Author: Manuela Wagner

A global dialogue to guide regulation worldwide / UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, February 21-23

 

"Internet4Trust: Regulating Digital Platforms for Information as a Public good" is a UNESCO-conference to improve the reliability of information and protect freedom of expression and human rights. WSA contributes actively to the Internet4Trust forum, continuing its commitment on the WSIS process and Tunis action plan.

 

WSA Chairperson joined by WSA Youth delegates at UNESCO Internet4Trust Forum in Paris

 

UNESCO’s Internet4Trust event is a multi-stakeholder conference, discussing the future of the internet and information as public good.

But how does GenZ reflect on these questions and challenges? WSA Chairperson Prof. Bruck will be joined by Charlotte Ernst and Arsham Edalatkhah as WSA Youth delegates in Paris.

 

On February 23, 12:30 to 1pm, they will participate in:
Youth talk: The role of youth in the development of multistakeholder regulatory policies

  • Henri Verdier, Ambassador for Digital Affairs, France
  • Charlotte Ernst, Austria
  • Arsham Edalatkhah, Iran
  • V Spehar, underthedesknews host, USA
  • Moderated by Guilherme Canela, Chief of Section Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalist, UNESCO

Special Tip:
Maria Ressa, CEO of WSA Winner 2015 Rappler and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will open the conference on February 22, 9,15 am.

Watch the Youth talk UNESCO Panel 

 

 

You want our data and our votes?
Big Tech and Governments, you need to listen to us for Internet & Trust.

 

February 24 | 11:00-12:30 CET - Zoom

 

Young people use the internet, digital tools, and platforms for all areas of life. How do they reflect on Internet4Trust? What do they think about digital divides, hate speech, filter bubbles, democracy, and participation? Do they care about data, privacy issues, and data monopoly?

 

From the perspective of the WSA, the global evaluation, awarding, and promotion of digital solutions at the UNESCO level is helpful in understanding how to perceive problems as solutions, especially in the area of information as a public good.

 

On February 24, the WSA Youth delegates will share their impressions of the UNESCO conference in a Zoom event, organized by WSA in partnership with UNESCO. Sided by high level UNESCO representatives, young people from the global WSA community will reveal their thoughts, insights and reflections on the topic in general and on the Internet4Trust conference specifically.

 

Media Release (in German)

Watch the WSA Youth Forum

PARTICIPANTS

Guilherme Canela

Chief of Section Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalist

UNESCO

Brazil

Arsham Edalatkhah

Student

Nochba

Iran, Austria

Charlotte Ernst

SEO Manager

Austria

Kingsley Iweka

Founder

Africa-OnTheRise.com

Nigeria

Peter A. Bruck

WSA Chairperson

World Summit Awards

Austria

Gloria Mangi

Founder and President

African Queens Project

Tanzania

Dorothy Gordon

Consultant

ICT4Development

Ghana

 

 

WSA was initiated in 2003 in the framework of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) held in Geneva. The declared aim of the conference was to make Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessible to everyone and to bridge the digital divide. WSA was established as a means to achieve this and have been working to put UN-WSIS goals and UN SDG's into action ever since.

 

 

 

Since 2003, WSA is actively contributing towards the UN SDGs and the WSIS goals. For this, the newly installed WSA UN global consultative network, consisting of WSA national Experts from all over the world.

The WSA UN global consultative network will contribute to upcoming issues such as

  • UNESCO initiative of “Internet for Trust” (Jan 2023)
  • ITU – WSIS Action Plan for Tunis +20 (March 2023)
  • UN Secretary General “Global Digital Compact (May 2023)

Following the political declaration adopted at the occasion of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary in September 2020, the Secretary-General in September 2021 released his report Our Common Agenda. The Common Agenda proposes a Global Digital Compact to be agreed at the Summit of the Future in September 2024 involving all stakeholders:

  • Governments
  • The United Nations system
  • The private sector
  • Civil society
  • Grass-roots organizations
  • Academia
  • Individuals, including youth

The Global Digital Compact is expected to:

 “outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all”.

Issues that it might cover:

  • including digital connectivity
  • avoiding Internet fragmentation
  • providing people with options as to how their data is used
  • application of human rights online
  • promoting a trustworthy Internet by introducing accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content

WSA - A new look. A new Era.

 

 

17 years of history, countless initiatives, outstanding events - WSA is foremost a global community of purpose driven people that utilize technology for the greater good. WSA has over the years moved way beyond a mere award, it has become an initiative of a worldwide community of entrepreneurial minded change-makers. With multiple events and initiatives, WSA wants to also reflect this in a brandname without the focus on awards. Honoring and reflecting this community and what WSA stands for, it became time for a new look.

