Announcing Rio+Social: Social Media & Technology to Take Historic UN Conference to a Global, Digital Level

As the world’s attention turns to Rio+20, the UN’s Conference on Sustainable Development taking place this June in Brazil, the organizations that produce the acclaimed Social Good Summit each fall in New York, announced today an innovative partnership and special event called Rio+Social.  Rio+Social will take place on June 19th in Rio de Janeiro alongside the historic Rio+20 summit.  The event brings together the United Nations Foundation, Mashable, 92nd Street Y, Ericsson, and EDP, to create South America’s first-of-its-kind in-person gathering and global, online conversation on the potential of social media and technology to power a more innovative and better future for our world.

Rio+Social will ensure that the dialogue about issues ranging from sustainable energy to poverty eradication move beyond the meeting rooms of the Rio+20 summit and into all corners of the world.  “Every minute, social media and technology are opening doors for new, young voices to participate in and shape the ongoing international development debate,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation.  “World leaders are listening, and better yet, working in collaboration with these #socialgood pioneers to change how we approach global solutions.”

In order to make this global dialogue possible, Rio+Social will draw from the successful model of the annual Social Good Summit, which for the last two years has broadened the conversation around UN Week like never before.  “In a time when there are so many global issues capturing our attention, social media gives us the opportunity to participate in as many conversations as possible,” said Pete Cashmore, Founder & CEO of Mashable. “Rio+Social will answer people’s call to be part of the conversation at of one of the most important UN summits.”

92Y, the host venue for the Social Good Summit, will continue its critical community-building role with its participation in Rio+Social.  “92Y has always believed in candid, thoughtful discussions about the most pressing issues of our time,” said Sol Adler, Executive Director of 92Y. “It is only through the rigorous exchange of ideas across social and geographical borders that our global community will find new solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. We’re honored to co-host in Rio the kind of conversations we’ve had in New York that have generated so much critical discussion.”

When the UN convened the first Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, technology played a minor role in setting global development agendas.  Twenty years later, the scene is completely different.  At Rio+Social, technology will be the principal driver for starting the conversation on 21st century sustainability issues.  Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson, said, “Mobile and broadband networks are the foundation of a Networked Society and this technology can play an instrumental role in addressing global sustainable development challenges. The billions of mobile subscribers worldwide make the largest social network in the history of mankind and have the power to transform the world and use technology as a force for #socialgood.”

With the addition of renewable energy company EDP to the line-up of partners, a major player in the world’s sustainable energy future will be added to the Rio+Social conversation.  Using cleaner methods to power our increasingly developed world is one of the UN Secretary General’s main priorities and will be a major topic of discussion at Rio+20.  Recognizing that, EDP CEO Antonio Mexia stated, “It is indisputably important that corporate strategies today strike a balance between economic, social, and environmental components while maintaining a strong commitment to innovation and increased competitiveness. EDP is fully committed to several sustainability projects that address access to energy needs in developing countries, fighting energy poverty, and developing local markets.”

The Rio+Social event would not be made possible without the support of the Brazilian business community. Rio+Social’s local communications partner is LiveAD, an innovative group dedicated to bringing new approaches to online engagement in South America and worldwide. Recently honored with a 2012 Facebook Studio Award, putting them at the top of their class for pioneering campaigns that forge new pathways in global marketing, LiveAD will ensure that Rio+Social pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital media space.

For more information on Rio+Social, including how to get involved, please visit: www.rioplussocial.com.

Tweet this: Have you heard? @unfoundation just announced Rio+social, part of @UN_Rioplus20 See how you can be a part of the action! http://ow.ly/9Eo75 

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About Ericsson
Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.  Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today more than 40 percent of the world’s mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers’ networks servicing more than 2 billion subscribers.  We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company had revenues of SEK 226,9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

About EDP
EDP – Energias de Portugal – is a global energy company engaged in the electric utilities and gas sector.  EDP is the thirst largest producer of wind energy in the world and, for the second year running, is the world’s leader in the electricity sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.  EDP Group today serves as a benchmark in the global energy market, as a result of it’s solid vision for the company and the sector and also a philosophy of growing integration and the pursuit of excellence that is firmly rooted in the EDP culture.

About LiveAD
LiveAD is a creative agency that believes in the potential of relevant contemporary ideas, enlarging them through the integrated use of digital media and PR.  It is currently working with the following brands: Nike, Doritos, C&A, Grendene, Multishow, Lacoste, Itau, Ketel One, J&B and Baileys. LiveAD is a member of the Society of Digital Agencies (SoDA), a group made up of the world’s key digital agencies.  LiveAD has been recognized on Facebook Studio Awards in 2012, Cannes Lions Festival in 2009 and 2010 and 2011 SXSW Interactive finalist.

About Mashable

Founded in 2005, Mashable is the top source for news in social and digital media, technology and web culture. With more than 50 million monthly page views, Mashable is the most prolific news site reporting breaking web news, providing analysis of trends, reviewing new Web sites and services, and offering social media resources and guides.

About United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach.  Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.

About 92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y is a world-class nonprofit community and cultural center that connects people at every stage of life to the worlds of education, the arts, health and wellness, and Jewish life. Through the breadth and depth of 92Y’s extraordinary programs, we enrich lives, create community and elevate humanity. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y’s New York City venues annually, and millions more join us through the Internet, satellite broadcasts and other digital media. A proudly Jewish organization since it’s founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and enthusiastically welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. 92Y is an open door to extraordinary worlds.