The world evolves – never have we been more aware of this – so to have meaningful impact, we need to evolve too.  At EssentialTech, our 10th anniversary in 2022 prompted us to consider how to evolve approaches to addressing global challenges. Outside perspectives would be vital to this, so in June 2022, we hosted a workshop with a small, diverse group and asked them to help us explore specific issues at the intersection between technology, conflict, inequality and crisis. It was eye-opening, thought-provoking and humbling. It led to a lot more work. 

Our second 10+10 workshop was held in January 2023 and focused on the subject of PeaceTech. The high-level multidisciplinary group looked at a variety of critical themes for this new domain of peace promotion. The event has led to growing collaborations in areas including cybersecurity, data protection, disarmament, weapon containment, mine action, energy security, environmental safety, reconstruction and sustainability.

By all accounts, our guests at these first two events greatly appreciated the day of stimulating interactions, broad perspectives and shared reflection.

We are now preparing our third and final event in this series, again bringing together a select, diverse group of individuals. This time, we are approaching questions within the context of the confluence of extreme poverty/inequality, humanitarian crises, and war, conflict and violence, known as the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Triple Nexus, and the impact of the climate crisis. We want to tap into our guests’ experience and knowledge to explore ways for science and technology can be integrated in to action to address these major challenges. 

The event will be held at EPFL’s exceptional Bois Chamblard Estate, located halfway between Lausanne and Geneva. The event will be moderated by Yves Daccord, former Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross. A welcome coffee, a standing lunch and a final cocktail will be served.

Please join us for this stimulating day! Your expertise will be critical and we are sure you will walk away inspired by the other guests and the ideas raised at this event!

Please fill out the form below to confirm your place on our guest list. For any questions, please contact Sonia Tejpal-Mützlitz at sonia.tejpal@epfl.ch.