We are very happy to present you the new design of WSA. To reflect the overall aim and goal to promote and support digital purpose driven innovation, the new WSA Logo presents not only the colors of the UN SDGs, it also reflects the overarching, worldwide community that WSA is.

 

 

Global. Digital. Purpose Driven. - The new tagline.

 

The new WSA tagline conveys what WSA does - reflecting the who & for whom, the how and the why. WSA is global in terms of diversity, reach, community, perspectives and challenges. Digital in terms of digital content, innovation, applications and the ethical use of technology. Purpose driven in terms of the clear intent to utilize digital means to improve the world and reach the UN SDGs.

 

 

 

 

So what will change?

 

The challenge is and remains worldwide: Hack the worldwide gaps and achieve the UN SDGs. WSA’s mission focusses on selecting, promoting and connecting purpose driven digital innovators, which want to contribute with digital technologies and smart content to close the diverse gaps – on a worldwide level.

To reflect this, the WSA re-branding entails:

  • Reflection of the UN SDGs
  • A refreshed look and feel
  • New initiatives and services
  • A global community united under one brand
  • Simplifying but keeping the diversity
  • One umbrella for all initiatives

 

 

The evolution of WSA logo

 

Covid 19, Hack the Crisis with WSA

The spread of the unforeseen global pandemic of COVID-19 has made very clear how important it is to stand together. And that the world needs collective efforts in order to achieve global development and to achieve the UN SDGs.

 

Hack the Crisis – some examples of how the WSA community reacted to the current crisis, offering resources and taking this challenge as an opportunity.

 

Responding to challenges- Resources from the WSA Community

 

 

 

WSA values and aims to showcase those taking this global pandemic on – with creativity, spirit and clever solutions. Entrepreneurs that are using their innovative solutions for this new challenge, serving society and the health system. Act local, think global.

 

Act local, think global - WSA community taking action

 

 

 

 

 

 

WSA will continue to collect best practices, in order to share knowledge, learnings and insights. If you have a case-study to add – please get in touch with office@wsa-global.org.

 

SHARE YOUR COMMUNITY STORY WITH US

 

 

 

HACK THE GAPS – DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE UN SDGS

 

Be it learning, health or public service - The WSA Winners 2019 provide a meaningful selection of worldwide content driven applications supporting the achievement of the UN SDGs – 40 solutions from 25 countries made it to the worldwide top list.

 

Smart content combined with optimized utilization of state-of-the-art technology offers immense opportunities to close global and local divides and for the achievement of the UN SDGs.

Ranging from Ecosia, the first ecological search engine, planting trees for searches, from Germany, Mapalytics from Pakistan, offering photorealistic 3D models of historical sites, South Korean Dot Incorporation with their first Braille wearable, and Kea Medicals from Benin, providing a digital Universal Medical ID directory platform to assure patients information being available on time and accurately.

 

The 40 winners from 25 countries, selected from 430 nominations from 182 participating countries, offer a perfect diameter of how digital innovation solves challenges in the 21st century.


SEE HERE ALL WSA WINNERS 2019!

 

“WSA combines two major perspectives in its initiative - first the commitment on the UN SDGs, and how to use ICTs to development. And second the development of a global knowledge society. The UN SDGs must be our measurement – in terms of what to look at and where to look. Today we are living in a completely different environment – through the mobile revolution, through the emergence of the algorithmic age - data has become a capital as much as labour, land money and machinery. Hence, it is more important than ever to evaluate what is excellent content that really offers solutions and impact. Qualitative, local content has become the key and permanent issue. WSA presents innovation that uses ICT for social connectivity. To connect for impact,“ WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck states.

 

Focussing foremost on the content and the impact in their local communities, not only the technical finesse and design, WSA assembled international experts from all regions and fields to select the 40 winners.

 

The final jury phase concluded in an on-site three days meeting in Tunis, Tunisia of 18 international high level experts, deciding in a democratic and transparent process on the most powerful and content rich solutions 2019.

 

 

 

The WSA winners of 2019 will present their innovations and receive their awards at the WSA Global Congress in Vienna, Austria (March 09-11, 2020). The agenda of the WSA Congress will be a compilation of interaction and inspiration, combining workshops, business blind-dates and inspiring keynotes & bringing together the global and multi-stakeholder network of WSA.

 

INTERNET OF CONTENT VS. INTERNET OF THINGS

 

June 27 & 28 2019 - IRI-Lebanese University Campus - Hadath & Lebanese National Library - Emile Edde Street, Sanayeh

Beirut, Lebanon

 

Highlighting Digital Innovation from the Arab Region, the WSA Digital Arab Innovation Forum brought together digital entrepreneurs and content developers from the Arabic speaking world, demonstrating the richness and diversity of Arabic digital content and strengthening regional networks and collaboration. Connect for impact - the best WSA applications from the Arabic region came together to present their solutions to an international Jury, and get intense mentoring on their projects.

