Beyond the Code: Responsible Technology for Refugee Resilience
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 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.
🔵Our Award-Winning Project – Co-Creating Virtual Reality Videos To Support Newcomer Youth:
🔵 Learn about using virtual reality in resettlement with 360 videos
https://learning.switchboardta.org/collections/VR-360-videos
🔵 View Switchboard’s Digital Literacy and Emerging Tech Resources
https://www.switchboardta.org/resources/?_topic=digital-literacy
🔵 Submit a Technical Assistance Request