Young Filipinos will join the Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions (Ocean) 2016 Summit from November 24 to 26 at the Be Grand Hotel in Bohol, chief organizer Winston Damarillo, a WEF Young Global Leader said.
Damarillo said “this year in Davos, we talked about the 4th Industrial Revolution—how high technology will promote rapid industrialization and how digital can impact lives for the better.”
“Our goal for Ocean 16 is to take the whole concept of the 4th Industrial Revolution beyond the think tanks and the people talking theories in Davos. We want to bring it to emerging countries like the Philippines at the grassroots level,” he added.
This year, WEF communities will bring discussions from Davos to Bohol on how technology can drive inclusive and sustainable growth in the region.
Ocean 16 will focus on the question, “How can the Philippines—and other emerging countries—harness new technologies to accelerate economic development and social progress?”
The three-day summit will include speeches from government, business, and civil society; plenary sessions on entrepreneurship, innovation, the Philippines, and the global community; interactive brainstorming on how to scale emerging, youth-led social solutions; cutting-edge new technology including drones and 3D applications; and a maker market of goods from local artisans and entrepreneurs.
It will also introduce a roadmap for “Digital Bohol” – a plan for holistic digital inclusion in Bohol to allow local leaders harness technology to empower business, government and civil society.
The province was selected to pilot the smart city movement because of its strong public and private partnerships and its vast ICT infrastructure that may make it a tech hub. It is also set to become a global destination with the opening of the Panglao International Airport in 2018.
Ocean 16 signed a memorandum of agreement with the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry on August 15 for the development of smart cities in the Philippines, with Tagbilaran City as the pilot and model city.
“Technology plays an important role in society and we’re very excited to be one of the first LGUs to start utilizing it to develop smart cities, enable disaster preparedness, promote inclusive economic development, boost tourism and ensure the safety of our citizens,” says Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto.
Top Filipino executives from Silicon Valley will talk about best practices in world technology such as wearable technology and its potential to enhance lives and the impact of Sharing Economy in the Philippines.
“For improving the state of the world, we want to talk to the people whose conditions we can improve using technology. Bohol is a good place to see the social impact of this new digital revolution,” he added.
Ocean 16 is co-organized by the WEF communities in the Philippines; Amihan Global Strategies, a digital transformation consultancy; and Kaya Collaborative, an international nonprofit that connects the global Filipino community to entrepreneurship, impact, and innovation in the Philippines.
For more information, visit www.ocean16.asia, email [email protected] or call 0947-813-6401. You may also participate in online discussions by following OCEAN 16 on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @WEFPHOCEAN.
