MANILA, Philippines – Artificial intelligence is here. And it promises to make people’s lives easier by helping solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, including solutions to better health care, education, smarter energy consumption, and even global warming.
But along with the optimism comes the disturbing questions: are intelligent machines like robots and self-driving cars a blessing or a curse for humanity? Are digital platforms, today’s public conversation spaces, helping strengthen democracy or are they fostering hate and deepening polarization?
Globally, the 2017 Social Good Summit puts the future in focus: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How do we get there?
In its 6th year, the Social Good Summit in the Philippines will challenge us to take this a step further and examine the purpose of innovation and will push back to the center stage the massive and urgent needs that society faces.
Organized by Rappler in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the 2017 Social Good Summit will be held on Saturday, September 16, at the SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila.
With the theme: “Innovate with Purpose: Leave No One Behind,” the Social Good Summit celebrates human judgment and values – compassion, integrity, hope, courage – traits that distinguish us from machines.
Experts say these are the qualities that digital technology can’t replace in the future economy.
We believe it is critical to keep this in mind as we ponder over how technological innovations are transforming industry, our public conversation spaces, the way societies are governed, and even the way we live.
We will highlight these urgent messages:
- In order to leave no one behind, it is important to channel all available resources and technologies to deliver on sustainable development goals.
- In order to leave no one behind, there should be effective mechanisms that foster innovation and collaboration to achieve meaningful change.
- Citizens, particularly marginalized groups, should be able to hold their leaders, at national and local levels, accountable for key developmental outcomes.
- Stakeholders, particularly the youth, should be able to contribute to the achievement of the global goals.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN SGS 2017
1. Form a team and #HackSociety!
On its second year, #HackSociety, the ideathon that harnesses the digital space to crowdsource “hacks” that address society’s greatest challenges, will inspire purpose and data-driven innovation that is grounded in social realities. We will do this by spinning off #HackSociety into a separate 30-hour event with workshops focusing on the following themes:
- Media and democracy
- Peace, governance, and local initiative
- Environment and climate change
- Public health and well-being
#HackSociety workshops will provide youth participants with available data about the core issues at hand, encourage them to talk to their target stakeholders, and connect them to mentors who are experts in their chosen issues. Winners from the hacks will pitch their ideas before the SGS plenary where they could win:
- P50,000 in cash
- Access to Rappler events, workshops and trainings. These events will provide winners with opportunities to network with partners who can provide mentorship and help refine these ideas into sustainable initiatives.
- Production of one social video for their winning idea/innovation. The social video will be posted via Rappler and Move.PH social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Winning teams can use it for their promotional campaigns.
If you are interested in participating in #HackSociety, read the details of the competition and submit your entry through this form. You may submit your entries until August 25, 2017.
2. Be a partner/sponsor
To those interested to be a partner or sponsor of SGS 2017, you may also email socialgood@rappler.com using SGS Partnership in the subject line.
3. Have a booth at the Social Good Summit XChange
XChange is a space for learning, interaction, and ideas. It is a marketplace that will feature technologies and ideas that are shaping the world and partner initiatives around key issues and themes:
- Poverty and inequality
- Media and democracy
- Peace, governance, and local initiative
- Environment and climate change
- Public health and well-being
- Technology & Innovation
A fun way to learn and connect, exhibitors and participating groups in the Social Good Summit XChange are encouraged to think of challenges related to Sustainable Development Goals which the participants can take on.
To those interested to sponsor a booth, email socialgood@rappler.com using XChange Exhibitor in the subject line no later than Wednesday, August 24.
4. Organize a viewing party
Help us rally more communities around the global goals by organizing a Social Good Summit viewing party in your school or community. For those interested in organizing a viewing party, email us at socialgood@rappler.com so we can send you details on how to go about it. Please use SGS Viewing Party in the subject line.
The requirements are easy. All you have to do is secure a venue good for your target audience and to make sure you have a stable internet connection. All registered viewing parties will be acknowledged live during the summit!
5. Be an SGS Volunteer!
Our yearly Social Good Summit would not be possible without help from movers and volunteers who have been participating and helping us organize these events since 2012. If you want to volunteer for the SGS 2017 Organizing Committee, just email socialgood@rappler.com using SGS volunteer in the subject line.
Deadline to sign up to be a volunteer: August 25, 2017.
6. Be a participant
Seats at the SGS plenary are limited. To be part of the plenary, email socialgood@rappler.com using SGS participant in the subject line so we can send you the registration details.
– Rappler.com