DataWind and UN announce global call for Socially Responsible Apps to Empower Women’

New York/ New Delhi: January 11, 2013: Agnite Education, American Digital University, Applications for Good, BluWorld, DataWind, Equal Access International and the United Nations Office forPartnerships are pleased to announce the Global Apps to Empower competition to challenge apps developers to create apps that empower all young women in leadership and mentorship, jobs and entrepreneurship, education and conflict resolution.

Applications that best satisfy the competition criteria will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to have their apps featured on Datawind’s Ubislate educational tablet.

DataWind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said, “Our goal is to feature apps on our tablets for young women in developing countries who seek to become leaders in their communities; to be mentored by some of the best leaders currently in business and government; to learn how to start businesses; find meaningful work; and gain a practical skill that can improve not only her life but the lives of those in her community.”

“Our challenge is to leverage the power of technology and bridge the digital divide,” UN Secretary General Moon said. “We need to do more to help all children and young people make the most of the opportunities provided by information and communications technology – especially all those who are still unconnected from the digital revolution,” UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon noted.

The competition will be held from now through April 30^th, 2013 with the winners announced in July 2013.  An esteemed panel of judges includes, among others:

-         Hon. Sheila Copps, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada

-         Geena Davis, Academy Award winner, Hollywood Actress and Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media

-         Willa Shalit, founder, Rwanda Path to Peace and CEO, Fairwinds Trading

-         Michaela Walsh, Founder, Women's World Banking and Founder, Global Student Leadership

-         Joanne Wilson, well-known angel investor and adviser

-         Shri Vivek Wadhwa, Academic, Researcher, Writer and Entrepreneur

Please see www.AppsToEmpower.org at http://www.AppsToEmpower.org for more information on contest rules, a complete list of judges, deadline and submission guidelines.

About DataWind:

DataWind produces the Aakash tablet sold to the government of India at $50 and will be distributed at a government-subsidized price of $35 USD. DataWind seeks to partner with educational agencies and NGOs that recognize the urgency to provide low-cost reliable devices that can be used for educational purposes and embedded content.

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