United Nations Foundation Calling All Influencers with a Global Perspective on Social Media and Sustainability

Registration is officially open for Rio+Social, the innovative event bringing together leaders in social media, technology, global issues, and sustainability at Rio+20, the United Nations conference on sustainable development taking place next month.  Influencers, bloggers, innovators, policymakers, non-governmental organization representatives, and stakeholders dedicated to building “the future we want” are invited to attend and apply for accreditation at www.rioplussocial.com.

On June 19, 2012, emerging leaders in digital media will join with world leaders and key UN voices at Rio+Social.  This global conversation will open the Rio+20 dialogue to everyone, to facilitate the exchange of ideas on how new technology, as well as digital and social media can advance sustainable development.  The organizations that produce New York’s annual Social Good Summit, which has been dubbed the “Digital Davos,” are taking the conversation around the power of social media and global issues to Rio.  The unique partnership between the United Nations Foundation, Mashable, 92nd Street Y, Ericsson, Energias de Portugal (EDP), and LiveAD encourages a robust conversation around sustainability and will continue the dialogue after Rio+20.

“The intersection of social media, technology, and sustainability is located in Rio this summer.  Rio+Social is an event that pulls together new voices, new energy, and new solutions to global problems, and the dialogue begins now,” said Aaron Sherinian, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, UN Foundation.  “Thousands have already joined the online debate about how social media can have a positive impact on issues ranging from energy to the environment to health and economic development.  The Rio+Social community points to a future of digital collaboration that encourages innovation, supports the UN, and helps build a brighter future for everyone.”

Confirmed speakers include: Fábio Barbosa, CEO, Abril Group; Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-Emeritus, World Health Organization; Pete Cashmore, Founder and CEO, Mashable; Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Explorer and Founder, Plant a Fish; Luciano Huck, TV Host and 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, CEO, EDP; Maura O’Neill, Chief Innovation Officer, USAID; René Silva, Founder, Voz das Comunidades; Leonardo Tristao, Business Director, Facebook Latin America; Ted Turner, Founder and Chairman, UN Foundation; and Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson.  Additional speakers will be announced later this week.

To register and for more information, 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 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 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.