Microsoft Citizenship Blog

Helping More High School Students Take Computer Science

2013-05-15T00:00:00Z

Microsoft is very proud of our TEALS partnership with Seattle Public Schools and Rainier Beach High School. We commend the leadership, vision and courage of these educators to recognize the opportunities that computer science education opens up for young people. Preparing young people for life is perhaps the most important job one can do. Thanks to principals like Dwane Chappelle of Rainier Beach High School for doing whatever it takes. In this blog post, a high school student talks about why he’s...(read more)

Tech’s Top Models Tell All for Fashion

2013-05-14T19:02:38Z

“Geek 2 Chic events transform young, successful science and technology professionals from big brands, startup companies, government and academia into fashion models for one night.” – Geek 2 Chic producer Mark Drapeau , Director of Innovation Social at Microsoft Corp. Geek 2 Chic is a national charity fashion show produced by Mark Drapeau of Microsoft in partnership with Bloomingdale's. The event series raises funds for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship ( NFTE ), a national nonprofit that...(read more)

How Microsoft Can Help You Prepare and Respond to a Natural Disaster

2013-05-12T13:00:00Z

By: Molly Bull, Senior Communications Manager, Microsoft Disaster Response Supporting humanitarian relief and disaster response efforts is core to our commitment to develop technology solutions, tools, and practices that can foster social and economic change. That’s why we want to make it easier for you to know about the latest tools and resources to help you be prepared should a natural disaster strike. Starting today, you can now tune in to watch video interviews where we sit down with experts...(read more)

To Compete in the Global Economy, Companies Must Recognize Talent

2013-05-08T13:00:00Z

By Gerald Chertavian, CEO of Year Up Jessica Vides had a common story. A few years ago, she dropped out of high school – not because of laziness or lack of ambition, but because her family was going through a crisis and, though still a teenager herself, she needed to help take care of her sister’s children. In time, she was an unemployed high school dropout, with few career prospects and responsibilities that hadn’t gone away. That’s when Jessica’s story changed...(read more)

Have an Idea to Improve Your Community, Campus, or the World? Enter YouthSpark Challenge for Change!

2013-05-01T16:00:00Z

By Lori Harnick, General Manager, Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs When it comes to social change, launching entrepreneurial ventures, and coming up with the next generation of big ideas, we know that nothing matches the creativity and passion of youth. That’s the driving force behind Microsoft YouthSpark , our company-wide commitment to create education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for 300 million young people over three years. Today we’re launching YouthSpark Challenge...(read more)

800 Kids on a Computer Science Field Trip at Microsoft: A Glimpse into the Future

2013-04-30T19:42:00Z

By Jane Broom, Director, Citizenship and Public Affairs Yesterday was one of those great days where I felt inspired, energized and hopeful about the future of young people in our community. I can’t help wonder where the lives of more than 800 high school students I met today at the annual Microsoft TEALS Field Trip will take them. Will that amazing kid from Rainier Beach High School– the one with the twinkle in his eye and mischievous grin – become the next Bill Gates? Will that...(read more)

A Look at the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

2013-04-25T13:00:00Z

By Caroline Rees, President of SHIFT I took the liberty last week of telling a room full of institutional investors that they reminded me of Dutch beer. I think I got away with it, but let me explain. The event was a dinner hosted by Microsoft and Hermes with around 60 investors attending a conference of the Council of Institutional Investors. The purpose was to talk about the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights . The Guiding Principles set the global standard regarding both...(read more)

Microsoft Supports ‘Girls in ICT Day’

2013-04-25T05:45:51Z

By Alethea Lodge-Clarke, Public-Private Partnerships Manager, International Organizations, Microsoft Women and girls are extremely underrepresented in science and technology in the developing and developed world. In the United States, only 18% of computer science degrees are earned by women and only 22% of software engineers at technology companies are women. While information and communications technology (ICT) play an important role in the empowerment of women around the world, women in developed...(read more)

Young Kodu designer showcases at 2013 White House Science Fair

2013-04-24T18:10:00Z

By Caroline Curtin, Policy Counsel Microsoft U.S. Government Affairs “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you're a young person and you've produced the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too,” said President Obama in 2009, on why he was starting an annual science fair at the White House . Four years later – and just this Monday – 100 kids proudly displayed their...(read more)

2013 United Way Spirit of America and Summit Awards

2013-04-18T20:15:00Z

Congratulations to science and technology company 3M for winning the 2013 United Way Spirit of America ® award for philanthropy, volunteer engagement and community impact! Microsoft also received two Summit awards from United Way for our community impact and volunteer engagement. The awards program recognizes outstanding United Way Global Corporate Leaders . “At Microsoft we really do believe that our strongest asset is our people. We are deeply honored to receive two United Way ‘Spirit...(read more)