Call for proposals — Code for All Summit 2021
Last year we hosted our first online Code for All Summit and it turned out to be an experience like no other. After having in-person events for several years, the pandemic forced us to turn our energies to the digital space. What was originally planned as a 1-day event in Poland turned into a 3-day event online. We ended up hosting 21 sessions with 30 speakers and saw over 150 participants from 30+ countries throughout the course of the event.
This year, we’re excited to announce that the Call for Session Proposals for the Code for All Online Summit 2021 is NOW OPEN! 🔥
The summit, which will take place from September 27th to 30th, will be a space for participants to deliberate and examine the works, lessons, and impact of civic tech on a global scale; an opportunity to meet online, connect and share their work with each other.
What are the themes our online Summit 2021 will focus on?
Are governments using open-source software in their digital transformation or are they hiring closed-source tools? Do government platforms allow access with no constraints or restrictions? Can we change, improve or replicate the source of our government tech tools? Within this theme, we seek to explore the benefits of open versus closed technology in government, as well as paint a picture of the current state of governments around the world (e.g. are governments using open-source software in their digital transformation or are they hiring closed-source tools?).
For several years now, we’ve witnessed how technology is shaping not only the digitalization of in-person elections but also the narrative and information flow around candidates, encouraging citizens to take action and be part of the election process. Within this theme, we seek to explore and showcase civic tech work that promotes democracy, encourages citizen participation in decision-making processes, and safeguards democratic elections (e.g. election monitoring projects).
How does false information that is deliberately (and often covertly) spread influence public opinion? Are social media platforms doing the necessary work to tackle the distribution of fake news? What’s the role of civic tech in the fight against disinformation? Within this theme, we seek to explore the damaging impact that disinformation is having in the world and showcase civic tech projects that are working to combat it.
Who holds the power when designing, creating and implementing technology? Who’s narratives are put front and center, and who is thrown to the margins? What are we doing to challenge the status quo around tech? Within this theme, we seek to explore issues around power dynamics of the tech industry and how these issues affect the civic tech sphere (as civic tech is largely shaped by the field of tech). This might involve discussion around discrepancies regarding who has access to power and who controls the instruments of power, predictions about the types of innovations that may emerge to counter abuses or imbalances in power, and other topics around shifting power in civic tech.
Which are going to be the different session formats?
→ Panels
3 or more folks from different organizations will share their expertise and experience around a shared topic.
→ Lightning talks
Quick, pre-recorded presentations where a speaker will share insights from a project or case study.
→ Workshops
Live sessions where participants learn and develop new skills, ideas or tools together.
What’s next?
→ Submit your session proposal HERE before July 31st and stay tuned!
Let’s stay connected! Follow #CfAllSummit21 for updates in real-time.
