SMU Community Hackathon
Addressing Human Trafficking in Atlantic Canada
Saint Mary’s University, in partnership with Volta, is delighted to present the SMU Community Hackathon- Addressing Human Trafficking in Atlantic Canada.
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are devastating to survivors, families, and our most vulnerable populations. Nova Scotia boasts Canada’s highest provincial human trafficking rate. It is with this understanding that Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) and partners aim to create awareness about human trafficking while bringing youth together with key stakeholders to explore ways technology can be used to tackle this issue.
(Si vous avez besoin d’informations en français, allez ici https://smuec.ca/fr_humantraffickinghackathon/ )
Overview
The project will bring together youth for a month–long initiative, kicking off with a two-day virtual hackathon on February 18th and February 19th, 2021. In teams, participants will develop innovative solutions in combating human sex trafficking from a preventative perspective. The event will feature speakers, panel sessions, brainstorming workshops and hands-on opportunities for participants to work with peers and mentors in bringing their ideas to life.
After the hackathon, teams move on to the project’s second phase. Teams will receive weekly mentorship and attend skill development sessions as they develop their ideas over the month before delivering final pitches to an expert panel for a chance to win cash and other prizes.
Challenges
As this month-long challenge initiates participants will select and address one challenge from the following problem statements during the virtual hackathon:
- How might we use technology to aid service workers (taxis, bar/hotel staff, youth workers, etc.) in recognizing and reporting potential human trafficking red flags?
- How might we leverage technology to notify vulnerable youth of the presence of someone involved in human trafficking?
- How might we utilize technology to provide a safe way for vulnerable youth to notify authorities if they have been exposed to the human trafficking industry?
Final pitches would be delivered on one of these challenges.
Two-Day Hackathon: February 18, 2021 – February 19, 2021, 9am – 5pm AST | Weekly Workshops and Mentor Sessions: February 20th – March 18th
Pitch competition & Awards Finale: March 19, 2021
*Content Warning: This event may contain details and information that may be unsettling for some individuals⠀
Prizes
1st place team- $5,000
2nd place team- $3,000
3rd place team- $2,000
Dates
Two-Day Hackathon:
February 18, 2021 – February 19, 2021, 9am – 5pm AST
Weekly Workshops and Mentor Sessions:
February 20th – March 18th (dates and time TBD)
Pitch competition & Awards Finale:
March 19, 2021⠀(time TBD)
Partners
Contact us
To know more or for any questions reach out to us via email at smucommunityhack@smu.ca