USC Network Culture Project announces Second Life Community Challenge

I just attended the formal announcement of the "Second Life and Public Good" Community Challenge sponsored by the USC Network Culture Project, featuring an introduction to the Community Challenge by Cory Ondrejka, former CTO of Linden Lab and currently a fellow at USC.  I am honored to be serving as a selection panelist alongside such august personages as Randall Moss of the American Cancer Society, Howard Rheingold the legendary net community pioneer, and Lori Bell of the Alliance Library System. About the Community Challenge:

We are currently accepting proposals from groups, organizations, or individuals for projects that show how Second Life can enhance, develop, or sustain the public good. The best submissions will be selected based on how well they demonstrate the significance of virtual worlds for making an impact on society or culture.

Up to three finalists will be selected by community vote. The finalists will be provided with a $100,000L per month building stipend (and land, if required) for three months to execute their proposal. The projects will be showcased in Second Life at the State of Play conference to be held in Chicago, October 2008.

Projects may address any social need and could include conservation, human rights and international justice, global peace and security, reproductive health, digital media and learning, or juvenile justice. Proposals should provide a clear description of how the project uses the abilities of Second Life to advance the project goals and should provide clear metrics for assessing the success of the project.

I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of ideas emerge from various communities in Second Life.  I know that my friends in the SL Africa and Tiny communities are considering submitting projects, among I am sure many others.

More of my pictures from the event are here.