By Zen EditorNo Comments
GIG is the global network of social and technological innovators. WHO? Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) is a vibrant, diverse community of innovation hubs, makerspaces, hackerspaces and other grassroot innovation community spaces and initiatives as well as individual innovators, makers, technologists and changemakers. WHY? GIG is pursuing a new vision for global cooperation based on equality, openness and sharing. We aim to enable more diversity in the production of technology, and global innovation processes and support open and sustainable solutions developed by grassroot innovators. WHEN + WHAT? The GIG network has been growing steadily since its founding at re:publica 2013 and was registered as a nonprofit association in Berlin in 2016. HOW? With strong roots in the global south, we share, collaborate and work together globally. GIG provides a platform for meaningful exchange by fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration between its members. Members convene at different events throughout the year to create synergies among themselves as well as with other event attendees. In addition, the network maintains continuous exchange...
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Musings of a Maker

Musings of a Maker

By Zen EditorNo Comments
Originally published as a two-part post on the iHub blog. The maker movement is a trend in which individuals or groups of individuals create and market products that are recreated and assembled using unused, discarded or broken electronic, plastic, silicon or virtually any raw material and/or product from a computer-related device. That up there is the definition of the maker movement/culture as laid out by techopedia. I read it, reloaded the page and read it again, trying to pick out what the words really spoke to. Even with my engineering background, I've always found the maker movement to be a rather vague concept; a sort of 18th century romanticismmeets 21st century technologistideology. Going by the technopedia definition above, it's easy to envision what a maker movement might look like, especially if you live in a country like Kenya where the informal sector accounts for a large proportion of its economic activity. If you actually do live in Kenya, then it's easy enough...
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The GIG #RP15 Review

The GIG #RP15 Review

By Zen EditorNo Comments
Originally published at re-publica.com/en/15/news/global-innovation-gathering-rp15-review "As GIG and re:publica come to a close, we have nothing more than appreciation for a rewarding and intense experience." Ahmed Mohamed Maawy Ahmed was one of 70 participants from 47 tech hubs out of 24 countries, that gathered at this year's Global Innovation Gathering (GIG). He captured in words what all of us feel. The third gathering was the biggest and most successful one so far. Despite the diverse programme on the #rp15 stages and the Maker Space, all sorts of different cooperations were established between the individuals. These were planned prior to the re:publica kick-off during a two-day barcamp and a tour through Berlin's hubs. With the GIG Maker Space in Hall 3 as our centre, the GIGers took to the stages and convinced the audience with 14 outstanding presentations and panel discussions throughout the conference. Alfredo Brillembourg of Urban Think Tank, a research and design lab concerned with contemporary architecture and urbanism, presented his findings and led a discussion with...
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iceCairo at re:publica 2014

iceCairo at re:publica 2014

By Zen EditorNo Comments
Originally published at icecairo.com. After the greatness of last year in Berlin, the Afrilabs and Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) decided to once again bring back so many amazing people in one place for the re:publica 2014 INTO THE WILD #rp14 . icecairo joined at least 29 other tech hubs, incubators, accelerators, and makers from the Afrilabs network, while more joined us from Asia and South America for the Global Innovation Gathering.  There were also special meetings between the different icehubs, including: icealex, iceaddis, and icebauhaus, one of the main organizers that helped make the whole thing happen.  As a bonus, “Primo” joined us from the Nubialin project in Aswan. This is no attempt to give the whole picture of what happened, just a short summary of the awesomeness that took place. pre:publica The first day was an intro to the week long inspiration that affected so many of the cofounders and hub managers.  The Thingscon conference was taking place, where our friends from last year Simon...
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