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24 March 2023
It is a great pleasure
welcoming you all to this event. This hackathon represents a unique
opportunity to bring together some of the most talented individuals in the
fields of technology, innovation, and security. Over the next 2 days, you
will have the chance to collaborate and create innovative solutions that will
help enhance the defence and security of our countries.
Today, we are facing
unprecedented challenges that threaten our national security and it is imperative
that we find new and innovative ways to address them. Hackathons have proven
to be a powerful tool for fostering innovation and I am confident that this
event will yield ground breaking solutions, that will help to address the
complex challenges we face.
The defence and security domain
is a highly specialized field and it demands innovation, agility, and
collaboration. The world is constantly changing and we must keep up with the
latest technologies and methodologies to protect our citizens, our borders,
and our interests. In recent years, we have seen significant advancements in
technology that have revolutionized the way we approach defence and security.
From drones to artificial intelligence, technology is playing an increasingly
important role in protecting our countries.
We need to leverage this
technology and innovation to create solutions that are tailored to our unique
challenges. We need to work together to find solutions that are effective,
efficient, and sustainable. We need to think outside the box and come up with
creative solutions to problems that may seem insurmountable. That is why this
hackathon is so important. It provides a platform for the brightest minds in
the industry to come together and tackle these challenges head-on.
As we begin this hackathon, I
would like to remind everyone of the significance of the work we are doing.
The solutions you create here have the potential to make a real difference in
the lives of millions of people. They have the potential to keep Cyprus safe
and secure, and to protect our values and way of life. The stakes are high,
but I have no doubt that you are up to the challenge.
At this hackathon, you will
have access to some of the most advanced technologies and tools available.
You will also have the support of some of the most experienced mentors and
subject matter experts in the field. They will provide guidance and feedback
to help you refine your ideas and develop your solutions.
Throughout this event, I
encourage you to collaborate with your fellow participants. You all bring
unique perspectives and experiences to the table and, by working together,
you can create solutions that are more comprehensive and effective. I also
encourage you to think about the long-term sustainability of your solutions.
The challenges we face are not going away anytime soon, and we need solutions
that can adapt and evolve over time.
At the same time, I want to
emphasize that this event is not just about solving technical problems. It is
also about fostering collaboration, creativity, and teamwork. You will be
working alongside people from different backgrounds with different skill
sets, and you will need to learn how to work together effectively to achieve
your goals. You will need to be open to new ideas, willing to take risks and
ready to push the boundaries of what is possible.
I also want to stress that this
event is about more than just winning. Of course, we all want to see great
solutions and innovative ideas, but the real value of this hackathon lies in
the process itself. The skills you will learn, the relationships you will
build, and the experience you will gain will be invaluable, regardless of the
outcome of the competition.
Last but not least, I would
like to thank each and every one of you for your participation in this
hackathon. I am confident that together we can create innovative solutions
that will make a real difference. I wish you all the best of luck and I look
forward to seeing the results of your hard work.
Thank you.
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Note: The speech was read by the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Defence, Mr Andreas P. Louka, on behalf of the Minister of
Defence.
(NG)
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