Independent examination and the role of an independent examiner
Microsoft opening address presentation 2010
1. Paul Tanner – Public Sector Director Microsoft Ireland
2. Community Affairs Mission To enable people and organizations in underserved communities to realize their potential through the power of technology.
3. Community Affairs Programs Microsoft has four main programs to deliver on our mission to help people and organizations around the world: Employee Engagement Local Initiatives Community Technology Programs Strengthening NGOs through IT Execution and evaluation of our programs is enabled through technology
4. Employee Involvement Employee Engagement 3 Days volunteering Fundraising events / Matching funds A key focus for the company
5. Local Initiatives Local Initiatives Action MS FIT Northern Ireland Silver Surfers Internet Safety Digital Literacy
6. Strengthening NGOs Through IT: Offerings Lead through Innovative Technology Global, strategic alliances with leading NGOs Citizenship NGO Engagement Large Strategic Grants Optimize Service Delivery NGO Connection Days NGO IT Network Partners: CTX, MAR Partners, NICVA etc Strengthening NGOs through IT Access Stable & Secure Technology NGO Connection Software Donations IT Skills Curriculum Hardware Access
7. Community Technology Programs Community Technology Programs Global IT skills training program Focus on employability and workforce development 1,000 NGO partners WW supporting 40,000 Community Technology Centers Over 120 million people reached in more than 100 countries since 2003
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9. Community Technology Programs Community Technology Programs FIT – Fast Tract to IT Serving the people of Northern Ireland
10. Microsoft Programmes available for NGO’s We would encourage you to have a look at our Microsoft Ireland Community Affairs Website www.microsoft.com/ireland/community to see how we are involved in the community and most importantly to see what help is available for you, through a number of programs that can give access to the following: ComputersSoftwareTraining
Local Initiatives: In addition to many of the WW corporate programmes we work very closely with many organisations to assist them achieve their goals and deliver their services to their end users.An example of some work we are doing locally is with Action MS (multiplesclerosis)The Action MS Digital Inclusion programme aims to stimulate and encourage individuals suffering with MS to become digitally and socially included. It benchmarks the individuals at the beginning and end of the project and assesses the difference that the computer and internet facilities have made to the lives of the candidates
Microsoft realized that many nonprofits have already embraced technology to improve their productivity and ease their constant struggle to do more with less. But today’s technologies have potential to go much further – the potential to enable nonprofits to achieve dramatically greater impact through new technologies, business & service models.Here’s a snapshot of what we are doing to help NGOs today:Microsoft is committed to playing a major role in each of these investment areas. Our strategy is built around (1) ensuringaccess to stable and secure technology for NGOs, (2) optimizing the delivery of IT solutions to this sector, and (3) helpingNGOs to transform their operations through innovative and appropriate use of technology. This approach allows usto offer a comprehensive set of services, products and tools that are relevant to the NGO and nonprofit community.Our mission is to partner with and provide NGOs worldwide with access to IT products, services, and locally-relevant resources to create economic and social benefits.(1) AccessSoftware, hardware & tools for secure IT foundation for further solutions/services. Msft donates US$400 million worth of software each year to help establish stable and secure IT platforms for over 30,000 NGOs ww.TechSoup is a Global non profit that offers NGOs donated & discounted technology products ww. Msft is the lead product donor as well as an advocate & funder for expansion of the TechSoup Global platform. Msft products are donated in 35 countries to Techsoup. I invite you to connect today with Techsoup’s partner in Northern Ireland -CTX – there are here today to walk you through how you can sign up to our Software Donation Program.We are also very appreciative of the work that Asset Management do in providing computers to NGO’s at a nominal price. They are one of our NI partners within the MAR program ( Microsoft Approved refurbisher)Msft NGO Connection Website assists NGOs in accessing & using technology including access to sw donations. It also provides case studies on how NGOs have implemented IT solutions to improve productivity and internal collaboration.(2) Optimize NGO Connection Days that bring together NGO leaders, industry experts to educate NGOs on technology and other areas - 40 events each year ww reaching 4,000+ NGOs. This is our first in Northern Ireland and we will plan to do more in the future. By working more closely (example of 2 recent workshops with NGO’s to identify their key tasks and then see how MS can assist them in achieving these) with partners such as NICVA today, MAR Partners and CTX and others we will continue to help you deliver efficient and effective services to your users. The key purpose of the NGO days are to strengthen partnerships between Microsoft and NGOs, as well as amongst NGOs, Building capacity of NGOs through training, Raising awareness of how NGOs can tap into Microsoft programs, tools and resources.(3) Transform Drive transformational change for scaled results through NGO alliances in key sectors e.g. disaster relief/humanitarian – Nethope 27 NGOs ww that work on disaster relief (including Save the Children, CARE, Oxfam, Concern).
Community Technology Programs:Global IT skills training programFocus on employability and workforce developmentTo enter workforce, advance, and start a businessWe have various initiatives run via our Unlimited Potential ProgrammeMicrosoft has developed training curriculum (such as the Digital Literacy curriculum available in more than 20 languages) to enable community technology centers, schools, and many other community programs leverage these to their advantageFY10 is about continued execution on skills training and the connection to employability. This has obviously never been as critical especially as we find ourselves in this tough economic climate.An example of this in action locally in Northern Ireland is with our relationship with FIT NI
What Is Microsoft IT Academy?The Microsoft IT Academy Program is designed for accredited academic institutions worldwide.The program provides educators with the tools they need to effectively train students on Microsoft technologies, prepare students for the global economy, and create a skilled community. This subscription-based membership program offers curricula, courseware, and online learning for students focused on a profitable career path, life-long learning, and Microsoft certification.Highlights of the program include:Access to a wide variety of Microsoft curricula and certifications Extensive teaching resources Microsft E-Learning courses for educators and students Software licenses for lab and classroom use A wide range of instruction, from computer basics to high-level programming and architecture Use of the Microsoft IT Academy logo and other marketing resources
Microsoft partners with the Fast-track to IT (FIT). FIT was set up in 1999 and focuses on supporting people who are unemployed in the long term to build new skills, primarily IT skills to get back into the workforce. We expanded the partnerships with FIT to Northern Ireland a few years now and we will hear from them just what this relationship has achieved. To date, FIT graduates have received qualifications in areas such as PC Maintenance and Servicing, Quality Assurance and Technical Support. Microsoft Ireland is represented on the Board of FIT and provides placement opportunities for FIT students, with terms running from three to eighteen months. Over the years many individuals have been placed with Microsoft as part of their training and qualification. Some of these placements have resulted in offers of permanent employment with Microsoft, but the learning opportunities provided by Microsoft to all the participants (technical training as well as assistance with writing CVs and interviewing skills) have contributed enormously to their success in building careers within IT. FIT celebrated its 10 year anniversary at an event attended by President Mary McAleese on December 4th 2009 in the Mansion House. Microsoft has provided FIT with extensive support over the past ten years – in the form of financial support, software donations and through the time of members of the team and the executive team. Fiona Mullan, HR Director, Microsoft Ireland is the Chair of FIT and invests significant time in helping the organisation grow and develop. Over the past ten years FIT has trained over 8,000 marginalised long-term unemployed people. Of those trained, 64% remain in full time employment.
Reference Asset Management - Our Northern Ireland MAR – MS Approved Refurbisher) as being a great partner in terms of access to computers.Hopefully throughout the workshops today you will get a great insight to what is available to you and leverage where possible