As we approach the end of 2007 and the gift-giving season, we look back to see what were the highlights of the year, what have we learned and achieved. I think that one of the things that struck me the most this year was the increase in options available on how to get engaged, invest or donate using the web. It has never been so easy to make a difference or try, at least. For investments in microfinance one can go to Kiva or Microplace. For donations one can start searching with Global Giving. Any topic is easy with the help of Google and Wikipedia. So we launched a modest Xmas project. Instead of Xmas presents to our nieces/nephews and children of our friends we have given everyone a stipend for them to either donate or invest. They first have to research and find a cause or project that appeals to them, donate or invest. At least half of the amount has to be used for the project and the rest they can keep it for their own. Another condition was that they have to give a mini presentation in the new year on how they found the project and why they chose it. The children and youth are in Switzerland, Japan and Australia. I am thrilled to learn from their findings.

Intel’s Chairman Craig Barette and Muhammad Yunus have signed an agreement on September 4th for the launch of Intel’s “World Ahead Program” in Bangladesh. Intel’s World Ahead Program is a global effort to provide people in developing countries with the benefits of better, faster access to information and communication technology(ICT). It aims to accelerate the access to ICT to the next billion users in the world and it integrates and extend Intel’s efforts to advance progress in 4 areas; accessibility, connectivity, education, and content. According to the press release, Intel and Grameen Solutions will jointly introduce several programs to make it easier for people across Bangladesh to access the vast resources of medical, educational and commercial knowledge on the Internet. They will also deploy a PC ownership program that will offer low cost PCs on easy monthly installments and will launch a project to set up telecenters across the country. The telecenters will enable employment opportunities for rural citizens to offer services such as Internet access, photocopying, printing and PC usage for e-government and e-commerce services. The telecenters will be financed through microloans. Grameen Solutions was founded by Muhammad Yunus to promote economic and social development through ICT and to create affordable technology solutions for ordinary people. The country-wide implementation of this program is also being launched with collaboration with the government of Bangladesh.