With over 67 million refugees and millions more displaced due climate, trade, human trafficking and slave labor, humanity is at a crossroads today. While mobile apps, internet, mobile money, Facebook, etc. has reached most corners of the world, millions of these folks continue to be invisible. They continue to be invisible even though they have 5 different identities - from UN agencies, INGOs, Social Services and Govt. agencies. Why? Because the world doesn't recognize them beyond a number that receives aid. They can't "own, access or monetize" their data. They can't prove their education, or work history or health records. For those in human trafficking / modern day slavery it’s worse as a "non existence" pushes them back into misery. Blockchain changes that. We have proven that now. Platforms like BanQu use blockchain to restore that basic human dignity and existence to those that need it most. Cryptocurrency is all the rage today, yet the true value lies in simple day to day examples where a refugee can use blockchain to prove his / her child's immunization record or education received in the camps. Or a migrant worker being forced into slave labor in garment or agriculture industries can prove their earnings, their work history. A displaced family in conflict zones can get life back to normalcy by proving their past and getting access to credit at a lower interest rate.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]