Dear I2D Lab Colleagues, Our first I2D Lab meeting of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th , and will be a special meeting, featuring: Steve Hellen, the Catholic Relief Services ICT4D and GIS lead. Each year CRS leads an ICT4D conference<http://www.ict4dconference.org/> held in different locations. Drs. Yuehwern Yih (IE) and Jennifer DeBoer (ENE) have both presented their innovations at this conference, and gotten additional opportunities from this participation. * When: Sept 20, 2017, 11:30-1:30 * Where: Wang 2501 * RSVP to Andreaburniske@purdue.edu<mailto:Andreaburniske@purdue.edu> so we can order lunch for you! ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development) ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development) is an initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide<http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/digital-divide> (the disparity between technological "have" and "have not" geographic locations or demographic groups) and aiding economic development by ensuring equitable access to up-to-date communications technologies. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) include any communication device -- encompassing radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. The United Nations, through its UN Development Programme, actively promotes ICT4D as a powerful tool for economic and social development around the world. Andrea Burniske Program Manager, I 2D Lab Global Engineering Programs, 4th Floor, Wang Hall Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Ph: 765.496.3533 Skype: AndreaLaBurniske https://engineering.purdue.edu/GEP/I2DLab Punctuated Equilibrium - the hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change