The international WSA jury was clear on one statement - The Arab Region proofs to be a real content valley! - and selected after intense discussions the 8 best practice examples of the Arab region for 2019!

 

 

MORE ON THE ARAB INNOVATION FORUM HERE!

 

 

THESE ARE THE WINNERS OF THE WSA DIGITAL ARAB INNOVATION FORUM 2019!

 

 

 

 

How can digital solutions and IoT support small holder farmers in the Arab Region? WSA Arab winners NileBot and Smart Logger offer innovative solutions for water quality and the water preservation.

 

The Jury was in agreement, those agricultural projects are not only innovative, they also provide a clear contribution to tackling the UN SDG's. Just like Deaf Pedia from Qatar, a solution that allows deaf people to translate arab dialect audio and videoinput in real life into sign language using an avatar.

 

Also from Qatar , QChain powers cybersecurity with blockchain power.  One thing the Jury was adament about, the importance of regional Arab content to be preserved and accsessible, just like the Syrian Manarti, an animated storytelling tool for kids using AR. Daraty, also from Syria, is is an interactive toolkit that teaches children the basics of electronics and improves their problem-solving skills.

 

But the Arab Region proofs also a strong focus on business solutions, such as Jobi.ma, a job recruitment and matching platform from Morocco. Citizen Up, also from Morocco, offers solutions for companies that have no programs for CSR with sustainable volunteering solutions.

 

 

MEET THE JURY MEMBERS!

Digital brain food for society - the 8 winners of the WSA Austria 2019 prove digital brilliance with social value

 

 

 

How can digital solutions help children with autism or ADHD? WSA Austria winner Brain Hero offers the solution. With a neurofeedback game BrainHero fosters concentration and brain functions in a playful way, the fields of application are indeed manifold.

 

The jury is in agreement, Brainhero is not only innovative, it is also inclusive. Just like SiMAX, a solution that allows deaf people to translate audio and videoinput in real life into sign language using an avatar.

 

Tackling the flood of information on the Internet, fake news and hate postings, the winners EscapeFake and With AI against hatred, using modern technology to filter information on the Internet and educate about false information.

 

With its winning project, the City of Vienna is taking on a pioneering role by using new technologies for community-based administration - Vienna provides space enables citizens to use public space, online, virtually and simply. Artivive is also a pioneer project of unique design.

 

Jury member Tanja Wehsely: "Here art is revived by AR, but not, as often seen, in hindsight, but immediately by the artist himself, a unique undertaking to revitalize art and make it interesting for a new audience."

 

 

MEET THE JURY MEMBERS

 

 

Also in the area of ​​business solutions the WSA Austria winners are innovative and useful. With TeamEcho, the digital mood barometer, the mood in a company can be well analyzed to initiate measures to improve the working atmosphere. Hektar Nektar provides a marketplace for bees, thus supporting the beekeepers and bee enthusiasts community.

 

Since it's initiation in 2003, in the framework of the WSIS Process organized by International Telecommunication Union - ITU, UNESCO and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, WSA selects global best practice solutions in digital interactive and content rich applications along the WSIS action lines C7. 🌍

 

Once more, WSA invited several members of the WSA network to contribute to the WSIS FORUM 2019 in Geneva. Hosting a workshop on Techpreneurs take action on the UN SDGs.

 

Thanks to WSA Winner Jordi Serrano Pons from UniversalDoctor, WSA Youth Ambassador Jon Mark Walls and  Arsene Tungali for sharing their views in this workshop!

 

 

WSIS ACTION LINES AND THE INTEGRATION IN THE WSA AWARD SYSTEM

 

WSIS Action Lines

 

C1. The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development

 

C2. Information and communication infrastructure

 

C3. Access to information and knowledge

 

C4. Capacity building

 

C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs

 

C6. Enabling environment

 

C7. ICT Applications:

 

 

C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content: World Summit Award awards local content and accepts applications in all local languages

 

C9. Media

 

C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society

From 9th to1 1th April 2019, WSA Partner 4GAMECHANGERS Festival took place in Vienna. Conform to the international digital festivals theme of rising and BUILDING NEW BRIDGES connecting the most important entrepreneurs from the HEART OF EUROPE with the leading visionaries from ASIA, WSA network memebers provided inspiring insights!

