#iD4A2019 Industry Expo invitee
Dear iD4A 2019 Industry Expo invitee,
It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the Innovative Development for Africa (iD4A) symposium, which will take place on 11 – 12th of July 2019 at the University of Cape Town. The field of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) brings together various disciplines to address human development challenges with the aid of information technologies. Therefore, we would like your organisation represented at the symposium to share in your expertise and engage students in what ICT4D looks like in practice. This is an opportunity not only to bring research and practice into one space but to also connect different entities with a common goal within the Western Cape.
Symposium Agenda?
The symposium focuses on welcoming postgraduate students from the Western Cape, South Africa and beyond, working on research involving ICTs and development to be part of iD4A. The symposium covers a broad category of contributions relating to development and technology, including but not limited to:
● Collaboration
● Health and Nutrition
● Education and Access
● Gendered Technologies
● Transparency and Openness
● Digital and Financial Inclusion
● e-Government and e-Governance
● Agriculture and Environment
● Participatory Development
● Inclusive Technologies
● Smart Townships
● ICTs and Impact
● Livelihood
Why this is important in the current context?
Applying local ICT Innovation as a critical asset, along with strong collaborations can economically liberate Africa’s emerging economies. Given the global technology development threat catalyzed by US-China Trade Wars; the economic opportunity of upskilling the 77% of Africans under the age of 35; and planning for the job market Fourth Industrial Revolution. Africans need to come up with sustainable solutions for the 2020s and beyond. The University is the ideal space for such progressive thinking.
The symposium is to workshop African ideas of bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to technologies. ICT4D is grounded in the notions of “development”, “growth”, “progress” and “globalization” and is often interpreted as the use of technology to deliver a greater good. Industry leaders such as yourself can help with “digital development”.
Keynote speaker?
Prof Tim Unwin: UNESCO Chair in ICT4D, and Emeritus Professor of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London.
“Challenging orthodoxy on technology and development: reflections from the dark side”
When we need you?
On Friday, July 12, 2019, from 10:30-12:30
We would appreciate your time and industry wisdom at the iD4A 2019 symposium. Also, this would be an opportunity for students to learn about your work and innovations within the ICT4D space and potential job and research opportunities.
We are confident you will see this as a worthwhile investment. It is an opportunity to network with other industry players, students and postgraduate researchers and share what you do. Please have a look at the symposium website at http://id4a.uct.ac.za/ and follow the symposium on Twitter #ID4A2019.
We look forward to welcoming you to iD4A.
Sincerely,
Innovative Development for Africa (iD4A)
Organising Committee
