【Mission XXX Impossible】
“We set out to start a conversation,Mission XXX Impossible and with the power of your voices, we've started a movement."
These words from Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore not only helped kick off the seventh-annual Social Good Summit on Sept. 18, but they remained a common thread throughout the summit's two days, both onstage and online.
With discussions ranging from the global refugee crisis to #BlackLivesMatter, the call to participate in the social good conversation and amplify the voices of others was heard loud and clear.
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SEE ALSO: 5 charming Joe Biden & Jill Biden moments from the Social Good Summit
Through the power of the social good community, the hashtag #2030NOW garnered more than 1.8 billion impressionsover the course of the summit's two days. The Social Good Summit was attended by 1,800 peoplein New York City, with more than 100,000 peoplewatching the global broadcast live and in the following days. This year's summit not only drew in speakers from across the globe, but was live streamed into seven different languages.
The hashtag #2030NOW garnered more than 1.8 billion impressions on social over the Summit's two days.
In addition to an already stellar lineup of speakers, both days of the Social Good Summit featured a number of special guests. On the opening day, a surprise appearance by Yiech Pur Biel and Yusra Mardini of the Olympic Refugee Team ignited a message of hope that resonated throughout the following sessions. The final day featured the unveiling of the U.N.'s 17 Young Leaders, who were selected from more than 18,000 nominations. And introducing her husband's Cancer Moonshot address, Dr. Jill Biden addressed the crowd and also participated in her first-ever Facebook Live.
Below, you can check out this year's Social Good Summit highlights as they played out online. To watch the full sessions, visit livestream.com/mashable.
Read more of Mashable's coverage here, and visit the Mashable Social Good Facebook page to see some of this year's speakers featured on Facebook Live.
Opening Ceremony
Today at the Social Good Summit dancing with @tayd_dance for the @theglobalgoals #WhatIReallyReallyWant movement❤️ #spicegirls #globalgoals #2030now
We r more than #refugees.We r athletes- #Olympians frm @TeamRefugees at #2030Now.#RefugeesWelcome #AidRefugees pic.twitter.com/FsZ0M4qY9z @UNDP
— Nili Majumder (@NiliMajumder) September 20, 2016
A Conversation with Chelsea Handler
"It's important to be loud!" - @chelseahandler Yes! Let's be loud for our #globalgoals & our future! #2030Now pic.twitter.com/ll8cT1UCgR
— Jhpiego (@Jhpiego) September 18, 2016
.@chelseahandler @socialgood "we are all human beings." #2030NOW #GlobalGoals #SocialGood pic.twitter.com/Whh8Jthd9Z
— United Smoothie (@smoothietunes) September 18, 2016
The Refugee Agenda: Where We Are and Where We're Going
“Conversations about refugees often miss the fact that they are conversations about human beings.” -@kasujja #2030NOW
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016

"Refugees are not just people with needs, they are people with rights. It's not just charity, it's justice." #2030Now #GlobalGoals 🌍🌎🌏
— Carine Umuhumuza (@CarineUmu) September 18, 2016
Bad Weather: The Human Cost of Climate Change
In conversation with UN Special Envoy on El Nino and Climate, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. 60 million people around the world are affected by El Nino, two thirds in Southern Africa! Kenya's Ambassador Macharia Kamau is also a UN Special Advisor on El Nino and Climate. We all have a role to play in ensuring that we address climate justice and build resilience! #2030Now
The Universal Pursuit Toward Health and Well-Being
Countries need to invest in things, like health, that benefit & improve society. #2030Now #socialgood #globalgoals pic.twitter.com/ynhN5QjNxC
— The SISGI Group (@Sisgigroup) September 18, 2016
Power Players: Women and Global Leadership
"Don't expect anyone to roll the carpet and welcome you in. You have to roll out the carpet yourself and kick the door in!" Helen Clark on women in politics in conversation with Bharka Dutt and Joyce Banda. ✔✔✔
Cool to see almost everyone in audience at @mashable's Social Good Summit stand up when asked if they identify as feminist. #2030Now
— Saba Hamedy (@saba_h) September 18, 2016
When you get to the top, don't drop the ladder. Help other women up, too.