 

Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, WSA Expert for Indonesia, shared insights on WOMEN IN TECH,  Mohammad Rohayl Varind, WSA Youth Ambassador, talked about his winning project Slum Schools in the panel about EDUCATION 4.0 and WSA Winner Japleen Pasricha, shared her insights on THE UNEQUAL EQUALITY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

 

 

 

Find here all the talks by:

 

  • Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, WSA Expert for Indonesia, about WOMEN IN TECH: "If I tell the truth, it’s more failures, than success.[..] For me it’s more like my asset – all the failures, that I have done. They become my learning ground. That’s why I am there, where I am now.''
  • Mohammad Rohayl Varind, WSA Youth Ambassador,  about EDUCATION 4.0: ''Digital literacy is the only way forward. It is the only way to prepare the next generation for the digital change.''
  • Japleen Pasricha, WSA winner 2018, about THE UNEQUAL EQUALITY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE: ‘’Diversity is not just about bringing one muslim, lower caste or black woman to the table. It is about brining diverse voices to the table to have more qualitative conversation.’’
  • Ralph Simon, WSA Board member, was discussing with Stewart Copeland on COMPOSING CHANGE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING JOURNEY- CONNECT FOR IMPACT

 

 

 

 

400 DELEGATES FROM OVER  65 COUNTRIES

 

 

 

WSA Global Congress in Cascais brought together more than 400 delegates from over 65 countries. The program was focussed on digital solutions, tackling the UN SDGs, and how purpose driven entrepreneurs can be supported and pointed out digital divides - in terms of content, knowledge, access, and gender.

 

 

14 DIFFERENT INTERACTIVE FORMATS AT THE WSA GLOBAL CONGRESS CASCAIS

 

 

1. Welcome Reception at the Austrian Ambassador to Portugal
2. Pitch Perfect Training for Winners
3. WSA Global Experts Reunion
4. Innovation Shots and Inspiration Talks by international and local speakers
5. Fishbowl Session on Purpose Driven Entrepreneurship
6. Innovation Dialogue
7. WSA Innovation Pitches by WSA Winners
8. 1:1 Mentoring Session between WSA winners, Portuguese start-ups and experienced mentors
9. Entrepreneurial Failure Night
10. Solution Jam
11. Interactive Hands-On Workshops and Skills Training
12. Cascais Sightseeing Tour
13. Josef Umdasch Research Prize in the framework of WSA
14. WSA Award Ceremony, Gala and after party

 

 

 

 

88 ENTREPRENEURS FROM 30 COUNTRIES PITCHING THEIR OUTSTANDING PURPOSE DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

 

 

The WSA winners demonstrate the richness and diversity of local content and prove that digital solutions are a key for development. The 40 WSA Winners and 5 WSA Young Innovators already proved that their products are the most innovative solutions selected in the democratic and tough selection process of the WSA.

 

 

97 JURY MEMBERS FORM 48 COUNTRIES

 

 

World Summit Award invited 97 international jury members to evaluate the pitches of all WSA winning teams. The jury had the challenge to select one overall winner in each of the WSA categories and voted
on “person”, “product” and “pitch”.

 

 

 

9 GLOBAL CHAMPIONS

 

 

  • GOVERNMENT & CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT: CHAOS AI/Finland
  • HEALTH & WELL BEING: Complete Anatomy/Ireland
  • LEARNING & EDUCATION: Raaji/Pakistan
  • ENVIRONMENT & GREEN ENERGY: Kuza One/Kenya
  • CULTURE & TOURISM: Afrocomix/Ghana
  • SMART SETTLEMENTS & URBANIZATION: Wheelog/Japan
  • BUSINESS & COMMERCE: Sokowatch/Kenya
  • INCLUSION & EMPOWERMENT: Feelif/Slovenia
  • YOUNG INNOVATORS: LEAF/USA

Social benefit, sustainable impact, global diversity and digital innovation were the core themes of the WSA Global Congress 2019 - and the Global Champions. The 3 day congress showed how concern and distress give rise to innovative solutions, and how need can foster invention and sustainable design. The Nova SBE campus became a hub for unique knowledge exchange with 400 participants and outstanding international best practices of digital innovation with impact on society and mentors for 3 days.

 

Based on the UN goals for a true information society (UN WSIS) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), 82 international jurors selected the 9 WSA Global Champions from Kenya to Pakistan, based on their presentation at the Congress and their social and local impact from the 45 WSA winner projects – with Africa making a strong showcase of innovation.

