Transcript economic development and poverty

Don’t be evil: Do be good
Alix Peterson Zwane
June 29, 2007
Agenda
•What is google.org?
•What activities are we currently undertaking
•Future work
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The vision of google.org
Google.org aspires to use the power of information to help people better their
lives and to address three major growing global problems: climate change,
economic development and poverty, and global public health.
“We hope that someday this institution will eclipse Google itself in overall world
impact by ambitiously applying innovation and significant resources to the
largest of the world's problems.”
- Sergey Brin & Larry Page
One percent of profits and equity toward that vision.
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Google.org is an experiment in active philanthropy
In addition to financial resources, we are fortunate to be able to engage
Google’s entire family of people and partners, information
technologies and other resources
The DotOrg umbrella covers the work of the Google Foundation, some of
Google's own projects, as well as partnerships and contributions to
for-profit and non-profit entities.
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Climate change
We focus our investment, policy and public engagement activities on
efforts to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the
efficiency of energy use and deploying cleaner and renewable energy
sources.
Some of our initial efforts include:
RechargeIT
RechargeIT is a google.org initiative that aims to accelerate the
adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid
technology. As part of this initiative, google.org joined with a California
utility to demonstrate an innovative vehicle-to-grid hybrid car.
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Global public health
Google.org is exploring ways to enable more effective prediction,
prevention, control and where possible, eradication of communicable
diseases through better access to and use of information technologies.
Some of our initial efforts include:
Project INSTEDD
With initial support from google.org, an independent, non-profit
federation initially called "Project INSTEDD" has been established. This
federation will serve individuals and organizations by harnessing
technology for more effective early warning, prevention and response to
natural disasters and public health emergencies.
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Global development
Google.org supports efforts to empower people to improve their quality
of life and economic well-being.
Three exploratory initiatives:
• Supporting Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development and
growth in Africa.
• Working to identify and implement critical information platforms which
can stimulate better access to capital and to markets for
entrepreneurs and SMEs in the developing world.
• Using information as a lever to improve provision of essential services
to the poor.
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Next steps
Watch for our Request for Proposals (RFP)
We plan to invest approximately $10 million in technologies and
companies featuring plug-in hybrids, fully electric vehicles, vehicle-togrid capabilities, batteries and other storage technologies, and the
application of renewable electricity and fuels to green vehicles.
We’re hiring!
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