Forum examines Silicon Valley's global contribution

By Kristina Chiapella

Today, a number of high-profile visitors will be gracing our campus as Santa Clara hosts the Silicon Valley Challenge Summit.

The summit is an international forum presented by Santa Clara's Center for Science, Technology and Society and co-presented by RiOS Institute.

The event builds on the Center's focus on research and will promote the use of science and technology for the common good.

The purpose of the summit is to address the 2002 challenge of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to make sure that the Silicon Valley "broadens its horizon and brings more of its remarkable dynamism and innovation to the developing world."

Over the course of the day, the questions of what the Silicon Valley has done, can do and is currently doing will be intently and thoughtfully addressed.

A number of speakers from across the globe will be present to direct the day's events, which will include a variety of panels and workshops.

Through these activities, a large focus will be placed on the advance of information and communication technology (ICT).

Experts will discuss ways in which Silicon Valley institutions can contribute to a worldwide campaign for social and economic equality.

The summit will bring together many guests from big-name companies that have given the Silicon Valley its reputation.

These include influential figures in the Microsoft Corporation, Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems and others from universities, the United Nations and the "One Laptop per Child" Initiative. Together, they hope to shape Silicon Valley into an even greater focal point for ICT evolution in a global context.

"The event is significant in that it brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, governments, nonprofits and academics, as well as the major corporations to explore collaboratively how ICTs can be used to better the lives of those living in emerging countries," said Karen Bernosky, communications and development manager for Santa Clara's Center for Science, Technology and Society

According to Bernosky, the university is the perfect location for the Summit.

Not only is it located in the heart of Silicon Valley, but it "fits with the university's mission as a higher education institution based on the values of ethics and social justice and specifically builds on the Center's mission to assist in programs and projects that help build a more just and sustainable world through innovation."

In addition to being a discussion of information technology problems, the summit will include an exhibition highlighting the 2006 Tech Museum Award Laureates.

These are individuals who participated in the Tech Museum of Innovation's annual recognition ceremony based on the theme of Technology Benefiting Humanity.

Laureates were selected from across the globe, under the direction of a judging panel selected by the Center, whose ICT projects, the summit schedule describes, "address urgent global challenges" and will "provide participants the opportunity to interact with and learn first hand about the impact and implications of their humanitarian enterprises."

The Silicon Valley Challenge Summit is centered on the fact that although Silicon Valley has both the resources and desire to contribute to global development, it lacks necessary models to pursue effective involvement.

And while international associations such as the United Nations and the World Bank may be able to provide the solution, they in turn are unaware of Silicon Valley's unique circumstances and capabilities.

By bringing members of both groups together, the summit will tackle theses challenges and pave the way for global collaboration and social and technological action.

The Center of Science, Technology and Society is dedicated to continuing this discussion over the years, using a series of speakers and events to pursue the summit's compelling topics and its goals.

Contact Kristina Chiapella at (408) 551-1918 or kchiapella@scu.edu.