As technology becomes more and more accessible to individuals around the world, we are seeing a new wave of creative problem solving. The most recent Global Youth Index, conducted by the Varkey Foundation, found that 81% of youth surveyed believe that technology can be used for good. And we have seen this in action. At our recent Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, many sessions were focused on how technology is being leveraged to engage in philanthropic efforts.
Here are just a few of the ways technology is enabling young people to better their communities:
Teaching people how to code: CoderDojo is an open-source project with over 1,000 coding clubs in 49 countries aimed at teaching children how to code. It was started by James Whelton and Bill Liao and has grown into a global phenomenon attracting participants from all backgrounds, particularly girls. They have even set up the Dojo Foundation to support young people “become active participants in their communities through peer-led learning initiatives.”
Empowering women through gamification: Women are drastically underrepresented in STEM fields as well as in leadership roles across sectors. The Girl Effect Accelerator (GEA) is working on addressing this imbalance by providing young women with access to mentorship
Technology is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to engage in philanthropic efforts. From the Internet, to 3D printing, to smartphones, technology has allowed young people to become leaders and creators of change in their communities and around the world.
There are many examples of how technology is being used for good – from Google’s Project 10^100 (now known as “Google Impact Challenge”) to local and global social media campaigns. Technology has provided us with endless opportunities to connect with individuals, organizations and resources that allow us to better understand the issues we face, identify solutions, share information and mobilize others.
In my own experience being involved with the non-profit organization WE, I have seen technology play a huge role in providing youth – like myself – with an online platform to get involved. One of the ways we use technology is through our online community platform “WEVillage”. The WEVillage platform is an online community where young people can connect with each other and solve problems together.
The WEVillage platform also gives every user an opportunity to create an “Idea Page” – a space where they can share what they are passionate about and how they want to make a difference in the
Our world is changing, and there are so many ways in which technology is helping to engage the next generation of leaders. Technology has become such an important part of our everyday lives and provides so many avenues for connecting with people around the world. We see this through social media platforms, news websites, learning apps and so much more. Philanthropic efforts are also being elevated by technological innovations that help increase access to information and communication.
As a former classroom teacher and current literacy researcher, I have witnessed the impact that technology has had on the lives of students around the world. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how students can connect with communities across the globe through online classrooms that bridge language barriers and spark global conversations. For example, my students were able to communicate with students in Brazil and China to discuss how they could work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The great thing about technology is that it allows everyone to have a voice. The fact that we have such easy access to information means that there are limitless opportunities for growth and awareness about issues affecting our world today. One of those issues is clean water accessibility, which was highlighted during the recent World Water Day on March 22nd.
According to UNICEF, 844 million people still lack basic drinking water services, including
Sure, technology can be used for good or bad. But we often forget about the positive ways technology has changed the world and made it better, especially in philanthropy.
Take a look at any smartphone, and you’ll find an endless number of apps that were created to assist with social responsibility. So many of these apps have revolutionized how we give today, and how we stay connected to the causes we care about most. I was a panelist at the first annual TechCares Philanthropy Summit this week in San Francisco and was inspired by what I heard and saw there.
The three-day event brought together leaders in technology, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship who presented various ways they are leveraging technology to engage in philanthropic efforts. The summit included over 100 different speakers from across the country and also featured several interactive workshops designed to help attendees create their own giving platforms.
The conference kicked off with a keynote from Michael Dell of Dell Technologies who talked about his passion for giving back to communities around the world. He discussed how his foundation is incorporating emerging technologies into its programs, including virtual reality headsets that are being used by teachers in classrooms across the country.
In today’s ever-changing world, it’s crucial for business leaders to understand the latest technology trends. These technological advancements can help you boost your company’s productivity and enhance your overall customer experience. But what about using technology to help engage in philanthropic efforts? How are leaders using the latest and greatest in tech to boost their giving back efforts?
In an effort to answer these questions, we interviewed leading executives who are leveraging technology to further their philanthropic goals. In this article, they share their favorite social enterprises, online tools, and more that are helping them give back at a global scale.
*Technology is changing the way we engage and interact with the world around us. The rise of mobile phones, social media, and other technologies have increased our connectivity to each other, but also to the causes we support. From donating to a disaster relief fund to signing up as volunteers, technology has made it easier than ever before for everyday people to get involved in philanthropy.
Here are three ways that technology is helping change the global landscape of philanthropy.
1. Technology is Helping People Come Together
The earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010 was one of the worst natural disasters of this century and inspired an outpouring of support from around the world. However, many were confused about how to help victims—especially when it came to making financial donations. Oftentimes, donors are concerned about where their money is going and if it’s really making a difference. As a result, this can lead to hesitancy when wanting to make a donation.
However, platforms like GiveDirectly are helping donors feel more confident in where their money is going by providing an avenue for people to send funds directly to those in need. This organization gives cash transfers via mobile phone (there’s even text giving) to families living in extreme poverty in Kenya and Uganda
“The Internet revolution is in its early stages, but already it has given hundreds of millions of people a new sense of participation in the world. The challenge for the next generation is to adapt this participatory culture to the world of philanthropy and public service.”
The Internet revolution is in its early stages, but already it has given hundreds of millions of people a new sense of participation in the world. The challenge for the next generation is to adapt this participatory culture to the world of philanthropy and public service.
With this goal in mind, I recently hosted an event, “Tech for Good,” at my home in Los Angeles that brought together many of the leading young entrepreneurs who are finding creative solutions to address some of our most pressing social problems. They are building platforms that use social networking, crowdsourcing and micro-philanthropy to engage more people with causes they care about.