The Mindset Shift Needed to Tackle Big Global Challenges | Bernhard Kowatsch | TED

Summary

The video emphasizes the potential of innovation and technology to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges, such as global hunger. It discusses how traditional thinking often limits our approach to these issues, but highlights successful initiatives like the 'Share the Meal' app and the World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator. These projects leverage technology, such as blockchain and food fortification, to make a significant impact. The speaker encourages individuals, companies, and start-ups to harness innovation to address global problems, underscoring the positive impact already made.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Innovation and technology are powerful tools that can be harnessed to address global challenges like hunger and climate change.
• 🌐 The barrier to tackling these challenges is often our traditional thinking, not the lack of solutions.
• 🍽️ Global hunger affects up to 811 million people, and it's a problem that can be addressed through innovative approaches.
• 📱 The 'Share the Meal' app exemplifies how technology can make a difference by allowing users to feed a child in need with a simple tap on their smartphone.
• 🎉 'Share the Meal' has been successful, with over 130 million meals shared and recognition as an app of the year in 2020 by Apple and Google.
• 💡 The World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator was created to support social entrepreneurs and scale innovations that can disrupt global hunger.
• 🔗 Blockchain technology is being used to facilitate aid distribution, allowing refugees to purchase food with a secure and neutral system.
• 🌱 Food fortification is crucial for populations lacking access to a healthy diet, and Sanku's internet-enabled machine is addressing this need in Africa.
• 📈 Since its inception in 2015, the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator has doubled its impact each year, reaching 8.6 million people in 2021.
• 🌟 Accelerated innovation and technology can have a significant impact on global challenges, and collective action can lead to solutions.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script about addressing global challenges?

The main argument is that innovation and technology can be leveraged to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges, such as global hunger and climate change, by changing our traditional thinking and applying solutions similar to those used in global business challenges.

What is the significance of the number 811 million mentioned in the script?

The number 811 million represents the estimated population of people on the planet who are hungry, highlighting the severity of the global hunger issue.

What is the 'Share the Meal' app, and how does it work?

The 'Share the Meal' app is a platform that allows users to donate 80 cents with a single tap on their smartphone to provide a meal for a child in need. It has been successful, with over 130 million meals shared by six million users worldwide.

Why was the World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator established?

The World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator was established to replicate Silicon Valley's success in supporting start-ups but with a focus on global social impact, particularly to disrupt global hunger.

How does the Building Blocks innovation utilize blockchain technology?

Building Blocks uses blockchain technology to enable refugees to purchase food in stores. Aid organizations transfer money to individual blockchain accounts, and individuals can then shop and pay using iris scans or other authentication methods.

What is the impact of the Building Blocks innovation on refugees?

Building Blocks has reached about one million people, transferring over 300 million dollars of cash, to those in urgent need of food, providing them with a dignified and efficient way to access food.

What is the role of food fortification in addressing malnutrition?

Food fortification involves adding critical nutrients to staple foods, which is crucial for people who lack access to a healthy diet or cannot afford it. It helps combat malnutrition by ensuring essential nutrients are available in everyday foods.

How does Sanku's internet-enabled machine contribute to food fortification in Africa?

Sanku's machine fortifies maize flour at small mills in Africa, providing fortified, nutritious flour to clients at no additional cost. This market-based model helps reach up to three million people with essential nutrients.

What has been the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator's impact since its inception in 2015?

Since 2015, the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator has doubled the number of people reached every year through its supported innovations, positively impacting the lives of 8.6 million people in 2021 alone.

What other global problems does the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator address besides hunger?

The World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator also runs accelerator programs for other global issues such as primary health care, vaccine delivery, and gender equality.

What is the call to action for individuals, companies, and start-up founders as presented in the script?

The script encourages individuals, companies, and start-up founders to take action by leveraging innovation and technology to make a meaningful impact on the world's biggest challenges.