In April of 2008, Wayan Vota started the Technology Salon™ as a forum where technology and development professionals could share their opinions on emerging trends in ICT and international development in an intimate and informal discussion around technology’s impact on donor-sponsored technical assistance delivery, and private enterprise driven economic development, facilitated by technology.
Through its focus on conversation, the intimacy of the conversations, and their private nature, the Technology Salon has grown in both size and stature, slowly evolving into a community of practice.
It is a network of professionals who share a common passion for expanding the role of ICT in empowering development, and through regular discussions on relevant topics, are improving their knowledge and expertise in the ICT4D field. In addition to the discussions, the Technology Salon allows for networking between the two groups, establishing connections that move beyond talk, and into action.
From 2009 to 20011, the Technology Salon was sponsored by the UN Foundation’s Technology Partnership with the Vodafone Foundation. As of 2012, the Technology Salon is sponsored by Inveneo in collaboration with a consortium of partners.