On March 27 and 28, 2017, Ideagen convened some of the world's leading companies, start-ups, NGOs and public sector organizations for the Annual Ideagen Silicon Valley Tech for Good Summit 2017. Organizations large and small gathered to collaborate and innovate across sectors, prioritizing and investing in capabilities that advance the cause for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. They explored how technology can address some of the world's most vexing issues and the key role and benefits for NGOs and the public sector to work across sectors.
The Annual Ideagen Silicon Valley Tech for Good Summit 2017 focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9, 12, and 17 where we look to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive sustainable industrialization, foster innovation and ensure sustainable production patterns. Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development are at the core of the collective impact that are crucial to successfully achieving these goals.
Why cross-sector collaboration is critical for disruptive innovation to achieve SDGs
by Chantal Line Carpentier, Chief, United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD), Office of the Secretary General
"The business opportunities in implementation of the SDGs could be worth at least $12 trillion annually by 2030 driven by 4 systems: food & agriculture, cities, energy & materials, and health & well-being - creating 390 million jobs."
"Within the next 15 years, we need to ensure 1.3 billion poor without access to electricity, mostly in rural areas, have access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy."
The future of sustainable innovation
by Sandra Notardonato, Vice President Research, Gartner
"We are seeing signs of what may be a new, more robust business cycle and corporate enterprises are increasingly focused on their digital transformation initiatives—which is highly dependent upon sustainable innovation in order to prevent disruption to their business, generate new streams of revenue and increase competitive advantage."
Panel discussion - How do we better collaborate to significantly increase universal access to information & communication technology by 2030?
“Innovation has to happen now and much faster than we think so we are releasing for the 1st time all the data we have.” (Laurel Hanscom, Director & Research Scientist, Global Footprint Network)
“We look at small ways to solve big problems. The solutions will come from the locals because they know the problems best." (Mahama Nyankamawu, CEO, Volta Power Company)
“Many organization already have the DNA to start innovation and collaboration. They just need to realize it.” (Shashank Saggar, Senior Strategist, Adobe Digital Innovation Services)
"The most important thing any organization can do is be willing to tap into the vast ecosystem available to them today to test and learn. By scanning and curating with thousands of startups making groundbreaking discoveries in this space across many industries breakthrough innovation happens." (Brian Sathianathan, Co-Founder & CDO, Iterate Studio)
Panel discussion – How do we ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns?
"As we reflect on the lessons from the global response to HIV and AIDS we know that whether the innovations are technical, institutional or financial it is crucially important to include and involve those people most affected by the innovations. That is as important today as it has always been, whether thinking about SDG 9, 12, 17 or indeed any of the goals." (Simon Bland, Director, United nations, UNAIDS)
"Many of the sustainability challenges in energy, water, and health would be solved by affordable and more sustainable version of technologies that already exist in the West. But the risk/reward equation is hard to close." (Mitra Ardron, Founder, Lumeter)
“Technology does not make it downstream fast, unfortunately it sometimes takes a long time.” (Kevin Schaff, CEO & Founder, Twyst)
“Sustainability started small with Microsoft. We started recycling cups, plates and paper goods to create an impact.” (Sidhant Gupta, Research Scientist, Medical Devices, Microsoft Research)
Panel discussion - How do we accelerate innovation through corporate partnerships?
"We can no longer innovate in isolation. Companies need to be comfortable with open innovation. The lines are being blurred between singular versus multiple innovation." (Shannon Lucas, Senior Innovation Architect, Cisco)
“There is a need to challenge traditional ways corporate approaches Corporate Social Responsibility. We need to create a power dynamic between donors and receivers.” (Rebecca Nalder, Director CSR, Silicon Valley Community Foundation)
“We partner with local accelerators to innovate. We act as mentors to help apply the business models and practices they require.” (Kevin Kraver, Director Business Development, Santa Clara University, Miller Center)
Work session - How to accelerate the translation of research into gender specific design elements?
with Saralyn Mark, MD, President, SolaMed Solutions, LLC & iGIANT
"Most design elements in the products we use everyday are based on a man's anatomy. Very few manufacturers put emphasis on gender specific design elements." (Saralyn Mark, MD)
