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Let's be Watch Girl Scout Nookies 15 Onlinehonest -- 2016 has been a tough year.

From data breaches to acts of terror, it seems as if every week another world problem comes to light -- and issues become more and more pressing by the day.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to speak at the 2016 Social Good Summit

In spite of the weight of these global challenges, there are still so many incredible people fighting social injustices, combating climate change and ultimately working to make the world a better place.

This is why Mashable, the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme and the 92nd Street Y created the Social Good Summit -- to provide an open forum to address these important issues, and celebrate the people and initiatives looking to solve them.

To get you ready for the 2016 Social Good Summit, we’re taking a look back at some of the most impactful global moments of the past year.

1. The global response to the refugee crisis

Members of the Refugee Olympic Team take part in the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on Aug. 5, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: BUDA MENDES/GETTY IMAGES

The global refugee crisis has resulted in the highest level of displacement since World War II -- and it sits at the top of the agenda at this year's United Nations General Assembly.

In May, 173 U.N. member states convened in Istanbul for the first World Humanitarian Summit. While there is still plenty of work to be done, the results of this summit signaled a huge step forward as nations and stakeholders committed to bringing aid to refugee camps and helping those who have been displaced.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the International Olympic Committee used the opportunity to "send a message of hope" and draw attention to the crisis by creating the first Refugee Olympic Team.

"When they march into that stadium, there are 60 million people marching right behind them," U.N. Foundation spokesman Aaron Sherinian told The Washington Postprior to the Olympics. "And the world needs to acknowledge those 60 million people."

This year’s Social Good Summit will feature some of the key players in the response to the refugee crisis, including U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, as well as the Malala Fund's Muzoon Almellehan.

2. The Paris Agreement on climate change

In April 2016, 175 nations signed the Paris Agreement -- a global climate change accord that brings the world under the same policy framework.

Initially negotiated at the U.N. Climate Summit in Paris (or COP21) in December 2015, the agreement marks a major milestone in the world's effort to address global warming, and signals a movement toward renewable energy. After nearly two decades of negotiations, the agreement, which was originally planned to go into effect in 2020, may enter into force within the next year due to dire global circumstances.

Experts and advocates involved in these conversations will be in attendance at the Social Good Summit, including Dr. M. Sanjayan of Conservation International.

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3. Challenging the gender gap

UK PM Theresa May with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin Credit: Press/Rex/Shutterstock

While the gender gap certainly still exists, the growth of women in international politics over the past year represents an overall progression toward greater gender equality across the globe.

It cannot be ignored that the nomination of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic presidential nominee signals a major milestone for gender equality in U.S. politics. Should Clinton win the presidency in November, she would join German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly appointed UK Prime Minister Theresa May as the third female member of the G7.

Beyond politics, women have been making moves to secure equality on other fronts. After members of the U.S. women's soccer team spoke out about pay inequality in sports, the Senate called on the U.S. Soccer Federation to "immediately eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with the same respect and dignity."

This year, you will find gender equality advocates, such as comedian Chelsea Handler and sociologist Michael Kimmel, discussing these matters on the Social Good Summit stage.

4. Big donations to help solve big problems

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It has been six years since Bill Gates and Warren Buffet created the Giving Pledge, a commitment by some of the world's wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. Since then, fellow billionaires have continued to followed suit in other ways.

Following the birth of their daughter in December 2015, Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Through the initiative, the couple intends to donate 99% of their Facebook shares to create long-term investments that will "advance human potential and promote equality in areas such as health, education, scientific research and energy.”

Fellow tech entrepreneur Sean Parker made headlines in April when he announced that he would donate $250 million toward cancer immunotherapy -- one of the largest donations ever toward cancer research.

This year’s Social Good Summit will feature philanthropists such as Jean Case, who -- alongside her husband, AOL founder Steve Case -- has pledged to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

5. Great strides in global activism

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Social movements and demonstrations have dominated headlines in 2016. In response to major injustices, these movements have been effective in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Similar in scope to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Black Lives Matter has helped bring the conversation surrounding police violence and racial injustice to the fore. Black Lives Matter activists, including The Washington Post's Wesley Lowery, will be tackling this conversation on the Social Good Summit stage this year.

Demanding that their communities be included in the Paris Agreement conversation, a group of Indigenous activists from around the world rallied during COP21. In response to the worsening effects of climate change, global grassroots organizations, such as the Indigenous Environmental Network, have advocated on behalf of the planet for environmental justice. Actor Alec Baldwin, an advocate with the Equator Initiative, will discuss inequality faced by Indigenous communities at the Social Good Summit.

And following the June shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the world showed an outpouring of support for the LGBTQ community. While this hate crime served as a startling reminder of the prejudices that still target the queer community, it also increased advocacy against gun violence. Members of the LGBTQ community, such as GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis and trans activist Chandi Moore, will be addressing some of the issues still faced by the community at the Social Good Summit.

Get involved

Want to make sure you’re part of the conversation IRL? 1-day and 2-day tickets are still available for this year’s summit, which will take place on Sept. 18 and 19 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

Members of the press are invited to apply to join the Digital Media Lounge, an area of the summit designated for global journalists and bloggers to cover the conversations and activity happening on site.

For more updates, including speaker announcements and ticket information, follow @MashableEvents on Twitter or sign up for our monthly newsletter.

The 2016 Social Good Summit is presented by:

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Sponsored by:

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Topics Social Good