 

 

WSA GLOBAL CHAMPIONS 2019

 

  • The winner in the Government & Citizen Engagement category was Chaos AI from Finland, an innovative team providing a multi-stakeholder decision tool for estate planning based on AI – making estates focused on the inhabitants and environmental protection.
  • Irelands Complete Anatomy was selected Global Champion in the category Health & Well-Being. The international jury states: “Most innovative. Using VR to enable medical students to learn the human body structures saves time and valuable resources.”
  • “Pakistani girls have few alternatives in getting this information. Getting female health information from a trusted source is crucial all over the world to reduce female and child mortality and empower women.” a Jury member pointed out, as to why Global Learning & Education champion AI chatbot Raaji from Pakistan was awarded.
  • Multi-facet digital platform Kuza One from Kenya educates small-holder farmers in Africa concerning environmental Agriculture and Entrepreneurship and was selected by the Jury for Environment & Green Energy: “It could be a winner in education. Could be a winner in many categories. It is a real winner.”
  • AFROCOMIX from Ghana won the Championship for Culture & Tourism, benefitting the lives of multiple creators of African Culture with a monetization platform, “… telling African Stories – and these stories need to be told to present African heroes”, the Jury states.
  • Business & Commerce solution Sokowatch from Kenya was a favourite among the winners because it works on so many levels for “…providing small retailers with services and an affordable credit line, closing the gap of last mile delivery and supporting small entities.”
  • From Japan, Wheelog convinced with empowering wheelchair users in the Smart settlements & Urbanization category. The Jury concludes: “Creative, innovative and addressing a pressing problem. Creates sense of inclusiveness. Can scale globally.”
  • Enablement through digital solutions also made the Championship in the Inclusion & Empowerment category: “Feelif from Slovenia is a tablet for blind people. It is much more affordable than any given alternative hardware, providing access to internet for blind people.”
  • The highly competent team behind WSA Young Innovators Global Champions LEAF from the USA proved that fintech can serve the most vulnerable of all, refugees and the stateless, who are provided with a block chain technology to preserve and transfer their money through digital currency – across borders.

 

Prof. Peter A. Bruck, Chairman of the World Summit Award Board of Directors: "The 9 Global Champions show just a small portion of what social innovation can do around the world with digital, content-based solutions. Thanks to the City of Cascais, we have brought this Austrian initiative to Portugal for the first time and opened a showcase for products from all member states of the United Nations that make a difference. WSA and the Global Champions selected here in Cascais show that innovation comes primarily not from the pursuit of profit and quick money, but from commitment to avoid suffering and alleviate need. This results in sustainable positive transformations of our society. "

 

The outstanding digital innovations were honoured at the festive Gala ceremony on March 13th.

 

Guest of honour H.E. Manuel Heitor, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education states: “WSA presents a display of impressive digital projects from around the world embraced by entrepreneurs and aiming at improving the quality of our society while solving real life problems. More than 400 participants from 120 countries met in Portugal at this 2019 World Summit, turning Cascais into a global hub for start-ups.”

 

WSA offers for many of its winners just the first step into a new era of success - opening doors and the support of a global community

 

Credibility, making new connections and gaining inspiration - to name just a few of the benefits for the WSA winners.

 

WSA congratulates  WSA Winner AgroCenta, the mobile financial services for smallholder farmers based in Ghana and WSA Young Innovator GiftedMom, a Cameroonian maternal health platform, for winning the GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund.

 

More here...

Recommendations and Insights from WSA awarded start-ups from Africa

on occasion of the EU-AFRICA High Level Forum in Vienna, Dec 18th 2018

 

 

  • Variety of sectors
    A lot of investors shy away to invest in new sectors and business models.
  • Risky investments?
    Investing in African start-ups is still considered risky, due to political situations and slow growth of businesses.
  • Hubs & Accelerators
    Several start-ups stated that there are too many hubs popping up which get a lot of money from investors, governments or foreign programs, but in the end are not really helping the entrepreneurs. A lot of programs prefer to give the money to the hubs, instead of investing in start-ups. There are fantastic and supportive hubs in many countries, but they are getting too many in numbers and too many that are not serious enough.

    •  

     

    CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM AFRICAN START-UPS ABOUT AFRICAN START-UPS

     

    • Lack of management skills
      Many African start-ups have relatively bad management skills, which has to do with a lack of funding, being not able to get the right and best team members on board. Therefore a lot of businesses are supported by friends of family members.
    • Get your numbers right
      There is not enough professionalism when it comes to accounting, and if the numbers of the start-up are not precise, how should an investor makes decisions?
    • What to do with investment money?
      Many start-ups never learned how to handle money and investments. A lot of prize-money from awards or grants are not tied to clear commitments or deliverables, and are not properly used, but often spent for the family, paying back dept, etc.
      Investments and grants should come with a clear structure, obligations, regular reports and measures that avoid that the money is “burned”.
    • Intellectual Property Rights
      A lot of start-ups are ignorant to copyrights and laws for patent and copyrights are insufficient. In most countries there are no patent rights for software technology which are the basis for many tech start-ups. At the same time there are not enough lawyers who are specialized in this field and can support start-ups.
      There are a lot of copy-cats, which are hard to fight in court, if the rights and patents are not in place.

