We live in a connected world in which digital technologies accelerate our communication, make information more accessible and production processes more transparent. At least this is what we hope for. However, only half of the world's population has access to the internet and humanity is still facing major challenges at the beginning of the 21st century: Poverty, hunger, inadequate access to education or health, conflicts and corruption are still a daily occurrence for many people.

Digital technologies can contribute innovative solutions to master such global challenges. To achieve this, shaping the digital future together with partners from Africa, Asia and Latin America is key.

With a growing young population, Africa is a continent of opportunity - young inventors and entrepreneurs are developing innovative digital applications – ranging from mobile payment systems such as M-Pesa to 3D printers made of electronic waste.

The Topic "Tech for Good" looks for inspiring contributions and asks: Does digitization provide access to education for all? Are start-ups able to save the world? Will smart sensors and apps increase the efficiency in agriculture? How can for example big data, blockchain or open source software solutions contribute to greater efficiency, transparency and equality worldwide?

The sessions can provide examples of solutions and success stories, but also discuss the challenges and risks associated with digital change. We would like to provide a stage amongst others to visionaries, techies, makers, developers, experts, innovators and creative minds from the African continent for an open dialog on the digital transformation at the re:publica Accra and include insights from across the globe. Be part and shape the global digital future!

As the main partner German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports re:publica Accra and the Topic ‘Tech for Good’. BMZ also supports sessions in the Topics “Female” and “Data”: HerStory - Insights from Female Leaders and Tackling Financial Crime: Open and Big Data for Investigative Journalism.

  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
    Wenn die Beseitigung des Hungers in der Welt wie versprochen bis zum Jahr 2030 gelingen soll, müssen mehr und schnellere Fortschritte erzielt werden. Ein Weg: Skalierung durch digitale Tools. Die Welthungerhilfe entwickelt derzeit verschiedene Apps, die als Prototypen auf Herz und Nieren und Skalierbarkeit getestet werden. In diesem Workshop kannst Du die Entwickler treffen, die Prototypen von 2 Apps ausprobieren und Dein Feedback geben.
  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
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    Many online movements have emerged over the course of the last decade. Except for Podemos in Spain and the Pirate Party in Iceland none of them were able to survive past a phase of initial mobilization. But does that mean that online organizing simply does not translate into permanent political success and subsequent societal change? The election campaigns of Dean Howard, Barack Obama, and Bernie Sanders and their reliance on online methods speak another language - and so does the online campaign of Donald Trump. How could these lessons be transferred to Europe? And what role does face-to-face interaction still play, if any?
  • Science & Technology
    Tech for Good
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    In a future of distributed manufacturing, distributed quality control becomes essential. Field Ready designs life-saving devices that are made in disaster responses. Help us with our designs and develop an understanding of the challenges faced in making quality products in some of the most challenging conditions in the world.
  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
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    Join us in this session with three members of #AfricaBlogging to discuss the positioning of bloggers between activists and political analysts, how to remain independent and credible, and what it means to be a successful blogger in the post-truth world of social media and fake News.
  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
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    What happens if you give digital changemakers from Africa, Europe and other parts of the world a chance to exchange and collaborate on equal terms?
  • Business & Innovation
    Tech for Good
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    What are the leading trends in startup economies in India and Germany? What are the differences in founder mentalities and motivation? In this fireside chat the CEO of Yourstory Shradha Sharma will be discussing these questions with Niklas Wirminghaus from Capital magazine and Sara Weber, Senior News Editor at LinkedIn
  • Science & Technology
    Tech for Good
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    Natural disasters can be devastating. In 2010 90,000 people were killed during an earthquake in Hati, in 2015 6,000 in Nepal and in 2016 16,000 in Ecuador. Each time it took emergency services teams more then 24 hours to reach the trapped and injured. Medical teams were challenged by access to effected areas due to road blocks, broken infrastructure and vast geographic distance. At Cadus e.V, we want to change this. In April we will be testing the first ever civilian airdrop. We want to parachute our personnel and specially designed medical boxes into hard to reach areas, shortening the time it takes medical teams to reach the injured and trapped after disaster strikes.
  • Science & Technology
    Tech for Good
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    Natural disasters can be devastating. In 2010 90,000 people were killed during an earthquake in Hati, in 2015 6,000 in Nepal and in 2016 16,000 in Ecuador. Each time it took emergency services teams more then 24 hours to reach the trapped and injured. Medical teams were challenged by access to effected areas due to road blocks, broken infrastructure and vast geographic distance. At Cadus e.V, we want to change this. In April we will be testing the first ever civilian airdrop. We want to parachute our personnel and specially designed medical boxes into hard to reach areas, shortening the time it takes medical teams to reach the injured and trapped after disaster strikes.
  • Business & Innovation
    Tech for Good
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    Are you an activist or entrepreneur looking to connect with your community or territory? An organization building mediations between local and global? A funder that reflects on the social impact of the organizations you support?
  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
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    Die voranschreitende Digitalisierung kann Wachstum und unternehmerischen Erfolg bringen, aber auch zu verunsicherten KundInnen und frustrierten MitarbeiterInnen führen. Um mit den Herausforderungen zeitgemäß umzugehen und die Potenziale auszuschöpfen tritt das Prinzip der Verantwortung in modernen Unternehmen stark in den Vordergrund. Wir möchten mit euch diskutieren, welche Verantwortung Unternehmen im Kontext von Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) übernehmen müssen und mit welchen Fragen wir uns dazu aktuell beschäftigen.

    [Partnersession]
  • Politics & Society
    Tech for Good
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    In the coming years, the increasing automation of tasks will cost jobs whilst at the same time new job profiles emerge in the digital sector. This trend changes how people live and work worldwide and will disrupt major industries in developing countries. It truly is the end of work as we know it. So how can we ensure that developing countries will be fine? Is it enough to provide access and digital skills? We want to leverage partnerships and prepare governments to react to these developments.

    [Partnersession]
  • Science & Technology
    Tech for Good
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    Fab Labs and maker spaces offer a huge potential to foster ecological sustainability. However, often a lack of awareness and adequate tools in such spaces inhibit the development of truly sustainable processes and solutions.