Michael Furdyk of TakingItGlobal.org to Speak at C.W. Post October 26

Brookville, N.Y. – How does one exactly go about "changing the world" or "making a difference?" Both are big ideas with noble intentions, but how much of an impact can college students really make on the global stage?

According to Michael Furdyk, quite a bit.

Furdyk is the co-founder and director of technology for TakingITGlobal.org, a global online community that provides young people with opportunities to become catalysts for social change worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of youth in more than 200 countries and territories have used the site to develop and participate in social, economic and environmental projects for the better of society.

On Monday, October 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Hillwood Commons Lecture Hall on the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Furdyk will discuss the site and how technology and social networking can link youth globally to make a difference.

"The whole notion of global outreach is so significant today when you consider what one can do to be connected," said Bette Schneiderman, professor of education in the C.W. Post School of Education. "Global youth activists can step right outside their campus to make a difference but they can also step into a space where activity is happening around the world. They can partner with people everywhere, people who share their passion and desire."

A pioneer of the "Net Generation," Furdyk has turned his interest in technology into a series of successful online companies, co-founding MyDesktop.com and BuyBuddy.com. Over the last few years, he has consulted for many Fortune 500 companies, and is a board member and advisor to numerous groups including Microsoft, Pollution Probe, the Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation, and several other national and global organizations. One of Teen People's past "20 Teens That Will Change the World," Furdyk has addressed the World Congress on IT, the US Government's National Youth Summit, and Microsoft's Anytime.

The lecture, which is sponsored by the C.W. Post Office of the Provost, is free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Tracey Grotticelli at (516) 299-2147 or e-mail traceyg@liu.edu.

Posted: October 5, 2009