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Challenge:

What global challenge do you think innovation leaders should work to solve right now?

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Inspiration
Agenda Concepts
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Agenda announced!
153 contributions
103 ideas
103 final ideas
35 final ideas
Announced!

Agenda announced!

Thanks to everyone who took part in this challenge. We were so impressed by the Inspirations that were submitted and the Agenda Concepts that it was really hard to pick the final 5 questions to go to the event with. But we did choose and they were based on the concepts below. We thought it only fair to combine some of the similar submissions that also ranked equally highly. We'll be presenting to the i20 Summit at the White House on January 13, 2011. Have a look at the presentation to be given, filled with your ideas and discussions!

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Communities become resilient from within. Some of the best ideas for improving community life – health & well-being, social interaction, safety, etc can best conceptualised by the community itself. How can we support and encourage processes which provide voice, collaboration and creative thinking within local groups? That way resulting ideas are both relevant plus have local support and motivation.

Communities become resilient from within. Some of the best ideas for improving community life – health & well-being, social interaction, safety, etc can best conceptualised by the community itself. How can we support and encourage processes which provide voice, collaboration and creative thinking within local groups? That way resulting ideas are both relevant plus have local support and motivation.

Photo of Meena Kadri
21 48

When natural disaster strikes there is always an immediate and immense global outpouring of medical aid, food, supplies and support. Most times, this influx of aid is not accompanied by operational management and coordination through a centralized organization. Too often this results in aid transportation bottle necks, disproportionate supply surpluses, misallocation of resources, distribution delays, etc. All of this can put the most vulnerable disaster victims at greater risk and potentially cost more lives. Is there a better way to coordinate the good will, resources and energy of the global community to more efficiently and effectively bring relief to the victims of disaster?

When natural disaster strikes there is always an immediate and immense global outpouring of medical aid, food, supplies and support. Most times, this influx of aid is not accompanied by operational management and coordination through a centralized organization. Too often this results in aid transportation bottle necks, disproportionate supply surpluses, misallocation of resources, distribution delays, etc. All of this can put the most vulnerable disaster victims at greater risk and potentially cost more lives. Is there a better way to coordinate the good will, resources and energy of the global community to more efficiently and effectively bring relief to the victims of disaster?

Photo of Demian Repucci
19 27

How can we better enable the inclusion of those who are at risk of exclusion from our communities? Those most disadvantaged are frequently most likely to be locked out of the principal decision making forums involved in forming, shaping and evolving our communities.

How can we better enable the inclusion of those who are at risk of exclusion from our communities? Those most disadvantaged are frequently most likely to be locked out of the principal decision making forums involved in forming, shaping and evolving our communities.

Photo of Emily Wiseman
14 44

Studies show that GDP growth, after passing the point where basic needs are met, produces diminishing returns for our actual life satisfaction and happiness. Other factors, like social relations, health, meaningful work, freedom, caring for others, etc. become far more important for our overall wellbeing. However, we often continue to chase the treadmill of economic growth, at the expense of these other critical things. How do we shift from a narrow focus on economic growth (Gross Domestic Product) to a holistic pursuit of genuine wellbeing (Gross National Happiness)?

Studies show that GDP growth, after passing the point where basic needs are met, produces diminishing returns for our actual life satisfaction and happiness. Other factors, like social relations, health, meaningful work, freedom, caring for others, etc. become far more important for our overall wellbeing. However, we often continue to chase the treadmill of economic growth, at the expense of these other critical things. How do we shift from a narrow focus on economic growth (Gross Domestic Product) to a holistic pursuit of genuine wellbeing (Gross National Happiness)?

Photo of Vincent Cheng
14 41

Fab Labs are a successful concept that can be “replicated” and rapidly deployed and used in conjunction with international idea centers that can leverage new concepts like crowdsourcing and encourage age old concepts like apprenticeships and skills training across the globe. Design Tools Circuits and Microcontrollers Molding and Casting Basic Machines Advanced Machines 3D Printing and Scanning Machines

Fab Labs are a successful concept that can be “replicated” and rapidly deployed and used in conjunction with international idea centers that can leverage new concepts like crowdsourcing and encourage age old concepts like apprenticeships and skills training across the globe. Design Tools Circuits and Microcontrollers Molding and Casting Basic Machines Advanced Machines 3D Printing and Scanning Machines

Photo of Tom Miller
9 14

There have been many great concepts mentioned involving improving educational resources, encouraging independence and fostering youth empowerment on a global scale. Focusing on digital learning opportunities like the Hole-in-the-Wall kiosks and the Khan academy seem to be a great way to give children across the world access to education. However, what about taking it one step further and addressing digital education for non English speakers. Often, when children who have limited access to educational resources finally do get their hands on reading material, it is not in their native language. This can be extremely frustrating and may slow their learning process or deter them altogether. Enabling children to access digital learning tools in their mother tongue will motivate early learners to gain literacy skills by making them more relevant, and fostering the capacity to enrich their cultural identity and strengthen their community.

There have been many great concepts mentioned involving improving educational resources, encouraging independence and fostering youth empowerment on a global scale. Focusing on digital learning opportunities like the Hole-in-the-Wall kiosks and the Khan academy seem to be a great way to give children across the world access to education. However, what about taking it one step further and addressing digital education for non English speakers. Often, when children who have limited access to educational resources finally do get their hands on reading material, it is not in their native language. This can be extremely frustrating and may slow their learning process or deter them altogether. Enabling children to access digital learning tools in their mother tongue will motivate early learners to gain literacy skills by making them more relevant, and fostering the capacity to enrich their cultural identity and strengthen their community.

Photo of Isabelle Duston
9 29

Prosperity and quality of life in developing countries is tied closely to the level of education of its people. People in more remote areas are sometimes unaware of the importance of education. However, improving education is correlated to improved health, democracy, and economic development. As a new generation in over-populated parts of the world inherits greater societal and economic problems, education can be their savior.

Prosperity and quality of life in developing countries is tied closely to the level of education of its people. People in more remote areas are sometimes unaware of the importance of education. However, improving education is correlated to improved health, democracy, and economic development. As a new generation in over-populated parts of the world inherits greater societal and economic problems, education can be their savior.

Photo of Nadia T
5 29