Zero Project Conference India 2023

Building Bridges Between Global Networks and Innovations 

September 19–20, 2024 | New Delhi, India

 The Zero Project Conference India 2024 (#ZeroConIndia24), hosted by Youth4Jobs in partnership with The Hans Foundation and Axis Bank Foundation, successfully brought together over 200 disability inclusion leaders, innovators, and policymakers from 10 countries in New Delhi.

Held over two days, this regional forum focused on scalable solutions for persons with disabilities in the areas of assistive technology, inclusive employment, entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration.

 

 

Key Highlights

  • 200+ Participants from India and abroad

  • 40 Local + 14 International Speakers

  • Delegation from 10 countries including Zero Project Awardees

  • Sessions on:

    • Assistive Technology

    • Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

    • Building India-Africa Innovation Bridges

“We have a unique opportunity to build bridges between our global network and the incredible innovations emerging from India and beyond.”
— Michael Fembek, CEO, Zero Project

 

Catch Up on Highlights from Zero Project Conference India 2024

Group in colorful attire lights the ceremonial lamp on stage at Zero Project India Conference 2024 – Day 1 Recap.
Diverse group on stage at Zero Project India Conference 2024 – Day 2 Recap.
Agenda Day 1
Agenda Day 2

Thursday, September 19, 2024

12:30 – 13:45

Registration & Networking Lunch

14:00 – 14:05

Unveiling of conference/Lighting of Lamp – Chief Guest: Shri. Rajesh Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary DEPwD: Martin Essl, Founder & Chairman Zero Project/Essl Foundation: Meera Shenoy CEO Youth 4 Jobs & Sandeep Kapur CEO The Hans Foundation

14:00 – 14:05

Welcome address & introducing Zero Project India Conference 2024

14:05 – 14:15

Zero Project Address: The Zero Project as a Global Community

14:15 – 14:20

Inaugural Address: The Hans Foundation

14:20 – 14:30

Inaugural Address: DEPwD (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities)

14:30 – 14:40

Inaugural Address: Austrian Ambassador

14:40 – 15:20

Panel Discussion 1: The Global Potential of Indian Grassroots Solutions

15:20 – 16:05

Panel Discussion 2: Empowering of Youth with Disabilities – AI for Inclusive Education/ Employability

16:05 – 16:35

Panel Discussion 3: Inclusive Arts

16:35 – 16:45

Exhibition Inaugural

16:45 – 17:15

Coffee and Network Break , Exhibit Tour

17:15 – 17:25

Keynote Address 2

17:25 – 18:00

Panel Discussion 4: The Power of Employer and Employee Networks

18:00 – 18:10

Conference Wrap and Closing
Voices from Zero Project India Conference

18:10

Small Networking Cocktail Dinner by Invitation

 

Friday, September 20, 2024

09:30 – 10:00

Welcome Tea and Exhibition Visit

 
10:00 – 10:15

Summary of the 1st day of the Conference

10:15 – 10:25

Chief Guest Inaugural Day 2

10:25 – 11:00

Panel Discussion 5: Impact Investing Across Borders

11:00 – 12:00

Panel Discussion 6: WEDO – Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
A Youth4Jobs initiative, supported by Zero Project

12:00 – 12:10

Key Note 4

12:10 – 12:30

AI Talk: The Zero Project AI Assistant and DISH of Enable India

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break

14:00 – 14:40

Panel Discussion 7: Supporting Innovations from India to Grow Internationally

14:40 – 15:20

Panel Discussion 8: Early Childhood Interventions benefitting all children

15:20 – 16:00

Coffee and Networking Break

16:00 – 16:40

Panel Discussion 9: Building Bridges to Africa

16:40 – 16:50

Closing Keynote

16:50 – 17:00

Conference Wrap-Up and Preview to day 2
Voices from Zero Project India conference

17:00

Post Conference Networking

 

Speakers of Zero Project Conference India 2024

 

Meera Shenoy

Meera Shenoy

Founder & CEO, Youth 4 Jobs

Martin Essl

Founder, Essl Foundation & Zero Project

Michael Fembek

CEO of Zero Project & Essl Foundation

Cara Yar Khan

Cara Yar Khan

GDI HUB

Irene Mbari-Kirika

Irene Mbari-Kirika

Inable Kenya

Sayomdeb Mukherjee (Den)

Sayomdeb Mukherjee (Den)

EnAble India

aria Ignacia Rodríguez Espinoza

Ma. Ignacia Rodríguez Espinoza

Foundation Descubreme

Iain McKinnon

Iain McKinnon

GDI Hub

Bernard Chiira

Bernard Chiira

Innovative Now

Shriya Sethi

Shriya Sethi

McKinsey

Sameer Nair

Sameer Nair

Youth 4 Jobs

Arman Ali

Arman Ali

NCPEDP

Shilpa Kumar

Shilpa Kumar

Omidyar

Riti Mohapatra

Riti Mohapatra

Bridgespan

Sarbani Chakraborty

Sarbani Chakraborty

CII IBDN

Sameer Garg

Sameer Garg

Axis Bank,

Sudeep Sinha

Sudeep Sinha

The Hans Foundation

Bose Krishnamachari

Bose Krishnamachari

Kochi Biennale Foundation

Shombi Sharp

Shombi Sharp

UN Resident Coordinator in India

Rajesh Aggarwal

Shri. Rajesh Aggarwal

IAS, Secretary DEPwD

Nipun Malhotra

Nipun Malhotra

Nipman Foundation

Guruprasad Pawaskar

Shri. Guruprasad Pawaskar

Goa Commissioner Disability

Kanta Singh

Kanta Singh

UN Women Perspective

Glimpses of the Conference

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