It’s difficult to sum up The Social Good Summit in one blog post. If you’ve ever attended the Summit you'll understand the enormity of what impassioned world leaders, activists and entrepreneurs present to an enthusiastic audience gathered in Manhattan, and streamed in over 70 countries, about global initiatives to make the world a better place by 2030.
Issues about eradicating poverty and disease, gender inequality, damage to the environment, girls rights, global health, human rights, youth development and education, holding governments accountable, maternal health, infant mortality and how social media can be leveraged to benefit people worldwide are topics that have been dancing through my subconscious since I left Manhattan.
(L to R from top to bottom): Women Power, #2030How?, The Carter Center, knitted squares for maternal and newborn health, Idris Alba for One.org, Pharrell for FOHTA
As a mother, it’s important for me to do what I can to leave the world a better place for my son and for his generation. Of course each panelist who spoke during the six hours I sat in my seat moved me, but I was particularly drawn to the younger generation who are so passionate about creating a better world for themselves and for future generations.
Expecting her second child, Alicia Keyes posed nude for this photo to kick off her new campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZAuHuk9ig&feature=youtu.be
“Child marriage is a human rights issue with implications of the 6 MDG’s. It’s a human rights issue, but also an education and a health issue. It affects everything.” ~Graca Machel
“War and conflict is very disempowering on women and girls.” ~Helen Clark on her visit to refugees in Lebanon
“Gender data is important. If girls don’t have a birth certificate, how do we know how many are marrying as children?” ~Kathy Calvin on children getting married in underdeveloped countries
“With rehydration and antibiotics, Ebola could have a 50% survival rate.” ~Helen Clark
Issues about women and girls seemed to be a main focus of the Summit, and I particularly enjoyed one called “Women Power. Empowered Women” made up of Graca Machel (children’s right advocate, Mozambican humanitarian and widow of Nelson Mandela), Helen Clark (first woman elected as Prime Minister of New Zealand, Administrator, UN Development) and Kathy Calvin (CEO, UN Foundation), as well as the “HeForShe” campaign led by UN Women (with Emma Watson as Global Goodwill Ambassador and co-led by Wolf Blitzer) encouraging men worldwide to speak out against the inequalities faced by women and girls.
I encourage you to check out Mashable’s Social Good Summit website to read more about what took place at the Summit. We can create a better world together, because only through joined communities can we have a world that will build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
What will you do to make the world a better place by 2030? Use #2030NOW to add your voice to the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
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I will definitely read up on many of the people and organizations you highlighted. I so love and appreciate how you use your voice and your energy to make this world better. As for the Panel/movie, Beyond Right or Wrong, it reminds me of my favorite Rumi quote. "Out beyond the right doing and the wrong doing, there is a field. I will meet you there." Exquisite, isn't it?
Hi Cathy! What a great conference with many amazing people doing incredible work in the world. I too agree that we CAN make a difference, especially when we work together. Thank you for all the great links. ~Kathy
Sounds like an amazing event to be privileged to get to see!
Sounds like an awesome summit. How do I get tix for the next one?
It continues to be inspirational, this conference and all the great minds and hearts behind it. Of course, making the world better is a hallmark of your work, Cathy, so you are one of my biggest inspirations!
Thanks for the recap. So empowering. Definitely have to think about how I want to contribute to #2030NOW
I was keeping an eye on social media during this event. I really hope to make it someday. It seemed amazing and incredible and everything rolled into one.
I need to take some time to sort through your links and read them. Thanks for this fantastic recap. I'm glad you had an incredible experience.
This is wonderful and inspiring and Idris is so freaking gorgeous. I've watched the Wire 3 times now and never get bored with looking at him. Not that this is the point..but still..he's gorgeous.
More than any other, this is a conference I would love to attend. I can't even imagine which of the speakers I would most want to hear, as they're all amazing. I'm so happy you were able to attend. Thank you for sharing highlights with us.
Oh, Cathy, I am so jealous that you could attend! There are so many hooks within this topic on which I hang my hat! #2030NOW
Wow, sound like an incredible conference! I wish everyone one could stop thinking about ourselves as individuals for a moment and think of ourselves as one, working for the better of all.
What a wonderful experience with so any important issues. But.... I have a probably not popular opinion. Most of these 'causes' are of a GLOBAL nature, and as such, since most people can not leave their day-to-day lives, donate only money- which is good, but somehow always seems to get lost in the administrative overhead. They also, provide a short term 'High' ( which Americans consistently confuse with authentic involvement) involving a week of social media interaction, but no REAL impact. Remember "Bring Back Our Girls"? They're still there. In light of all the hate mail I will undoubtedly receive in response to this comment, let me say that I believe in the power of numbers, and the hearts and talents and commitment of good people, and I KNOW making a difference, and solving problems is as close as your own community. If we just started THERE wouldn't the world become a better place as well?
I love this recap, Cathy! You really hit on a lot of the memorable moments. It was a joy to share this Summit with you.
What a lot of wonderful packed into a few hours. I am going to look into all of the campaigns you listed here to see which one might be a fit for me.
What a wonderful, inspirational recap Cathy! You know how I would have to loved to have been there with you soaking in all the good energy! Hoping for next year but so glad to have you to tell the story of this year with such passion!
Like many of the others expressed this is a conference I would love to attend. So many fabulous organizations helping others--gives one pause to consider the countless other organizations also doing good in the world. A much needed reminder that there are far more people who care and are out there making a difference, versus the one's that don't.
I can only imagine how inspired you would still feel from having been there. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I was sorry to miss the Social Good Summit because it was so inspiring last year. Thanks for this great recap and for being part of the "good" out there. There are a lot of people doing amazing things - and you're one of them.
It's great to hear that such initiatives exist, Cathy! To me, with the nature / background of the speakers you listed, what it says is that what each individual does count toward the efforts to making this a better world. They are individuals, not necessarily popular and with a lot of wealth or clout. But they do what they can from where they are and acknowledge their capacity for agency / the power to change lives. I can imagine how this can truly inspire you! Thank you for sharing all this!