Discussion: View Thread

Social entrepreneur creates blueprint for social change through IT

  • 1.  Social entrepreneur creates blueprint for social change through IT

    Posted 06-13-2006 17:00
    Hello,

    I am writing to announce the publication of a new book called “The Dynamics of Technology for
    Social Change” by social entrepreneur Jonathan Peizer.

    The book offers a blueprint for venture philanthropists, academics, social entrepreneurs,
    nonprofits and government agencies seeking to improve people’s lives through technology.

    In this new book, author Jonathan Peizer chronicles the venture philanthropy projects that took
    him to more than 30 countries in a seven-year period as director of the Soros Foundation’s
    Internet program. Peizer helped implement technology for the sake of social change in tumultuous
    times for Europe, Asia and other parts of the world at a time when the use of the Internet for these
    purposes and the concept of venture philanthropy were in their infancy.

    Jonathan Peizer lectures frequently on this subject and is available for speaking engagements in
    the coming months.

    If you would like a review copy of “The Dynamics of Technology for Social Change” or if you would
    like to invite Mr. Peizer to speak to members of your organization, please let me know. Thank you
    for your time and attention.

    Sincerely,


    Eileen Garvin

    Publicist, The Dynamics of Technology for Social Change

    (541) 231-3279


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact: Eileen Garvin
    Phone: (541) 231-3279
    E-mail: egarvin07@yahoo.com

    Social entrepreneur offers blueprint
    for social change through IT

    As the Internet boom was gaining momentum in boardrooms across the United States, an entirely
    different technology revolution was quietly taking place on the other side of the world: The
    “venture philanthropy” movement supported social change through technology in Eastern
    European countries and others emerging from generations of authoritarian rule.

    Author Jonathan Peizer chronicles his years on the front lines of that revolution in his new book
    “The Dynamics of Technology for Social Change.” With this book, Peizer offers a blueprint for
    philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, corporate responsibility programs and academics trying to
    enact social change through Internet Communications Technology.

    In 1993, Peizer joined philanthropist George Soros’ foundation to create an Internet program for
    the foundation’s Open Society Institute. Over the next seven years, Peizer helped launch 250
    projects in more than 30 countries with the goal of facilitating social change and sustainable
    economic development through technology.

    Using his firsthand experience, Peizer offers strategies for using ICT to facilitate change in NGOs,
    understanding the culture of nonprofits, and promoting relationships between nonprofits,
    foundations, government entities and private companies to achieve a mutual mission. “The
    Dynamics of Technology for Social Change” is an important resource for understanding program
    sustainability, implementation and evaluation, as well as the unique challenges facing open source
    methodology in the nonprofit environment and the importance of donor support conferences.

    Peizer catalogs the history of venture philanthropy projects — from Estonia to Albania, from the
    Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, and from Mongolia to South Africa and Haiti — along with their
    unique challenges, including civil war, political upheaval and even the threat of NATO bombings.
    While Americans were just starting to use ponderous dial-up modem service, Peizer was helping
    implement alternative Internet service using satellites, spread-spectrum radio modems, ham
    radios, cable TV, microwaves and asynchronous satellite technology for nonprofits around the
    globe.

    With more than 20 years of experience in ICT consulting, Peizer directed the Internet program for
    the Soros Foundation’s Open Society Network from 1993 to 2000 and continued to support and
    develop projects promoting social change through technology as its Chief Technology Officer from
    2001 through 2005. He continues his work in the field of venture philanthropy as founder of
    Internaut Consulting, Greentealovers.com and capaciteria.org.


    For review copies, please contact Eileen Garvin at (541) 231-3279 or egarvin07@yahoo.com.

    **************************************
    This message is from ENTREP which is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management.

    Please do not post messages with attached files. Commercial messages or spammed messages are not allowed on the list. The use of auto-responder "out-of-office" messages may also lead to your removal from the list.

    You can manage your subscription options, including joining or leaving the list here:
    http://aomlists.pace.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=entrep&A=1

    If you have questions or need help, please contact Dr. John Bunch jbunch@benedictine.edu.

    Ventures HO!