5th International Conference on Technologies for Development (Tech4Dev 2018) : Voices of the Global South

[Rondell Liverpool]

Dear Colleagues,

The UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development hosted by the Cooperation & Development Center (CODEV) at EPFL is pleased to invite researchers, students, practitioners, industry or anyone interested in critical issues in Technologies for Development to submit Sessions, Events or Papers (Extended Abstracts) for the 5th International Conference on Technologies for Development (Tech4Dev 2018) : Voices of the Global South.

Proposals for Sessions and Events, as well as submission of Papers (Extended Abstracts) should be submitted online by using the prescribed template no later than 30 September 2017.


The Conference in a Nutshell: Voices of the Global South

Tech4Dev 2018 puts the challenges and the potential of the Global South in the center of discussions reflected by its title Voices of the Global South. Indeed, even though the Sustainable Development Goals apply globally, the needs in terms of access to health and financial services, functioning education systems and sustainable urban and natural ecosystems are undeniably more significant in the Global South. In this perspective it is crucial to listen to and support stakeholders from the regions who are facing these challenges.

Tech4Dev 2018 is particularly interested in proposals with creative formats and innovative approaches to generating discussion. Submissions should emphasize the value of technological innovation while also acknowledging the limits of technology in generating inclusive social and economic development.

The 5th International Conference of the UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development gives you an opportunity to:

Ø Present your research at a unique multidisciplinary Conference focused on innovative technology for social impact in the Global South.
Ø Network across disciplines and fields of technology, to promote the development, deployment, adaptation, and scaling of new solutions for the Global South.
Ø Identify opportunities for collaboration with diverse stakeholders – academics, students, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, practitioners, and social scientists- interested in technological innovation in the Global South.
Ø Participate at the fabulous social event of the conference that will take place in the Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tech4Dev 2018’s Core Thematic Areas:

• Technologies for Humanitarian Action
• Medical Technologies
• Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Technologies for Sustainable Access to Energy
• ICT for Development
• Technologies for Sustainable Habitat and Cities

Crosscutting Themes:

Innovative business models for sustainable impact
Design thinking for social impact
Tech hubs in the Global South: opportunities and challenges
Why do technologies fail: Learning from failure
From local success to broader implementation: strategies and methods for successful upscaling
Social inclusion through technology (e.g. communication, access to health, energy)
Academic-public-private partnership: A recipe for success?
How to fund and fundraise creatively?
Innovation overrated: A buzzword or a way forward?



Further information, templates, deadlines and material can be found on the conference website http://cooperation.epfl.ch/op/preview/2018Tech4Dev_1 and on the attached .pdf file.

We would be grateful if you could help us disseminate this call through your networks.