“Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today.”
The Imagine Cup continues to encourage students around the globe to imagine a better world in which people are empowered by technology. The United Nations has identified some of the hardest challenges in the world today in its Millennium Development Goals — ranging from reducing poverty and halting the spread of HIV/AIDS to providing universal primary education. The Imagine Cup is calling on programmers, designers, and technologists to rise to this challenge and use these Development Goals as their inspiration.
“The Imagine Cup inspires students to use their creativity to help change the world for the better by discovering new ways to use technology to address some of the world’s toughest challenges. Some of the greatest innovations and companies of tomorrow will be created by today’s students.”
- Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer on April 23, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland announcing the host country for the Worldwide Finals of Imagine Cup 2010.
The Eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals were agreed upon by 189 nations around the world more than eight years ago. They encompass universally accepted human rights such as freedom from hunger, the right to basic education, the right to health, and a responsibility to future generations. We are now more than halfway toward the target date – 2015 – by which the Millennium Development Goals are to be achieved.
Imagine a world with less poverty, hunger and disease, greater survival prospects for mothers and their infants, better educated children, equal opportunities for women, and a healthier environment; a world in which developed and developing countries work in partnership for the betterment of all. Now imagine that you are part of the solution.
How will the world look in 2015 if the goals are achieved?
- More than 500 million people will be lifted out of extreme poverty.
- More than 300 million will no longer suffer from hunger.
- Dramatic progress in child health will save 30 million children and more than 2 million mothers.
- More than 350 million people will have access to safe drinking water.
- More than 650 million people will have the benefits of basic sanitation.
- Hundreds of millions more women and girls will lead their lives in freedom, with more security and more opportunity.
Behind these large numbers are the lives, hopes, and capabilities of people who also seek to end the burden of grinding poverty.
More Information
United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals:
Designing Solutions for Social Development Problems:
Microsoft Addresses the Millennium Development Goals: