Skip to main content

Concern CEO praises use of technology in solving world problems

Press release6 November 2018

Concern Worldwide Chief Executive Dominic MacSorley has praised the use of modern technology to help the world’s poorest people in an address he gave this morning at the NetHope Global Summit 2018 in Dublin.

Concern Worldwide CEO Dominic MacSorley speaks at the Irish Humanitarian Summit. Photograph taken by UCD CHA.
Concern CEO Dominic MacSorley speaks at the Irish Humanitarian Summit. Photograph: UCD CHA.

Over 500 representatives from technology companies and global non-profit and funding organisations have gathered at the RDS for the four-day summit, which ends on Friday, to discuss how technology can and is being used to solve world problems.

“Humanitarian response has radically transformed thanks to technology since Concern was founded 50 years ago,” said Mr MacSorley, whose organisation works in 24 of the world’s poorest countries.

Faster and more efficient

“Digital data collection has enabled faster, more efficient tracking of our work so that we can show donors in real time that our interventions are truly making a difference.

“Delivering cash directly into the hands of the poorest using mobile cash transfers, piloted by Concern in Malawi more than decade ago, is now used throughout the sector and was a key strategy in preventing famine in the horn of Africa two years ago.

“When you combine technology with the experience of community based approaches, that’s where the magic happens and I am genuinely excited about what transformations the next 50 years will bring for humanitarian response.”
  
The summit’s organiser, NetHope, is a consortium of nearly 60 global non-profit organisations founded 18-years-ago with the aim of using technology for purposes that improve lives. 
 
Its members address some of the world’s toughest challenges: disaster response, refugee displacement, disease outbreaks, poverty, hunger, and wildlife and environmental protection. 
 
Collectively, NetHope members deliver over 60 per cent of all annual, international, non-governmental aid.

Technology has transformed our world

“Technology has quickly transformed our world,” said NetHope Chief Executive, Lauren Woodman. 
 
“The annual NetHope Global Summit is a valuable time for committed organisations to gather and focus on changing the world by utilising this technology for good.”
 
The theme for the week-long summit is digital transformation and it will include keynote speakers, detailed workshops, and the release of a digital non-profit skills report that offers a far-reaching digital transformation analysis for non-profit organisations.
 
For more information or interview requests from Concern, please contact Kevin Jenkinson at 086 358 2886 or at kevin.jenkinson@concern.net

Jamna feeding her daughter Shanti

Pakistan Hunger Appeal

  • 1 in 5 children in Pakistan are malnourished

  • Climate shocks increasing food scarcity

  • Your donation can fund emergency therapeutic food for those who need it

Donate now
Share your concern
Share