[ONLINE] - Taking the Slow Lane

Public interest technology (PIT) practitioners move through life in the fast lane when it comes to projects and priorities. Constant change and the ever-growing needs and requests from users and constituents means projects are evaluated, executed, and rolled out at top speed, and usually have technology embedded in the process and solution from the very start. However, as most of us know this paradigm may solve one problem by creating another – and may excluding important needs.

During our next webinar, we will discuss the difference between the fast lane and how taking the slow lane may be a better option for everyone involved. We will discuss:

• What the fast lane is – and how the slow lane compares
• What it takes to move through a project in the slow lane
• Why PIT practitioners may have to accept that tech may not be the answer
• How we can move ahead successfully when we understand that our jobs are not just about the fix, but about the communities we create along the way – helping and empowering all stakeholders.
• Why we need to explore both tech- and non-tech solutions in concert and how it’s possible to bring the two together.

Those who understand the benefits of the slow lane can create real change rather than just servicing the status quo – something the govtech sector generally does.

Speakers:

Eric Dawson
CEO and co-founder, Peace First, organization that empowers teens and young adults to create a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world by providing digital tools, community support, start-up funding and stories that support youth-led social change initiatives.

Sascha Haselmayer
Public Interest Technology Fellow at New America. As a social entrepreneur he has led urban innovation, economic development, and government innovation projects in over 40 countries.

Sonya Passi
Founder and CEO of FreeFrom.org, a national organization on a mission to create pathways to financial security and long-term safety for survivors of gender-based violence.

Moderator:

Karen Bannan
Editor-in-chief, The Commons