Written by Climate change, economic inequality and political divisions are only becoming more pressing challenges in the whole world. As a network of networks, hubs and innovative individuals, we want to jointly implement change through concrete and tangible projects. At DOTS, we used the power of a gathering to co-create concrete projects that offer collaborative solutions to systemic problems in different localities.
From the 5th to the 7th of December, over 60 people from all across the world gathered in Nakuru, Kenya for DOTS. The Impact Summit, hosted by the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG), and r0g Agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation (r0g). The objective of the summit was to link various hubs, activists, entrepreneurs and innovators across the Global North and South that use technology to address such systemic challenges as Conflict and Migration, Civic Engagement, Healthcare, Data Protection & Digital Privacy, and the Sustainability of maker spaces.
DOTS. The Impact Summit was a new, impact and output driven event format – more than a hackathon, a barcamp, an accelerator sprint – a combination of innovative formats and methodologies kicking off and scaling up collaborative (South-to-South) projects. Additionally the event converged with with r0g’s #ASKnet programme: a community based hub development program linking six start-up MIL and innovation hubs in South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya.
In five tracks DOTS brought together a broad range of knowledge sharing, entrepreneurial and open innovation activists from across East Africa and beyond to cross-mentor and explore new modus operandi across the vibrant GIG network:
Digital Detox and Data Sensitivity (with Tactical Tech
iConsult & Kosmos Kredits Hackathon (with i4Policy)
Open Science for Peacebuilding
The solutions developed and showcased during the summit ranged anywhere from ideas and prototypes, to working interventions that had incredible stories of impact behind them. The spirit of openness and inclusivity were core to this convening, and the various working groups sought to share best management practices, demonstrate the application of open source technologies in various contexts, and form collaborative teams around strategic project ideas. You can find more impressions on our Facebook and Twitter channels!
Curious? If you are interested in collaborating or further information please reach out to [email protected].