— Enactus (@enactus) September 18, 2016
Joyce Banda-1st Woman President of Malawai- @JB_Malawi#2030NOW
Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship
Backstage at @SocialGood w/ @jeancase @ShaziV @kerrymflynn as they talk inclusive entrepreneurship #Ent4All #2030Now pic.twitter.com/Jr7mBKkgo5
— Case Foundation (@CaseFoundation) September 18, 2016
"Immigrants are the ultimate entrepreneurs... they're the risk takers." @shaziv #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
The Connected Generation: The Leaders of 2030
Young people care about *everything* - @AriaIrene founder of @dosomething #2030Now pic.twitter.com/Auo279g7Ad
— Deika Morrison (@deikamorrison) September 18, 2016
For the Kids, By the Kids
It swells my heart to see young people stepping up to #changetheworld #2030Now pic.twitter.com/s27t3UarVd
— Ann Canela (@ann_canela) September 18, 2016
The Identity of a Refugee
Great to speak at social good summit #2030NOW and proud to launch @theIRC @Airbel Centre. Help us design & test bigger solutions for crises
— Ravi Gurumurthy (@rgurumurthy) September 18, 2016
Access to Education: Paving the Road Home
.@srwestin introduces our next guest to a wave of applause -- Zari, @sesamestreet's new Afghan muppet! #2030Now pic.twitter.com/y91KKoU8Nq
— Elizabeth Gore (@ElizabethGore) September 18, 2016
Photo by Stephanie Sinclair @stephsinclairpix // @MalalaFund student campaigners Zaynab Abdi and Muzoon Almellehan, refugees from Yemen and Syria respectively, are in #NYC this week campaigning for their rights to education and against the increased rates of early, child and forced marriage threatening their generation. “Refugees are the same as other people. We all share the same sun and the same sky,” said Zaynab who was during their panel at the #SocialGoodSummit2016. "It is not my fault to have lost my rights, my right to education,” added Muzoon. "We must help all children around the world.” Relocated to the US, Zaynab is now in school with a 4.0 grade point average and is captain of her soccer team. The girls are in town to share their stories during the United Nations General Assembly. #instacorps #humanrights #girls #photography #2030now @tooyoungtowed
What kind of world does @sesamestreet's Zari from #Afghanistan want by 2030? Watch now to find out! #2030NOW pic.twitter.com/KMe8j59xeI
— UN Development (@UNDP) September 18, 2016
Crowd-Solving: How Collaboration Inspired Innovation
@NotImpossible has developed a dignified way for homeless ppl to receive free meals #Hungernotimpossible #2030Now pic.twitter.com/FiHaIZZSgs
— Better Shelter (@Better_Shelter) September 18, 2016
Valen's Reef: Community-Led Conservation
Galvanizing a whole new audience around ocean conservation w/ a short virtual reality film: Valen's Reef #2030Now pic.twitter.com/cenZ5qbGOU
— Andrew J Troup (@ajvoice21) September 18, 2016
Superbugs and the Threat to Antibiotics
"We are losing our ability to treat infections. It's everywhere - and it is compromising basic health care” - Dr. Keiji Fukuda #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
The Future of Fuel: The Exploration to Change the World
"You don’t need to be ecological, you just need to be logical” @bertrandpiccard #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
The Role of LGBTQ in the Media: Shaping the Equality Narrative

“My existence may complicate yours, but it doesn’t invalidate yours” @themrmilan #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
GLAAD's @sarahkateellis with @themrmilan, @ingridnilsen and @JazzJennings__ at the Social Good Summit #2030now pic.twitter.com/Lc1ufsdp1Y
— GLAAD (@glaad) September 18, 2016
The Aurora Prize: Building a Better Future
"The truly poignant stories are where survivors become saviours", says the Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Noubar Afeyan at #SocialGoodSummit with #AuroraPrize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse #2030NOW #SDGs #GlobalGoals
Address From David Nabarro, Special Adviser to the U.N. Secretary-General
.@davidnabarro reading statement from @secgen centering on inclusivity, action for everyone & accountability for leaders #2030Now
— emily (@emilyefox) September 18, 2016
American Leadership with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
Secretary John Kerry meets with journalist Katty Kay before their discussion yesterday on American Leadership at the 2016 Social Good Summit. Follow along today as Day 2 of the Social Good Summit kicks off by following the hashtag #instacorps with photographers @anastasiatl @stephsinclairpix @bendophoto @ronhaviv_vii @kerrypayne and @benfitch Photo by @benfitch #2030NOW #instacorps #globalgoals #socialgood @92ndstreety @undp @mashable
"It's astounding to me we have people running for president.. who don't even acknowledge climate change is taking place" John Kerry #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
Nice to speak w/@KattyKayBBC at #SocialGood Summit today; underscored how the U.S. is working diplomatically to make a difference globally.
