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Civil Rights Defenders, in partnership with the Innovation Center Kosovo (ICK), is organizing the first ever regional hackathon to address human rights issues – “EqualiTECH 2019” – from September 27 to 29, 2019.
The fight to promote human rights is an ongoing battle and, as such, requires the support of modern technological advances. However, there is a distinct lack of interaction between technology investments around human rights issues, which often materializes as an obstacle for its advocates.
In an effort to narrow this gap, we invite participants with varied backgrounds, skills and creative abilities to form multidisciplinary teams and invent unique digital products to address human rights challenges in 3 thematic areas:
1). Justice and equality; 2). Freedom of expression; 3). Access to information.
This flagship event challenges participants to place humanity at the forefront of design thinking and innovation. It aims to merge the power of technological innovation with the generative capabilities of human rights defenders and activists, in the creation of ICT solutions within diverse teams, to support human rights work man in the Western Balkan countries.
Under the mentorship of experts, competitors from different backgrounds will have 40 hours to design innovative products that will elevate the work of protecting and defending human rights.
“EqualiTech 2019” will start from September 27 to 29 at ICK Event Center. All interested candidates can apply here.
The application deadline is September 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Challenges
Justice and equality
Design a solution that helps increase justice and equality. Human rights, particularly those of vulnerable and marginalized groups, are frequently violated by state and non-state actors, which remains a major challenge in the Western Balkans region. People are discriminated against for various reasons, have no access to justice and are forced to live on the margins of society.
Conceptualize and develop a digital product that will help increase justice and equality as well as promote inclusion for all. For example, think about tools (i.e. platforms) that can connect public agencies responsible for providing free legal aid, pro bono private lawyers/law firms, legal aid organizations, and citizens needing legal help and advice; or tools that can help identify public and private places of interest and service providers (bars, restaurants, hotels, parks, etc.) that are friendly, inclusive and non-discriminatory, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Balkans Westerners.
Freedom of expression
Design a solution that helps strengthen freedom of expression. In this century, no one should be threatened for expressing freedom of expression, the pillar of any democratic society. However, this right is frequently violated and in various ways. Dissenting voices, particularly those speaking out against injustice, abuse of power, intolerance and discrimination, face hate speech, online harassment, bullying and threats.
To address this challenge, you need to design a tool that will help facilitate and/or increase freedom of expression and reduce various forms of online harassment. The goal is to invent digital products (i.e. platforms) that allow citizens, activists and journalists in the Western Balkans to connect with each other; identify and report human rights violations; enable user-friendly reporting mechanisms that help increase their safety and security, etc.
Access to information
Access to information is increasingly limited in the Western Balkans. The proliferation of unprofessional media and the growing amount of false and manipulative information limit the ability of citizens to make informed decisions. Conceptualize and design a digital product that will help increase access to reliable and useful sources of information. This product (i.e. the platform) should support citizens, progressive media and independent journalists, fact-checking and other issues related to “fake news”.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you have any ideas to address, please let us know in the application form and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Also note that we accept a variety of innovative products such as, but not limited to: web and/or mobile applications, AI technology, digital platforms, blockchain, etc.
Eligibility criteria for the competition?
Our goal is to bring together human rights defenders/activists, interested social science students, technical experts (i.e. programmers, designers, UX researchers, etc.), and citizens active people with creative flair and a special interest in combating discrimination, defending the human rights of minorities, supporting freedom of expression and protecting human rights in general. We believe that each of these roles is essential to creating a stimulating yet prolific environment.
To participate, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- All people must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
- Must work (activists or human rights defenders) or have an interest (technology candidate) in combating discrimination, respecting the human rights of minorities and underrepresented groups, and ensuring freedom of expression.
- Technical candidates must be proficient in the use of a programming language or tools and/or graphic design software.
- All candidates must be able to collaborate within a team.
- Must have a passion for problem solving and analytical thinking.
- Preference will be given to individuals with proven experience or passion in combating human rights violations.
Rewards for winning products
We will award three cash prizes, each worth 1,000 euros, to the winning product prototypes in the respective challenge category:
- Justice and Equality – €1000
- Freedom of expression – €1000
- Access to information – €1000
Additionally, we offer you the opportunity to participate in an annual global challenge that will push the boundaries of existing efforts to protect and defend human rights.
What can you expect?
Mentoring sessions
Expert mentors will be available at regular intervals throughout the event, coaching teams on both the content and delivery of their innovations. All participants will have the opportunity to reflect with their mentors on the different entry points towards innovation for human rights.
Final presentations
All teams will be required to present (present) their products in a 4-minute time slot followed by a short Q&A session.
Judging session
All locations will be judged by a unanimously qualified jury. This body will announce the winners in each category and spark debate on how each of the tools can help shape approaches to protecting human rights.
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