Addressing Challenges to Humanity with Technology

IEEE Canada HICThe IEEE Canada Humanitarian Initiatives Committee (HIC Canada) is composed of volunteers from across Canada who are passionate about addressing humanitarian challenges with the appropriate application of technology.

HIC Canada supports IEEE members in Canada that are participating in humanitarian activities. We work on building relationships with organizations that will enable us fulfill the IEEE mission to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. Our goal is to increase the proficiency of Canadian IEEE sections in taking on humanitarian technology initiatives through the active participation of their members.

HIC Canada supports humanitarian technology initiatives and collaborations that are already in progress. We nurture external collaborative relationships (corporate, community, association) to generate partnerships for humanitarian technology projects. And, we nurture initiatives identified by IEEE Canada  members – for example, technology assistance provided as part of the disaster relief for the December 2004 tsunami in southeastern Asia and the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

HIC Canada’s Mission

To provide IEEE members the means to participate in technology initiatives that alleviate or remedy humanitarian issues.
Examples of humanitarian technology initiatives include:
  • Technology supporting relief assistance during natural disasters (i.e., ice storms, earthquake, floods, etc.);
  • Technology solutions the promote health, safety and prosperity in disadvantage communities: e.g. alternative energy sources, health information systems, telehealth communications, public safety communications, water purification systems and more;
  • Technology mentoring, training and consulting for socio‐economic development (e.g. technical and management skills, sustainable development);
  • Creating and running community awareness programs to promote the use of technology for humanitarian purposes.
Our goal is to support members in Canada that are participating in Humanitarian activities, and are working on building relationships with organizations with which our members could collaborate to fulfill our mission. To achieve this goal, we will work with Canadian IEEE sections to become increasingly proficient in their involvement in humanitarian initiatives through the active participation of their members; for example, by helping sections form SIGHT chapters.