Accelerating the SDGs: Qualcomm Collaborates for Greater Impact
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be achieved with strong global partnerships and cross-sector cooperation. That’s why SDG 17 (Partnerships to Achieve the Goals) may be the most powerful one---aiming to revitalize collaboration between governments, the private sector, nonprofits, and other organizations to tackle our world’s most pressing global issues. And with COVID-19 affecting all nations and income levels, the importance of multinational and cross-sector collaboration has never been more evident.
Qualcomm believes in the power of collaboration. We embrace SDG 17 and the opportunity to work with organizations to expand our impact in our local communities and across the world. We do this by funding existing initiatives, providing opportunities for our employees to make a difference on the front lines, and spearheading cross-sector partnerships that push the needle on sustainable development.
In our local San Diego community, we collaborate with Kitchens for Good, an organization that provides healthy meals for families in need, as well as workforce training for individuals overcoming histories of incarceration, foster care, and homelessness. In August of this year, for example, through our San Diego Employee Giving Committee, Qualcomm volunteers helped pack 1,000 meals, and Qualcomm Foundation’s financial support helped Kitchens for Good relaunch its apprenticeship program to prepare individuals for meaningful careers. With Qualcomm's support, Kitchens for Good will increase its meal production by 30% this fiscal year, distributing 288,000 meals to food insecure families who have been impacted by the pandemic.
We have also provided financial support to the Saint Joseph Social Welfare Foundation (SJSWF) for more than a decade. This organization educates and empowers people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan, which supports SDG 4 of inclusive and equitable quality education for all. This year, we sponsored the Service of Transporting bus for people living in remote areas, providing transportation to and from SJSWF so they can attend courses that will improve their lives. In addition to ongoing sponsorships, Qualcomm employees have volunteered with SJSWF since 2009.
Through our “tech for good” program, Qualcomm Wireless Reach, we have worked with more than 650 NGOs, universities, government bodies, and nonprofits to bring advanced wireless technologies to underserved communities globally, enriching lives through programs that strengthen economic and social development. One example is our Mobile Money Hubs collaboration with Hapinoy, a micro-enterprise development program that empowers female entrepreneurs in the Philippines through 3G-enabled smartphones. After the shock of the pandemic, the program pivoted to a fully digital operation and developed an online recruitment platform, Hapinoy TV Live. This initiative has already engaged 500 entrepreneurs, with plans to ramp-up the recruitment drive while further deepening online training and community engagement.
As demonstrated through these collaborations and countless others, Qualcomm supports SDG 17’s call for global solidarity to accelerate our progress towards a more sustainable future. Whether it’s introducing technology that tackles global challenges, inspiring the workforce of tomorrow, or creating social impact programs, we recognize that collaboration is critical to the success of our business and the world. By working together, we can make a positive difference for decades to come.
