Global Social Innovation Meet in New Delhi

US-based technology expert and inventor Sam Pitroda is heading a delegation of a hundred young social innovators that will visit New Delhi, India on January 21, 2012. The key purpose of the meet will be to discuss how social enterprises can make more effective use of technology to achieve their goals.

Pitroda, who is also the advisor to the Indian Prime Minister on information infrastructure and innovation says, "Through technology we begin to think about things differently. How do we bring about generational change? How do you expedite the process of modernization and development?"

The meet has been organized by "Action for India," which, according to Pitroda, is a "movement for the world that will bring young talent together to think about new ways, new processes and new products, in a whole different paradigm of human development." The meet will also feature a session on "Leveraging Technology for Scaling Impact," which will be chaired by Ed Cutrell, Unit Head at Microsoft Research and Technology for Emerging Markets.

Action for India (AFI), which has Sam Pitroda as its Honorary Chairman, believes that social entrepreneurs can make a real difference to the daily lives of real people. It says that social enterprises are India's best hope for long-term, large scale social change. AFI suggests that India's billion-plus population needs socially innovative solutions, and these solutions are already present in the minds of social entrepreneurs, just waiting to be tapped.

India has a large number of motivated young people who have innovative solutions to local problems. A few are already using technology actively to make a larger impact, while the majority of them have not yet comprehended how technology can help. By connecting these budding social entrepreneurs with technology experts, mentors and resources, it is possible to make things happen faster and better.

Action for India Forum 2012 aims to serve as a catalyst for 100 Young Social Innovators who are making an impact at the bottom of the pyramid. It will provide them critical resources so that their social entrepreneurial efforts gain momentum to impact a much larger audience.

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