CIVIC TECH TORONTO INVITES YOU TO CODEACROSSTO - A CIVIC HACKATHON
WHERE YOU CAN TAKE ON PUBLIC CHALLENGES USING DESIGN APPROACHES. _NO
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND IS ASSUMED NOR REQUIRED.______________
CODEACROSSTO is a volunteer-run civic hackathon held each year on Open
Data Day [http://opendataday.org/]. We bring together Toronto talent
across disciplines to seed solutions through co-design, data,
development, and beyond. It's an all-ages, all-abilities event.
OUR FORMAT? Come for challenges that speak explicitly to Toronto's
sustainable future, facilitated by rad folks like Law & Design Colab
(working to improve legal accessibility), OPIRG Toronto
(environment/social justice research and action group), FreeGeek
(educational and reusable tech, and Toronto Environment & Energy
(driving Toronto's #TransformTO climate action plan forward).
Attendees can join a challenge that interests them for the day. There
are broadly four steps to our hackathon:
1. Research and map our community's diverse needs
2. Think tools, sustainability, technology
3. Build solutions in breakout groups
4. Share progress
Unlike traditional hackathons, we're not expecting a working prototype
at the end of the day, but the foundation for a thoughtful solution to
the problem at-hand. Think of CODEACROSSTO AS A POP-up public process
incubator: to build connections and have enough fun doing it that we
continue long after the event is done.
_____________
THIS YEAR WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR THEME:
TORONTO'S TAKE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/] are
a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while
protecting the planet. What are some Toronto-specific solutions for
poverty, health, food, and the other UN Sustainable Development Goals?
How do we design inclusive, collaborative solutions that work for our
city and ultimately have a global impact on sustainability?
* Goal 1: No poverty
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/poverty/]
* Goal 2: Zero hunger
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/]
* Goal 3: Good health and well-being
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/]
* Goal 4: Quality education
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/]
* Goal 5: Gender equality
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/]
* Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/]
* Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/]
* Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/economic-growth/]
* Goal 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/infrastructure-industrialization/]
* Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/]
* Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/]
* Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/]
* Goal 13: Climate action
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/]
* Goal 14: Water resource conservation
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/]
* Goal 15: Biodiversity, forests, desertification
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/]
* Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/]
* Goal 17: Partnerships
[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/globalpartnerships/]
_____________
OUR CHALLENGES: GOING FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL
To get to the above goals, we will tackle challenges that speak to
TORONTO's sustainable future. Each challenge will allow participants
to brainstorm and exchange perspectives, learn new things, and drill
down deep on specific solutions. Written in parentheses are some of
the work this year's facilitators lead on a day-to-day basis.
*
Making our built environment more accessible (CNIB)
*
Expanding access to reliable internet & hardware (FreeGeek TORONTO)
*
Reducing individual carbon footprints (Carbon Conversations, TORONTO
Environment & Energy)
*
Reducing waste & utility consumption in our everyday spaces (Toronto
Environment & Energy, The Atmospheric Fund)
*
Legal accessibility: Redesigning the Ontario Standard Form Lease (Law
& Design CoLab)
* Facilitating settlement for newcomers in TORONTO (iSchool Justice
Innovation)
*Some challenges have been modified to reflect facilitator schedule
changes.
_____________
LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY
Artscape Daniels Launchpad is on the 4th floor of the East Tower on
130 Queens Quay East.
The building is a Platinum LEEDS-certified building, is
wheelchair-accessible and AODA-compliant. There are accessible,
gendered, and non-gendered washrooms. Please scroll down for
additional FAQs.
FAQS
I AM NOT A TECHNOLOGIST AND I HAVE NOT ATTENDED A HACKATHON BEFORE
Fantastic! Come with your enthusiasm for making TORONTO more
sustainable. Your input is valuable and we would appreciate having you
there. No technical background is assumed nor required for
participants.
I HAVE ATTENDED A HACKATHON BEFORE
Also excellent! You will likely find CODEACROSSTO TO BE A
NON-traditional hackathon based on collaboration and deliberation.
DO I NEED A TEAM? HOW PREPARED SHOULD I BE?
You do not need a team! Come as you are, though of course we'd love
for you to spread the word to friends. We encourage all participants
to do two things: 1) maximise the number of strangers in your group,
and 2) keep an open mind and try something new.
I am interested in attending but am concerned about barriers to
participation
We are 100% committed to making this event as accessible as
possible. We are also happy to waive the registration fee to
eliminate any financial barriers to participation. Co-chairs, Alex
and Laura (dotoriworks@gmail.com) are happy to follow up on any
specific concerns.
ARE THERE ID OR MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE EVENT?
No. This will be an all-ages event though please note it is not
designed specifically for those younger than high school. All minors
must be accompanied by a guardian.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS?
No one can hack on an empty stomach! We'll provide light breakfast,
all-day coffee, lunch, and snacks throughout the day. We'll do our
best to acommodate different dietary restrictions. Please reach out if
you have specific concerns.
What do I wear?
Anything that's comfortable and will keep you warm on your way in!
There will be a self-service coat check.
WHAT ARE MY TRANSPORTATION/PARKING OPTIONS FOR GETTING TO AND FROM THE
EVENT?
There is underground, third-party parking. The closest subway station
is Union Station. From there, the 6 and 72 buses will take you to
Lower Jarvis St and Queens Quay East. The stop is right across the
street from the building, which is on the north side of the street.
WHAT CAN I BRING INTO THE EVENT?
We encourage you to bring laptops, tablets, chargers, crafting
supplies, a reuseable water bottle and anything else you need for a
productive day.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE ORGANIZER WITH ANY QUESTIONS?
Co-chairs, Alex and Laura (dotoriworks@gmail.com) are happy to follow
up on any specific concerns.
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03/03/2019 Last update