https://www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933329/
Seeking a Mechanism for Secure Communications During a Crisis AWARD: $20,000 USD | DEADLINE: 4/16/13 | ACTIVE SOLVERS: 154 | POSTED: 3/04/13 During conflicts or other political, environmental, or governmental crises around the world, the most vulnerable populations are often cut off from critical information and left with limited ability to communicate within their own communities or with the outside world. This Challenge seeks a robust and/or secure mechanism, tool, or process for two-way communication during crises that either augments existing communications infrastructure, or enables communication in areas where such infrastructure does not currently exist. This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution. Source: InnoCentive Challenge ID: 9933329 ***** Challenge Overview During conflicts or the crises that precede them, vulnerable populations are often cut off from critical information and left with limited ability to communicate within and between their own communities or with the outside world. While many existing efforts aim to improve information flow during crises, the primary focus is often on information flowing out from the crisis, rather than information flowing into or amongst the affected populations. In addition, conflicts and crises often occur in places where existing telecommunications and Internet infrastructure is sparse or nonexistent. Even when such infrastructure is present, it can become unreliable, compromised and even manipulated by those seeking to do harm during a crisis. This Challenge seeks a robust and/or secure mechanism, tool, or process for two-way communication during crises that either augments existing communications infrastructure, or enables communication in areas where such infrastructure does not currently exist. This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features: There is a guaranteed award. The awards will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $20,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $10,000 and no award being smaller than $3,000. Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to the Seeker. Rather, by submitting a proposal, the Solvers grants to the Seeker a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use any information included in their proposal. After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s).All Solvers who submitted a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided. ABOUT THE SEEKERS USAID (United States Agency for International Development) carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the Unites States, and fosters good will abroad. http://www.usaid.gov/ Humanity United is a foundation dedicated to building peace and advancing human freedom. At home and in the corners of the globe where these ideals are challenged most, we lead and support efforts to lift up the voices and will of people, ensure good governance and the rule of law, engage markets and business as a force for change, and encourage the exploration of promising ideas and innovations to end conflict and slavery. All with the belief that everyone has the right to a life that is peaceful and free. http://www.humanityunited.org/ Learn more about the joint USAID/Humanity United Tech Challenge for Atrocity Prevention: http://thetechchallenge.org/#!communicate For more insights into the Seekers and previous challenges, see this recent “Seeker Spotlight” feature on InnoCentive.com: http://bit.ly/15y8kJ6 -- Too many emails? Unsubscribe, change to digest, or change password by emailing moderator at [email protected] or changing your settings at https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/liberationtech
