The INSPIRE•EMPOWER Challenge is a program designed to award people who propose innovative solutions using technology to help people in four critical global categories - education, healthcare, economic development and the environment.

Education remains the foundation for innovation and the advancements of societies in the face of global challenges. Through the use of technology, educators have been able to find new ways to teach people, improve the quality of education, and help young people prepare to compete in a 21st century knowledge-based economy. The ongoing focus should be on students and teachers, as well as the sharing of locally relevant educational content through computing devices and access to the Internet.

Technology has helped to speed the process of providing healthcare and improving quality of life. We are looking for innovations that may further transform the way the world deals with healthcare-whether it is looking for new ways to reduce cost and increase effectiveness in mature countries, or treating more patients with basic needs in developing countries.

Technology has played a pivotal role in empowering the global entrepreneur. The web has enabled anyone worldwide access to expertise, resources, and funds that were difficult to reach otherwise. From the power of many to the influence of one, technology has positively impacted economic development in communities around the world by creating jobs, enabling entrepreneurs and providing access to global opportunities.

Climate changes have led to an increased awareness that we need to preserve our future by finding solutions to the world’s environmental challenges. We are looking for innovative technologies, which could help us in developing ways to reduce energy inefficiencies in the products we design and in changing our own behaviors.