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6 Awesome Moments from the Social Good Summit

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the Social Good Summit over the past three years. Every year, I’m more excited than the last, including walking around the office humming, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” before this year’s Summit.

With the Social Good Summit in full swing last week I was in awe of all the people that made their way through the registration table. I was even more surprised to hear many of those same registrants ask for me by name.

Fall, my favorite season, is officially here (at least in my hometown of D.C.). I love the crispness in the air, the colorful leaves, and cozy sweaters. Most of all, I love the feeling of “change” everywhere. This fall, the United Nations Foundation is embracing the season of change with three exciting initiatives to give everyone, everywhere the chance to make a difference in their community and around the world.

While a lot of important news has been coming out of the United Nations General Assembly lately, there is one story that may not make the front pages, but should be at the front of our minds: the health of women and children around the world.

As the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced last week, news outlets widely covered the impassioned speeches of world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama. But have you heard what other U.S. officials were talking about in New York during UNGA? Here are a few highlights.

As recent events unfolded in the Middle East and across the globe, it gave me pause to think about the thousands of citizens who serve our country in the Foreign Service at home and abroad. These individuals play a vital role in the diplomacy efforts of the United States, yet their contributions go largely unnoticed and unrecognized…unless something extraordinary, or in this month’s instance tragic, happens.

“Personally I had to fetch water every morning before going to school… There are girls that live in rural areas where there is no water at all and they have to walk…perhaps the whole day looking for water…This one issue keeps them out of school.” – Maame Yankah at the Social Good Summit

Sometimes you don’t have to eavesdrop to hear what’s going on in conversations around you. In fact, sometimes you are invited in. This took place both online and offline today during Social Good Summit Day 2, and I am grateful I got the chance to hear, and engage, in some great exchanges.

Mobile phones, social media and other technologies are changing the way humans connect to each other; they’re also changing how we support one another. Today, the United Nations Foundation is launching the Global Good Challenge – an innovative digital initiative that asks people to “donate their voices” by taking action and engaging their online networks to help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, from malaria to child marriage to child mortality.

Yesterday’s kick-off of the Social Good Summit was a buffet of great ideas and inspiration. The people on the stage were incredible, but what happened inside and outside the room made it remarkable. A friend of mine remarked, “This place is like a power-list of people who believe in progress.” Agreed.