About
The inception of DID:UNCONF AFRICA arose from the recognition that the SADC region holds immense potential yet faces unique challenges in digital identity. Our inaugural event emphasises the vast disparities in the digital identity ecosystem and offers a stage for groundbreaking solutions tailored to the African context. DID:UNCONF AFRICA brings together thinkers, leaders, and innovators who are transforming the digital identity landscape, both locally and internationally.
Inspired by the collaborative and dynamic format of the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW), DID:UNCONF AFRICA takes a more explorative approach, allowing participants to chart the course of discussions.
The Open Space unConference format breaks the mould of traditional events, creating a space where every voice can be heard, from startups to industry giants. DID:UNCONF AFRICA not only explores the intricacies of digital identity but also works toward weaving a cohesive network of innovators in the SADC region and beyond.
Event Background
DID:UNCONF AFRICA is inspired by the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW) that has been held twice a year, since 2005 in California for the global community working on Internet Identity. The longtime co-producer and Open Space facilitator of IIW Heidi Nobantu Saul collaborated with a local partner DIDx to plan and host the inaugural event.
The second and third days of the event will be hosted with the same Open Space UnConference format that the Internet Identity Workshop has used for the past 20 years.
African-Focused Digital Identity Program
Through insightful presentations and dynamic panel discussions, we'll examine local challenges, emerging opportunities, and key innovations in the evolving landscape of digital identity in South Africa and the SADC region.
A two-day OpenSpace unConference
An immersive two-day exploration, inspired by the Internet Identity Workshop™ diving deep into the world of digital identity. We dispense with traditional keynotes, and engage in authentic collaborations through a co-created agenda. Examine the intricate facets of identity: people, organisations, and even the journey of products. Connect, track, support, and cross boundaries. Investments in standards, protocols, and systems find tangible applications here. Discover, Learn, Collaborate.
This is a participatory two days and it's all about exploring the agenda topics with professional peers from a range of identity areas. Like the Internet Identity Workshop, we will co-create the agenda together live each morning. The Open Space UnConference process will be professionally facilitated by Heidi Nobantu Saul the long time co-producer and Facilitator of IIW.
Once agenda creation is complete there will be a full Agenda Wall of sessions posted, each with the time and place it will occur. Session topics are not voted on and all sessions put forth by participants at the start of each day will take place. Sessions are run as breakouts and attended by those who want to attend. There will be 5 session time slots a day, each with multiple concurrently running sessions.
When people register we have asked that they list potential topics of interest to them, you can see the growing list of potential topics here . However, nothing is decided until the day of the event and all topics are welcome at that time.
Through dozens of sessions, lunches, a welcome dinner and a pre-event networking reception, provided by our generous sponsors (all included in the ticket), participants have plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas and make new professional connections. The Open Space UnConference format is perfect for a rapidly moving field where the organising team cannot predetermine what needs to be discussed, creating a space where every voice can be heard, from startups to industry giants.