Rio+Social Announces New Speakers: Entrepreneurs, UN Leaders and Global Advocates Join the Social Good Discussion

The partners organizing Rio+Social – the interactive event and global conversation about the intersection of social media, technology and sustainable development – today announced the addition of new speakers to the already impressive lineup for the event.  Rio+Social will take place June 19 alongside Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, and is being organized by the United Nations Foundation, Mashable, 92nd Street Y, Ericsson, Energias de Portugal (EDP) and LiveAD.  The event will feature high-level conversations among global leaders and influencers representing digital media, technology, the private sector, philanthropy, the United Nations and civil society, on how we can harness social media to shape a sustainable future.  Rio+Social will utilize social media platforms to bring the conversation to a global level through an interactive online discussion in the lead-up to the event and open live-stream on the day of the event.

The following new speakers will lend their voice and expertise to the conversation:

•    Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women
•    Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
•    Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Founder, Pvblic Foundation; Developer of Public-Private Partnerships
•    Ricardo Guimarães, CEO and Founder, Thymus Branding
•    Kate James, Chief Communications Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
•    Anthony Lake, Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
•    Ronaldo Lemos, Creator, Overmundo, Director, Center for Technology and Society, Fundação Getulio Vargas
•    Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Member, The Elders
•    Matthew Shirts, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic Brazil

Rio+Social partners today also announced a special “Elders+Youngers” panel, where members of The Elders Gro Brundtland and Mary Robinson will join youth from Brazil, China, Nigeria and Sweden in an intergenerational discussion about the future of our planet.

These new additions to the line-up join previously announced speakers Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson; Ted Turner, Founder and Chairman, UN Foundation; Pete Cashmore, Founder & CEO of Mashable; Fabio Barbosa, CEO, Abril Group; and Dr. Gro Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-General Emeritus, World Health Organization; Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Explorer and Founder, Plant a Fish; Luciano Huck, TV Host & President, Instituto Criar de TV, Cinema e Novas Mídias; Florian Jürgs, Co-Founder and CEO, and Thorsten König, Co-Founder and CMO, Kuuluu; António Mexia, Chief Executive Officer, EDP; Maura O’Neill, Chief Innovation Officer, USAID; Rene Silva, Founder, Voz das Comunidades; and Leonardo Tristao, Business Director, Facebook Latin America.

The discussions at Rio+Social explore the new role of social media and technology in sustainable development.  Digital advancements have contributed to increased awareness and more effective calls-to-action worldwide.  Rio+Social invites everyone to participate in the Rio+20 conversations and, more importantly, encourages a discussion about solutions and how people everywhere can get involved.

Registration is now open for Rio+Social at www.rioplussocial.com.

For more information on Rio+Social, including how to get involved in the global community that has already come together to discuss technology, social media and how to solve global problems, visit www.rioplussocial.com.

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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 its 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
Mashable is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable’s 20 million unique visitors and 6 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities.

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 its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and enthusiastically welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. 92Y is an open door to extraordinary worlds.

Media Contact:  Amy DiElsi, 202-492-3078; adielsi@unfoundation.org