     

     

    SUCCESS MODELS AND REQUESTS TO SUPPORT ECOSYSTEMS

     

    • Procurement
      A successful model could be that governments reserve 3-5% of procurement for start-up solutions. In many cases, start-ups would provide great, innovative and affordable solutions, but compete against multi-national companies that are more trusted and fit the criteria better.
    • Strategic investment by corporate partners
      Corporate companies already invest strategically in African start-ups, as they also need to constantly innovate their business. Telcos like MTN or Vodafone bring on board their vast infrastructure and marketing experience to scale locally relevant content leveraging from start-ups.
    • Plug into supply chains
      Instead of financial investments, many start-ups would benefit from being plugged into the right supply chain, building capacity and sustainable revenue streams.
    • Technical partnerships and skills training
      More technical partnerships and sharing of skills would be needed.
      European countries could share their success models and support to build the right structures for African countries, without copying them, but adapting them culturally and according to the local environment.

     

    With contributions from:

    WSA Young Innovators is a special recognition for young social entrepreneurs under 30 years of age, using ICTs to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Together with the WSA winners of each year, they are honored as outstanding digital innovation with social impact.

     

    From over 400 submissions, this years WSA Online Jury had a hard time to select the 5 winners of the WSA Young Innovators.

     

    The winners of 2018 demonstrate how digital technologies can have a real impact on society, handle our daily routines efficient, education more fun and inclusive, help us to dig deep into other cultures, enabling civic engagement and contribute to an open knowledge society. All regions world-wide are represented and demonstrate the diversity and richness of digital content globally.

     

    These global top 5 of young digital innovators range from 3D printing in India to Fintech in the USA– no matter what the content, it’s the creative use of digital innovation that makes these top 5 exceptional.

     

    Together with the 40 winners of WSA,the winners of the WSA Young Innovators will present their solutions and get awarded at the WSA Global Congress 2019 in Cascais, Portugal in March 11-13.

     

     

    What World Summit Award can -proudly- teach us all…

     

    This week World Summit Award announced its 40 Winners of 2018: A selective group of global solutions in eight different categories from 26 different nations.

     

    As World Summit Award National Expert for Chile, this year I was invited to be part of an exclusive group of 16 Global Jury members at “WSA Innovation Days & Grand Jury Meeting” in Accra, Ghana during this November.

     

    It was an outstanding opportunity to join and have a role as a jury, but more importantly, to be able to experience a high professional process with a global, multicultural group which flew from places such as Australia, Mexico, United States, Kuwait, Indonesia, India, Austria, Germany, Israel and seven other countries.

     

    Since I returned to Chile, I have thought on what makes this process so unique. As an entrepreneur I have been to many global conferences, I have had the chance to judge in different initiatives as Start-Up Chile, Parallel 18, StartUpWeekend, and many others. But, this experience was different.

     

    I guess my first lesson learned in this point is that the more than ten years of experience managing global selection process that WSA has is something to take into account in today world…where we have innovative challenges open every single day from Paris to Sao Paulo, from New York to New Delhi.

     

    Therefore, I thought about three outstanding points that WSA can prove & teach us all:

     

    1. World Summit Award proves the world that digital transformation is happening everywhere

     

    During the first day, when we all gathered in a room to understand the methodology of evaluation, you could quickly identify that this was a very diverse group and that all of us were aiming for one same goal: Select 40 winners between a Short List of exciting initiatives.

     

    On day two, when we to began evaluating each project, I remembered reading how in Mexico, an app called Supercivicos encourages citizen participation and engagement with humor. While in Finland a group of architects uses AI to achieve a similar goal with data thanks to their platform called: Chaos.

     

    Digital transformation is now happening in every city and we are all call to be the ones leading its significant changes thanks to technology.

     

    2. World Summit Award proves that today -more than ever- the power of collaboration is a must in any new challenge:

     

    We need doers and business that can leverage a community to make things happen:

     

    I will take as an example one of the winners: World Clean Up Day.

     

    Today, they are present in more than 150 countries, and their systems work 100% through collaboration with volunteers. They are a global bottom-up civic movement born ten years ago in Estonia which today continues to recall the attention of many who want to take more care of our planet Earth. Collaboration is the word.

     

    3. World Summit Award proves that content is a real tool to generate impact.

     

    One of the things that call my attention is the importance that WSA gives to the constant generation of high-quality content with use of technology. It was imperative to understand and be able to evaluate projects that thanks to the excellent use of content were generating an impact on society.

