Ageing Better Through ICTs Hackathon

Ageing Better Through ICTs Hackathon
Global Coalition on Aging & International Telecommunication Union

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) will co-organize a virtual hackathon that focuses on how ageing in today’s increasingly digital world can be enhanced through the use and applications of ICT’s. The heightened awareness of the need to address the challenges of older persons with ICTs was starkly highlighted during the global pandemic.

The Global Coalition on Aging aims to reshape how global leaders approach and prepare for the 21st century’s profound shift in population aging. GCOA uniquely brings together global corporations across industry sectors with common strategic interests in aging populations, a comprehensive and systemic understanding of aging, and an optimistic view of its impact. Through research, public policy analysis, advocacy, and strategic communications, GCOA is advancing innovative solutions and working to ensure global aging is a path for fiscally sustainable economic growth, social value creation and wealth enhancement. For more information, visit www.globalcoalitiononaging.com.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum represents the world's largest annual gathering of the 'ICT for development' community. The WSIS Forum, co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line Facilitators/Co-Facilitators, has proven to be an efficient mechanism for coordination of multi-stakeholder implementation activities, information exchange, creation of knowledge, sharing of best practices and continues to provide assistance in developing multi-stakeholder and public-private partnerships to advance development goals. T

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Ageing Better Through ICTs Hackathon

The Ageing Better with ICT’s Hackathon is an opportunity to take inspiration from what we have learned over the past year and build a better future for older persons around the world.

What is the Hackathon About?

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) will co-organize a virtual hackathon that focuses on how ageing in today’s increasingly digital world can be enhanced through the use and applications of ICT’s. The heightened awareness of the need to address the challenges of older persons with ICTs was starkly highlighted during the global pandemic.

The online hackathon will ideate ICT solutions that respond to challenges faced by older persons and that may have surfaced or been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating teams will develop ideas and demonstrate proof of concept in one of four challenge areas:

– Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline – including solutions to support early detection and diagnosis, integrated care, or quality of life for patients and their families
– Frailty – including solutions to support better bone health or reduce the risk of falls
– Transportation and Mobility – including solutions that support greater independence for those with vision loss or limited mobility
– Financial Tools for Longevity – including solutions that support retirement planning for longer lives or protect against financial abuse

One winning team will be chosen for each of the four challenge areas, and the winners will be announced at the WSIS Forum 2021, 17-21 May.

Why should you participate?

Your idea can improve the lives of older persons all over the world, today and in the future.
Your idea can lead to a life course change for all global citizens.
Inside access to experts at GCOA and its member companies
Who can register and how?

In technology and innovation circles, particularly in the ageing space, developers often design and build without the challenges of the actual end-users top of mind because creative teams do not include older persons themselves. This arrangement may lead to technologies that provide some value but are unlikely to be heavily used or sustainable in the long run.

The Ageing Better with ICTs World Hackathon calls on creators and developers to form age-diverse teams of 2-5 and participate in the virtual hackathon.

Register if you

…are passionate about ageing well

…are passionate about technology and innovation for positive social and economic impact

…have an idea or an existing project related to helping older persons solve day-to-day challenges they face

…would like to further develop your idea or an existing project

…understand and can create solutions that are useful and appealing to the 60+ market

How to Apply

As a team (ideally between 2 to 5 participants; gender balance would be ideal)
NOTE that you can also apply individually (to get matched with an existing team that wishes your support over the course of the Hackathon)