The stance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) isn’t straightforward. Some believe that it is instrumental in developing underdeveloped economies and regions, while others think it is an avenue to waste funds. Just maybe, if enough Fortune 500’s were dedicated to transforming neighboring communities, more companies would perceive CSR as a responsibility. That is just what tech giants, Spotify, Airbnb, and Flexport along with the Breakthrough Prize Foundation intend to achieve with the Tech For Refugees initiative.
The war in Ukraine has led to several million residents becoming refugees in several parts of the world. According to info published by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, roughly 6.7 million people have fled the country since February 24, 2022. Over 7 million more Ukrainians are internally displaced. With many of these people having barely enough to survive, traumatized, and with very little psychosocial support, it is crucial that companies and non-profit organizations play their part in coordinating international aid for refugees.
New Global Initiative: Tech For Refugees Overview
Like many great causes before it, the Tech For Refugees initiative was built off the inspiration of a previous idea, in this case the Stand With Ukraine GoFundMe campaign. The campaign raised around $36 million, $5.5 million of which was donated by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and DST Global — both of which were founded by Yuri Milner.
As the initiative’s originators, the Julia and Yuri Milner-founded Breakthrough Prize Foundation pledged $100 million to set the ball rolling. Airbnb, Flexport, and Spotify soon joined the cause to become the pioneering technological partners that would further the goals of the initiative, each utilizing their network and product offering to assist in providing relief to refugees.
One hundred thousand refugees will benefit from Airbnb’s network of homeowners and have access to temporary housing. At the same time, Flexport is utilizing its freight delivery and logistics arm to provide medical aid and relief items to displaced families.
Spotify premium plans will be free for Ukrainian refugees to help them cope with stress through music therapy. Spotify will also work on a multi-year plan with UNICEF to find innovative ways digital media can contribute to victims’ well-being.
Overview of Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Yuri Milner
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation was founded by billionaire investor and philanthropist Yuri Milner to support notable research done in the trinity of sciences — fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics. Yuri Milner and his wife Julia launched the Breakthrough Prizes in partnership with Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki, Priscilla Chan, and Mark Zuckerberg. The award has become highly rated, earning it the tag “Oscars of Science” for being the world’s most significant scientific award. The Foundation also funds the Breakthrough Initiatives, a major research program devoted to exploring life in the Universe and interstellar travel.
Yuri Milner’s passion for the sciences can be seen in his dedication to multiple scientific and philanthropic programs. In 2012, he joined Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet’s Giving Pledge, pledging to support science and scientific idea communication. The offshoot of their Giving Pledge contribution is the Breakthrough Prize, Breakthrough Initiatives and Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a science competition that rewards students aged 13 to 18 years for making scientific concepts and theories tangible.
Science and Technology’s Impact on Humanitarian Deeds
Science and technology are capable of transforming many facets of humanity’s existence, and the Tech For Refugees initiative supports that point. Yuri Milner has been at the forefront of it through several initiatives, and Tech For Refugees happens to be the latest. He has contributed not just to physics and space exploration but also to the fields of medicine and life sciences through the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, and has also made major donations to humanitarian causes.
Hopefully, with the success story of Tech For Refugees and its pioneering tech partners, more tech companies and giants will see that technology has a critical place in the next generation of humanitarian programs.
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