Generation17 empowers young global leaders to use tech to create new possibilities
It's already 2021, and countries worldwide, including Bangladesh, have less than 9 years to attain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030 and build a better future. Everyone must accelerate their progress to achieving all these SDGs (also known as Global Goals) by the targeted time. Thus, in 2019, Samsung Electronics Company Limited partnered with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to begin an initiative to achieve the SDGs faster – Generation17.
Generation17 will heighten the voices of young leaders globally and allow them to share their stories with the world. The stories will make others understand how these young people contribute to the economy and achieve the SDGs. Samsung and UNDP are also offering mentorship, technology, and networking opportunities to the young leaders as they progress in their work.
Samsung Mobile and UNDP have created Samsung Global Goals Application, which allows smartphone users to understand the SDGs and work together to achieve them by 2030. Generation17 has the power to enable youth to take bold action regarding the SDGs, make their voice heard loud and clear, and spark meaningful changes globally, including in Bangladesh.
Every day, young people worldwide demonstrate outstanding ideas, solutions, and initiatives to achieve Global Goals. Today, we will see how three young leaders use tech to create new possibilities and progress in achieving SDGs.
Shomy Chowdhury is 26 years old, and she is from Bangladesh. Shomy stands for Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.
How did tech help you globalise your idea?
Shomy: Awareness 360 was formed in Bangladesh but is now operating in 23 countries – the places where my co-founder and I have never gone. It has only been possible due to innovative technology and access to the internet and phones.
We offer a lot of webinars and skills-building workshops about sanitation and handwashing. Online webinars enabled people to access the seminars from anywhere.
Effective usage of tech tools has the power to bring changes and create movements globally. Access to information and online services is so much easier for us now. That's why I imagined going global and forming an organisation on my own in the first place.
Tafara Makaza is 24 years old, and he is from Zimbabwe. Tafara stands for Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
When did you realise you could use technology to make an impact in your community?
Tafara: Growing up, I never had access to computer science education, so I assumed it was difficult. However, I studied an app development course with an American college online, and it motivated me to continue learning it from YouTube tutorials. Later, I realised that I could use my phone and computer to create software and application for anyone.
Having lived in poverty all my life, I've always seen the real side of what it looks like when you don't have access, so I started thinking about what people needed back home.
Since 2017, I've built digital platforms to enable better ways to transfer money, accessible transportation options, and create a more reliable network for gig economy workers doing a one-time job. All of these are for people living in Zimbabwe and on mobile technology. Whenever I get an idea, I share it on Twitter, Facebook, or in a group message and see how people respond. I'm using technology to help create numerous jobs and valuable services to support regular people who are trying to live a better life.
Yejin Choi is 26 years old, and she is from South Korea. Yejin stands for Goal 4 – Quality Education.
How is tech helping you to evolve what your organisation provides?
Yejin: I created a mobile education application called 'DoBrain,' which has had an incredible impact. It's clinically validated and helps young children (3 to 7 years old), including those with learning disabilities and developmental delays, access education based on cognitive therapy techniques. I saw that in communities where diagnostic care and education resources were lacking, children's learning was suffering.
But modern technology is helping us have a transformative impact in these places. We're using AI to develop an algorithm that assesses a child's development like a therapist would and proposes an appropriate learning program among more than 10,000 programs. More parents worldwide will become aware of essential information for their children's well-being through this mobile technology.
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