- This event has passed.
A digital economy in crisis: Palestine’s tech sector and the road to economic recovery
30th October 2024 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM GMT
The Palestinian tech sector has long been vibrant and resilient. It has flourished in the West Bank despite the violence of the Israeli occupation and its restrictions of movement, and remains one of few sources of employment and hope for skilled youth in the Gaza Strip. Even as the current onslaught in Gaza has killed more than 41.600 people and destroyed or damaged around a quarter of buildings and infrastructure, some Palestinians in Gaza continue to work as online freelancers and remote workers against all odds. Since 2011, Gaza Sky Geeks has provided freelancers, founders, and coders with the technical training and support they need to earn an income online and remotely. It remains one of Palestine’s most important bridge builders between a young skilled workforce and a global digital marketplace.
This public event brings Gaza Sky Geeks in conversation with researchers at the University of Edinburgh in response to a pressing key challenge: How can Palestine’s digital economy remain resilient in the current crisis and what role will it play in the road to economic recovery?
This event is hosted by the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Research Cluster at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, which is directed by Andreas Hackl and Mohammad Amir Anwar.
Key speakers
Alan El-Kadhi, Director of Gaza Sky Geeks at Mercy Corps
Haneen Bader, Gaza Sky Geeks Community and Mentorship Officer
Andreas Hackl, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology of Development, University of Edinburgh
Moderator: Mohammad Amir Anwar, Senior Lecturer in African Studies and International Development, University of Edinburgh
Please book your advance ticket here as capacity for in-person attendance will be limited and pre-registration is required for online participation.
The event is followed by a reception to allow for further discussion and networking.
A call for action
As part of the event, Gaza Sky Geeks has called for collaboration and support in these difficult times.
This call is addressed to:
- Members of the international tech community to help Palestinians improve their technical and employability skills to increase their chances of finding work
- Employers and universities who can offer outsourcing work and/or remote internships to the talent pool of Gaza Sky Geeks
- Business Advisors who can help Palestinian tech companies access new international markets & customers.
- Universities that can offer scholarships to Palestinians.
- Humanitarian Legal advisors who can advise Gazans who have relocated to Egypt but now need help to relocate to other countries.
- Psycho-social support experts to support Gazans recover from their extreme levels of trauma.
- orporates, Foundations and Governments who can provide financial support for GSG’s programmes in Gaza and West Bank.
Please get in touch with: info@gazaskygeeks.com
