SoJo announces public launch to transform ideas for global social change into action

Sojo, a collection of online tools for social innovators, is out of Beta and has been endorsed by UNESCO! Check out their site here http://theSoJo.net!

June 28, 2012. (Toronto, Canada) SoJo, a leading provider of tools and resources for social innovators and social change, is excited to announce the official launch of its comprehensive resources website http://theSoJo.net. The launch is the next step for SoJo becoming the leading online resource for social innovators to turn ideas for social change into action.

“Since SoJo's beta launch in fall 2011, we have worked hard at increasing the accessibility of valuable information, knowledge and lessons learned for individuals wishing bring an idea for social change into action.” said Kanika Gupta, SoJo's founder and Chief Catalyst. “This launch represents and enhances our commitment to the individual behind the idea, and takes SoJo to the next level as an organization as we work to close the gap between the individual and the knowledge they need. At SoJo, we remove the complications that occur when trying to find fragmented and complex information to ensure that the individual can focus, incubate and execute on their ideas for social change.”

Along with the launch, SoJo is excited to announce its endorsement by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (“UNESCO”). This endorsement represents a validation of the work that SoJo has been doing in bridging the gap between those looking for help with their ideas and the necessary educational tools and direction that SoJo provides.

“The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is proud to support SoJo and believes that it is an innovative initiative that will have a multiplier effect by providing a platform to bring together social innovators who can collectively work toward finding solutions to global challenges”, said David Walden, Secretary-General of Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

The official launch of SoJo provides more resources and information for individuals looking to turn their ideas into action. The service provides a step-by-step guide to achieving social change. SoJo is a self-guided online resource for individuals to use to develop ideas allowing those at the intersection of social change to find exactly what they are looking for and at any stage in their journey.

In its beta phase, SoJo has reached over 15,000 social innovators since November 2011. "With SoJo, we were able to clarify our vision and articulate our goals clearly for the future”, said Karim Sultan, from Kalimat Magazine. “Engaging with and being part of a community of social innovators and change agents is exciting and enabling. Kalimat discovered early on that there are many other initiatives with varying degrees of overlap, so that kind of communication and mutual support can only have a positive result”.

With the official launch and endorsement from UNESCO, SoJo is moving forward in its mandate of ensuring that information in the social innovation space remains simplified, accessible and relevant. SoJo plans to embark on an ambitious program of creating an online space for collaborative learning and information sharing that will significantly enhance the experience of the individual behind the innovative ideas to improve the world.

About SoJo

SoJo, incubated by the Ryerson Digital Media Zone, is an online collection of tools and informational resources used to inspire and empower individuals to transform their ideas for social change into reality. It is a comprehensive source for all the information needed to guide and support the individual in their journey of creating social change. SoJo effectively aggregates, filters, republishes and organizes relevant content all in one place. The content is well-researched, diverse, and well organized- thus making it easier for our users to focus their talents and energies on building ideas, developing their skills and ultimately bringing their ideas to action. To see SoJo in action, visit SoJo atwww.theSoJo.net.

About UNESCO

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO functions under the general authority of the Canada Council for the Arts. Its role is to act as a forum for governments and civil society, and to mobilize the participation of Canadian organizations and committed individuals in UNESCO's mandated areas: education, natural and social sciences, culture and communication and information. To learn more about UNESCO, visithttp://www.unesco.org/new/en/