Internet identity workshop hosted in Stellenbosch

A two-day Internet Identity Workshop, titled, DID: UNCONF AFRICA, will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), in Stellenbosch from Tuesday February 18, to Thursday February 20.

This internationally recognised ‘unconference’, is the collaboration between local digital identity start-up, DIDx and the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW).

It will bring together local and international innovators, leaders, and activists to reshape the future of digital identity in the Southern African Development community (SADC).

Launched in 2005 by the IIW, this event takes place twice a year in the Silicon Valley, USA and will this year for the first time will be brought to South African attendees.

Keeping it relevant to Africa, day one kickstarts with an African-Focused Digital Identity Program, which will explore the current state of digital identity in South Africa and the SADC region through presentations and engaging panel discussions, focusing on local challenges, opportunities, and innovations.

From here on it takes on a slightly unconventional approach, with the Open Space UnConferences, which are participant driven. Together with a professional facilitator, the delegates will co-create the agenda live each day of the event. There are no keynotes or panels, it’s all about exploring the topic with professional peers from a range of identity areas.

Facilitator, Heidi Nobantu Saul, in collaboration with local experts from DIDx, will guide the process of the ‘unconference’ proceedings.

The unconference provides a unique free-form opportunity for attendees to engage in discussions, share knowledge, and collaborate on real-time projects that could shape our digital future in the SADC region and beyond.

Critical topics such as assessing readiness for digital identity at scale in Africa, protective identity systems against surveillance, and economically sustainable digital ID models for citizen services, will be incorporated into discussions.

Digital identity underpins most of our interactions in the digital space. In an increasingly digital world, the ability to prove who you are online has become crucial for accessing services, conducting business, and participating in society.

Participants will also explore global digital identity standards in the African context and discuss how digital identity can promote financial inclusion.

Key themes to be explored include self-sovereign identity, blockchain-based identity, user-centric identity, and digital identity for inclusive development.

Gideon Lombard, DIDx COO said: “We are excited to bring the first IIW-inspired event to Africa. DID:UNCONF AFRICA is a unique platform for innovation and collaboration in digital identity, offering attendees the chance to actively shape the future of this crucial field.”

With numerous separate digital identity initiatives currently underway in South Africa and across the African continent, DID:UNCONF AFRICA serves as an ideal melting pot where diverse industry stakeholders can converge on best practices and align on the way forward.

The workshop aims to bridge the digital identity gap in the SADC region, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and networking, ultimately paving the way for greater inclusivity within the digital knowledge-based economy of today.

For further information, registration and/or sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://didunconf.africa