Harry and Meghan ring young online innovators after funding awards

The royals’ charitable body, the Archewell Foundation, is a founding member of the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund.

Tony Jones
Wednesday 02 August 2023 12:04 EDT
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have praised young campaigners and innovators (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have praised young campaigners and innovators (PA) (PA Wire)

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called young innovators and campaigners to congratulate them on being awarded a share of a multimillion-dollar prize to boost their efforts.

Harry and Meghan rang some of the 26 recipients who will receive the financial award from the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund – and joked that their children were “incredibly grateful”.

The couple’s Archewell Foundation is a founding member of the initiative which has a number of aims including shaping the “tech ecosystem to safeguard human rights” and “mitigating the harmful impacts of technology in communities”.

Holding a mobile between himself and Meghan, Harry said to one winner: “Thank you for doing everything that you do. Our kids especially are incredibly grateful.”

The Sussexes have a son Archie and a daughter Lilibet, and Megan added: “They don’t know it yet – but they will.”

The fund raised 2 million US dollars (£1.6m) from backers and awarded amounts ranging from 25,000 dollars (£19,700) to 200,000 dollars (£157,000) — based on the stage of the organisation and funding needs.

The recipients will work on a range of innovative projects, including responsible use of artificial intelligence; improving education access; leveraging platforms to address social and environmental challenges and promoting the safety and well-being of online communities.

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