The Skoll World Forum 2008 has drawn to a close - I feel energized, stimulated, encouraged, inspired - and utterly exhausted.
How many times in the last few days have I repeated the words:
/betterplace - an internet platform for philanthropy. /
/We link those who want to give to those in need of receiving.
We are German.
We are European.
We are expanding.
We seek partners. We seek projects. We seek users.
It was also a pleasure meeting you.
Here’s my business card.
We will be in touch./
The event was well organised. The delegates were enthusiastic. The speakers profound.
From Jimmy Carter, Jody Williams and Karen Tse, to Paul Farmer, Ashraf Ghani and Al Gore - these were but a few of the great speakers at the forum that guided the discussion on the responsibility of social entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges in today’s world.
And although the words of these powerful individuals have sunk deep into my mind, leaving me to process and digest their message for long after this Forum is passed - it is not these voices that have left the deepest impact - but rather a small “community” of individuals that share a similar vision and understanding of how the internet can be used as a lever to make real change.
In the very beginning of the Skoll Forum, at the Opening Plenary Karen Tse spoke of how individuals can be connected through shared ideas that often transcend traditional cultural borders.
It is this sense of “connectedness” that has left the greatest impact. Connected because, as delegates, we share the unique experience of the Skoll Forum. Connected because we share a common vision for overcoming the many social challenges of our times. And connected because betterplace, like other internet based organisations, provides a solution to linking people, ideas and support across the globe.