HealthMap - Global disease alert map

An interesting website which gives the latest update info on the disease outbreaks on google maps. You can check for your city or a place you plan to visit.



HealthMap brings together disparate data sources to achieve a comprehensive view of the current global state of infectious diseases and their effect on human and animal health.

HealthMap provides a jumping-off point for real-time information on emerging infectious diseases and has particular interest for public health officials and international travelers.

Thanks Avinash for sending this :)

ICT's smart answer to climate change

Many know about the impact of airlines on Climate Change and some have started to offset their carbon emissions from air travel in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint.

Few, however, are aware of how information and communication technologies (ICTs) affect climate change. With emissions of 830 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent (CO2-e in 2007) the ICT sector accounted for 2 percent of global carbon emissions, as much as aviation.

Earlier this month the Global eSustainability Initiative (GESI) and the non-profit organisation Climate Group published a report entitled ‘SMART 2020: Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age’. Presenting results from an analysis of the direct carbon footprint of the ICT sector, the report examines global emission reduction opportunities and strategies to overcome barriers hindering the full realisation of such.
Read further at CSR Asia

Design for Social Impact - IDEO + Rockefeller Foundation

With a new focus area on innovation, The Rockefeller Foundation is exploring new avenues for social change. One promising area is design and how the design industry can play a larger role in the social sector. This How-to Guide and the accompanying Workbook are written for design firms that are interested in joining in the conversation.

>> IDEO + Rockefeller Workbook (413 KB)
>> IDEO + Rockefeller Guide (4.75 MB)

IDEO Social Impact Page

Youth Venture Challenge in Mumbai

Message from Youth Venture:

 

Youth Venture is about to begin it's second cycle in Mumbai, so we are trying to spread the word to young people across the city between the ages of 15-24.

Most of you probably know that Youth Venture Challenge supports young people as they start their own social ventures.  We provide seed funding (up to Rupees 10,000). But we also conduct capacity building workshop and provide other resources (e.g mentorship). It's a dynamic program which seeks to transform the role of young people in Indian society.

Do you know any young people who are passionate about an issue (even if they aren't sure how to solve it)? Send them our way! We can help them develop their ideas and build a strong skill set.

You can contact Youth Venture by emailing at tvipin@ashoka.org or calling 9821877975.

Youth Venture Blog - http://yvchallenge.blogspot.com

 

Manthan Award South Asia 2008 - Nominations Open

Greetings from "Manthan Award South Asia 2008"!

We are pleased to announce the launch of "Manthan Award South Asia 2008" recognizing best ICT & e-Content Practices and Innovations for Development. Nominations are open for 2008 from e-Content innovators, practitioners and creators across South Asian Countries who wish to nominate their products and innovations for this prestigious award.

Nominations are invited in 15 categories: e-business; e-learning; e-culture; e-government; e-health; e-enterprise and livelihood; e-entertainment; e-education; e-environment; e-inclusion; e-localization; e-news; e-youth; m-content; community broadcasting.

To file nominations please visit www.manthanaward.org or http://www.manthanaward.org/NomProduct.asp

The Manthan Award is an initiative of Digital Empowerment Foundation with strategic support from Department of Information Technology, Government of India, and World Summit Award Austria.

Last Date for Nominations: July 15, 2008


For further details contact:

Ms. Ravi Kanta / Mr. Md. Niyaz
The Manthan Award South Asia 2008 Secretariat,
12/17, Sarvapriya Vihar,
New Delhi – 1100016, INDIA
Tel: 011-26532786 / 26532787 / 46024552 / 46080646
Telefax: 011-26532787
Email: manthanaward@gmail.com

Work From Home, Save The Environment

Sun Microsystems has presented evidence that telecommuting is not just a convenience for workers who wish to dispense with the morning routine of struggling to find something to wear, then fighting traffic or braving the gauntlet of public transportation. Sun just released the results of its Open Work Energy Measurement Project, a survey of its employees aimed at finding out just how beneficial its flexible scheduling policies are by calculating the difference in the environmental impact of commuting to an office versus working from home. It found that 98 percent of each employee's carbon footprint for work came from his or her commute. By staying home for half of a five-day workweek, the average employee reduced his or her job-related energy use by 5400 kilowatt-hours per year. Commuting half as much also saved each worker $1700 per year in fuel and other auto-related costs, and allowed them to regain more than two weeks that would otherwise be lost to traffic snarls or waits at train stations.

To learn more about Sun's eco responsibility efforts, visit: www.sun.com/eco

And for more information on Open Work, visit: www.sun.com/openwork

Nvidia High Impact Grants - $50000 each

Nvidia is willing to donate a High Impact Grant of $50,000 for community upliftment purposes. They're looking for four great organizations who will each receive $50,000 if they can prove they'll use the funds to create a transformative impact. The details can be found at http://www.nvidia.com/object/high_impact_grants.html

The process involves preparing an online application and shortlisting. The deadline for application submission is June 20, 2008.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact communityrelations [at] nvidia.com