Over fifty of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, and fashion are lending their voice to ignite the Call for Code ‘Cause Flash,’ a global social media campaign to encourage developers and innovators to make a difference and create solutions to help the world’s most vulnerable people. The celebrity coalition has a combined social media reach of over 1 billion followers. Participants also include Aloe Blacc, Andra Day, Austin Mahone, Bazzi, Cara Delevingne, Carlos Vives, Cyndi Lauper, Fall Out Boy, Fergie, Gloria Estefan, Jason Mraz, One Republic, Pentatonix, Rev Run, Ricky Martin, Ryan Tedder, Rob Thomas, Rita Wilson, Toby Keith, and Wiz Khalifa, as well as Olympic champions Lindsay Vonn and Laurie Hernandez, actors Nina Dobrev, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, and comedienne Margaret Cho, among many others.

Academy Award-winner Jeff Bridges, the first celebrity out the gate to speak out for Call for Code on his popular Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts posted a poignant photo of a frontline health care worker with his message, "Let's fight back against #COVID19 & #ClimateChange. I encourage developers & innovators to make a difference. Join @CallforCode & its partner @UNHumanRights to help create solutions for the world's most vulnerable people. Visit: http://CallforCode.org #TechForGood."

 

Since Lady Gaga made a personal video appeal in March urging ‘tech rock stars’ to commit to the cause, hundreds of thousands of developers from 165 countries have already signed up for the 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge, which has become the largest tech for social good initiative in history.  

The top tech innovations to be funded and deployed will be selected by a jury, which includes Former President Bill Clinton, Mark Cuban, American tech entrepreneur and co-host of ABC TV’s “Shark Tank,” Dr. Irwin Redlener, Director of National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Mickey Chopra, Global Solutions Lead for Service Delivery in the Health Nutrition and Population of the World Bank, Mami Mizutori, the UN’s Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Brian A. Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, and David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee.

United Nations Human Rights is Global Partner of Call for Code, a multi-year initiative created in 2018 by David Clark, CEO of David Clark Cause, with Founding Partner IBM, and Affiliate Partner The Linux Foundation. In addition to IBM’s initial 5-year $30 million pledge of support Call for Code, and additional $25 million pledged to help deploy the top tech solutions, Call for Code is supported by major corporations including Verizon, Arrow Electronics and Persistent Systems.

“We are so grateful for the generous support from these renowned celebrities, our jury, partner organizations, and sponsors, and sincerely thank Lady Gaga for inspiring developers and innovators to answer the call,” said David Clark. “Call for Code would not be possible without United Nation Human Rights, which has helped guide our effort while they continue to work with the 193 member states to address the unfolding human rights crisis posed by Covid-19 and climate change. I also want to extend our utmost gratitude to IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, and the entire IBM family for their unparalleled leadership in galvanizing the global tech community. As the most trusted technology partner there is, we’re grateful IBM answered the call to be the Founding Partner of Call for Code.”