Social Good Summit 2013 Announces New Speakers, First Group of “Keynote Listeners,” and Massive-Open-Online-Course (MOOC)

Al Gore, Amina Mohammed, Michael Elliott, Doug Rushkoff, Liba Rubenstein, Neil Blumenthal, Anthony Lake, Barbara Bush, Rajesh Mirchandani among leaders and innovators joining the #2030NOW global conversation

The Social Good Summit partners today announced details of three of the new components for this year’s program global event: the inaugural class of “Keynote Listeners;” a Wesleyan University massive-open-online-course (MOOC) inspired by the Summit; and the first-ever climate segment to be headlined by former Vice-President Al Gore, Chairman of the Climate Reality Project.  These elements will help build the global dialogue around the 2013 Social Good Summit’s #2030NOW theme, exploring how technology and new media are driving tangible innovation for a better world.  Together with a growing list of meet-ups being planned in dozens of cities around the world, the Keynote Listeners and MOOC will deepen the connection between those participating in the Social Good Summit from New York City and those participating remotely and via social media.

Inaugural Class of Keynote Listeners

For the first time ever, the Summit is teaming up with some of the world’s top global leaders to flip traditional roles played during various UN Week assemblies.  Amina Mohammed, the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Post-2015 Development Planning, and Michael Elliott, President & CEO of ONE, are among the first big names to join the Social Good Summit in New York City as the inaugural class of “Keynote Listeners.”  “Keynote Listeners” will spend time interacting with SGS participants, both in-person and online, to hear their thoughts about how we tackle our world’s biggest challenges.  “Keynote Listeners” will report their findings and reflections onstage at 92Y, offering their unique perspectives on the views voiced by the social entrepreneurs, innovators and young global thinkers at the heart of the Summit’s community.

The Social Good Summit has always been about people – and the conversation that happens onstage and online is about much more than just those at the top.  However, in order to elevate the voices of individuals participating from all around the world, important players on the world scene need to commit their mentorship and voices as megaphones for global change.  The 2013 Social Good Summit Keynote Listeners aim to accomplish this and more for the Summit community.

First-Ever Climate Segment & New Speakers

On the second day of the Social Good Summit (September 23), Former Vice-President Al Gore, and The Climate Reality Project will host the Summit’s first-ever segment of the program dedicated solely to climate and environment innovation.  Players such as Steve Howard (IKEA), Kandeh Yumkella (UNIDO), Parker Liautaud (polar researcher), Jody Williams (Nobel Laureate) and more will join this portion of the agenda to bring to light cutting-edge campaigns, technologies and digital solutions that are propelling a new generation of thinking around how we tackle climate change.

Also added today to the 2013 Social Good Summit roster is an important line-up of entrepreneurs, experts and innovators including:

• Doug Rushkoff, Author

• Anthony Lake, UNICEF
• Matt Wallaert, BING
• Barbara Bush, Global Health Corps
• Neil Blumenthal, Warby Parker
• Rajesh Mirchandani, BBC
• Maranda Pleasant, ORIGIN Magazine
• Ned Breslin, Water for People
• Pat Christen, HopeLab
• Anastasia Khoo, Human Rights Campaign
• Matt Mahan, Causes.com
• DJ Spooky, Artist
• Liba Rubenstein, Tumblr
• Elise Pearlstein, Participant Media

Launch of the Social Good Summit-Inspired Massive-Open-Online-Course

In an effort to share and develop the lessons learned at the 2013 Social Good Summit, 92Y and Wesleyan University are joining to create an online course inspired by #2030NOW. The “How to Change the World” MOOC will be formally introduced at the Summit by Wesleyan President, Michael Roth.  Each class will begin with a segment from the 2013 Social Good Summit and will be facilitated by Michael Roth, using input from a variety of others including Wesleyan professors.  The MOOC will be available later this year on Coursera.

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Mashable

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92nd Street Y

92Y 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, 92Y enriches lives, creates community and elevates humanity.  More than 300,000 people visit 92Y in New York City annually and many more connect through digital and social media, live webcasts of events, and an extensive archive of stage programs and original content produced for the web, all available on 92YOnDemand.org.  A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and enthusiastically welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit www.92Y.org

Sarah Morton, smorton@92Y.org, 212-415-5435

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.

Joshua Lamont, jlamont@unfoundation.org, 202-887-9040

United Nations Development Programme 

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

Boaz Paldi, boaz.paldi@undp.org, 212-906-6801

Ericsson

Ericsson is a world-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 40 percent of the world’s mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers’ networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscriptions. We are more than 110,000 people working with customers in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2012 the company’s net sales were SEK 227.8 billion (USD 33.8 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

Kathy Egan, kathy.egan@ericsson.com, 212-843-8422

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

media@gatesfoundation.org, 206-709-3400