Drones for Good: Humanitarian Action from the Sky

Despite the hot debate surrounding the security and military applications of drones, a growing community of innovators has taken advantage of this technology to improve the lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. From delivering blood to remote communities; to automatically collecting and analysing data on migration flows; to supporting disaster relief efforts to providing new insights on climate change the use of drones to deliver goods and provide high-quality aerial intelligence yields new opportunities to support the advancement of a wide range of key objectives identified by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

What are the latest practical technological developments in the use of drones to support international aid efforts? How can policymakers, researchers, private actors and NGOs work together to maximize the benefits of these technologies while minimizing the potential risks?Patrick Meier, PhD, Executive Director of not-for-profit organization WeRobotics, has illustrated some of the latest developments in this field through practical examples.A panel discussion took place with:

• Giovanna Di Marzo Serugendo, PhD, Director, Computer Science Centre, UNIGE
• Patrick Meier, PhD, Executive Director, WeRobotics
• Ivana Nady, Associate Settlements Officer, UNHCR
• Christian Simm, PhD, CEO, swissnex Boston (moderation)