Madrid. Telefónica moves forward in the consolidation of its global Innovation and Talent Hub as a great reference of the new digital reality and with the purpose of projecting its reach beyond technology, to transform people’s lives. Promoting digital skills with a focus on employability through innovative, inclusive and quality education is a crucial vector to respond to the challenges of progress and welfare, and this is where Fundación Telefónica stands as the cornerstone of the double challenge of boosting employability and preventing the digital divide from preventing access to education for the most vulnerable.

Fundación Telefónica is integrated into the strategy of the Global Innovation and Talent Hub, which as a result of the implementation of the strategic plan of the operator on its way to the New Telefónica, now takes another decisive step after its launch in October last year as a global commitment to the new needs of the digital society.

The Chairman of Telefónica, José María Álvarez-Pallete, assumes the Presidency of Fundación Telefónica and launches an ambitious plan to accelerate the impact of the Foundation in the new economic and social context and position it as an innovative leader and reference.

In this new phase, Fundación Telefónica will promote digital capabilities to create a better world, with a focus on employability for the groups that need it most, fostering powerful and innovative flagship projects, building on existing initiatives and ensuring their scalability and sustainability over time.

“Employability training emerges as an issue of particular relevance in the context of the digital disruption we are experiencing given its great social impact, and in which Fundación Telefónica already has a solid starting point and differential capabilities. Education, driven by digitalization, not only adds but multiplies the possibilities to democratize access to knowledge and so that anyone can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the future,” said the Chairman of Telefónica. “We are living in the most transformative era in the history of humanity: technologies such as fiber, 5G, edge computing, cloud, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have changed people’s lives, paving the way towards the metaverse or web3, and have also changed the way work is performed. Now we must ensure that this transition to work is good for everyone through training, with new learning models, a human dimension based on values and responsible leadership such as that exercised by Telefónica and its Foundation. We must train to transform,” he added.

A great man for a great company

Álvarez-Pallete praised the figure of the former head of Fundación Telefónica, César Alierta, who is stepping down as Chairman at his own request and continues as a trustee of the institution and as Chairman of Fundación ProFuturo: “César Alierta is a key figure for Telefónica. It is impossible to understand what Telefónica and its Foundation represent without understanding who César Alierta is, his unique way of being and his unwavering commitment to society. His past, present and future contribution is vital to continue building this great collective dream that we call Fundación Telefónica. Our gratitude is matched only by our admiration for his work. He has made a great company great”.

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation has accepted the resignation of César Alierta and has unanimously joined in recognizing him as “a unique figure, with a tireless capacity for work and key to having reached the highest levels of excellence, and who will continue to contribute to keeping Fundación Telefónica at the forefront and to transforming people’s lives with his unparalleled professional and personal contribution to the institution”.