IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Technology for the Benefit of Humanity // Colorado Schools of Mines, USA / October 22-25, 2025

Press Releases 2016

SEATTLE (Washington) (29 August 2016) – The 6th IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC) has announced its preliminary program and keynote speakers.

IEEE’s Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC) brings together individuals and organizations who want to make a difference by applying technology based solutions to natural disasters and needs of the socioeconomically disadvantaged in developing countries. IEEE GHTC is the place to be whether you have experience to share, are looking for opportunities to contribute and collaborate, or simply want to better understand global development and humanitarian work. Celebrating its 6th anniversary, this year’s conference is dedicated to “Advancing Technology for Humanity”, focusing on key areas including energy, health, disaster management, connectivity, agriculture, and education.

Join us in Seattle, WA, USA October 13-16, 2016 as we discuss how technology can:

  • Enable healthcare delivery and provide power and communications in developing countries
  • Provide clean water, provide sanitation and improve crop yields
  • Improve the timeliness and effectiveness of disaster response
  • Assist with training and build capacity needed to improve the standard of living

GHTC’s goal is to impact in positive and meaningful ways the lives of disadvantaged communities around the world by:

  • Showcasing information and communication technologies for development(ICT4D) and humanitarian technologies to  promote successful practice, attract wider adoption, and guide future research
  • Enabling global sharing of skills, knowledge, networking in the global development and emergency management fields
  • Identifying new resources, creating new ideas and building new partnerships
  • Focusing attention of the private sector on emerging market opportunities and related technology enablers

The new Deployment Track and Panel Discussion on humanitarian technology deployment provides insights into the challenges of providing solutions in non-traditional environments. Innovative solutions enabled by wireless technologies will be explored in the Communications Panel Discussion.

While GHTC provides attendees with opportunities to interact with peers during pre-conference workshops, paper and workshop sessions, some of the most valuable insights, takeaways and Eureka moments will be shared during planned and unplanned encounters in the comprehensive Hallway Track (which is not limited to scheduled breaks, lunches, welcome reception and dinners).

Conference highlights include:

A poster session with over 40 posters.

Keynote and Plenary Sessions:

  • Influence of life quality in developing countries by disruptive & transformational technologies, Bartosz Wojszczyk, President and CEO, Decision Point Global
  • Disaster Mitigation: Lessons Learned from Cascadia Rising Exercise, Walt Hubbard, Director of King County, Washington, USA’s Office of Emergency Management
  • Beyond the “Shine”, the future Hero of Humanitarian Response”, Alexis Bonnell, Division Chief-Applied Innovation and Acceleration, S. Global Development Lab, USAID
  • Maurizio Vecchione, Senior VP, Global Good
  • Dave Cook, Engineers Without Borders-USA 2016 President

Panel discussions:

  • Commercialization of Humanitarian Technology

Humanitarian technology must be available at a reasonable price where it is needed to make a difference. The panelists provide insights gain from their experiences deploying humanitarian technology.

  • Humanitarian Applications of Mobile Wireless Devices

Several winners of the Vodafone’s Wireless Innovation Project will discuss their projects, what inspired them and obstacles they overcame to succeed.

 

Register today to participate in an extensive, vibrant, and innovative technical program with likeminded individuals across the world.

Advanced Discount Registration ends September 9: www.ieeeghtc.org/registration/
Regular Registration though October 12
On-Site Registration & One Day Passes Available

For more information, contact ieeeghtc@ieee.org