According to USAID, the inspiration for the online event is a speech President Barack Obama gave in Cairo in June 2009 in which he said he would promote partnership with the rest of the world. 
Kwa mujibu wa USAID, msukumo wa kuja na wazo hili la mazungumzo ya mtandaoni, lilitokana na hotuba aliyoitoa Rais Barack Obama mwezi Juni mwaka 2009 jijini Cairo, Misri, ambapo alisema kwamba angefanya juhudi kuhamasisha ushirikiano miongoni mwa binadamu duniani.