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) September 19, 2016
Digital in the Eye of the Campaign
The internet accelerates outrage faster than tools to do something about that outrage - @teddygoff #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
What's the downside of being in such a connected world? @teddygoff: "Trump's twitter account" #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
Lauch of the Sustainable Development Goals App
Going to make the #globalgoals famous for the sake of action through the launch of a new mobile app! #2030NOW pic.twitter.com/pYE997cY9G
— Andrew J Troup (@ajvoice21) September 18, 2016
"This is not an area where we compete, this is an area where we cooperate to benefit everybody." Johan Dennelind says #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
"One for All": Turning Activism Into Action
.@jason_harris of @mekanism talks about how advertising can be a force for good at #2030Now pic.twitter.com/8lLDGsxg5y
— MicroEdge (@MicroEdgeLLC) September 18, 2016
Our President/CEO @jason_harris speaking about turning activism into action at the @mashable Social Good Summit. Proud as ever to work with the @unitednations on the #SDGs. #2030now
Open Government: A Grassroots Effort
Honored to be at the #socialgoodsummit with pioneers @USCTO Megan Smith and @corizarek #2030Now pic.twitter.com/PKLYV1PCuo
— Asha Curran (@RadioFreeAsha) September 18, 2016
We want everybody to have creative confidence with coding to build solutions. @smithmegan says #2030now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
#BlackLivesMatter: Turning a Hashtag Into a Call-to-Action
"I guarantee we are more tired of dealing with racism than you are of talking about it" @MsPackyetti #2030NOW pic.twitter.com/qQ5F2OtgeN
— MJ Franklin (@heyitsfranklin2) September 18, 2016
Just spoke at @SocialGood! Our words were translated into 7 languages! Incredible convo about #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/SjkRU4PeI1
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) September 18, 2016
A Conversation With Ambassador Samantha Power
.@AmbassadorPower on facing global challenges:
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 18, 2016
"Get beyond the abstractions and distill what’s happening to individual stories.” #2030NOW
I'm thrilled to have interviewed the incredible @ambassadorpower at the UN Social Good Summit this evening. This woman is a friend and an idol, working to make the world a better place every day. I hope that any of you who saw our first interview on Facebook Live, or our onstage panel afterward on the Mashable livestream, were as tremendously inspired by her as I am every time we speak. #SocialGood @usun #UnitedNations #2030Now #GlobalGoals
@AmbassadorPower speaks to integrating LGBTI Rights into the UN and progresses made. Much to do, but steps have been made. #2030NOW
— Luis Edward Tenorio (@luisetenorio) September 18, 2016
+SocialGood Connectors
"Everyone can be a #GlobalGoals hero." +SocialGood Connectors and Advisors stood on stage and made a call to-action to the global audience. Learn how you can be part of the movement! Visit plussocialgood.org today. #2030Now
We have catalyzed hundreds of entrepreneurs to align their life purposes with the #GlobalGoals. - @michelleAC1 #2030Now
— +SocialGood (@plus_socialgood) September 19, 2016
World Cup: Global Goals Edition
#GameofThrones' @nikolajcw refereed the world's 1st women’s amateur soccer #WorldCup with @UNDP. Amazing!#2030Now pic.twitter.com/TWu5EJf9t6
— Alex Pearson (@AlexBPearson) September 19, 2016
#2030now On Women..."You can’t win if you put half the population on the bench." #good @Kristian_Jensen
— WunderSpot (@WunderSpot) September 19, 2016
The People's Report Card
We're releasing report cards for every country of the world. And every country has room for improvement. - @shepleygreen #2030NOW
— UN Foundation (@unfoundation) September 19, 2016
Cody Simpson and His Fight for Ocean Preservation
.@CodySimpson has taken the stage to talk about his passion for the environment & fight for ocean preservation. Quoting Rumi - YES! #2030Now
— Joe Luginbill (@JoeLuginbill) September 19, 2016
"I'd like to believe the revolution has begun" @CodySimpson on his hope for a better future #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Launch of U.N. Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals

Inspiring; over 18,000 nominations for SDG youth leaders from over 185 countries; 17 selected; Class 2016 #2030Now pic.twitter.com/tjl3NjS3F0
— Andrew J Troup (@ajvoice21) September 19, 2016
"Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today." @AhmadAlhendawi #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Oceans Matter
The portfolio of photographs that @natgeo's @Brian_Skerry are not just compelling, but STUNNING. #2030NOW #oceans https://t.co/1ySMIsDQ6X
— Cindy Chin (@cindylchin) September 19, 2016
Connecting the Dots: Indigenous Peoples, Forests and Climate Change
Proud of the incredibly important work of @AmazonWatch and grateful to @AlecBaldwin for standing alongside them https://t.co/TvQryMJGHP
