NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global leaders attended a first-of-its-kind "Gallery Walk" - an interactive demonstration designed to educate through experience and provide actionable insights into the pathway to achieving the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Taking place during the 73rd U.N. General Assembly, the event welcomed senior officials from the U.N. and national governments, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society organizations to explore how data and technology are poised to revolutionize and empower our developing world.

"Organisations from U.N. entities to community-led NGOs are using tools and information to empower people to overcome some of the biggest challenges we face," said Assistant Secretary-General, Chief Information Technology Officer Atefeh Riazi.  

The event turned observers into active participants as they self-guided through interactive exhibits exploring different uses of data and technology to help solve complex global problems. Attendees saw technology solutions poised to address such global challenges as hunger, children's advocacy, women's rights, and extreme poverty.

Each of the 16 presenting organizations use data and technology to positively and profoundly impact the global community. Presenters were selected on the strength of innovation and criticality of their solution, and also represented a variety of the size, scope, and leadership required to address our global challenges.

Presenters included the UNDP, UNICEF, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, World Food Programme, Kessler Foundation, MasterCard, Rights Lab, Virtue Foundation, Equal Measures 2030, WEConnect International, and many more. Additional information is available at:  https://www.gallerywalksdg.org/.

The event was hosted by Dun & Bradstreet and Tableau Foundation.  Additional support was provided by ANDE, Mr. Habib Paracha, and User1st.

QUOTES FROM PARTICIPATING EXECUTIVES

David McNair, Executive Director for Global Policy at The ONE Campaign
"Policymaking without quality, accessible data is governing by guesswork. We are excited to participate in this event because we believe data has the power to mobilize decision-makers and influencers to address some of our world's most pressing challenges from narrowing gender gaps that fuel extreme poverty to eradicating preventable diseases."

Alison Holder, Director of Equal Measures 2030
"Whether I am talking to CEOs in Davos at the World Economic Forum or to women's advocacy groups in Jakarta, Indonesia, the message is the same: Data does not speak for itself--we need human energy and creative technology to ensure that data shows the needed insights to drive change."

Tom Manning, CEO Dun & Bradstreet
"Data and analytics are powerful tools to address needs and improve conditions for people around the world. We are proud to contribute to these innovative global solutions."

Neal Myrick, Global Head of Tableau Foundation
"Data and the technology to manage it are critical for the global community to manage progress toward and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We're pleased to bring together so many organizations showing the world what is possible."

Michele Bongiovanni, CEO and Founder HealRWorld LLC
"HealRWorld is honored to be selected by Dun & Bradstreet and the Tableau Foundation for the UN General Assembly Gallery Walk to showcase our work in support of sustainably-committed private businesses globally.  We are at a critical inflection point with environmental concerns and social issues plaguing our planet.  It's critical we stop saying how important MSMEs are and start supporting them if we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030.  As such, we've developed a new economic model leveraging our unique data set coupled with cutting-edge blockchain and financial solutions from our partners at Unify.Earth to help fill the $2T annual SME funding gap."

Mr. Habib Paracha
"While peace and stability are the cornerstone for social development, the applications of innovative data and technology solutions coupled with global dialogue present the path for our sustainable future and prosperity."

Amihai Miron - Founder & CEO USER1st  
"At User1st we have seen the complexities of innovation pass by those who need it the most. Thus we believe that while technology can be complex: 'Accessibility Should be Simple'. We are honored to be part of the Gallery Walk Showcase with other disruptive technology vendors looking to move the needle for those who need it the most"

George Heinrichs, ANDE CEO
"ANDE is honored to sponsor Revolutionizing and Empowering our Developing World, which precisely aligns with our mission," says George Heinrichs, ANDE CEO. "ANDE Rapid DNA brings DNA identifications out of the lab and into the world, where ever or whenever it is needed. Critical, real time identifications can solve global issues, like human trafficking, disaster victim identification, and family reunification. It is the most significant technological advancement in decades and will help agencies think differently about how, together, we can make the world a safer place."

Elizabeth Vazquez, WEConnect International CEO & Co-Founder
"Today, women-owned businesses earn less than 1% of the money spent on vendors by large corporations and governments. By harnessing the power of data and information technology, WEConnect International is working with our corporate member buyers, women-owned businesses and global partners to close this gender gap."

About Tableau Foundation

The Tableau Foundation is a philanthropic initiative led by the employees of Tableau Software that encourages the use of facts and analytical reasoning to solve the world's problems. Tableau Foundation grants combine Tableau's two most valuable resources – its people and its products – with financial support to nonprofits that are using data to reshape communities around the globe. To learn more, please visit www.tableaufoundation.org.

About Dun & Bradstreet

Dun & Bradstreet helps companies around the world improve their business performance. The global leader in commercial data and analytics, we glean insight from data that helps connect our customers with the prospects, suppliers, clients and partners that matter most.  Since 1841, companies have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity.

Media Contacts:
Steve Schwartz, Tableau Foundation : sschwartz@tableau.com  
Deborah McBride, Dun & Bradstreet: mcbrided@dnb.com

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SOURCE Dun & Bradstreet