Top Ten Technologies for Social Good

SAN FRANCISCO - Sept. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- San-Francisco-based NGO TechSoup Global (http://www.techsoupglobal.org) announced today that it has issued Technology for Good: Innovative Use of Technology by Charities, a unique global repository of technologies being used for social good. The comprehensive report was produced in collaboration with the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network, part of theguardian.com, which is the world’s third-largest online English language newspaper.  The report is available as a free e-book on the Guardian’s website http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network.


The report focuses on ten technologies that have the potential for wide reach, deep impact, and ease of use globally. It illustrates how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have used these tools in a wide range of issue areas, ranging from disaster relief in earthquake-stricken Haiti to fighting corruption in India and protecting thousands of acres of ecologically significant land in Puerto Rico.

Examples include NGOs implementing dependable technologies such as mobile technology, radio, and television with an interesting twist, such as basic SMS and telephone messaging for educating students in remote areas of Pakistan or raising funds for East African drought relief.

NGOs also employ relatively new tools such as GPS tracking and portable networks to create social change. A truly visionary approach, however, might be the utilization of cutting-edge drone technology to deliver aid to otherwise inaccessible areas.

TechSoup Global will follow up Technology for Good: Innovative Use of Technology by Charities with in-depth analysis that aims to benefit the hands-on work of NGOs as well as funders considering supporting tech for good efforts.

Technology for Good is another milestone for TechSoup Global in analyzing global use of technology for social good. It follows the organization’s well-received 2012 Global Cloud Computing Survey report [http://www.techsoupglobal.org/2012-global-cloud-computing-survey].

About TechSoup Global

TechSoup Global is an international network of 53 partner NGOs in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. For over 25 years, it has leveraged technology to build NGO capacity towards solving problems in local communities and fostering global social change. TechSoup Global’s core competencies include running one of the biggest technology philanthropy programs in the world; providing NGO validation services to funders and corporations; gathering, analyzing, and distributing global social-sector data; and catalyzing community-oriented technology innovations.

About the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network

This is an online community developed by the Guardian that promotes understanding, dialogue, and debate among global development professionals.  Membership is free, and members benefit from exclusive content and insight, discounts for career-enhancing events, a first look at international development jobs and live Q&As with sector experts.

The Guardian Global Development Professionals Network is a place to share ideas and discuss the latest developments in the sector. To sign up go to theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network.

About Guardian Professional Networks

Guardian Professional Networks are community-focused sites, where we bring together advice, best practice and insight from a wide range of professional communities.

Some of our specialist hubs within these sites are supported by funding from external companies and organizations. All editorial content is independent of any sponsorship, unless otherwise clearly stated. We make Partner Zones available for sponsors' own content. Guardian Professional is a division of Guardian News & Media.