FAQs
About HTC
What is the Humanitarian Technology Challenge (HTC)?
The HTC is an innovative, collaborative endeavor that will develop and implement sustainable, scalable and environmentally-adaptable technological solutions to three challenges in developing countries selected with input from leading humanitarians for their potential impact on humanity... and potential for success. We also support the work of United Nations and other humanitarian assistance groups worldwide.
What organizations are involved?
The HTC is a unique partnership between: the IEEE, an association of more than 375,000 engineers and technologists, focused on fostering technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity; the United Nations Foundation, a public charity that supports UN causes; the IEEE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of IEEE, and the Vodafone Foundation Technology Partnership, a leading public-private alliance that uses strategic technology programs to strengthen UN humanitarian efforts.
How can I find out more about HTC?
E-mail htc@ieee.org to access Spigit, our online collaboration platform.
About the Challenges
What are the three Challenges being addressed?
The HTC is initially focusing on the three global challenges selected by a group of experts from humanitarian organizations and technologists:
- Reliable Electricity, which is fundamental to economic development, education and medical care.
- Data Connectivity of Rural District Health Offices, enabling remote locations to share vital patient care information with central health facilities.
- Individual ID and Tie to Health Records, providing potentially life-saving access to accurate health information for remote, mobile populations in underdeveloped nations.
How were the Challenges selected?
Focus groups consisting of those who know the world's most pressing issues best - the field workers and representatives from 10 humanitarian organizations who serve on the "front lines" in underdeveloped nations - identified 37 humanitarian needs were in nine categories. From there, the final three were selected because of their potential impact on humanity and potential for success.
How are solutions being developed?
Using our online collaborative platform, working groups - a mix of humanitarians and technologists - are developing "solution frameworks" that will be adjusted and modified and then used by individuals and organizations such as corporations, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, governments to develop actual products that will be deployed in the local environment. The solutions will be monitored and evaluated for effectiveness, impact, and value, beginning in late 2010 and throughout 2011.
How to Get Involved
How can I participate in the Humanitarian Technology Challenge?
Request access to our online collaborative platform, where technologists, humanitarians, nonprofit organizations, students, government employees - and citizens of the world - can share - and build upon - the ideas of others.
Will there be any opportunity for face-to-face "brainstorming"?
Yes. The first Humanitarian Technology Challenge Conference was held 1-2 June at the National Academy of Sciences In Washington, DC where leading minds in technology and humanitarian causes launched the effort to develop solutions to these Challenges. To access presentations and other material from the 1-2 June Conference, click here. A Solution Development Workshop is planned for October, 2009.