A new initiative looking for digital solutions for the global refugee crisis is calling on tech firm to submit their ideas, ahead of a conference at 10 Downing Street this week.
The Techfugees initiative, thought up by Mike Butcher, Editor At Large of TechCrunch, is calling for all ‘refugee technology projects’ to register themselves on the Techfugee platform in order to be included in the upcoming report.
Ahead of presenting its findings, the #TechfugeesLIVE online and studio programme will be broadcast from London on 3 February, presented by Mike Butcher.
The live programme will bring in speakers both in person and online from around the world to discuss technology to aid the refugee crisis.
Present at the conference, taking place at 10 Downing Street, will be the UK Prime Minister, Queen Rania, UNSG Ban Ki moon and many others.
The aim of the conference is to address the longer term needs of those affected by the refugee crisis by identifying ways to create jobs and provide education, offering all those that have been forced to flee their homes greater hope for the future, in advance of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May.
‘Refugee technology’ projects that are registered and curated by Techfugees include web platforms, mobile apps and hardware, which either assist refugees directly or aid NGOs working with refugees.
Projects can be registered via the Techfugees online consultation form here. Contributions can also be made via the Techfugees ‘mini wikipedia’ of projects here.
Ahead of the conference, the #TechfugeesLIVE online and studio programme will be broadcast from London on 3 February and can be accessed here: http://techfugees.com/live/.
Mike Butcher of Techfugees (and Editor At Large of tech news site TechCrunch), said: “There’s no better time for the tech community to come together to help governments figure out how technology can assist in the Syrian refugee relief effort. As well as assisting in the short term, tech platforms can help generate skills, education and jobs for refugees in the long term. Techfugees plans to highlight the best solutions during its global live stream, #TechfugeesLIVE, which will involve contributors ranging from refugees in refugee camps in the Middle East, to Techfugees members across Sydney, Athens, London, Berlin, New York, Paris and Warsaw.”