Leslie Harris: Catalyzing Economic Advancement with Technology

Leslie Harris, the President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, has seen firsthand the important role technology can play in improving women's lives. Harris was instrumental in creating the Global Network Initiative, a collaboration of leading Internet companies, human rights and free expression groups, investors and academics to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy in the information and communications technology sector.

Harris is widely known for her work on policy issues related to civil liberties, new technologies and the Internet including free expression, government and consumer privacy, cyber security and global Internet freedom. She frequently testifies before Congress and federal agencies and is a regular contributor to several online publications and blogs, including the Huffington Post.

Listen to this podcast where Harris speaks about the role of technology in economic advancement of women.

Women | Tools | Technology: Building Opportunities & Economic Power is an innovative online Challenge that identified transformative solutions for promoting women’s economic advancement through technology, with a focus on women from developing countries. Sponsored by Ashoka Changemakers and ExxonMobil in partnership with the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), the Challenge received 268 entries from 67 countries. Efforts are part of ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative, which has invested over $32M since its launch in 2005.
 
On June 2, 2010, ten finalists were chosen by an expert panel of judges and the winners were announced on June 29, 2010.

Website: www.cdt.org