Fall 2018 Facebook Winners
Peer to Peer: Facebook Global Digital Challenge Fall 2018 Winners Announced in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, January 29 in Washington, D.C., Facebook held final presentations for its Peer to Peer: Facebook Global Digital Challenge at George Washington University.
48 colleges and universities across the globe participated in the challenge to design, implement and measure the success of a social or digital initiative, product or tool that achieves the goal of countering hate speech online. To support their goals, teams were given $1,000 plus $750 in Facebook ad credits.
From top: Monika Bickert, Vice President for Global Policy Management and Counterterrorism, Facebook; Seamus Hughes, Deputy Director, Program on Extremism, George Washington University; Tony Sgro, Founder and CEO, EdVenture Partners; Paige Blair, Project Specialist, EdVenture Partners
After several months of campaign work, three finalist teams were selected on December 18, giving them just over a month to fine-tune their presentations for an esteemed panel of judges, Facebook representatives and other VIP audience members. After judges’ deliberation, the winners were announced as follows:
1st place – Izmir University of Economics
1st place – Izmir University of Economics (Turkey) —Çocuk Gibi Bak
ÇOCUK GIBI BAK, (See Like A Child) is a social responsibility project intended to protect the futures of 1.7 million children refugees living in Turkey by enlisting the compassionate support of university students, aged 18-25. Through community partnerships and events, they emphasize the need for refugee children to feel accepted and encouraged in order to thrive happily into adulthood.
2nd place – Masaryk University
2nd place – Masaryk University (Czech Republic) — Fakescape
FAKESCAPE is a game-oriented campaign which teaches Czech students, 15-19 years old, how to verify information, think critically and read carefully as a way to protect them from false news or manipulative tactics online, especially before they become active voters. The game was tested in classrooms across the country and was also translated into Slovak for further reach and engagement.
3rd place – Mindanao State University
3rd place – Mindanao State University (Philippines) – ISLAM NOT PHOBIA
ISLAM NOT PHOBIA is a campaign designed to counter rampant discrimination against the large Muslim population living within the Philippines. Through videos and photo contests they aim to increase cultural awareness and encourage their target audience—the silent majority—to be inclusive and open-minded towards Muslim individuals by promoting the value of cultural diversity.
Finalist teams were awarded scholarship funds in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 to further their campaigns.
Tony Sgro, Founder and CEO EdVenture Partners, pictured with the top teams.