DFF's visual identity by Kristaps Berzinskis and Uldis Leiterts

The technology, start-up, policy and lifestyle conference Digital Freedom Festival (DFF) has announced its official programme. Over two days, November 14–15, more than 110 speakers from all over the world will share their inspiring stories and insights on how entrepreneurs, society and politicians can better work together to make use of the benefits of technology.

Stories Editorial November 4, 2019

A new addition to DFF is the Community Day that will include practical seminars, masterclasses, personal growth courses, start–up pitch competitions and other events. These will be held in various locations around Riga in cooperation with the festival’s partners and technology ecosystem members. On November 15, the main conference day, discussions on humans in the age of technology, media development, future economy, green technology, lifestyles and other current issues will be held across four stages at Hanzas Perons. This year, DFF is focused on sustainable development and invites everyone to evaluate their own personal responsibility in regards to how we’re going to live in the future. The festival has vowed to be a zero waste conference and achieve a 50% representation of women on the stages of DFF.

November 14 — Community Day

The ISSP Gallery at Bergs Bazaar will host the Leadership Academy, which will offer practical and inspiring lessons for the road to excellence. Festival VIP ticket holders will have access to masterclasses of the innovation leader and inspirational speaker Carl Honore and the corporate innovation strategy consultant Artis Cicens.

Swedbank’s co-working space DoBe will host the first rounds of the 500 Startups, Rockstart and Latvia’s State Forests startup pitch competitions.

The Norden offices will host the Hack Academy where Jessica Gioglio, co–author of the book The Laws of Brand Storytelling, will share her suggestions for creating a successful brand storytelling strategy. Talent scout Ekaterina Jachemeneva and communications strategist Julia Belkina (founders of FindaNode) will share their advice on navigating the ever-changing recruitment jungle. Human resources management specialist Diāna Stankeviča will explain how to increase the success of your team while workplace strategy consultant Oļegs Ņikitins will talk about the impact of work environment on employee efficiency and motivation.

At the Personal Development Academy, held at Birojnīca, DFF’s recurring guest Monk John will lead a meditation masterclass and productivity specialist Stoyan Yankov will offer advice on how to lead effective mentoring groups. Leadership and performance advisor Satu Ahlman will lead a masterclass on sleep and stress management while mental health evangelist Stuart Rogers will talk about improving concentration and using spiritual exercises to speed up every aspect of work.

November 15 — Conference Day at Hanzas Perons

On the Conference Day, the main – Future Stage — will host discussions on the influence of technology on our daily lives, media, business and environment, and the role of the individual in impacting global processes. Speakers will include the President of the Republic of Latvia Egīls Levits, UN Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union Director Doreen Bogdan–Martin, blockchain architect Sajida Zouarhi, Dutch smart mobility experts, and other international speakers.

DFF content partner’s Delfi Media LAB stage will become a platform for analysing current media trends for reaching youth, customising content for mobile environment, podcast content topics, and other issues. The stage will include appearances by the well-known Slovakian journalist and podcast producer David Tvrdon, Head of Tech and Society at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Max Beverton–Palmer, and Google Mobile user experience specialist Conor McGann.

The Innovation Bazaar stage in cooperation with several partners will host start-up pitches, investor presentations and speed dating with investors. During the Bank 4.0.: Banking Everywhere & Mobile First discussion Citadele banking experts and invited specialists will talk about how technology is changing banking services. Education experts and scientists will discuss the synergy between science and innovation in the context of Latvian competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The Freedom Lounge will host discussions about lifestyle in the digital age — on music, sustainable development, and the importance of technology in popularising and changing lifestyles.

 

The full programme of «Digital Freedom Festival» and tickets are available on the festival’s homepage.