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January 29, 2016

Windows 10: Joining Forces with Global Citizen to support the Global Goals and Upgrade Your World by 2030



Over the past six months, Upgrade Your World has continued to celebrate the inspiring people and organizations who are making a difference in their communities and around the world. Since the start of the initiative back in July, together with the launch of Windows 10, we have worked to highlight some of the most powerful global non-profit organizations that are devoted to making the world a better place including Save the Children, Keep a Child Alive, Malala Fund and Code.org.

For the month of January, we’ve partnered with Global Citizen, a community of people who want to learn about and take action to bring about the end of extreme poverty by 2030.

On September 25th, 2015, 193 world leaders committed to 17 Global Goals to achieve three main things in the next 15 years – End extreme poverty, Fight inequality & injustice, and tackle climate change. Global Citizen partnered with the United Nations to give these Global Goals the loudest possible launch.

Last night, Global Citizen joined Windows and Microsoft Philanthropies to host a panel at the Microsoft Loft Space in New York to shine a light on the Global Goals and the efforts made by the organization. Industry leaders and advocates gathered to listen to Hugh Evans, CEO & Co-Founder of Global Citizen, Kweku Mandela, Global Citizen ambassador and Co-Founder of the Africa Rising Foundation, Jane Meseck, Director of Global Programs for Microsoft Philanthropies and actresses/Global Citizen Ambassador Rachel Brosnahan discuss the integral role that technology plays in making these goals a reality. The discussion was moderated by Richard Lui of MSNBC.

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Richard Lui, Hugh Evans, Jane Meseck, Kweku Mandela and Rachel Brosnahan participate in Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Richard Lui, Hugh Evans, Jane Meseck, Kweku Mandela and Rachel Brosnahan participate in Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Rachel Brosnahan attends Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Rachel Brosnahan attends Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Rachel Brosnahan, Jane Meseck and Richard Lui attend Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Rachel Brosnahan, Jane Meseck and Richard Lui attend Upgrade Your World panel discussion hosted by Global Citizen and Windows 10 about the Global Goals on January 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

From tablets and smartphones to back-end cloud technology and the importance of social media and connectedness, Global Citizens around the world use a variety of technologies in order to connect with peers, thought leaders, government officials and the organization. As the implementation of new technologies continues to rapidly increase, so too does Global Citizen’s ability to make these goals become a reality.

In addition to our partnership with Global Citizen, Microsoft is contributing to each of the Global Goals in several ways, with a major focus on two Goals where our role will be particularly impactful:

  • “Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Technology will play a key role in transforming education through innovative teaching methods, adaptive curriculum and interactive learning experiences. Moreover, increasing access and standardizing computer science education for all youth will spur innovation in emerging and developed markets across the globe.
  • “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” Productivity services, mobile technology and cloud services will expand economic opportunity, create jobs and support business growth.

With more than $1 billion in corporate giving last year and significant employee giving and volunteerism programs, Microsoft provides philanthropic contributions and support for issues addressed by many of the Global Goals.

Please continue to share your stories about how you are working to #UpgradeYourWorld by using the hashtag on Twitter. We also encourage you to visit the Global Citizen website to find out how you can take action around these issues.