Empowering Youth for a Digitally Inclusive Tomorrow: UNICEF’s Innovations for Children’s Lives
In HRchat episode 606, we delve into the realm of digital inclusion and agency for young people and how UNICEF is spearheading innovative initiatives to uplift children’s lives in challenging circumstances. Our guest, Bo Percival, Senior Advisor, Innovation (Ventures) at UNICEF, is at the forefront of efforts to promote open innovation and accelerate positive outcomes for children worldwide.
UNICEF’s mission is to support the world’s most vulnerable children, working tirelessly in some of the most challenging places on earth to save lives, protect rights, and enable children to fulfill their potential. One of the crucial initiatives contributing to this mission is the UNICEF Venture Fund, which aims to transform the lives of children through support for pioneering companies driving positive change.
During the interview, Bo Percival sheds light on the significance of listening to the voices of today’s youth to shape a free, open, safe, and secure digital landscape for tomorrow. Young people have unique perspectives, ideas, and needs, and involving them in decisions regarding technology and digital spaces ensures that their interests and rights are safeguarded.
A key highlight we discussed during the episode is the UN’s Summit of the Future, scheduled for 2024. The summit serves as a platform to envision a future driven by innovation and collective action. Bo Percival provides insights into the potential impact of the summit and how it aligns with UNICEF’s mission to create a better world for children.
Bo, along with Stephanie Sy, the founder of Thinking Machines, and Muhammad Lila, the Founder & On-Air Host at Goodable, participated in a session titled ‘Innovating to reach every child’ at the prestigious Collision conference. This platform allowed them to showcase the groundbreaking work carried out by UNICEF Innovation Ventures Fund and other organizations in reaching out to children in marginalized communities and ensuring their needs are met.
UNICEF: Innovating to Reach Every Child
Speaking about the importance of his appearance at the Collision Conference, Bo explains that it offered an ideal environment to connect with like-minded innovators, entrepreneurs, and experts from diverse fields. The conference series facilitates collaboration and networking, fostering partnerships that drive positive change on a global scale.
The conversation also delves into the potential of blockchain technology in creating tangible impact. Blockchain’s decentralized and secure nature can revolutionize the way organizations like UNICEF track resources and aid distribution, ensuring transparency and accountability. By leveraging blockchain, UNICEF can optimize its efforts to reach children in need efficiently.
UNICEF’s commitment to building a better world for children is evident in its tireless work across 190 countries and territories. They leave no stone unturned to advocate for every child’s rights and well-being, regardless of their circumstances. By harnessing the power of innovation and partnering with pioneering companies, UNICEF continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create lasting change for future generations.