Fri 21 Mar 2008
As noted previously, after my Bully debate with the Canadian Teachers Federation, I reached out to them asking if we could be a part of the solution (as opposed to the perception that games are part of the problem). I’m happy to say that I found my way to the head of their cyberbullying group and we are arranging to speak in more detail, etc. More on that as progress is made.
In terms of being “part of the solution” a few recent examples crossed my path:
- Ruckus Nation: HopeLab’s global competition to get kids moving announced their award winners.
- Future of Interactive Technology for Peace Conference: CMU is using the event to determine if games can be used to enhance the peacemaking process.
- Games For Health Conference: Now in its fourth iteration is on for early May…
- ESA Foundation Scholarships: …with a focus on getting more women and minorities into game development.
Of course, we have the ever popular Child’s Play Charity raising millions to help sick children. As well as more novel efforts like OneBigGame to create unique games for the benefit of children’s charities.
And, that’s just off the top of my head. There’s a bunch more stuff like this going on that I’m barely aware of…
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 am
There is also the great Free Rice game.
http://www.freerice.com/index.php
Where people’s vocabulary is tested and, when you score points, 20 grains of rice are donated to end world hunger through the UN World Food program.
Games can make a difference in this world.