In a world relentlessly pushing the boundaries of innovation and progress, we often overlook the fundamental principles that should underpin our technological advancements. Mrs Graça Machel’s illuminating address at the Rio Innovation Week on October 6, 2023, served as a poignant reminder of these essential aspects. Drawing from her remarkable experiences as a human rights advocate, Mrs Machel discussed the profound impact of social inequalities, technology, and innovation on accelerating inclusion while emphasising the critical issues of human rights, diversity, and gender equity in technology.
Graça Machel has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights for decades, becoming a respected and influential social and political justice figure. As she delved into the role and opportunities of technology and innovation for humanity, her wisdom and experience converged to focus on a crucial point: social inequalities, racism, and gender inequality are not only pressing issues in themselves, but they also hinder the progress of technology and innovation inclusion.
As technology and innovation continue to shape our lives, Mrs Machel reminded us of the urgent need to bridge the digital divide, especially now, in an era where access to technology is increasingly essential, we continue to witness disparities in access. In Brazil and other developing countries, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, mostly people of colour and women, are disproportionately excluded from the benefits and opportunities that technology brings. Addressing systemic equality will help address issues of access and reduce the digital divide.
Mrs. Machel highlighted the need to humanise economic development and technology through her experiences as a human rights activist.
“As we gather in Rio this week, we are on the cusp of a new frontier in technology – Artificial Intelligence. I am no expert on this subject, but I know this is a unique window of infinite opportunity or disaster for the human race, and we must evolve with respect for humanity at the centre of our innovations. We must have human rights, dignity and racial and gender equity at the heart of our ongoing race for modernisation and innovation. Let us not let technology overtake ethics.”
A vision for AI technology aligned with human values
Machel also underlined the benefits of inclusivity to the private sector: “Companies that champion diversity and inclusion are viewed more favourably by their customers and investors. This positive image can translate into increased brand loyalty and investment opportunities.” She also pointed out that companies like Salesforce, Microsoft, Siemens, and Unilever are committed to embracing diversity and inclusion. Such efforts can lead to social equity, innovation, resilience, and greater market expansion.
“It is our moral obligation to intentionally close the gaps in digital divides, ensuring that technology is a force for good that elevates the lives of every human being. This is not just a business imperative; it is a human imperative. Technology must be a beacon of hope that gives dignity to everyone, regardless of their origin and status.”
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.