Hacknight #270
How can tech bring us together? A FWD50 Debrief
with Skaidra Puodziunas, David Cox, and Gabriella Teixeira

Recording
FWD50 is an annual gathering of the world’s leading public sector innovators. In this debrief, three Civic Tech Toronto co-organizers will share highlights and insights from this year's conference. FWD50 is an annual event, and this year they asked a question that is familiar to Civic Tech Toronto—‘How do we use technology to bring us together?’ Please bring your thoughts & reflections on what this question means to you (in your life, in your practice, and in Civic Tech) for discussion after the talk! https://fwd50.com/
Speakers
Skaidra PuodziunasSkaidra (pronounced "sky-dra") is Director of Ontario Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators. In her role, she spearheads CCI’s advocacy and engagement efforts with the Ontario government, with a primary emphasis on enhancing talent, capital, and customer access for Ontario's rapidly scaling companies. Previously, Skaidra worked across the Ontario Government serving as a Team Lead in Ontario’s Chief Corporate Information Office and a Senior Advisor at the Ontario Digital Service. She had the unique opportunity to directly support Ontario’s first Chief Digital and Data Officer and Ontario’s first Minister Responsible for Digital Government. Skaidra is an advisory member of FWD50, a global digital government conference, and is currently pursuing a Canada-Nordic-Baltic Innovation Dialogue series with the goal of bringing Canadian innovators and policymakers across these regions closer together.
David CoxDavid Cox is a long-time civic tech enthusiast who’s been fortunate enough to work in tech within the civil service. On weekdays, he’s on a mission to drink lots of tea and improve accessibility through the UK Government’s design system. On weekends, he’s a Canadian tourist, exploring London’s endless foods, sights, and rainy weather.
Gabriella TeixeiraTopic:
FWD50 is an annual gathering of the world’s leading public sector innovators. In this debrief, three Civic Tech Toronto co-organizers will share highlights and insights from this year’s conference.
FWD50 is an annual event, and this year they asked a question that is familiar to Civic Tech Toronto—”How do we use technology to bring us together?”
Please bring your thoughts & reflections on what this question means to you (in your life, in your practice, and in Civic Tech) for discussion after the talk!
Website: https://fwd50.com/ Slides: TBA
Speaker: 3 Civic Tech Toronto Co-organizers: Gabriella Teixeira, Skaidra Puodziunas, & David Cox