A
better world through knowledge and information
Youth use ICT to convene...converge and collaborate
I
am Simran Vedvyas, representing the youth, who are not only vibrant but also
constitute a major segment of the total world population today. In my opinion social media and ICT helps achieve
development- however it is a means and not an end. Human power is infinite, we have the technology, the resources and
I know many others like me are constantly working; because there is still a
choice to do so, to empower and to do well for a just, peaceful and sustainable
world. ICT and social media has empowered youth and made us resourceful paving
way to address and improve
some of the most critical social, economic, and environmental issues in the
developing world as projected in the Millennium Development Goals.
Recently my inspirational story
along with several other unsung hero’s honored with Splash “Heart of Gold” was shared by Splash Fashions through the social
media and it is heart-warming to see how they reached thousands within a short
span of hours across the globe with such positivity.
Campaigns like providing laptops to
students in the developing world like the “One laptop per child program”,
allowed children in Uganda to communicate with children in the US and even the
rest of the world has shown that the potential of such interaction is
invaluable as it provides many learning and employment opportunities, thus
reducing poverty. This as one of the many similar examples benefitting various
other countries like India, Sri Lanka, etc Social media has worked as catalyst for the
Millennium Development Goals through the use of Information, Communication, and
Technology by effective transfer of knowledge benefitting all segments of the
society.
The last decade witnessed many
economies leapfrog the communication infrastructure from having no telephones
to having widespread cellular networks, which allowed the rapid spread of
mobile services, allowing youth and women to secure small business loans,
health services and improve their living standards. Mobile networks also helped disseminate
information by allowing farmers to gain access to best practices for irrigation
and fertilization and finding better markets. ICT has been an enabler for Smart
Water Management and various solutions.
As Global Youth Advocate MY World
2015 which is a United Nations Global Survey for citizens aiming to capture
people’s voices, priorities and views, so the world leaders can be informed as
they begin the process of defining the next set of global goals to end poverty,
I must highlight the role of social to facilitate gather millions of votes or
shall we say people’s voices from 194 countries across the globe.
Youth is empowered with various
innovative platforms and tools to learn, share and inspire by connecting
through the social media and this power has and will bring in the needed
change.
In today’s world social media actually brings people closer, it connects
them and it creates a network of determined individuals with a cause.
I
personally connect with thousands of youth and groups by interacting at
platforms like- google hang-outs, online discussions, skype calls, facebook
etc–“these are no less than board-room proceedings sometimes”, We
developed strong bonds with ideas and information exchange using quick tools of
Messaging, Status Updates and twitter and even explored explicit means like
blogs, pinterest, etc. Sharing our
innovative work reports has inspired hundreds of youth globally and many
projects like planting nearly 2000 trees at landfill areas and raising
awareness about waste management, finding homes for abandoned indoor plants etc
have been successfully implemented locally but shared globally.
Eye
on Earth is
about the environmental and social data community. It has showcased and brought to light the very best
projects dealing with data access and analysis. These projects with the most
promise have shown the best impact on the issue they seek to
tackle. Collecting relevant data and
sharing it throughout the global communities is inspiring and convening to
converge and collaborate efforts has seen promising outcomes and benefits for a
just and sustainable future.
Clearly
the role of information and communications technology is driven and measured by
its performance and potential hence active efforts must be taken for global
inclusiveness with focus on real innovations and new challenges enabling ICT
for Sustainable Development become a recognized and funded enterprise. It is
completely in our hands to develop ICT with wisdom and prudence
and put it in best practice to advance sustainable development.
“We need to act now-
We need to share our
knowledge –
We need to formulate
knowledge into wisdom –
We need to move forward
together and above all,
We need to deliver the
vision”
Simran Vedvyas
Eye on Earth
Youth Ambassador 2012
www.about.me/simranvedvyas.com
