#Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge

Date: 

Friday, October 9, 2015, 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: 

John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, Harvard Kennedy School 79 John F. Kennedy St. Cambridge, MA 02138

#Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge

 About the Event

Greater Boston is home to a growing and vibrant community of civic technologists: students, entrepreneurs, and passionate citizens who are using their creativity and knowledge of digital technology to make our governments run better, engage our communities, and improve our quality of life.

 The #Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge will bring together the local civic tech community and anyone with an interest in learning more about civic tech--from those curious about how these technologies can benefit them to public officials looking to bring new technology to their work. Check out dozens of civic tech demonstrations, prototypes, and displays from students, civic tech startups, entrepreneurs, and others. Presenters will share their ideas for new apps, platforms, policies, or programs that leverage technology to improve the quality of democratic governance.

No matter your background, the #Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge is an opportunity to share ideas, join in conversation, or simply browse. There will be music, good food, beer, wine, and other refreshments. 

This is a free event but registration is recommended as space is limited Click here to RSVP

The “showcase” will feature students and alumni from Harvard University and other area universities, as well as civic tech startups, entrepreneurs, and passionate citizens from across the Greater Boston area. Each presenter will demonstrate their idea through posters, prototypes, and other creative demonstrations. 

The “challenge” will feature an esteemed panel of experts and leaders in the local civic tech movement to select the best idea/demonstration. In addition, everyone will be invited to vote for their favorite idea.

Apply to demonstrate your civic tech idea and compete for an award here.

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is excited to host the #Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge as part of HUBweek—a unique series of events, unexpected experiences, and celebrations of the world-changing work, art, and thinking being imagined and built in Greater Boston. Harvard Kennedy School is hosting a number of timely public discussions during HUBweek on the future of U.S. cities, wage equity, and social innovation. Find more information on HUBweek, including a calendar of these and other events, at hubweek.org.

The #Tech4Democracy Showcase and Challenge is being organized with support from:

Boston Civic Media Consortium
The City of Boston
The City of Cambridge Budget Office
The City of Somerville
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
The Engagement Lab, Emerson College
FWD.us
Microsoft
The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

More from this event:

Recap of the event

View photos here

Watch a video recap of the showcase