Inspirational Technology Programs
Around this time every year I am fortunate to attend the annual World Congress of Junior Chamber International (JCI), which is held at a different city each year – this year, New Dehli, India. Besides great networking activities, workshops, competitions, board meetings and evening socials, we recognize other young leaders around the globe who are making a difference in the arts, business, community and many other categories. This year’s honorees were astounding individuals, motivating me to look for more ways to give back in life after hearing each of their inspirational stories.
One winner struck a cord with me is Dr. Sam Prince, who by day is a doctor, but by night continuing to forge technology in new regions of the world via a non-profit he started, Emagine Foundation. But Dr. Prince is not alone in bringing technology usage to those in both established and developing countries around the globe. Here’s my short list of ventures to watch and get involved in:
Building IT centers to enable access to learning and technology for the disadvantaged, the Emagine team is focused on putting together the infrastructure and resources needed to bring these centers to life. Locations include Sri Lanka and Malaysia, with projects underway in Vietnam, Ethiopa, Peru and Burma.
Platform Shoes is focused on creating online learning environments for tweens. They have already made significant strides in encouraging girls to stay involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning via their award winning community Zoey’s Room. A number of new projects are underway, including Project New Media Literacy (Project NML), to help children leverage online medias to build social skills.
CNET in collaboration with UK charity Computer Aid International forged Bridge the Digital Divide to help provide technology to people in the developing world. Bridge the Digital Divide is serving numerous community throughout Asia, Africa and South America by re-furbishing used corporate computers for us by civilians.
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is focused on stimulating grass roots initiatives to help sustain effective educational usage of laptops by children. Currently OLPC focuses on distributing laptops to developing areas that have focused funding to support advancement of education through technology.
The Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) is dedicated to enabling non-profits to leverage technology to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in reaching the non-profits’ missions. The organization provides education, discounted access to technology and network with peers in other non-profits.
So what are you doing to give back and promote technology adoption and usage for generations to come? What about getting involved or donating to one of the above groups?
PS – Stay glued to this blog for future posts on IT in India and tips from the conference on leadership and entrepreneurship.
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I found you on Twitter and great blog!