Australian social enterprise and Social Change Central member, Wicked Lab, has been selected as a World Summit Award Winner in the Smart Settlements and Urbanisation category.

The World Summit Awards (WSA) were founded in 2003 under the framework of the UN World Summit on Information Society. WSA is a global initiative recognising local digital content contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). WSA reaches digital entrepreneurs in 187 countries worldwide and provides a unique platform for everyone interested in purpose-driven digital innovation. Through close cooperation with the United Nations agencies and strategic alignment with the UN SDGs, the WSA is a globally recognised quality seal for digital innovation.

The WSA provides a meaningful selection of worldwide digital solutions that contribute to the achievement of the UN SDGs) – 40 solutions from 29 countries have been awarded by an international jury. The winners demonstrate how digital solutions decisively support societal challenges and assist in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As the principal partner of the awards, Social Change Central extend a massive congratulations to all the winners, especially Australian social enterprise, Wicked Lab.

Wicked Lab is an Australian social enterprise that supports organizations, governments and communities to better tackle wicked problems by creating systemic change. Their Tool for Systemic Change will be recognised at the WSA Global Congress 2022. “Wicked Lab is honoured to be selected as a WSA global winner and to be showcased amongst such an esteemed selection of global digital solutions that are committed to addressing the UN SDGs,” said Emily Humphreys, Wicked Lab CEO and Co-Founder. In March, at the WSA Global Congress 2022, in front of an international audience, Wicked Lab will receive their award in the Smart Cities and Urbanisations category.

The global pandemic specifically demonstrated the importance of digital solutions, and this year’s winners are an excellent example how digital solutions and applications can help protect the environment, support healthcare, provide inclusive and high-quality education, connect people and share relevant information. WSA had nominations from almost 100 UN member states, and there were an estimated 8000 projects and products under consideration. Like Wicked Lab’s Tool for Systemic Change, the top 40 winning projects demonstrate the diversity and richness of digital content solutions globally.

“The WSA Winners combine two major focus points – the commitment to the UN SDGs and solving societies issues with smart content application.,” said World Summit Award chairman Prof. Peter Bruck. “Evaluated by an international expert Jury in 2 stages – a multi-stakeholder college unique in terms of diversity and background – the 40 WSA Winners have been tried for sustainability, aim, technical and strategic finesse. This year’s challenges show more than ever how much digital means can offer progress and solutions. This year’s WSA Winners present a wonderful showcase of purpose-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. ”

“This award is recognition of the value of evidence-based digital social innovations, as well as the important role social enterprises play in addressing the SDGs,” said Humphreys. “We are also incredibly grateful to our government, university, and social enterprise clients who are using the Tool for Systemic Change to strengthen their systems change work. It’s an incredible privilege to work alongside such purpose-driven partners”.

“In the wake of major social and political changes over the current pandemic, social entrepreneurs and digital innovators around the globe are taking bold steps to safeguard diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Sachi Wickramage, Member of the Grand Jury for World Summit Awards, Australia. “Being a Member of the WSA Grand Jury, I have witnessed this first-hand. As became clear, there is no silver bullet. No single solution that can tackle the UN SDGs. Yet, in pushing ourselves to think outside the box and draw on the best empirical evidence that exists, the convening WSA applicants showcased promising evidence that we still have significant hope for the UN 2030 agenda. WSA Grand Jury process is the most democratic evaluation mechanism that is out there to compare and contrast Global Innovations representing all UN Member Countries. This is what I enjoy the most being a Member of the WSA Grand Jury.”

Wicked Labs and the other WSA Winners will present their innovations at the WSA Global Congress from March 22 -24, 2022. The WSA Global Congress 2022 is a virtual international networking and learning event for those interested in using digital technology to achieve the UN SDGs.