WASHINGTON D.C. - Global Pulse 2010, the three-day online event aimed at bringing people together online to brainstorm and discuss innovative ideas to solve critical global challenges, launches March 29. The event is open to all participants. More information is available at www.GlobalPulse2010.gov.

"We're very excited about Global Pulse 2010 because it's an innovative way to generate new ideas. Our goal at USAID is to continuously learn, and look for ways we can do things better" said Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development. "We will take many of these ideas and change the way we work based on what we hear."

The themes for Global Pulse 2010 are 10 pressing challenges within the fields of science and technology, economic opportunity, and human development. Topics are:

• Empowering Women and Girls
• Enabling Essential Education
• Building Stronger Partnerships
• Exercising Political and Civil Rights
• Inspiring a New Generation
• Promoting Global Health
• Advancing Entrepreneurship, Trade and Economic Opportunity
• Fostering Science, Technology and Innovation
• Supporting a Sustainable Planet
• Pursuing Grand Challenges

Leaders from the government, private industry, and civil society organizations, along with influential individuals are also scheduled to participate and offer insight into the topics at hand. Joining the conversation will be Youssou N'Dour, Africa's best selling pop musician, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues, Iqbal Z. Quadir, founder of Grameenphone in Bangladesh and many others.

So far, people from more than 133 countries have registered to participate.

Global Pulse 2010 is sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, in partnership with the Departments of State, Education, Commerce, and Health and Human Services.

For more information about Global Pulse 2010 visit www.GlobalPulse2010.gov; for more information about USAID, visit www.usaid.gov.