1. INTERNATIONAL DATA WEEK IDW 2018
Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC)
Gaborone, Botswana: 22–26 October 2018

2. Digital Frontiers of Global Science
Frontier issues for research in a global and digital age.
Applications, progress and challenges of data intensive research.
Data infrastructure and enabling practices for international and collaborative research.

3. Botswana, Africa and the World!
Stable, safe, modern and exciting country
The fundamental role of data for research, for economic development and ecological sustainability are recognised as important and are supported by the government, research institutions and community.
The government of Botswana has a strong and forward looking policy to support education, technology, development and research.
Botswana is active and well-integrated in regional (Southern African Development Community: SADC), African and international collaboration in various areas of research and in data activities.
The Botswana university and research sector is advancing greatly as a result of these policies and engagements.
Gaborone is easy to get to, with connecting flights for international participants from Johannesburg (JNB), Nairobi (NBO) and Addis Ababa (ADD), and boasts attractive venues and excellent quality, competitively priced hotels.
Botswana is one of the safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index:  Since independence in 1966, Botswana maintained a stable representative democracy, with a consistent record of uninterrupted democratic elections and ranking 35 (out of 176 countries) in the Corruption Perceptions Index
Gaborone offers a pleasant location and attractions; in the north of the country, there are unique UNESCO sites for participants who wish to visit before or after the conference.