     

    In this specific case, and example is Afrocomix — a winner from Ghana — they were able to build a “content hub for all Afrocentric creative work made by Africans…to provide a one-stop shop for people all over the world who love African content”, a real example of a content tool to generate impact in the whole continent.

     

    Finally, as a journalist, I know that paper can argue in favor of any thesis, but moreover what really proves the thesis is experience: that's why doers generate the most prominent changes during these times of digital transformation. I say this because is important for us to understand that social impact is measured not only by the technology we use but in how it connects with the reality of its society. This is fundamental.

     

    WSA demonstrates that you can build a real network of high-quality professionals, compromised with a unique cause: to selected initiatives that can help to make our world a better place — YES, I know- this sounds like a cliche, but it isn’t. It is, until now, 100% true.

     

    I Congratulate all 40 winners and encourage all other future participants to apply with their respective National Experts. Moreover, for Chile, congratulations, let’s continue on the right path!

     

    Carolina Rossi

    WSA CHILE NATIONAL EXPERT

    Cutting-edge technology that helps to deliver this vision around the world through live augmented reality products.

     

    Ranging from Girlythings, a Pakistani Woman’s Empowerment App to Grasshoppers, a Sri Lankan e-commerce fulfillment service; from the Slovenian Feelif, using IoT to support the blind, to M-Shule a Kenyian AI based mobile learning platform to connect primary school students -

     

    The 40 winners from 26 countries, selected from 430 nominations from 182 participating countries, offer a perfect diameter of how of digital innovation solves challenges in the 21st century.

     

     

    SEE HERE ALL WSA WINNERS 2018!

     

    “Today we are living in a completely different environment – through the mobile revolution, through the emergence of the algorithmic age - data has become a capital as much as labour, land money and machinery. Hunting for the next unicorn and better, faster, bigger technology foster the digital divide, instead of mending it. Hence, it is more important than ever to evaluate what is excellent content that really offers solutions and impact. Qualitative, local content has become the key and permanent issue. WSA presents innovation that uses ICT for social connectivity. To connect for impact.“ WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck states.

     

    Focussing foremost on the content and the impact in their local communities, not only the technical finesse and design, WSA assembled international experts from all regions and fields to select the 40 winners.

     

    The final jury phase concluded in an on-site three days meeting in Accra, Ghana of 16 international high level experts, deciding in a democratic and transparent process on the most powerful and content rich solutions 2018.

     

     

    The WSA winners of 2018 will present their innovations and receive their awards at the WSA Global Congress in Cascais, Portugal (March 11-13, 2019). The agenda of the WSA Congress will be a compilation of interaction and inspiration, combining workshops, business blind-dates and inspiring keynotes & bringing together the global and multi-stakeholder network of WSA.

     

     

    16 international experts in entrepreneurship, innovation and IT, an impressive shortlist of digital solutions 2018 with social impact and hot discussions around who will be a WSA Winner 2018 - the WSA Grand Jury offered the perfect framework for an intense exchange.

     

     

     

     

    WSA organized togehter with GCNet and GIZ´s Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative ‘Make-IT Africa’ a special night dedicated to enable a sustainable knowledge transfer between local tech-entrepreneurs and ICT stakeholders. The specific focus was on capacity building of Africas entrepreneurs & stimulating local innovation.

     

    The evening was honored by the welcome of Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Vincent Sowah- Odotei, Deputy Minister Communications & Dr. Nortey Omaboe, Exec. Chairman GCNet.

     

     

     

    Dorothy Gordon, WSA Expert for Ghana, Jan Schwaab, Head of Programme Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative "Make-IT in Africa", and Dr. Peter Bruck, WSA Chairman, shared their perspectives on the development and potential of ICT with social impact for closing the digital divide.

     

    ‘’Today we are in a completely different environment – through the mobile revolution, through the emergence of algorithmic age - data has become a capital as much as labor, land money and machinery. And what we did not think of 15 years ago, was that there would be a situation where you have to evaluate what is excellent content that really offers solutions and impact. We have to face the world where the qualitative content has become the key and permanent issue. WSA has to help society to understand how we can use ICT for social connectivity. To connect for impact.“ stated WSA Chairman, Peter A. Bruck.

     

     

     

     

     

    ‘’How do we change the narrative of Africa? Look at media today and what is transmitted as a narrative of Africa – I did the Google research today, and the top 3 came migration, poverty and hunger. But hardly anything is mentioned about the amazingly creative and powerful youth, that there is so much happening in the digital innovation area. And it is really a pleasure and honor to have the World Summit Awards for the first time in African soil – appreciating and recognizing this positive movement.  And from a young development perspective – you definitely have to strengthen this part of the narrative."
     Jan Schwaab,  Head of Programme Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative "Make-IT in Africa", said about the developmental perspectives in Africa.

