South African gig technology company M4Jam, which provides a digital networking platform for workers in the gig economy, has won a World Summit Award (WSA) for its role in using technology with smart content to address global development gaps.
The WSA awards, which were founded within the framework of the UN World Summit on Information Society, recognise technology’s ability to solve social problems by enhancing equality, information access and inclusion. The winners are rewarded for providing meaningful solutions in bridging gaps that disadvantage local communities around the world.
In all, 40 solutions from 26 countries have been recognised as category winners in this year’s WSA awards, which drew together international experts from all regions and technological fields to select the winners. The final jury phase concluded with an on-site three-day meeting of 43 international high-level experts who were tasked with finding the most powerful and content-rich solutions for 2020.
“We are ecstatic to be recognised for our purpose-driven digital innovation, which is what the WSA awards are looking for,” says Georgie Midgley, CEO of M4Jam. “Digital technology is a double-edged sword that carries the potential to further entrench social inequality by allowing those with access to fast-track their education, skills and earning power.
“The positive side, which is what we have embraced, is its ability to quickly narrow the digital divide if made accessible to people who have even basic mobile devices and developed with social needs in mind.”
More than 180 UN member countries are eligible to nominate digital solutions which were developed within their borders and which address sustainable development through ICT.
M4Jam was nominated in the category of smart settlements and urbanisation for its focus on providing temporary and contract work opportunities to economically disadvantaged communities in South Africa Additionally M4Jam has been selected as the best and most innovative digital solution from the country.
“The WSA winners combine two major focus points – commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and solving societies’ issues with smart content application,” says WSA chairman Peter Bruck. “Evaluated by an international expert Jury in 2 stages – a multi-stakeholder college unique in terms of diversity and background – the 40 WSA Winners have been tried for sustainability, aim, technical and strategic finesse.
“This year’s challenges show more than ever how much digital means can offer progress and solutions and present a wonderful showcase of purpose-driven innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Owing to global Covid-19 restrictions, M4jam will receive its award during a virtual World Summit Awards Global Congress 2021 held from 22-24 March.
“This award validates our approach. We hope it provides further impetus for the rollout of socially and developmentally aware ICT that will help South Africa transition to a more digitally-driven society. Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s digital migration and we will need to keep innovating if we are to remain both competitive and on track for meeting our developmental goals,” says Midgley.
M4Jam’s WSA recognition follows another achievement in 2020 where The Fairwork Project, an international academic research organisation, ranked M4Jam in the top 20 globally for protecting its registered contract and temporary workers from the impact of Covid-19 on their livelihoods.
The Fairwork Project surveyed 191 gig economy platforms from 43 countries, meaning M4Jam placed in the top 10% of all digital platforms worldwide.