Answering the call: Katrina, the Tsunami, Darfur, Afghanistan – lessons learned from the Global ICT responses
Monday, Oct 17, 2005 * Omni Shoreham * Washington, DC
More information and registration: http://www.nten.org/conferences-ict
N-TEN and HumaniNet invite you to a unique one-day conference that will focus directly on the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in humanitarian relief operations and post-crisis development.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina has brought an outpouring of support from concerned individuals and organizations across the country and around the world. In addition to efforts by experienced large organizations to supply food, water, and security, technology volunteers and ad hoc organizations saw a need and rapidly mobilized to re-establish communications, connect victims with their loved ones, and match the displaced with volunteered housing.
The response to last year's tsunami saw a similar combination of ICT efforts by governments, NGOs, and concerned individuals. In other crises, such as Darfur and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the communications and information challenges were quite different, and a very different mix of organizations have carried out the work.
On October 17th, we will bring together over 100 key program and operations managers from humanitarian NGOs, government disaster assistance staff, and concerned technologists to meet in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Washington</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">D.C.</st1:state></st1:place> to address the lessons learned in the Katrina and tsunami responses and other recent relief operations. Workshops will emphasize practical, on-the-ground solutions and near-term opportunities. Participants will explore how government agencies, NGOs, and ad hoc projects can collaborate more effectively on communications and information management; leverage the hard-won experience of disaster professionals for volunteer projects and utilize innovative technologies to support disaster relief teams.
Register for the conference: http://www.nten.org/conferences-ict
The focus of the conference will be on best practices for ICT in all phases of relief operations: preparation and planning; emergency response; "day one" communications and connectivity, tools for collaborative information sharing, long-term relief, and the transition to self-sufficiency through sustainable reconstruction projects.
We will also establish informal communities of interest around the main themes and technologies to maintain the momentum of the networks and recommendations that emerge from the discussions.
Please see the conference agenda page at http://www.nten.org/conferences-ict-agenda for more details on the sessions available for the day.
Register now: http://www.nten.org/conferences-ict
Cost for the conference is $100 for N-TEN members, $150 for non-members.
N-TEN and HumaniNet hope you can join us for this very important, timely, and informative event.