     

    Extensive discussions on Digital Innovation with Jury experts on Block Chain, Gamification, Social Entrepreneurship, Ecosystems, Education etc. were followed up with a networking session to exchange experience and insights with local entrepreneurs.

     

    In his keynote, Gary Schwartz, Global Director of the Location Based Marketing Association in Canada, shared his insights on Block Chain Solutions for Africa, Carolina Rossi from Chile, Astrid Scholz from the USA and Shinta Dhanuwardoyo from Indonesia discussed the workings of different Innovation Ecosystems worldwide and recommendations for Africas Ecosystems.

     

    "Chiles biggest challenge is its geographical isolation, with mountains from the west side, desert in the north and glaciers in the south. This leads to a very isolated society in terms of culture and entrepreneurship.  But in terms of innovation and new entrepreneurs, you need to be open minded and connected to the world. [..] So we created Startup Chile,  a public policy, that tries to achieve cultural change to make Chileans believe, that they can become global startups and entrepreneurs. So we began to do a culture shift. That is also my recommendation – to look at Chile and Ghana entrepreneurs and make believe in themselves. You need to change the culture, then worry about economic impact. Make entrepreneurs believe, that they can make a global impact." states Carolina Rossi, WSA Expert from Chile.

    WSA ONLINE JURY RESULTS SHOWCASE ONCE MORE THE IMPACT ICT CAN CREATE

     

    In order to create an active and sustainable knowledge transfer & to promote entrepreneurship with the aim to improve society, WSA awards real positive impact, not only the technical finesse and design.

     

    Be it a simple SMS based solution, or a refined VR tool, this shortlist presents local value, quality of content and the social impact on local communities.

     

    For over a month the WSA Online Jury evaluated over 400 entries from over 100 countries in the areas of egovernment, health, education, inclusion, urbanization, business and environmental protection.

     

    How innovative were the this year´s nominees using digital solutions to take action on local issues? How much impact do the projects make? Do they evoke change in their communities?

     

    Carefully weighing all those options, WSA presents with the first Jury results a unique shortlist of global ICT development for 2018.

     

    The shortlist now will be evaluated in a 3 days process by the WSA Grand Jury in Ghana to select the 5 winners per category, the final Winners 2018 will be published end of November.

     

     

    WSA SHORTLIST 2018

    ICT MAKING IMPACT -

    THE ULTIMATE SELECTION OF  2018

     

     

    WSA 2018 CALL CLOSED  - 438  DIGITAL INNOVATIONS NOMINATED FROM OVER 100 COUNTRIES

     

     

    How are innovative people using digital solutions to take action on local issues? How do entrepreneurs evoke change in their communities or how can we use local content for social impact?

     

    WSA provides a unique global selection of how digital applications providessolutions to solve local issues. With over 400 entries in total from over 100 countries  WSA once more provides a collection of global mobile development.

     

    APPLY NOW FOR WSA 2018!

     

     

     

    Submissions for WSA 2018 can contain all digital content with a clear impact, such as: apps, webpages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, SMS based products, mobile and online games and interactive productions. There is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the projects work with.

     

    WHAT IS THE WSA 2018 TIMELINE?

     

     

    WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?

    Please find all categories here: https://wsa-global.org/wsa-awards/contest/categories/

     

    WHAT ARE THE RULES?

    The call for nominations is open from now to the 15th of August 2018; two weeks can be given as extension. Please read the rules & conditions, before applying.

     

     

    WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

    The World Summit Awards are a non-monetary award system with a focus on sustainable knowledge transfer through a worldwide network. This means that winners benefit not from a one time financial reward, but a lifelong partnership and integration.

     

    Winners of the World Summit Awards benefit from:

     

    Invitation to the WSA World Congress including:

     

    • Pitching seminars
    • 7 minute pitch session in front of an international audience during the Congress
    • A program of especially crafted workshops for the winners
    • Invitation to the prestigious award ceremony and Gala night
    • Board and lodging for the durance of the Congress
    • Eye to eye exchange with speakers, jurors and international guests

     

    THIS WAS WSA GLOBAL CONGRESS 2018

     

     

    • Integration into a network of internationally recognized digital content developers
    • Access to the WSA community of global experts and industry leaders in over 178 countries
    • Interaction with world-renowned sponsors and partners of the WSA community
    • Workshops specially shaped for the winners needs
    • A videoclip highlighting the winners projects
    • Special placement on WSA website, youtube channel and social media promotion
    • Long-term coverage within WSA editorial channels

     

     

    CONTACT US FOR QUESTIONS!