Anyone with an iPhone, a Droid, or the infamous Crack-berry can personally attest to how much technology has evolved in the past decade. As devices get smaller, flatter, and faster, technology has become such an integral part of our own lives. Can anyone actually remember a time where you couldn’t take pictures, load your work-out playlist, and read work email all from your phone?
While technology has made our lives more interesting and perhaps more distracted, it’s also being used to make many lives healthier, more empowered, and just better all around. There are technology companies who are going the extra mile to invent tools that are solving big social issues and many of them are recognized by the annual Tech Awards. The Tech Awards is an international awards program that highlights the work of people who are using technology to benefit humanity. Looking at what some of the past winners of this prestigious award have achieved is an inspiring reminder of the potential technology has to kick-start social change
Husk Power Systems: This is a biomass company that is generating electricity in rural Indian villages with rice husks. There are 60 mini-plants that have been installed and provide close to 25,000 households with electricity. To date, the company’s plants have sequestered 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Not only is this technology replacing a cleaner and safer form of energy, it has also been a source of employment in these communities. They have employed and trained more than 300 local citizens and have generated $1.2 million in income. This company shows how technology can improve several systems in a small geographic area. Husk Power systems is bringing changes to the local economy, the environment, and the well-being of the residents.
Global Voices: Another laureate who is using technology in a very different way is Global Voices. They are a Netherlands based organization that aggregates and distributes news from citizen journalists from all over the world. With over 300 writers, editors, and translators, Global Voices has amplified experiences of people from Britain to Bali. With the recent uprisings throughout North Africa and the Middle East, Global Voices has become an important source of first-hand information about what’s happening on the ground.
While Husk Power Systems uses technology to build new systems in small communities throughout India, Global Voices uses technology as a portal for connecting communities who may never have encountered each other. It goes to show the vast potential technology has to facilitate important change on all levels.
If your organization is using technology to bring new solutions to old problems, throw your hat in the ring and apply for the Tech Awards 2011. The deadline for nominations is due March 31, so there is still time to get your application in. To find out more about the award criteria and how to apply, check out their site at http://techawards.org/.
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