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U-report
enables communities even the most vulnerable participate and advocate for
better services using SMS messages.
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NEW YORK – UNICEF’s
commitment to innovation was highlighted last week, when it was announced that
the UNICEF-supported U-Report - a free SMS-based system that allows young
Ugandans to speak out on what's happening in communities across the country –
was selected by a global Jury of 60 experts from nearly 50 countries as the
winner of a World Summit Award (WSA).
The WSA was launched as
part of the United Nations Summit on the Information Society in 2003 and is
considered the unique global competition for recognizing the
best in m-Content and creativity.
More than 450 submissions
from all UN member states were nominated this year, with only 5 nabbing the top
honors in each category.
As crisis and conflict
continues unabated throughout all parts of the earth, it has never been more
imperative than right now that we utilize the technologies and innovations at
our disposal to engage the world in our mission.
This latest recognition is
proof that the world is indeed taking notice of our efforts. By seeking out
innovative solutions to big problems we will continue to inspire, engage and
mobilize the global community, effecting positive change for all children.
Speaking with ICON,
UNICEF’s Director of Innovation, Dr Sharad Sapra, said “A large proportion of
the population in the developing countries is very young. Sustainable
development needs these young people to be engaged and to take our work
forward. We need to move away from a shareholder model of working and a
patron-client relationship to a stakeholder model of working. U-Report allows
us to do that. This award also validates the Executive Director's vision on the
importance of Innovation to address inequities.”
The awards ceremony will
take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 1-3 February 2015. The winner’s events will be
hosted by the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Center (ADSIC) in the name of
the government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
These events will provide
the unique opportunity for the winners to present their products on a global
stage and derive new inspiration from a host of acclaimed key note speakers,
and demo-rich workshops. It will also afford participants the opportunity to
network with international developers, experts and UN Representatives.
The Awards will be
distributed by the high level dignitaries at the WSA-mobile Winner’s gala.
Click here to view an animation about U-Report.
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