How can new technology and new media can create solutions for the problems that our communities face to shape a better future? This is the question that the annual Social Good Summit will be focusing on as attendees come together in New York City for this annual event that also invites everyone to create and join meetups to discuss global challenges and the ways we can use digital tools to change the world.
What is the Social Good Summit?
Each September, as world leaders come together at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss global issues and how to tackle them, The Social Good Summit convenes innovators, activists, and entrepreneurs from around the world to expand the conversation. Those who attend the Social Good Summit acknowledge that every individual can use technology and social media to be a powerful agent of change.
Why get involved?
For me, attending the Social Good Summit presents an opportunity to learn alongside world leaders, grassroots activists and global citizens. I look forward to discussions and learning from speakers like Pharrell who shared happiness through Happy, Alicia Keys, Melinda Gates, Former President Jimmy Carter, Michael Dell, and so many more!) who will inspire us to create change about topics like climate change, ebola, combatting terrorism, empowering girls and women, and the Millenium Development Goals of reducing poverty, promoting education and gender equality, and addressing the causes of child and maternal mortality that are also being discussed by the UN General Assembly simultaneously as the Social Good Summit is occurring. It’s my hope that lessons learned can be applied to work that I do in Haiti and share with my daughter who has become a champion fundraiser as she continues to raise money for research benefitting cystic fibrosis.
If I’ve learned one thing during my almost seven years of blogging it’s that as an individual I have power through the things I share here and through my social media channels. Watching the recap of last year’s Summit has made me feel energized to think creatively about the ways we can use the digital at our disposal to create change.
I invite you to join me virtually to learn what’s happening, how you can get involved and to be inspired. Here’s how you can join #2030Now:
1. Find and attend a local meetup in your area. With over 1,800 meetups planned, chances are there’s one occurring in your city!
2. Watch what’s happening through the livestream 3. Follow along through social media by searching the hashtag #2030Now or following these accounts on Twitter:
- @unfoundation
- @plus_socialgood
- @socialgood
- @UNDP
- @Mashable
- @GatesFoundation
- @92Y
- The full speaker Twitter List can be found here
Get a visual via Instagram thanks to these accounts:
Also follow the #Instacorps on Instagram as these photographers of the Social Good Summit capture and share behind-the-scenes images from the Social Good Summit and UN General Assembly from New York City. This group of high- profile photojournalists and social media stars will help inspire a surge of image sharing about key global issues. Here are links to their accounts:
I am attending the Social Good Summit as a United Nations Social Good Fellow. While I am not being compensated for my role, my travel and accommodations are being covered by my fellowship.
