"We are beyond experiencing a passive information age, we are facing a technological revolution, an information overload, and the golden age we are looking for will only exist if we control the outcomes. The single and only outcome is assuring every person on this planet that their identity remains intact. As the world's applications turn digital, so do our identities and therefore the need for digital identity assurance is the priority in today's world.
Big words... so we ask ourselves, " and what is my role? "
Our role, as employees, customers and vendors is to lead in the implementation of digital identity assurance in the Middle East and Africa . Our humanity is our sovereignty and our digital identities are our preservation. Legislation is there to protect, but our role, together, is to assure every community we live in, that their identities remain intact.
We have started this quest together in 2003, when Cardex made its first effort to bring together international experts, vendors and customers under one roof. The aim was promoting knowledge transfer and strengthening relationships with the goal of effective implementation of smart cards and other digital media that contain personal information.
Since then, by keeping abreast with the pace of technology and building awareness and systems into existence in the Middle East and Africa , we stand a chance at preserving our own digital identities within our communities. Together, we will continue to lead the preservation and assurance of the Middle Eastern and African digital identity.
...and if we don't make it happen ourselves, surely others would make it happen for us?"
Letter from our chairman
Amr Shawki
Cardex event chairman
Egypt, Middle East and Africa
6th Digital Assurance Exhibition and Conference
Cairo International Convention Center
25-27 May 2008
