ICTworks by Inveneo

From July 1st to August 31st, Apps < 4 > Africa. welcomes citizens to submit ideas that technology can help solve, and challenge technologists to build tools that lead to a better world. The top applications will receive cash, cool gadgets, and the chance to hob-nob with our judges panel of technology and civil society luminaries.

To ensure that great ideas become great apps, around the week of August 21st (exact dates forthcoming) we will hold a series of hack-a-thons throughout the region. These day long events will give technologist an opportunity to build, tweek and submit their best apps.

Remember, submissions must take place before August 31st to be considered for 15,000 USD in cash and prizes, as well as the chance to meet leading tech and civil society luminaries at an awards ceremony in September.

Check out the Idea Board and the Collabo Page for inspiration and contacts. We hope you join us!

infoDev at the World Bank is establishing mobile applications laboratories in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe and Central Asia as part of its program with the Government of Finland and Nokia. These mobile app labs will stimulate and nurture the next generation of developing country mobile applications entrepreneurs.

What might be the impact of these mobile app labs and the larger Apps4Dev idea - the use of mobile applications to empower development?

During the infoDev Annual Symposium on June 9th, Wayan Vota, Senior Director for Inveneo, will lead a panel discussion on Apps4Dev. We will highlight the exciting new directions which mobile applications are taking and explore how these “killer apps” can promote social inclusion, innovation, growth and jobs in developing countries.

Panelists will ask:

1. Can mobile services effectively serve the poorest at the base of the pyramid?
2. What new applications and content are developing over this technology platform described by Jeffrey Sachs as “the single most transformative technology for development”?
3. What business models and social networks will prevail for the burgeoning apps communities in developing countries?

Moderator:
Wayan Vota, Senior Director of the Inveneo Certified ICT Partner Program

Panelists:

• Ilkka Lakaniemi - Director, Business Environment Strategy - Corporate Relations and Responsibility, Nokia Corporation
• Stuart Gill –Expert in mobile applications for disaster mitigation and response, Latin America and Caribbean Region, The World Bank
• Steve Vosloo – Fellow, Shuttleworth Foundation, South Africa, manager of project on mobiles and teen literacy
• Josh Nesbit - Executive Director, FrontlineSMS:Medic, where text messages save lives

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Join us for a lively conversation and the networking reception to follow.

Apps4Dev: local content, local use
Wednesday, June 9
15:45 – 17:15pm
Room MC 4-800,
The World Bank,
1818 H Street NW,
Washington D.C. 20433