Technology for People:

Extending Digital Power to Everyone

Right now, thousands of people around the world are learning something brand new. They are learning that they are grandparents for the first time. That volcanoes formed the earth's mountain ranges. That they have won the big contract. They are learning things that can alter the course of their lives.

This is the power of technology and the skills to use it. It's a power that everyone deserves, but not everyone has access to. At Microsoft, we believe one of our most important contributions is to help bring about the day when everyone does.

Partnering with governments, universities, communities, and schools around the world, Microsoft shares in an ongoing, comprehensive commitment to promote digital inclusion, and to help expand access to technology tools, skills, and innovation. Together, we plan to help almost a quarter billion people previously underserved by technology join the ranks of the digitally empowered by 2010. With our partners, we've created and expanded initiatives such as:

Partners in Learning: Helping educators and students open new worlds

This global program provides government, community, and education leaders with the local resources they need to offer information and communication technology (ICT) training and curriculum leadership to primary and secondary teachers, and school leaders. This support helps teachers breathe new life into the curriculum, and helps students get more out of their lessons than ever before. The initiative is expanding rapidly, with active countries now including Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, Namibia, Honduras, El Salvador, and China, among others.

Local Language: Giving communities a voice in the digital conversation

Launched in March 2004, the Local Language program is a global Microsoft initiative to build partnerships with governments, universities, and local language authorities to develop language localization resources for commonly used software programs and operating platforms. For the first time in many communities, the language of computing can be their own.

Unlimited Potential: Providing the means to thrive

Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) is a global initiative focused on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills training through Community-Based Technology and Learning Centers (CTLCs). With a combination of grants and software donations, UP is helping local nonprofits and government agencies create opportunities that can change people's lives and transform communities.

Software Accessibility: Giving people the key

Despite incredible advances in innovation and the proliferation of personal computers over the past decade, 90 percent of the world’s population still lacks access to the technology tools they need to compete in today’s "knowledge economy." To address this issue, Microsoft is actively partnering with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and others to find innovative product and/or community investment strategies that can increase technology access and software availability for individuals and communities around the world.

Everyone has the desire to keep learning. The efforts above are just some of the ways Microsoft and our partners are striving to remove the barriers that would hamper them. So as you read this, someone is sitting in front of a computer for the first time, typing an e-mail. Someone else is seeing a software program in a language they finally understand. People are learning things. All in front of a piece of technology that connects them to the world in ways they can't imagine they ever lived without.