Recording

Blockchain is a data network that is distributed among each of the computers, or nodes, operating on it. This distributed ledger technology records a transaction only when the majority of nodes approve it. The transactions are both viewable by all actors on the network and cannot be altered after they are recorded.  As blockchain technology expands within the development sector, it is proving its ability to enable groundbreaking transparency, accountability, and trust. This webinar will explore how different development partners are leveraging blockchain and how this promising technology could be leveraged in the local economic development programs to generate greater efficiency, support livelihoods, and bolster financial inclusion.

• Parmesh Shah, Global Lead, Data-driven and Digital Agriculture CoP, World Bank

• Bernhard Kowatsch, Head, Innovation Accelerator, World Food Program (WFP)
• Alpen Sheth, Senior Blockchain Technologist, Mercy Corps Ventures / FinX 
• Joanne Martins, IT Officer, ITS Technology and Innovations Lab, World Bank

Speakers' Bios:

Bernhard Kowatsch is the Head of the Innovation Accelerator at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which he started in 2015. The WFP Innovation Accelerator was named by Fast Company as Most Innovative Non-Profit Organisation 2021 for its work in identifying, nurturing and scaling disruptive start-ups that accelerate innovations to address global hunger. In 2020, his innovation and startup portfolio positively impacted the lives of 3.7 million people. The Accelerator has supported more the 90 innovations with funding, runs programmes for external partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Humanitarian Grand Challenges and other UN Agencies, and just celebrated its 5-year anniversary. In 2020, the Accelerator was named as a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators and Innovation Team of the Year, one of ten organizations globally to be recognized in both categories. The now-60+ member team represents over 30 countries and speaks more than 20 unique languages. Prior to starting the Accelerator, Bernhard co-founded the award-winning ShareTheMeal app that crowdsources funding for WFP. This leading innovation has raised over US $53.4 million for hungry families worldwide (as of February 2021), and was named as an App of the Year for 2020 by both Apple and Google. Bernhard also build up WFP’s Business Innovation team based in Rome, and was previously a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for global tech and industrial goods companies. He holds three Masters’ degrees from HEC Paris and Vienna University of Business and Economics. 
 

Alpen Sheth, PHD, is Senior Technologist, Blockchain, for Financial Innovation at Mercy Corps Ventures where he manages the organization's global pilots and research with blockchain, crypto/digital currency, smart contracts and more to benefit the most vulnerable populations facing disaster, climate risk, displacement, war, disease, and other challenges. He also holds a Visiting Faculty position at the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University and is a blockchain advisor for companies in the insurance, identity, and energy sectors. Previously, he co-founded the Economic Space Agency, a blockchain R&D startup, and later became the Head of Product at etherisc.com, an insurance company, creating smart-contract-based applications in several different countries. Alpen has experience leading technology strategy and innovation at WEF, Etherisc, World Bank Group, MIT, RMS, Inured, Miami DDA. Alpen holds a Ph.D. from MIT in International Development, Risk and Resilience, an MA in Geography from the University of Miami, and a BA in Anthropology and History from the University of Chicago. 

Olushola Ibironke Joanne Martins is an ITSTI Technology and Innovation Officer with the World Bank. Joanne is an experienced, dedicated, and enthusiastic Technology and Innovation specialist and architect, proficient in digital technologies, Innovation methods/frames and approaches, Enterprise Architecture, Business & Digital Transformation, and Strategic Data & Information Management. Prior to joining the Bank in July 2016, she worked as a management /strategic consultant, leading large-scale Enterprise architecture and transformation projects for public and private sector clients across Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa.  She has set up two businesses in the UK and continues to volunteer as a business mentor to social enterprises and start-ups in the UK, Africa, and the Caribbean. She has also served as a community officer and mentor to disadvantaged youths with UK-based NGOs Prince’s trust and UNLTD UK. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and MSc in System Engineering with management from the UK.