What do drones in Malawi and an honest conversation about prejudice in Vienna have in common? More than you might think – namely, the desire to create change. UNICEF Austria brings two perspectives on the festival motto V is for loVe to the stage: concrete, socially relevant – and anything but romanticized. Through an impulse talk on technology and innovation as tools for development cooperation and a Living Library by the UNICEF Austria Youth Advisory Board, which invites personal encounters, UNICEF Austria highlights what truly matters: young people actively shaping society in the spirit of the child’s right to participation.
13.6., 7.30–9pm Love as the key to a better future - Paradox of technology Debate
What do digital networks, drones, and environmental protection have to do with love? More than you might think. In this impulse talk, Michael Scheibenreif (UNICEF Regional Manager for Impact YOMA and founder of ADDA) offers a new perspective on modern technologies not as threats, but as possibilities for change and opportunities for the future. With the support of UNICEF, you will learn how technology helps young people in the most remote parts of the world shape a new reality.
What happens when drones are used not as tools of war, but as instruments of hope? At the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA), young people learn how to use drones to respond to humanitarian crises and predict natural disasters. In South Africa, the Enviro Champs-Initiative takes it a step further: using technology and data to protect the environment and actively transform their communities. But what does all this have to do with love? It is the love for the world of tomorrow, the desire to positively impact one’s own life and that of others, the driving force behind these transformative UNICEF initiatives.Discover how technology, in the hands of young people, becomes a positive force that creates new opportunities. A look into the paradox of technology — serving as a bridge to a world of opportunity open to all.
More information: unicef.at/
Michael Scheibenreif
Michael Scheibenreif is Regional Manager for Impact YOMA at UNICEF and founder of the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA). With his expertise in digital technology and development, he is committed to empowering young people in Africa through innovative solutions. He has initiated major projects, particularly in the use of technology, such as drones, to address humanitarian and environmental challenges. As a visionary and researcher, he sees technology as a key to a better future, opening new perspectives for disadvantaged communities around the world.15.6., 3–6pm 4 x 20 Minutes of Truth – Living Library: Dialogue Instead of Prejudice Installation / Debate
Be honest: How often do you confront your own prejudices? And how often do you engage in conversations with people whose experiences are very different from your own? The UNICEF Youth Advisory Board Austria tackles the question of neighborly love: How deeply do our prejudices run? And can dialogue contribute to a more tolerant society? The "books" in this Living Library are people you can "borrow" for multiple 20-minute conversations. In a safe space, there is an opportunity for exchange, for listening — and maybe even for questioning your own perspectives.
UNICEF – The United Nations Children's Fund
UNICEF is the leading international organization advocating for the rights of children. Since its founding in 1946, UNICEF has helped improve the lives of millions of children in over 190 countries and territories worldwide. UNICEF programs cover essential areas such as health, education, water and sanitation, and the protection of children from abuse and exploitation. UNICEF works closely with governments, partner organizations, and civil society to ensure children's rights and access to essential services.
