Erudite Relics of Loc Huu Ho

So…spent most of today learning and discussing about the complexities of poverty and how technology can affect such areas. The UofT chapter did an awesome job for having to come across some difficulties last minute. I got to listen to various viewpoints and how certain people view the world (well more sarcastically than anything from a certain individual but the remarks were quite mind opening since the questions were more from a devil’s advocate). I really like the technology and culture workshop portion of the mini-conference because of the addition of the tricky application of how technology has come second nature in our lives. The conference was well worth the time on a Saturday and the 5$ in exchange for meeting and talking to people with simliar minds and interests. Here’s a brief summary of the day:

Development Day is a day-long conference, helping participants explore the intricacies of human development, participatory approaches, and EWB’s methodology. It forms a strong foundation for future discussions and workshops, as well as bringing together like-minded people in a casual, yet intensive setting.

Schedule

9:30 — Registration

Introductions, mingle time, and an ice-breaker.

10:00 – 11:15 — Root Causes of Poverty

Introductory systems analysis of the causes and effects of poverty, with a focus on the differences between proximate and ultimate causation, and what are some ways to think about how to affect change and reduce poverty in these systems. This workshop will be led by Camila Campos Herrera and two of our chapter’s returning overseas junior fellows, Mina Shahid, and Rachel Alexander.

11:30 – 12:30 — Appropriate Technology

This workshop links the way technology implementation has occurred in the West and how these practices might be applied or modified in international development initiatives. Anastassia Pogoutse and Shankar Manoharan will deliver this workshop with the help of Risako Shirane, a Global Health student who worked on a water filter purification project in Cambodia.

12:40 – 1:15 — LUNCH

Food with both vegetarian and vegan options. Fair Trade refreshments will be served throughout the day.

1:20 – 2:30 — Culture and Technology

An exploration of how aspects of technology shape Western culture. This workshop will focus on how we are individually and collectively influenced by the adoption of various kinds of technology. Cherisse Diaram and Michelle Chen will facilitate this workshop with the help of Jiayi Zhou.

2:30 – 3:30 — The Engineers Without Borders Approach

We will be discussing how technology is currently used in the EWB approach to international development. Martin Giroux-Cook (past chapter president, overseas volunteer) and William Li (past chapter president, overseas intern) will share their experiences and expertise.

3:30 – 4:10 — iDevelopment Wrap Up

An interactive conclusion to the conference that will bring it all back to the here and now: what technology, culture, and international development has to do with YOU. Saifu Li will deliver this exciting and reflective conclusion to the day with the assistance of Maria Fauquie.