Google Giving Back To Education, Technology And Anti-Slavery
With the Holidays quickly approaching, Google has reminded us of other ways for achieving technological growth and innovation. This week Google listed the organizations that were recipients of $40 million in grants. The four causes that were recipients were science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; girls education; empowerment through technology; and fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
Google predicts in the next six years there will be 2.4 million job openings in the STEM fields. The organizations receiving Google's aid will provide students with the necessary resources to continue excelling in science, technology, engineering and math, leading to a career in one of the related fields. The dreams and hard work of an estimated 3 million kids was recognized by Google's generosity.
Seven organizations, or more than 10,000 girls in the developing world were given the opportunity to receive education in 2011. This education has a bigger impact than just a steady career down the road. A girls education also impacts their health. With education, girls in developing countries such as Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia, will be 3 times less likely to contract HIV/AIDS. These girls will also go on to have smaller, healthier families.
The power of the internet is especially felt in low and middle-income countries. The fifteen empowerment through technology organizations that were recipients can attest to this statement. A 10% increase in internet penetration yields an economic output increase of 1.4%. These organizations utilize social media, open source programming, and other means to improve access to information. With Google's help the organizations can bring change for millions of technology users.
Slavery and human trafficking is still heavily present today. Google's fourth cause aims to provide assistance for nine organizations working to free over 12,000 people from modern-day slavery and victimizing. Those freed return to their villages to educate others so they won't be tricked into slavery.
Over $40 million was given to the above causes, however, Google's generosity does not stop there. For 2011 Google has given over $100 million to various organizations around the world.
[via Google]