Skoll | Rethinking Possible

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The Skoll Foundation’s vision is to live in a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all.

To solve the world’s most pressing problems, we need to trust those closest to the challenge. These are the solutions, people, and organizations making our world a better place for everyone.

This is Rethinking Possible, stories from the frontiers of radical change, created by Skoll Foundation and Freethink.

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The process is simple – when attending appointments at the DMV, eligible citizens are automatically registered; no additional time, forms, or conversations are necessary. If uninterested, users can choose to opt out, but otherwise, registration is seamless. This way, one of the hardest parts of voting is automatically completed, leading to a more secure system, and even more participating citizens. 

Also dubbed the “Motor Voter of the 21st Century,” Secure AVR streamlines voter registration, making it effortless and inclusive. By integrating this system nationwide, millions of eligible voters could be added to the rolls, strengthening the democratic process and ensuring broader representation.

A single "I Voted" sticker is separated from a pile of identical stickers on a blue background, with a white arrow pointing towards the single sticker.

If the unregistered eligible voter population in California was its own state, it would be the 25th largest state in the country. Compare this to Oregon, where 93.5% of eligible voters are registered, thanks to a new automatic voter registration program called secure automatic voter registration. 

The process is simple – when attending appointments at places like the DMV, eligible citizens are automatically registered. If uninterested, users can choose to opt out, but otherwise, registration takes no effort. This way, one of the hardest parts of voting is automatically completed, leading to a more secure system, and even more participating citizens.

Six individuals standing behind closed blue curtains in voting booths, with only their legs and feet visible, suggesting they are engaged in the voting process.

You may think of the places that remain uncharted by maps as very distant or rural areas. In reality, thriving, bustling communities of millions are not captured in any data source. 

In fact, places all around the world have yet to be fully mapped, which is a huge problem. With the increase in climate-related disasters, this lack of data poses serious risks to the most vulnerable populations, especially in the global south. Gaps in data mean gaps in service delivery and gaps in disaster response. Here’s how you can join 600,000 volunteers worldwide and help communities put their citizens, roads, and businesses on the map.

We have this tragedy where the interests of very few people are creating a problem for everybody else.
- Tasso Azevedo
Racial equity has everything to do with economic recovery. 
- Michael McAfee
We know from every example across history of where we’ve really seen change in the longer term, it’s required collaboration across sectors.
- Olivia Leland
I think we’re giving back children their childhood. That’s the Teaching at the Right Level.
- Madhav Chavan
The community health worker is a trusted neighbor. The program is cheap and yet the impact is immense. 
- Liz Jarman
If every country in the world invested in their own community health work forces, we could save 2.5 million lives annually.
- Raj Panjabi
I’ve always felt nagged by the gap between democracy as it is, and democracy as we wish it would be.
- Tiana Epps Johnson
Climate change is fundamentally a public health issue.
- Dr. Aparna Bole
Civic engagement is so important because it challenges so many stereotypes. We’re the group you didn’t bet on that are really engaged, and we are dedicated to this because we live here. This is our home. We want it to be better.
- Stephanie Cho
Tasso Azevedo
General Coordinator, MapBiomas
Michael McAfee
President & CEO, PolicyLink
Olivia Leland
CEO of Co-Impact
Madhav Chavan
Co-Founder & President, Pratham
Liz Jarman
CEO, Living Goods
Raj Panjabi
Last Mile Health
Tiana Epps Johnson
Co-Founder, Center for Tech and Civic Life
Dr. Aparna Bole
MD, Pediatrician, UH Rainbow Babies  & Children’s Hospital
Stephanie Cho
Executive Director, AAAJ-Atlanta
Listen to the Podcast

Rethinking Possible’s companion podcast is a radically honest and fresh conversation about how transformational social change actually gets made and who makes it. Hosted by Courtney E. Martin and Nguhi Mwaura, and brought to you by the Skoll Foundation in partnership with Aspen Ideas.

The Skoll Award

The Skoll Foundation presents the Skoll Awards for Social Innovation each year to a select group of social innovators whose work targets the root causes of societal problems that are ripe for transformational social change.

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A silhouette of a person wearing a feathered headdress against a sunset background. Text on the image reads "2024 Skoll Awardee, IllumiNative" with the Skoll and IllumiNative logos.
Three children are eating from bowls while seated against a wall. Text on the image reads: "2024 Skoll Awardee: Food for Education.
Nighttime street scene with silhouettes of people on motorcycles and autos. Text on image: "2024 Skoll Awardee SaveLIFE Foundation." SaveLIFE and Skoll logos are present.
Close-up of hands using a smartphone with the text "2024 Skoll Awardee Meedan" and logos for Meedan and Skoll in the background.
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