Who says social media is all about narcissism, marketing or pointless checking-ins. The social media blog Mashable will be partnering the United Nations and the 92nd Street Y to launch a ‘Social Good Summit’, a conference devoted to how social media can address some of the world’s most pressing issues.

To be held on 20 September, the summit is part of the United Nations Week, and will bring together leaders from the digital industry and media world such as Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook, Howard Buffett, President Obama’s policy advisor and MTV CEO Judy McGrath, among others.

The summit will also be available online, with live-streaming made available by the event’s media parter, CNN.com. And unlike the other officials-only United Nations Week events, this one will be open to the public.

Conversations and talks will revolve around the Millennium Development Goals, a bunch of goals set by world leaders ten years ago. These goals focus on poverty and hunger reduction, education, gender equality and other social concerns.

Following the summit, the United Nations Foundation will also be sponsoring Mashable’s Digital Media Lounge. Held over 21 to 24 September, the event will provide the online community access to high-level UN officials and international leaders.

“Digital media are driving the involvement of millions of citizens, and delivering invaluable information and knowledge for development efforts,” said CEO of the United Nations Foundation Kathy Calvin.

She explained,” Through the UN Week Digital Media Lounge, we are helping make conversation about the world’s biggest challenges a truly global dialogue, driven by a digital pulse.”

Leveraging on digital media and social networking seems an obvious boost to these for-good causes that it’s almost surprising that it hasn’t been fully discussed until now. Our hats are off to Mashable.

For more information, visit the Social Good Summit page here.

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