DIWALA in New York 2018
UN WOMEN Conference
A couple weeks ago, Diwala flew to New York and presented at the UN WOMEN Blockchain Conference opening night to the many UN officials, representatives from Permanent Missions to the UN, blockchain technologists, humanitarian actors and academics. The long anticipated event is a collaboration work with UN Women, UN Office of Information & Communications Technology (UN OICT) with the support of Innovation Norway. The four — day simulation lab explored seven different blockchain solutions addressing identification and cash management, huge challenges known to women and girls in humanitarian settings. UN Women has a great focus on innovation technology as a driver for change, with the important mission to empower women and gender equality.
At the event, we were happy to reconnect with many familiar faces who we met during the blockchain hackaton in May 2017, where the Diwala concept was born. This event was also arranged by UN Women and Innovation Norway at the Katapult Future Festival.
It was also great to meet up with VipiCash, and together with them — represent the hackaton winners from last year. Vipicash is a transparent and traceable digital payment system — who are working to ensure that women and children receive food, sanitation and healthcare by locking money into these specific services.
We hope to only see more and more of these blockchain events and hackathons in the future, as it brings very important and unique opportunities for technological innovators and humanitarian workers to come together. We made some valuable connections in New York, and believe that partnerships and collaborations across different sectors are the key to solving complex humanitarian problems.
Unicef Innovation
Diwala was also privileged to meet up with the New York UNICEF Innovation team. UNICEF Innovation are working on identifying, prototyping, and scaling technologies, products and practices that strengthen their work towards children across the world. These brilliant innovators focus on creating new global infrastructures of openness, of collaboration across borders, of exploration, and of innovation for equity. They are truly inspiring and progressive in pushing early impactful initiatives forward.
New York
In terms of New York City itself, the Diwala team had an amazing time exploring it. The magnificent Central Park, the beautiful highline walk, the views at the harbour area and the busy and vibrant streets was a great experience and has really inspired us.
In addition to that, we can’t stop thinking about the delicious food, the lovely people and the breathtaking architecture! We are really looking forward to going back there in March. New York is truly a hectic city, never stopping — always going.
-Almost like us in Diwala :)
Until we meet again New York!
Cheers,
The Diwala Team
NB: If you’re in NY on either 7th or 8th of March and want to meet up with us, don’t hesitate to reach out at → hello@diwala.org.
