Making Charity Transparent

If you haven’t taken the opportunity to read up on the non-profit Charity Water, I highly recommend you give it a shot. Charity Water is an organization that builds clean water projects in developing nations, giving people access to water pumps and  helping prevent tragic diseases such as E. coli and Hepatitis A. Not only that, but developing these clean water projects has significantly reduced arduous journeys, where women and children are often harassed and subjected to significant back pains.

Thus far, Charity Water has funded over 6,000 clean water projects, raising more than $40 million for communities worldwide.

Despite these inspiring accomplishments that shouldn’t go overlooked (see descriptive intro above), the real genius of Charity Water lies in its use of technology to promote transparency surrounding donations. Often times, many of us (including myself) feel turned-off to donating to non-profits, mainly because it seems like we can never fully understand where the money we gave is being used. Charity Water has over-compensated for the lack of accountability in other NPOs, by utilizing Google maps and geo-targeting to give people a clear (pun intended) understanding of where the money they donate is heading.

Take the above photo for example. When you donate money to Charity Water, you can physically see on the map which project you money has funded, and how many projects are currently being developed based on location. This simple, yet powerful method has taken the concept of donations to the next level, and given people a greater incentive to donate in the future. Not only that, but it has given Charity Water an esprit de corps that is unparalleled in the current field.

If that demonstration hadn’t dissolved any skepticism, Charity Water takes it one step further. By publishing the progress of specific “Water Projects”, people can literally see from the comfort of their smart phone or tablet exactly how much money was raised per project, and read field notes from Charity Water staff documenting the day-in and day-out operations. This practice has opened a flood gate (pun certainly intended) of donations for Charity Water, and given people strong sentiment to donate again.

Where is the Non-Profit Sector Heading?

As technology continues to infuse accountability and immediacy into our lives, so will the non-profit sector become revolutionized by the technological advances granted to us. Organizations will be expected to track funds virtually, and many more will evolve to become branded as lifestyle missions. I envision people being able to utilize websites to see precisely how their money is being put to use, while Facebook will continue to grow as the premier fundraising tool in the world — making donations easier, faster, and more efficient.

There’s a reason we’re seeing some of the world’s top global thinkers, such as Scott Harrison, bringing innovation to the non-profit sector: the challenges of tackling global issues have taken precedence over simply making money. Social entrepreneurship will continue to thrive with technologically-savvy thought leaders, pushing the limits of progress into the 21st Century. I encourage anyone interested in the non-profit world to consider working for one, or even creating your own. Study what Charity Water has accomplished, and see how you too, can make a difference in this ever-developing world of ours. I know I will.

Hillary Clinton on a Free Internet

“We are convinced that an open Internet fosters long-term peace, progress and prosperity.  The reverse is also true.  An Internet that is closed and fractured, where different governments can block activity or change the rules on a whim—where speech is censored or punished, and privacy does not exist—that is an Internet that can cut off opportunities for peace and progress and discourage innovation and entrepreneurship.”

“History has shown us that repression often sows the seeds for revolution down the road.  Those who clamp down on Internet freedom may be able to hold back the full impact of their people’s yearnings for a while, but not forever… Leaders worldwide have a choice to make.  They can let the Internet in their countries flourish, and take the risk that the freedoms it enables will lead to a greater demand for political rights.  Or they can constrict the Internet, choke the freedoms it naturally sustains—and risk losing all the economic and social benefits that come from a networked society.”

How Creating a Digital Society will Change our World

Internet Cafe will develop into Internet society)

Sha Zukang, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, recently spoke at a conference at Stanford University about the importance of connection technologies (i.e Internet, mobile phones, and text messages) in promoting development in today’s modern world. While it seems universally agreed upon that giving people access to technology is the right thing to do, little attention is focused exactly as to why this is so important. The truth is, creating digital initiatives will not only provide immediate access to information, but it will also give people access to government and elected officials, which will provide greater transparency in political discourse. Here are some statistics that may open your eyes to how far technology has progressed.

• In 2011, seven trillion text messages were sent around the globe
• There are currently six billion mobile devices worldwide
• There are currently 1.2 billion mobile web users
• By the year 2015, 183 billion smart phone apps are expected to be downloaded

Giving people access to technology will not only stimulate development, but increase the likelihood of education as well. With the recent announcement of Apple’s iBooks 2, societies around the world will have instant access to courses and textbooks spanning multiple concentrations and academic disciplines. This will not only provide people without the same educational opportunities the ability to access leading academic institutions, but it will also result in greater standards of living for people that invest in their personal development. I can imagine a day when a tablet becomes the norm for students in schools and universities around the world, providing access to hundreds of textbooks and lectures on-the-go.

Furthermore, giving people access to mobile technology and Internet access will not only integrate societies, but create new markets for developing entrepreneurs to have access to innovative streams they never had. It’s important for institutions such as the UN and countries like the US to take the lead on bridging the “digital divide” and provide access to necessary tools for development. People like Alec Ross, senior adviser on innovation for Hillary Clinton at the State Department have created programs like Statecraft 3.0, in an effort to bridge the technology gap and establish Internet societies in countries abroad. There will be a day when access to public records, political debates, and town halls will be conducted via social media platforms. It’s up to our elected officials and government institutions to adapt to these changes or risk falling behind in the global environment.

While the UN has taken strides to improve digital life in developing countries, the increase of public-private partnerships will have the potential to catalyze stronger growth and increased connectivity. For example, the Eastern African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) sets out to provide a multi-country, multi-partner, fiber-optic cable project that will connect 21 African countries to each other and the rest of the world. This collaborative effort will result in lower broadband costs and spur investments from other companies moving forward.

The importance of providing digital opportunities around the world will remain an important issue for global development in 2012 and beyond. Having access to the Internet should no longer be a luxury, reserved for the developed countries, but a necessity for all nations worldwide. The open Internet will contribute to free societies, public discourse on central issues facing communities, and knowledge and education for those that seek it.

Obama goes Google+

President Obama has been the first Commander in Chief to embrace the growing significance of social media. Whether he’s visiting Mark Zuckerberg in Silicon Valley to discuss technology trends, establishing one of the strongest Twitter followings, or participating in a weekly address broadcasted on YouTube (i.e. the 21st century Fireside Chat), Obama has continued to adapt to the digital world.

Just today, the president answered questions regarding the State of the Union via Google+ “Hangout”, answering questions submitted from Americans uploaded to YouTube. Over 220,000 people submitted questions, and the president answered the questions live in a candid fashion.

As our world continues to adapt to technology, so will our political discourse. We’re heading to a day when we could see a Kennedy-Nixon style debate taking place online rather than on television. Having direct access to our government officials will remain a central component to maintaining transparency and keeping people accountable. I hope we begin to see our politicians investing in digital media strategy as a way to improve communication and clarity on key issues. If citizens feel that they can directly communicate to their representatives, we could improve understanding of often bureaucratic legislation and improve overall quality of public debate.

(Could you imagine presidential campaign debates streaming in real-time?)

SOTU Behind the Scenes [YouTube]

The State of the Union is an American tradition that has been celebrated since our country’s founding. Much preparation goes into the president’s address to Congress, and we rarely get any type of behind-the-scenes look. This year, WhiteHouse.gov released a YouTube video giving everyday Americans the opportunity to see Obama speechwriters and staff preparing for the big day. I personally enjoy getting to hear Jon Favreau, Obama’s chief speechwriter, articulate to us what the process is to constructing such an influential speech.

Favreau, as many of you know if the youngest head speechwriter to ever be in the White House, and is the creative talent behind Obama’s inaugural address and many others. Press play and I hope you enjoy.