5 Reasons to be GIDDY about the Social Good Summit

Let’s face it, we’re giddy …

Giddy for all the social goodness that is about to hit New York City (and around the world) this week at the Social Good Summit (September 22-24);

Giddy to discuss BIG IDEAS with a dynamic group of bloggers, press, celebrities, world leaders, youth, CEO’s, non-profits and everyday citizens;

And giddy to unlock the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us break it down. Since 2010, the Social Good Summit has generated increasing attention and excitement, as a dynamic, open-to-all counterpoint to New York City’s U.N. Week and the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. And this year, something unprecedented will happen: the first-ever Global Conversation.

“Individuals have let us all know that they want to be involved in using technology and social media to take action and to help create a better world,” says Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation in an all-access look at the Summit. “[As a result], we are taking crowd-sourcing to an unprecedented global level of transparency and innovation to bring everybody into the solutions.”

So, you may ask again, why are we G-I-D-D-Y? Here are five reasons:

GLOBAL

This is a truly GLOBAL Summit. It is not only limited to the hundreds of attendees at the conference in NYC. “This is a global community of people,” says Henry Timms, Deputy Executive Director, Strategy, Content and Innovation at 92Y, “answering the same questions, on the same day, as part of the same community.” How you may ask? For one, participants across the globe in Beijing and Nairobi will Livestream directly to the live stage in NYC. Furthermore, 200 meet-ups have been organized by advocates in nearly 100 countries in order to tune-in to the discussions and share ideas. The Summit will also be broadcasted and communicated in all UN official languages.

INCLUSIVENESS

From world leaders to students, movie stars to humanitarians, the Social Good Summit is a shining example of an inclusive gathering. “It provides a place for everyone,” says Mashable’s Stacy Green. “During a week that’s full of closed meetings of few voices, the Social Good Summit and the Global Conversation is a hub for all.”

DEPTH OF CONVERSATION

Umm, can we say Al Gore? How about Ian Somerhalder, or Will.I.AM or U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power? The all-star line-up of presenters and moderators is as impressive as it exciting. Moreover, the topics could never be timelier. From covering the role of digital in disaster relief to using mapping technology to end polio, the Summit will touch upon issues in global health, development, diplomacy, education and overall social change. What are we most excited for? New York Times’ Nick Kristof and Games for Change’s Asi Burak discussing “Social Gaming For Good.” (Check out our past interview with Asi Burak here).

It’s also noted that this depth of conversation could only be created by the expertise and resources of the partners involved. The UN Foundation, Mashable, 92Y, Ericsson, UNDP, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provide a powerful punch that lends credibility and reach to the global conversation.

DIGITAL

“The web has really created its own culture that has a global language; that can bring people together in a way we have never been able to come together before,” says Mashable’s Stacy Green. “So what we want to do with the Social Good Summit is dedicate three days to further encouraging this movement – bringing together the brightest minds and innovators in one space. And space being on and offline.” This digital Summit is innovative for two reason: 1) anyone with a mobile phone or a mouse can join the conversation and 2) the Summit is not confined to three days. Using social media, the ideas and conversations will continue beyond UN Week. This is the power of digital.

YOU