Hackathon — Designing a Sustainable Future using ICTs

What is the Hackathon About?

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the United Arab Emirates in cooperation with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022 is organizing an International Hackathon across three challenge areas to promote achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using ICTs. The Hackathon is organized as part of TDRA’s efforts towards the community and its responsibility to push forward digital transformation on national level and sharing knowledge on international platforms. Interested stakeholders are invited to analyze available data and come up with solutions to challenges in one of the following categories.

Digital Safety

for solutions that support online safety including privacy, deterring intruders, protecting children and detecting criminal tendencies.

• Proportion of Internet users amounted to 51% of the world population and 87% of the population in developing countries by 20192. This number is increasing at a fast pace and despite vast social and economic opportunities created by digital technologies and access to Internet, there is a risk of growing cyber-incidents.
• Increased rate of online security issues particularly during global pandemic leaves individuals, governments and organizations vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Lack of resources, awareness and capacity is another challenge for developing and least developed countries (LDC), as well as for Small and Medium Enterprises in private sector.3
• According to one study, more than 80% of reported cybersecurity incidents were phishing attacks.4 This puts at risk digital safety of youth around 70% of which are using Internet.5 They constitute the greater proportion of active online users and there is an urgent need for ICT solutions that could step in to provide digital safety for all.
• Many efforts have been undertaken in response to security issues in the digital space such as establishing Cyber Incidence Response Teams (CIRT), developing guidelines on online safety, and promoting multi-stakeholder dialogues on ICTs for building security and confidence. This topic is aligned with WSIS Action Line C5 (Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs) and links to several SDGs including Goals 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10.

Blockchain for a better life

for blockchain solutions that improve our lives in any field such as health, transportation, service provision and many more.

• Innovative blockchain technology has attracted a growing interest in such sectors as telecommunications, healthcare, governments, and supply chain to name a few. It has a potential to build an inclusive, transparent and accountable digital economy6 and has certain benefits in the areas of data security, digital infrastructure, and management.
• Recent examples of the use of Blockchain in various countries to develop digital solutions to reduce poverty (Goal 1) in Thailand, to improve healthcare (Goal 3) in Cuba, to contribute to gender equality (Goal 5) through promoting financial independence of women, and to reduce inequalities (Goal 10) through improving Internet connectivity in schools demonstrate the capacity of this technology’s use for achieving sustainable development.7
• We believe Blockchain’s potential should be leveraged by organizations and governments to improve well-being of people and look for solutions and innovative ideas where blockchain contributes to a better life for all.

Climate Change

for solutions that mitigate the impact of climate change or other weather phenomena on people.

• Climate change issues such as rise in temperature of the Earth’s surface, warming oceans and sea level rise has an impact on sustainable development and well-being of people and environment. In addition, people’s approach to sustainable development such as to climate action (Goal 13), life below water (Goal 14) and life on land (Goal 15) is one of the contributing factors to whether the climate change can be mitigated effectively.
• In this regard, WSIS Action Line C7 (E-environment) promotes the use of ICTs to protect the environment, ensure sustainable allocation of natural resources and works towards realization of Goals 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15.
• While being part of the problem and adding to the growing levels of global e-waste and carbon emissions, ICTs are also a solution in forms of digital opportunities connecting people and workplaces reducing waste and commute, as well as devices and satellites helping monitor and measure climate change.
• Cities are estimated to incur 80% of the global costs of adapting to climate change. Installing "smart infrastructure" such as smart electricity meters to improve monitoring of energy consumption and smart traffic lights to reduce pollution and traffic jams is one of the solutions.8

Why should you participate?

We believe that…

Who can apply & how?

• The Hackathon is open to individuals with specific emphasis on healthcare, science, computer science, design, engineering, ICT, and other related fields.
• Teams should consist of a minimum of 2 and maximum of 5 persons.
• Participating teams are highly encouraged to ensure gender balance thus promoting women’s participation in the Hackathon.
• To the extent possible, the teams should encompass both technical and functional competencies.
• Age 18–50 years

Apply if you…

• …are passionate about technology and innovation for positive social, economic, and environmental impact
• …would like to promote access to safe digital information and content that protects minors, respects data privacy, and contributes to well-being of people and the environment
• …are in a team of motivated people and would like to further develop your idea or an existing project that contributes to sustainable development
• …understand and can create solutions that are intrinsically useful and appealing to wider community

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). Projects submitted by 1 person will not be considered.

Timeline and Selection Process

8–23 November 2021

Registration to the Hackathon platform

8–24 November 2021

ICT ideation phase and project submission

25–29 November 2021

Selection of top 3 in each challenge category and the Grand Winner

14 December 2021

Winner announcement at UN Public Service Forum (UNPSF)