About

A week dedicated to exploring the intersection between social technology and social change launched in its first year last June of 2009. The MaRS Discovery Centre in downtown Toronto, hosted fourteen events, each with a unique focus and target audience. Over 2,000 people attended the week, which was built in partnership with over 35 collaborators.

Some highlights from last year include:

  • Net Change video message from Don Tapscott: Net Change participants were armed with a toolkit to take back to their organizations to impart the essential messages and importance of social tech to create buy-in from their leadership.
  • Capturing the Net Change story in real-time: Humber PR students and volunteers were enlisted to be live-bloggers and roving reporters with an “all access pass” and hand-held video cameras.
  • The Skills Exchange: Three organizations had the opportunity to work with three of Canada’s best interactive agencies for 2 weeks to help find a solution to a wicked problem. They presented the outcomes on the final day.
  • Responsible style: Net Change organizers, roving reporters and volunteers were easily spotted in “Be the Change” T-shirts donated by Me to We Style, which supports the Free the Children organization.

Net Change is a weeklong series of events at the MaRS Centre in Toronto exploring the intersection between technology and social change. Following the success of the inaugural event in ’09, 2010 will push the boundaries and examine technology’s potential to yield greater impact. Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to social tech for social change offering practical training for social change makers. Wednesday’s Mobile Tech for Social Change will be the first-of-its-kind in Ontario. Thursday and Friday events will challenge our thinking about how technology can be designed for positive social change in the future.

Renowned thought leaders will be featured throughout the week to share amazing stories about the application and implication of social tech. Our Future Lab also promises exciting outcomes! Three pre-selected project ideas will enter into the lab and have less than 48hrs to come up with the game plan for how the ideas will be realized out in the world. The winner will be announced at the end of the working session.

Check out Netchangeweek.ca for calendar updates as the week starts to build out and follow @netchange for announcements!