Out of 200 companies, Samsung Electronics has been ranked 7th in the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA)’s 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark, according to an official blog post. The WBA consists of 200 global, regional, and local organizations committed to shaping the private sector's contribution to living with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The WBA evaluates companies on seven factors, including human rights, the environment, and digital inclusion. The first WBA Digital Inclusion Benchmark was conducted in 2020. In 2023, Samsung was recognized for its ongoing efforts to promote sustainability, improve access to technology, enhance digital skills, foster trustworthy use, and innovate both openly and ethically.
Samsung's overall contribution to the development of skills and innovation was appreciated
The WBA also appreciated Samsung for its inclusion of accessibility features such as the avatar-based Sign Language Guide in its latest TVs. This helps users with visual impairments understand the menus much better. The Korean giant also disclosed the economic value it generated among stakeholders and calculates its sustainable value creation.
Moreover, the company is also engaged in promoting digital skills at all levels and increasing school connectivity. Samsung partners with the local government, administrations, and non-governmental organizations. The company's flagship, ‘Samsung Innovation Campus' provides technical training programs for unemployed youth and has been running since 2013, and the Korea-based ‘Samsung SW Academy for Youth' provides technical training and has nurtured their capabilities as software developers since 2018.
Samsung also contributes to tech innovation with its programs such as the C-Lab and Samsung NEXT programs outside of Korea. The main aim of these programs is to foster the startup ecosystem with the help of accelerators and incubators.