Apply Now to Break Into Blockchain for International Development

Blockchain technology may have the potential to help us tackle existing development challenges and prepare governments for changes that are underway. While this technology holds possibilities for helping tackle inequality and narrow the wealth gap, it also faces barriers to large-scale adoption and scale.

• Do you want to critically analyze both the opportunities and the pitfalls of working with blockchain technology in international development?
• Are you interested in your peer’s excitement, doubts, expectations, and actual experiences with blockchain applications?
• Would you like to form partnerships between private sector and NGOs to explore the use of distributed ledger technology?

Apply now for the second-ever Blockchain for Development course from TechChange that starts September 10, and use the code Blockchain395 to activate your discount as a ICTWorks subscriber.

In January, TechChange ran the first ever online course on BlockChain for International Development and it was a smash it! 170 participants representing 50+ countries and working for over 60 organizations took part in our largest and most innovative course yet.

We also had 15 speakers covering everything from supply chain management to educational credentialing, to aid distribution, and more. And we designed a number of activities never before attempted in online learning, including:

1. Cryptocurrency token activity: In week 1 we gave each participant in the course five Stellar Lumens, a popular cryptocurrency token. As part of the exercise, participants selected and downloaded a software wallet to store the tokens, transferred tokens to classmates, and came up with creative ideas for sharing and exchanging tokens. We’ll be running this again with a few new twists.
2. Data modeling exercise: Interested in how a smart contract actually works? We designed a data modeling activity using Hyperledger Fabric in partnership with Greg Maly and DAI. We’ll be building on this activity in the new course.
3. Block parties: Finally, we created an activity to help our participants host what we called “block parties” at their organizations and in their communities. Block parties are structured offline brownbag/cocktail parties where participants share what they learned in the course and facilitate conversations with friends and colleagues about blockchain related topics. Read about the block party that one participant Maputi hosted in South Africa

Apply now for the second-ever Blockchain for Development course and you can have an even better educational experience that the first round participants, with these bonus activities for the second round:

1. Get your certificate… on the blockchain! We’ve partnered with MIT’s Learning Machine to deliver TechChange course certificates on the blockchain. Participants who complete the course will be able to access their course certificate details on a public ledger, should they choose to do so. Read more about the partnership here.
2. Experience new interactive modules: We’ve built a number of new interactive modules and cheat sheets on topics like “When is a blockchain solution is necessary?” and “Understanding different forms of consensus” for you to take back to your organizations and teach others.
3. Network with new speakers: We’re working on revamping our speaker line-up and are excited to have experts from organizations like UNICEF, Handshake, Consensys, WFP, USAID joining us. Be the first to learn about the latest developments in this emerging space.

Whether you’re decision-maker that needs to be more conversant in key opportunities and challenges around blockchain or a program manager wanting to get more technical, our Blockchain for international development course is a great way to build your networks and skills on this emerging topic.