Live Below the Line is a great concept, and I’m glad to participate this week to support the Shot@Life Campaign. Think of it this way. Live Below the Line participants spend $7.50 total to eat and drink for five days. My grocery basket on Sunday night was filled with a loaf of inexpensive bread, peanut butter, two bananas, two boxes of pasta and a (half-priced) dented can of peas.
This past week at Mashable Connect, the UN Foundation’s Robb Skinner, 92Y’s Henry Timms and Mashable’s Stacy Green announced the exciting partnership that is bringing the world Rio+Social. This is a first-of-its-kind meeting that will bring social media leaders, UN leaders, pioneers in innovation and global thinkers into the same space to talk about sustainability, the future of world, and how we all can make a difference.
Students these days are great at memorizing dates, timelines, chemistry tables, and grammar. Both the students and our education system have become quite efficient at taking (or administering) tests well. The problem with this examination priority is simple: what we don’t need is a generation of test-takers. The world needs problem solvers.
Before finishing my breakfast this morning, I had read through the A section of the Washington Post, checked three cable news and network morning shows for major headlines, and read stories on six different news sites recommended by colleagues and friends via email and social media. By the time I go to bed tonight, I cannot tell you how many news sources I will have consumed.
I find the work of the United Nations inspiring. As a 23-year-old, I want my generation to understand the importance and significance of the UN and why it is a vital part of our world. Decisions made today will shape our future and I know the UN helps make all of our futures brighter. Join me and the Better World Campaign as we kick-off our new campaign – My World. My UN. We are starting a conversation about your hopes for a better world through the work of the UN.
Have you been keeping up with world news this week? Check out some of our favorite stories in this week’s “What We’re Reading” post.
As part of the itinerary in India this week, United Nations Foundation Board members participated in a televised conversation with one of the country’s leading journalists, NDTV’s Barkha Dutt. She interviewed UN Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner, Foundation President Senator Timothy E. Wirth, and Co-chairman of Infosys Technologies Kris Gopakakrishnan on issues ranging from the evolution of philanthropy, the role of the United Nations, and how partnerships and innovation are powering a more sustainable future for India.
Today’s speech by Melinda Gates at TedXChange is a bold and timely call-to-action on family planning. As Melinda rightly points out, there is no controversy about building better lives for our children.
As we prepare to return from India and the semi-annual UN Foundation Board meeting, I am struck by one of the themes that emerged from discussions this past week: the need for long-term investments in humanity. This is more than just a lofty phrase. It is a call for a fundamental shift in the way people think about philanthropy, partnership, and working with the United Nations.
With only a few days to go, I’m eagerly anticipating TEDxChange: The Big Picture and putting the finishing touches on my talk. The TEDx speakers I have watched online this year have certainly set a high bar.
