Apply to the International Development Design Summit by January 20th!

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Young mother and child,India.

The International Development Design Summit (IDDS) is an intense, hands-on design experience that brings together people from all walks of life to co-create low cost technologies that improve the livelihoods of people living in poverty. Coming to India in July 2015, IDDS Aarogyam is a four-week summit that will focus on designing low-cost technologies that address global health challenges in remote and resource-poor settings. Hosted by HIVE—a nonprofit organization in Chennai, India that focuses on providing a space for innovations to come to life and thrive—the summit will be a one-stop shop for all innovators – giving them access to knowledge, expert advice and market information & networks.

With expert instruction by Zubaida Bai, founder of ayzh, and prominent instructors from MIT’s Design Lab, summit participants will learn about the collaborative design process and work closely with local communities to be able to develop contextually relevant solutions that can be deployed to strengthen the healthcare system and empower the various stakeholders in the process. Participants will also create prototypes and business models designed specifically to support the creation of inclusive healthcare solutions in the communities where the summit is organized. However, the intention is that the models will have the potential to be replicated and scaled up across geographies that need access to quality healthcare.

Quality healthcare, especially in rural India, is inaccessible to the masses due to weaknesses in accessibility, health systems, and human resources. This leads to 700 million people without any access to specialized care and one million deaths every year. IDDS Aarogyam aims to facilitate holistic healthcare solutions that meet people where they are and acknowledge their status, aspirations and dignity by bringing together a global and specialized mix of participants who undergo intensive modules that nurture co-creation to create practical technologies that improve the quality of healthcare services and render it accessible to the masses in resource-poor settings.

Who will be there

The intense, hands on summit will bring together frontline community representatives and members from the host town, health workers, midwives, students, business leaders, engineers and designers from across the globe who will be engaged in an intensive ecosystem of learning and development working closely with local communities to be able to develop contextually relevant solutions that can be deployed to strengthen the healthcare system and empower the various stakeholders in the process.

Apply to participate

We are looking to bring together a mix of 45 participants who have the following characteristics:

  • Expertise or a background in public health, engineering, design, business, government, or local community vocations (farmers, mothers, welders, mechanics, etc.)
  • Enjoy creating things with their hands and believe they can solve problems
  • Show passion and enthusiasm for improving livelihoods with technology, even if they are not a technologist
  • Have a strong likelihood to continue working on their project and/or another IDIN activity after the summit
  • Excellent team players
  • Represent a diversity of nationalities, cultures, ages, genders, professions, interests, and backgrounds

Standard application criteria

  • Applicants must complete an application by 5 pm EST on January 20, 2015 – no late or incomplete applications will be reviewed
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age to apply
  • Applicants must be able to attend the entire summit: July 6,2015 – August 1, 2015
  • Apply online or print and mail an application

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships to attend the summit are available. These will cover the cost of travel and stay during the summit and will be offered based on financial need of the applicant. Please apply here on or before 20th of January 2015.

Questions?

Visit the IDDS Aarogyam website to learn more details about participating in the event.

For any additional questions, contact the lead organizer, Habib Anwar, by email or phone.

email: habib@ayzh.com | INDIA: +91 74011 76711 | USA: +1 617 949 1057

 

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