2018 International Tech4Dev Conference

About the conference

The Tech4Dev Conference is the biennial flagship event of the UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development hosted by CODEV at EPFL. The Conference focuses on the potential of technology solutions to advance inclusive social and economic development in 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 provides an opportunity to:

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

The Conference's focus is centered around the following core thematic areas and cross-cutting themes:

1. Technologies for Humanitarian Action
2. Medical Technologies
3. Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction
4. Technologies for Sustainable Access to Energy
5. ICT for Development
6. Technologies for Sustainable Habitat and Cities

Call for abstracts

The conference calls for abstracts on the different themes. The deadline for submissions is January 5, 2018. Please see more information about submissions here.

The third theme, Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction, has five specified areas for which submissions are being accepted:

1. Disaster Risk Reduction: The Elusiveness of Resilience 
2. People-centered Early Warning Systems for Natural Hazards
3. High-Tech and/or Low-Tech for DRR in the Global South. What works, what doesn’t?
4. Low-cost ICTs for flood and drought risk management and development?
5. Adapted Technologies for Early Warning Systems: Playing with Uncertainty