Microsoft's hosted about 65 representatives from non-profit organisations across Asia Pacific its second annual Asia Pacific Tech4Good Summit on 22 - 23 May 2012 in Bintan, Indonesia.
The intention of the Tech4Good
Summit was to harness t
he power of technology to support non-profits to achieve
transformational change both within their organisations and in the way they
deliver services to beneficiaries and constituents.
Tina Reid, executive Director of Social Development Partners in New Zealand attended the Tech4Good Summit, and was impressed with the consultative approach Microsoft are taking to achieve their mission to use technology as a force for positive change in people's lives and the future of nations.
"Through a variety of programmes such as TechSoup, Connecting Communities, and direct gifts and donations to social services, Microsoft have developed strong strategic relationships with many organisations, and continue to work with them to share experiences and develop an active Citizenship and Community Affairs work programmes in this region of the world.
"Bringing so many people together was a huge commitment - and hugely worthwhile in that it is building a strong network of community organisations committed to ensuring that technology plays a critical role in meeting social needs across the region.
For Tina, Tech4Good helped her re-focus and commit to follow up the three IT conferences for community organisations that Social Development Partners and TechSoup have run this year.
"Conferences and workshops are a great starting point - but we want to go further. It is important that we work with other partners to develop new ways to support building technology capacity for community organisations in New Zealand. The work that Social Development Partners does with TechSoup remains a core part of this role, and now that the donations programme is well established we look forward to exploring some new initiatives over the next year."