— Anna Lappé (@annalappe) September 19, 2016
"We are struggling against extractive industries to protect the rainforest" @pumahuarmi with @AlecBaldwin #2030Now pic.twitter.com/j4hwehvka7
— Michelle A-C (@michelleAC1) September 19, 2016
We have to invest in, and empower those who are working to save the rainforests - @AlecBaldwin #2030Now #GlobalGoals #lifeonland
— Aaron Sherinian (@ASherinian) September 19, 2016
Rising Up
"Men cannot comprehend what rape does to a woman. A step forward would be more women involved in policy-making" @realpreityzinta #2030NOW
— Jessica Bates (@jesserker) September 19, 2016
"The most powerful thing we have is our own voice no matter how young or how old." - @nguyen_amanda #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Rain in New York cannot dampen our spirits at the #socialgoodsummit2016 #UN #2030Now #Inspired #Girlpower #Genderequality Ting 😘
Revolutionary Women
"Cooking over an open stove is equivalent to smoking two packs [of cigarettes] a day." - @ElizabethGore
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
"We must think about culturally-relevant technologies. Not all tech is from #SiliconValley." Sarah Collins of @TheWonderbag #2030now
— Lippi Doshi (@lippidoshi) September 19, 2016
Vice President Joe Biden's Cancer Moonshot Address
"The #CancerMoonshot is all of us. It's about never giving up." —Vice President Biden with @DrBiden at the #SocialGood Summit on their hope that by 2030 we live in a world where cancer as we know it is ended #2030Now
"This is personal" @DrBiden and @VP's Cancer Moonshot hopes to double the rate of cancer research #2030Now
— Shot@Life (@ShotAtLife) September 19, 2016
Look at @VP using his conversational style using basketball to explain a concept in cancer so ppl can understand #2030Now #CancerMoonshot
— Deika Morrison (@deikamorrison) September 19, 2016
"I'm more optimistic today than I've ever been in my entire career....we have an obligation to help NOW" -@VP #CancerMoonshot #2030Now
— Rachel Brooks (@brookzyr) September 19, 2016
“Imagine what the world can look like in 2030 if we’re smart and we work like hell”@VP #2030NOW
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
“Today! Today, there is so much we can do! It’s about never giving up.”@VP is taking us all to church right now 🙌 #2030NOW
— MJ Franklin (@heyitsfranklin2) September 19, 2016
Memory Banda: Leading Like a Girl
.@Memorybanda75 speaking about young age at when girls start to be objectified, the worldwide scourge of child marriage. #2030Now
— emily (@emilyefox) September 19, 2016
So inspired by @GirlUp Advisory Board Member @Memorybanda75, who #leadslikeagirl. #2030Now pic.twitter.com/0IuWcg29W9
— Alex Pearson (@AlexBPearson) September 19, 2016
Pandemic Preparedness
Proactive > reactive when it comes to dealing with pandemics according to @GSK Chariman, Dr. Saloui #2030Now pic.twitter.com/yrDmcKrY28
— Alyaa Younis (@AlyaaYounis) September 19, 2016
A Conversation With Apple's Lisa Jackson
@lisapjackson of #apple cool tech and impact in the world #2030Now Not just talk - Real action: 93% on path to 100% renewable campaign pic.twitter.com/XgSjndKudF
— Ali75 (@AliInAllofUs) September 19, 2016
"There should be no #digital divide. #Technology should be available to everyone." @lisapjackson #2030Now
— WunderSpot (@WunderSpot) September 19, 2016
For Kids, Play Is Serious
Awesome having @Beyond_72 joining us @socialgood to inspire millions of kids around the world get active #2030Now https://t.co/MEofmWPl3w
— Jorge Casimiro (@pdxcinco) September 19, 2016
Gave me chills! Not just @colinobrady incredible story of Explorers Grand Slam but how he is inspiring #kids #2030NOW
— AlisonOWheeler (@AlisonOWheeler) September 19, 2016
Media: What Sells, What Solves
.@lwalker talks about the power of the human story to solve problems #2030Now pic.twitter.com/pa85kXiU7q
— vicki elkins (@vickielkins) September 19, 2016
I could have had another hour of that media panel. Very good @socialgood @ASherinian #2030Now
— Deika Morrison (@deikamorrison) September 19, 2016
Stigma: The Achilles Heel of the AIDS Epidemic
@mashable's @petecashmore and #ETAF chatting before our panel at #2030now. @unfoundation @undp @mashableevents
"Why make using the bathroom difficult for anybody? It's a human right" @TransDivaChandi #2030NOW
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Creating Access Through Investment
.@rkyte365 @SE4ALL saying that with investment it is possible to provide affordable, clean energy to all! #2030NOW pic.twitter.com/FsAAvwHfGV
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) September 19, 2016
Future and Hope
H.E Mohammed Al Gergawi "It is our job to inspire hope." #UAE Govt "Our job is to instill happiness in our society." #2030now
— 4socialgood (@4socialgood) September 19, 2016
Creating a #LearningGeneration
"We believe every child and every school should have access to internet [and] we can do this" -@amelkarboul #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Innovation: When Is It Effective, and Who Decides?
