Social Good Summit Announces 2013 Dates, #2030NOW Theme

From September 22-24, the fourth annual Social Good Summit – a unique convening of world leaders, technology pioneers and grassroots innovators – will explore how today’s use of digital technology for social good can build a better future.  With 92nd Street Y in New York City as its base and introducing this year’s theme, #2030NOW, the summit will facilitate a global conversation and lively debate on the world we want in 2030 and how we unleash the next generation of innovation to make it a reality.

A unique mix of notable speakers will share their visions for the future.  This group includes individuals such as:

·         Pete Cashmore, Mashable

·         Helen Clark, UNDP

·         Dr. Jim Yong Kim, World Bank

·         Michael Roth, Wesleyan University

·         Hans Vestberg, Ericsson

·         The Climate Reality Project

·         Zeenat Rahman, State Department

·         Astronaut Ron Garan, NASA

·         Ian Somerhalder, RYOT & actor

·         Jack Andraka, Youth cancer researcher

·         Sarah Kramer, New York Times

This year’s summit will include creative new features to maximize engagement, such as an increased number of meet ups around the world to take place alongside the summit and prominent experts serving as Keynote Listeners.  The first class of Social Good Summit Keynote Listeners will be announced in July.

Registration for the global event is now open at www.socialgoodsummit.com.

Building a Brighter, Shared Future: #2030NOW

The Social Good Summit will take place as the UN General Assembly convenes for its annual meeting.  This year’s theme, #2030NOW, will challenge participants to imagine the world we want in 2030 and share solutions, lessons learned, and ideas about how technology and social media can help create it.  #2030NOW builds on the UN-led process to craft a post-2015 development agenda that will follow and accelerate progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

Summit participants will support the UN’s long-term goals by focusing on the following question: Will the solutions we are creating in today’s digital world truly have a lasting impact on our future and how are we paving the way for the next generation of innovation?  Whatever global challenges we face, we know that quick and simple fixes are not always the best for deep-rooted problems.  #2030NOW will confront the status quo of social media and social change by forcing participants to think about how to take technology and innovation to the next level.

A Growing Global Conversation

This year’s Social Good Summit will extend across the globe, reaching more communities than ever before.  Last year, people in more than 300 cities in 150 countries joined the summit conversation by organizing in-person or online meetings in their own communities and connecting via video and social media.  Through the newly launched +SocialGood platform and with the reach of the UN Development Programme’s country offices, the 2013 summit organizers will increase the number of meet ups in local communities around the world.  Meet ups currently scheduled to happen include Rwanda, Brazil, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Somalia and the Ukraine.  To get involved in a global meet up, go to: www.socialgoodsummit.com.

More Exciting Speakers to Come

Additional speakers at the 2013 Social Good Summit will be announced online and on social media every two weeks leading up to the Summit.   Speakers will include technology pioneers, global leaders, UN experts, celebrities, youth innovators and others currently doing cutting-edge work to solve today’s most important global challenges.

About the Social Good Summit Partners

The 2013 Social Good Summit is proudly presented by Mashable, 92nd Street Y, the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ericsson.

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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 25 million unique visitors and 11 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.

Trevor Gowan, Trevor@Mashable.com, 646-747-6796

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 a year visit 92Y’s New York City venues, 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. 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.

media.relations@ericsson.com, +46 10 719 69 92

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