Workshop-1
11th Parallel Design Competition Briefing
Nicholas Martyn
Abstract
Coming soon..
Workshop- 2
Lights up the World – Joint IEEE Canada and Light up the World Workshop
Kexing Liu
Abstract
Approximately 1.3 billion people in the world do not have access to electricity. Low-cost, easily deployable
and renewable energy sources will create a healthy and safe home environment, enhances opportunities
for education and contributes to economic development for these people.
Aspects to be discussed at the workshop include but not limited to
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Partnering with Technology Providers
Possible Funding Sources
Training of Local Technicians
Volunteering Opportunities
Support IEEE Canada HIC-SIGHT Can Provide
Future Technologies
Workshop- 3
Building Ethical Electronics – How to design out corruption, conflict, labor and humanitarian
abuses in electronics?
By
Le-Marie Thompson
Abstract
From smart phones to smart homes, consumer electronics is everywhere. Using electronic devices has
become a way of life for many. These devices provide convenience of communication for displaced
communities. They serve as a platform to aid commerce. However, many of our everyday electronics are
made under conditions of instability, of corruption, conflict, labor and humanitarian abuses.
These conditions can be seen in the issue of conflict minerals in electronics. In the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC), conflict has been found in the procurement of Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum and Gold (also
known as 3TG) from mineral mines. Conflict conditions, such as forced labor, child labor, sexual
exploitation and rape have negatively affected the daily lives of local people. Over the 10 years of conflict
stemming from the 1998 civil war, the DRC has experienced loss of over 5.4 million lives. Communities
are still very vulnerable to conditions that violate human rights.
International efforts are underway to make sure companies are not financially supporting efforts that
perpetuate conflict. The United States has instituted a Conflict Mineral Provision in its 1502 Dodd-Frank
Finance Act. Also the European Commission has proposed regulations on conflict minerals. The OECD
has provided guiding principles on due diligence for responsible supply chains. These action touch upon
the legal and financial obligations for companies to address conflict minerals in electronics. Is there a role
for the engineer in this type of effort?
In this workshop we will explore the role of the engineer in the design of electronics free from conditions
that violate human rights. Participants are encouraged to explore the nature of their role and
responsibility in assisting companies comply with international regulations. Also, the workshop will
highlight how ethically minded engineers, with their efforts, can assist vulnerable populations in rebuilding
their lives.
Workshop- 4
Intelligent Resilience
Alec Hay and Nicholas Martyn
Abstract
Coming soon..
Workshop- 5
Community Engagement Workshop
Alec Hay and Nicholas Martyn
Abstract
Coming soon..
Workshop- 6
Intelligent Communities - The Next Transformation of the Urban Landscape
How advanced is your community?1
By
Peter MacKinnon, uOttawa2
Barry Gander, i-Canada3
Abstract
The creation of Intelligent Communities is a central transforming event of our lifetime. Cities the world
over are faced with recurring and emerging problems with infrastructure, services, governance, economic
and social development, and land use; to name a few key challenges. Only through the coordinated use
of information and communications technologies (ICT) can these challenges be addressed.
‘Smart’ is a synonym for ‘intelligent’, or more practically, using the power and pervasiveness of ICT to
assist in addressing the myriad of urban challenges in more efficient, effective and transformative ways.
Metaphorically, ICT provides the plumbing and the pump house powering the next transformation of the
urban landscape.
‘Smart’ cities use ICT to transform and unify all sectors of the community. This creates capacity and in so
doing enables new ways to make discoveries about the urban landscape, and to develop knowledgebased solutions for sustainable competitive advantages. A ‘smart’ community uses connectivity to spur
collaboration within and among local groups involved in knowledge-based services, digital creativity, and
social inclusion and business. In doing so, evidence shows above average rates of economic growth, job
creation, social diversification, environmental innovation and overall urban resilience.
This workshop builds on the previous workshops on resilience and community engagement. It will
explore the emerging principles that constitute ‘smart’ cities. It will describe the key transformative
characteristics needed to become a ‘smart’ city and it will illustrate these with case studies arising by
migrating into a ‘smart’ city posture. This will include examples of how ICT, in a ‘smart’ city context,
addresses many of the thematic topics of this Conference.
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Attendees will be asked to participate in a self-administered survey about the state of the ‘smartness’ of the communities they are from. The
annonomized results will be discussed before closing the workshop.
2 Peter MacKinnon is a Research Associate, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa,
at pmackinn@site.uottawa.ca.
3 Barry Gander is Co-Founder of i-CANADA and EVP of the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance, and can be reached at
barry.gander@sympatico.ca
However, creating and operating ‘smart’ city ICT infrastructure goes well beyond the bounds of
technology for the sake of technology. Technology is the servant when aligned with effective leadership,
open data policies, collaborative business models and community and industry engagement. These too
will be explored and stressed as vital elements of a ‘smart’ city landscape.