Truth bomb from @annmei “Grant funding will end, but solutions need to live on.” #2030NOW #SocialGoodSummit #socialgood
— Ximena Ramirez (@XimenaR21) September 19, 2016
A Conversation With the World Food Programme's Ertharin Cousin
"One hungry child, one hungry family at a time” -@WFPErtharin on how they are addressing the food crisis in South Sudan #2030Now
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
@WFPErtharin: In Syria we have been feeding 1 million people for the past 5 years #2030Now
— +SocialGood (@plus_socialgood) September 19, 2016
Cyber Civic Engagement
"For the very first, these votes are going to impact the next 25 years.”@MariaTeresa1 on the power of millennial voters #2030NOW
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
A Conversation With Demi Lovato
“I didn’t look at it as courage. It was just what I do. I had the opportunity to speak out for what I believe in.”@ddlovato #2030NOW
— Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) September 19, 2016
Physical health is mainstream and popular, let's turn inwards and make mental health a more accessible topic - @realmikebayer #2030now
— Aaron Sherinian (@ASherinian) September 19, 2016
Thank you @unfoundation & @Mashable for having @themikebayer and I, and for helping continue the conversation around Mental Health at #SocialGoodSummit2016!
To Be Heard
"Be brave enough to your voice", @conniebritton offers advice on activism at the #SocialGood Summit: https://t.co/7avFyQ9Ed1 #2030Now
— UN Foundation (@unfoundation) September 21, 2016
Listening to @LonnieAli_ speak about her and her husband, Mohammed's, shared voice, support, and partnership is simply moving. #2030NOW
— Nicole Herviou (@NicoleHerviou) September 19, 2016
Yesterday I had the amazing honor to sit on a panel at the Social Good Summit called "To Be Heard" with Lonnie Ali and Nina Ansary, moderated by Chrysula Winegar. Beforehand and during the panel, I got to hear the thoughts and stories of these women, one of whom is the wife of Muhammad Ali, and the other, a writer of the Iranian woman's experience. The depth of knowledge and insight I was able to glean from them was boundless and made me feel so grateful to stand with them, exploring what it means to be heard, and the impact we can have in the world when we're brave enough to know ourselves and to take action. On #gratituesday I'd just like to take a moment to say being able to go from the Emmys on Sunday to the Social Good Summit on Monday is basically a dream for me. And all of you out there who aren't sure about this whole dream thing, or making your dreams real, I want to tell you it's possible. Know gratitude. Know yourself and then look beyond. And be heard. #socialgoodsummit2016
Global Meetups
Thank you for making it possible for us around the word to tune in the summit #2030Now eye opening! https://t.co/3Pb9oLi6MC
— IAmAllShadesofGay (@Ayoushka_2016) September 18, 2016
Connecting now to #2030Now #SGS2016 from the great #BibliothecaAlexandrina #Egypt w/ passionate youth pic.twitter.com/h0ddDm5ZCD
— UNDP Egypt (@UNDPEgypt) September 18, 2016
Atef, one of @UNDPEgypt Games Fellows, describing his co-designed game "Sign Heroes" to share experience #2030NOW pic.twitter.com/VBK9pljMTQ
— UNDP Egypt (@UNDPEgypt) September 17, 2016
"Think big, Start small, Act fast" @SanSebastianJAM #socialgood #2030now #design @feelDOT #globalgoalsjam pic.twitter.com/XODGBeg3t6
— Irune Gonzalez Cruz (@IruneFunky) September 17, 2016
The 2016 Social Good Summit was presented by:

Sponsored by:

Topics Social Good United Nations Joe Biden