HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IWFI AND LBS SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE 2103

The IWFI and LBS conference on Society and Technology was a huge success. Hundreds of delegates showed up despite their busy work schedule to take part in the discussions.

This is an indicator to the relevance of the impact of New media and Digital technology in our family life and businesses.

Discussions were held in five Sessions comprising of keynote addresses, panel discussions and a case study. The case study was presented by Professor Chantal Epie of the Lagos Business School, on Work-Family policies and practices; focus was on Glaxo Smithkline Nigeria. Representatives of GSK from the Human resources department were present to give insight to the company's work-life balance practices which includes staggered work hours, flexibility of leave and short vacation, five days' paternity leave, possibility of career break from one month to two years, amongst others.

Industry experts like Mr. Austin Okere,(CEO, Computer Warehouse Group),Mr. Pascal Dozie(Chairman, MTN)and Mr. Raphael Afaedor(MD and Co-founder, Jumia Nigeria)were present, revealing first hand experiences in their application of technology to various spheres of life. Mr. Okere narrated how as an entrepreneur, he has taken advantage of continual technological evolution to build the Computer Warehouse Group into an african multinational company with an annual revenue of over $130m and a staff strength of over six hundred and fifty people. However, to ensure work -life balance, Mr. Okere had suggested building downtime into one's schedule, dropping activities that sap one's time and energy, rethinking one's errands and to remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Professor Francisco Perez-Latre from the University of Navarre in Spain brought to fore the kinds of digital environments that can promote growth in a family and the awareness that not all technologies would nuture the human spirit, which is an integral aspect of the human existence. Another international speaker Dr. Christiane Spitzmueller from the University of Houston in Texas USA, presented her research on the use of smartphones.

The Society and Technology 2013 conference will be a yearly event organized by the Institute for Work and Family Integration(IWFI) with a focus on Technology and its impact on the society.

IWFI is an NGO that promotes work and family integration through advocacy and research, promoting family responsible policies, good work ethics and training, with a view to creating a better family, better business and better society.

Below are pictures from the proceedings of the conference.