As technology becomes increasingly embedded in humanitarian response, the challenge is no longer just about designing innovative tools but about ensuring they are responsibly implemented, contextually relevant, and sustainable in the field. In this keynote, Hisham Zawil, Head of Tech and Digital Partnerships at UNHCR, will explore how the United Nations Refugee Agency is navigating the complex intersection of innovation, ethics, and impact.
This keynote will offer a grounded, forward-looking perspective on how the resettlement sector can move beyond techno-solutionism, drawing on best practices and frameworks like the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. The session will emphasize the importance of ethical and community-driven innovation. This keynote is a part of Switchboard’s 2025 Confluence, which shares practical tools, techniques, and examples of how ethical and affordable technologies can address current resettlement challenges, with an emphasis on reaching and serving clients who are not located in proximity to services and resources. This event engages service providers and partners looking to leverage technology—from everyday tools like smartphones and apps to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)— to address the challenges of the current moment. Via interactive workshops, panel discussions, and demonstrations, the event will focus on technology’s potential to reach more clients, and achieve stronger outcomes, despite constraints.
