Thoughts on the 2009 SERI Summit

This is a blog post written by Vanessa Danziger, a student at Brown University

First, I was thrilled to attend the SERI summit. It was an inspiration simply to be in a room with so many like-minded, forward-thinking people. I was surprised by the size of the conference and the quality of the speakers. As someone who is excited about social improvement and working for the betterment of people, it is easy to feel anxious that you are fighting a daunting battle with a two-sizes-too-small army. However, events like this remind me that I am not alone in the pursuit of a better life for the global community.

As for specific speakers or projects that I found particularly inspirational, I would say the speaker from Ashoka and the speaker from the Hippo Water Roller stuck out as two of the most striking. Throughout the day, I discussed the Hippo Water Roller with almost everyone I spoke to. I was struck by how simple the idea was and how significant of an impact something so simple could have. It was simultaneously inspirational and depressing to realize how much of an improvement such an simple idea can make but had taken so long for the discovery to be made and the change implemented. As for Ashoka, it was nice to finally put a face and personality to the organization. I have long been interested in Ashoka, but to hear someone speak in person about the organization made the work tangible and highlighted the human aspect. The effect was so strong in fact that later that afternoon I sent an email to Ashoka inquiring about potential internship opportunities after I graduate. In an ideal world, I could be a member of the team on the ground in a third world country searching for the social entrepreneurs who are making social change happen in their communities.

If I left with one idea, it was a lesson one of the speakers left us with: the guide to a fulfilling life is to learn, earn and return. I'm working on learning right now, we'll see if I can earn, but I will no doubt return anything and everything I have.