Director of Grameen Technology Center to give Cambridge talk on ICT4D

Cambridge is home to a vast range of innovators, many of whom are finding ways to use ICTs to tackle global poverty and inequality. This month, Cambridge-based charity the Humanitarian Centre is launching a year-long focus based on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for international development: ICT4D. The year will kick off with a high profile launch event on October 26th, at Churchill College, Cambridge. Esteemed speaker David Edelstein, Director of Grameen Technology Center, will be giving the key note at this event, alongside quick-fire presentations from Cambridge experts.

ICTs are now being used to effectively support many humanitarian projects in the developing world. Examples of this include computer skills training to improve livelihoods in Zambia, radio education projects in Nepal, and participatory training using film in Uganda. The impressive fact is that these examples all involve contributions by Cambridge individuals and organisations. These are the kind of projects the Humanitarian Centre hopes to support and promote.

This year long project will be strengthened by the Humanitarian Centre working in partnership with ARM, a globally recognised, Cambridge-based company that designs the technology at the heart of advanced digital products. ARM technology is used by billions of people every day. In fact almost everyone who uses a mobile phone, from the most basic device through to cutting-edge smartphones, is using ARM. Because of its low-power credentials, ARM technology is now being chosen to bring the benefits of technology to new audiences, helping to connect the next billion people.

The Humanitarian Centre is a networking organisation that connects Cambridge for international relief and development. Centre Director Ian Steed explains the choice of focus on ICT for Development: “Cambridge is home to an array of individuals and organisations whose work touches directly or indirectly on ICT for Development. Our aim is to facilitate valuable and productive collaborations between groups that would not otherwise have the chance to connect.”

The combination of ICT and international development is clearly an area that can draw an interesting crowd; academics, businesses, consultants and those working for international development charities are all amongst those who will be attending the launch event of the project. Some guests are travelling from outside of the UK specifically to attend.

Throughout the ICT4D year, the Humanitarian Centre will run a number of activities, including events, training and an online directory. The aim is to support those in Cambridge using ICTs for international humanitarian projects, and to connect Cambridge expertise to increase the positive social impact of ICTs globally.

For more information, visit www.humanitariancentre.org
For more information on the launch event and speakers, visit http://ict4d.eventbrite.com

The Humanitarian Centre is a Cambridge network organisation that has been running in its current form for around four years. We are a registered charity (number: 1121067) and a registered company (number: 6080896). We are also a Cambridge University registered society. Our office space is located in the Fenner’s building, Gresham Road, Cambridge.