Hello, my name is David Galipeau.  I am the founder and Managing Director of eighty20.org .  What follows is a short biography, a few thoughts and experiences about social knowledge exchange and why I created eighty20.org. If you are interested, click here to see full CV [PDF].

OK, who am i?

After my undergrad at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, I started my professional life in the world of commodity trading, finance and business development. I did my 'barefoot walk' to Europe soon afterwards and stumbled on the Internet very early - in the late-80's - where my first research project was funded by a European Commission Framework IV grant - not as a computer scientist but as a social researcher for large corporations and government agencies. 

This is where I initially got the idea to learn more about the effect of technology, primarily Internet, was having on society -  this is now a field of research within cognitive psychology called social informatics.

I officially joined the dot.com frenzy of the mid-90’s and founded an Internet media company in Munich, Germany that catered to large business and government clients. I also partnered with a magazine publisher and a TV production company to focus on cross-channel strategies of traditional and new media.

I was becoming a specialist in cross-channel communications, media and public relations.

After selling in the late 90's, I joined a global pharmaceutical corporation based in Switzerland as Global Head of eCommunications responsible for the overarching strategy of 300+ websites and knowledge portals. I proposed a four year strategic plan to introduce new communications and media channels.  The plan was to look at decision making models of behavior modification - in layman's terms - define when and where information seekers were making important decisions - then put valuable information there to educate them.  The four year plan took five years but we succeeded and they had some of the most successful online health communities at the time.

This was my first experience with health communication and it opened doors to the public sector.

I joined UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, as the Web Communications Manager responsible for a small team and a large task. This was my first experience to observe the benefits - and the problems - of international and non-governmental organizations.

I am now continuing the adventure as Chief of the Web at UNCTAD - the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva, Switzerland - where I will be developing and implementing a new Web Communications strategy and strengthening their online capabilities to meet the challenges ahead.

Private vs. Public?

I get asked this all the time - corporations had the money, the skill and the know-how to create and share information; albeit in the name of consumerism. Public sector was several years behind and the new channels of communication were not understood.  There is also the false notion that the public sector is above using business techniques - which is very wrong.  Private sector is the master of changing an audience's behavior - and that's exactly what public sector should be doing. 

The audience is different but the objectives are the same.

It's easy to see how instrumental 'knowledge sharing' is to empowerment but in the public sector, global efforts are poorly initiated and local efforts are practically are better better. The bottom up approach of community based communications is already in place around the world. 

Top down communications, aimed at policy makers and senior officials are also in place, albeit, not very effective.  The problem is is that there are not that many efforst to connect the two - bottom up and top down.

This is the challenge that international organizations and civil society are facing.

For this reason, I combine my education and experience to support social knowledge sharing that empowers individuals and organizations.

I created eighty20.org, a not-for-profit organization that supports communication, media and awareness initiatives of the United Nations, NGOs and civil society organizations as well as small community based organizations (CBOs) - as consultants, developers, trainers - to facilitate the free flow of knowledge - both traditional and online.

eighty20.org covers it's expenses and overheads and ALL profits are re-distributed to selected projects that have limited or no funding.

Let's be clear.  No money is paid out to me - ever.  This is important - our business model is that the profits from one project helps to pay for another project with limited or no funding.

eighty20.org is self-funded and does not accept external funds or donations at this time.  Eighty20.org has started the application process to qualify as a not-for-profit foundation in Switzerland. Once completed (2010), we will invite very interesting and interested individuals to our Advisory Board to advice and council eighty20.org. 

Once officially recognized in Switzerland, we will apply for US 501(c)(3) tax exemption, commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with US Tax Code section 170. We will then look to apply additional financial resources to low or non-funded social projects.

Its a long journey but we have taken our first steps.