Silicon Valley Challenge Summit—a landmark event The Nov. 16 Silicon Valley Challenge Summit, held at the University the day after the Tech Awards (www.techawards.org), was a unique forum that brought together cross-sectoral stakeholders to explore ways to collectively harness the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development. Hosted by the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS), the sold-out event marked the beginning of substantive conversations on this highly charged topic. "The Summit provided an opportunity to explore thorny issues of Information and Communication Technology in the service of development, to forge partnerships and to suggest new ways forward, all in an intimate setting,” said CSTS Executive Director Geoffrey C. Bowker. “It built on the Center's commitment to researching and promoting the use of science and technology for the public good.” President Paul Locatelli, S.J., offered warm welcoming remarks:“We hope that today’s convening of a diverse group of social, business, and academic participants will allow us to confront challenges and craft a set of solutions together – using the innovation and insights of this valley to advance opportunity and justice around the world.” His introduction was followed by comments by a longtime Center friend, Jim Morgan of Applied Materials. “Applied became a founding partner for the Center for Science, Technology, and Society because we believe that the possibilities unleashed by technology also bring with them responsibilities to ensure that technology is being used wisely and to the benefit of humanity. I am pleased these conferences continue to be an active and robust international forum for discussing important ideas and issues,” Morgan said. In panel discussions, interactive workshops, and small group meetings, the more than 250 participants examined how Silicon Valley has responded to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who challenged the region to "broaden its horizon and bring more of its remarkable dynamism and innovation to the developing world." Discussions between individuals from corporate, civic, and academic sectors were arranged around answering key questions regarding the Valley’s role in creating a better future for all by looking back to learn from what has been done, and then looking forward toward what more can be done in using ICTs for global development. Action-packed, charged with energy, and flowing with a truly coordinated effort, the Summit was linked by a series of memorable moments, including: - Rich opening keynotes from Intel’s Craig Barrett and Sarbuland Khan of the United Nations - see Mr. Khan’s statement www.scu.edu/sts/Events/rios/upload/Sarbuland_Khan_Opening_Keynote.doc
- Dozens of SCU students, sitting two abreast on the outside aisle steps of the sold-out Recital Hall, straining to hear the morning panel, with luminaries Bill Davidow, Jim Fruchterman, Bill Coleman, Akhtar Badshah, and Manuel Castells.
- The “Project Clearinghouse” concept, introduced by Castells during the morning panel, ignited the assembly and became a focal point for much of the day’s proceedings.
- Tech Award Laureates using ICTs for development were featured in the Mayer Theatre lobby, giving them the opportunity to display their project information and interact with Summit attendees. Brazilian Tech Award Laureate Theresa Williamson, remarked "The Summit was the perfect ending to an unforgettable week, an opportunity to learn from technology leaders' most recent thoughts on leveraging technology to benefit humanity.”
- “Lunch table discussions” were so riveting that it was hard for participants to disengage. Many were late for the Breakout Workshops following lunch because they had a difficult time wrapping up the small group discussions led by some of the Valley’s finest, including Regis McKenna, John Seely Brown, Jeffrey A. Miller, and others.
- The first production unit of a $100 laptop—intended for use by children in developing countries—was unveiled at the Summit. A playful looking, bright lime-green unit was shown by One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the research and development of this product. “The Summit was the right venue for the conversation of how ICTs can significantly transform and benefit the educational opportunities for millions of children around the world,” said Walter Bender, OLPC‘s president for software and content. Unlike any laptop you have used, this one works as well in bright sunlight as well as in dimly lit offices – a crucial design element for working in tropical countries.
- The event was a call to action. Participants were encouraged to write down ideas concerning innovation and resources in order to focus attention on these ideas throughout the Summit. Breakout workshop sessions discussed challenges and concrete steps for making different approaches work for the participants’ own organizations. Some of these ideas are captured in the workshop notes at LINK.
- Closing plenary moderator Paul Saffo, with his wry wit and engaging facilitation, was a real crowd pleaser. He artfully summarized the day’s proceedings, identifying both critical synergies between participants and critical questions that were raised in a style that could only be called Saffoesque.
- Jeff Miller’s suggestion, on behalf of Bill Carter, to focus CSTS examination on one or two global problems per year as models for the Project Clearinghouse. Identifying and working on two clusters of projects (e.g., water and renewable energy) might provide the Center with a better chance at scaling and solving problems for those at the bottom of the pyramid.
- Celebration! As the day came to a close, the energy and momentum generated from the Summit waxed strong. The closing reception was jam-packed with people connecting, strategizing, and imagining ways to leverage our collective skills to understand the challenges we face to use technology to make the world a better place. (See what Summit participants had to say www.scu.edu/sts/Events/rios/wrap-up.cfm#Quotes)
Summit speakers included: • Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director of Community Affairs, Microsoft Corporation • Ned Barnholt, Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Agilent Technologies • Craig R. Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation; and Chairman, Global Alliance for ICT and Development, United Nations • Radha Basu, Chairman of the Board, SupportSoft • Walter Bender, President, Software and Content, One Laptop Per Child • Geoffrey C. Bowker, Regis and Dianne McKenna Professor and Executive Director, Center for Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University • Paul Braund, Executive Director, RiOS Institute • Eric Brewer, Director for Intel Research; and Director, Technology and Infrastructure for Emerging Regions (TIER) Program, University of California, Berkeley • Eric Carlson, Associate Director, CSTS Global Social Benefit Incubator and Faculty, Entrepreneur Leadership Program, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University • Manuel Castells, Wallis Annenberg Chair, Professor of Communication, Technology, and Society, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California • Bill Coleman, Chairman, Silicon Valley Leadership Group; and Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Cassatt Corporation •Daniel Crisafulli, Corporate Strategy Group, World Bank • William H. Davidow, Founding Partner, MDV (Mohr Davidow Ventures) • James R. Fruchterman, Founder and CEO, The Benetech Initiative • S. Gopalakrishnan, President, COO, and Co-Founder, Infosys • Allen L. Hammond, Vice President for Innovation and Special Projects, World Resources Institute • Sarbuland Khan, Executive Coordinator of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development, United Nations • James L. Koch, Executive Director, CSTS Global Social Benefit Incubator, Santa Clara University • Paul Locatelli, S.J., President of Santa Clara University • James C. Morgan, Chairman, Applied Materials, Inc. • Paul Mountford, President, Emerging Markets, Cisco Systems Ltd. • Sally Osberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Skoll Foundation • Djordjija Petkoski, Lead Specialist, Business, Competitiveness, and Development Group, World Bank Institute • Paul Saffo • John Seely Brown, Former Chief Scientist, Xerox Corporation; Director Emeritus, Xerox PARC • Anke Schwittay, Director of Research, RiOS Institute • Dan Shine, Director, 50x15 Program, Advanced Micro Devices • Bess Stephens, Vice President, Corporate Philanthropy, Hewlett-Packard Company
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