is HP's e-inclusion strategy?
Our e-inclusion strategy is grounded in collaboration with the international
development community and governments to realize the power of information
and communications technology (ICT) to stimulate economic growth.
We also engage in on-the-ground research and development with communities
to explore how ICT can improve their lives and co-invent solutions
to address their needs.
With an understanding of how the private sector can stimulate economic
growth and knowledge gained through interaction with these communities,
we are pursuing projects worldwide to incubate new products, solutions
and business models for underserved communities.
Ultimately, our goal is to leverage what we've learned from each
of these projects to scale and replicate specific programs globally
that will have the greatest impact on social and economic development.
Is e-inclusion a global HP initiative?
Yes, e-inclusion is a global initiative and programs and projects
aligned with this initiative are located all over the world -- with
a focus on local implementation. We deploy specific e-inclusion
projects in collaboration with local partners to address needs that
are specific to local communities.
In our model, communities embrace the efforts from the beginning
and develop plans to sustain those efforts after HP's commitment
is completed. Sustainability of the program is very important.
How are projects selected and solutions identified?
We identify international, regional and national non-profit
organizations and NGOs that are focused on increasing economic development
in underserved communities and then invite these organizations to
submit project proposals which are reviewed and evaluated by HP.
We select projects that have strong community leadership, potential
for reaching sustainability, solid program management elements,
and that are well thought-through. We look for opportunities to
make investments, not just donations.
What e-inclusion programs does HP currently have in place around
the world?
HP's e-inclusion efforts have evolved over the last four years as
we've recognized that aligning e-inclusion to HP's business objectives
allows us to have an even greater impact. What began as a broad
effort to apply technology to closing the digital divide, has become
focused on using ICT to accelerate enterprise and entrepreneurship,
and thereby stimulate economic growth.
In the spring of 2005, HP will launch a new e-inclusion program
focused on supporting the development of micro enterprises around
the world. This program will be an expansion of the U.S.
HP Micro Enterprise Acceleration Program. More details about
the new global program will be available at this website in the
March/April timeframe. Overviews
of past and current HP e-inclusion projects and programs are available
here.
Where in the world are programs under HP's e-inclusion initiative
located?
Please see our projects page.
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