ICT has the potential to transform activism, but what is the evidence of
what works, and do organisations think enough about digital security
risks? Join the debate Thursday 11 April
Type the words 'ICT4D', the popular acronym that describes
information communication technologies for development, into any search
engine and you may be forgiven for thinking you've stumbled upon the
cure for all development ills. Projects are being run by the entire
spectrum of development organisations, using every form of communication
device (from radio through to mobile phones and satellite systems), to
tackle the major challenges of our age: access to water, information,
education, markets and many others.
ICTs are also being widely used to empower civil society and promote social justice. The near ubiquity of mobile phones means that every citizen has the power (if not always the means) to send or receive information directly via text message. The implications of this were summed up neatly in a report published by Tufts University: "Transparency breeds self-correcting behaviour among all types of actors, since neither governments nor businesses or individuals want to be caught doing something embarrassing or illegal."
But the transformation from citizen to 'witness' or even informant – through crowdsourcing or crowdmapping exercises – comes with challenges. These include the lack of adequate infrastructure in-country and the issue of understanding the local context. There is also the problem of "drowning in too much information with too little effective use," as ICT4D researcher, Tony Roberts puts it.
Increasingly important – yet often overlooked by NGOs – are the security risks associated with using ICTs to campaign, particularly in fragile or authoritarian states. The NGO Tactical Technology Collective explains: "While computers and the internet can be extremely powerful tools for advocacy, they also present new risks for a group that is already, in many cases, quite vulnerable. As more advocates have begun to rely on digital technology to achieve their outreach, data-collection, information design, communication and mobilisation objectives, these risks have become more severe."
So as the use of information communication technologies by development organisations continues to grow, how do we define what works and why? What are the best ways to manage some of the challenges outlined above and how can activists take advantage of the opportunities while minimising the risks?
Join our live chat panel this Thursday, 11 April, from 1-3pm BST to share your experiences and lessons learnt when using ICTs for social justice work.
The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you would like to submit your views ahead of the chat, please email globaldevpros@guardian.co.uk. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive
Dirk helps social justice campaigners use information and communication technologies more effectively. Dirk has run projects focusing on increasing the ability of advocates and activists in many marginalised communities to use digital technologies, and has also contributed to several of Tactical Tech's toolkits and guides.
Anne Roth, programme researcher and editor, Tactical Technology Collective, Berlin, Germany. @Anne_Roth
Anne co-founded Indymedia Germany, one of the first interactive media activist websites, in 2001, and has been involved with media activism and various forms of activist online media ever since. Anne regularly writes on privacy, surveillance, media, net politics and feminist issues.
Ben Taylor, former executive director, Daraja, London, UK. @mtega
Ben has 13 years experience working on development programmes in Tanzania, working to make local government more responsive in rural Tanzania, using mobile phones and radio gather information on broken down water points and supporting local newspapers to hold local government to account.
Jennifer Radloff, project co-ordinator (capacity building in secure online communications), Association for Progressive Communications, Cape Town, South Africa. @jen_ct
Jennifer is a trainer and facilitator for the APC women's networking support programme. Jennifer has managed many projects, most recently on gender, agriculture and rural development in the information society.
Ronda Zelezny-Green, PhD Student, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK. @GLaM_Leo
Ronda Zelezny-Green is a language educator, teacher trainer, consultant and researcher. She studies information and communication technology for development (ICT4D), in particular the connections between gender, learning and mobile phones. Royal Holloway is the Unesco Chair in ICT4D.
Claudio Silva, contributor, Central Angola 7311, New York City, US. @caiplounge
With a background in entrepreneurship and international management, Claudio now works in the financial services industry. Claudio regularly visits and writes about his home country Angola, focusing on the country's politics and development.
Gabriela Rodriguez, software developer, Data, Portland, USA. @gaba
Gabriela is a social activist and software developer, interested in free and open technologies and ways to resolve social problems via community involvement. Gabriela specialises in the free software movement, community radios, the internet and alternative global media.
Emrys Schoemaker, director, iMedia, London, UK. @emrys_s
Emrys focuses on media and technology as part of development and social change, particularly in conflict affected areas. Emrys has worked in much of South Asia as well as Uganda and Sudan for NGOs, donors, the UN and private sector.
Friedhelm Weinberg, communications specialist, Huridocs, Geneva, Switzerland. @whyfrycek
Friedhelm works to help support human rights organisations to use information technologies and documentation methods. He documents and implements processes and tools that make information work best for advocacy.
Heather Leson, director of community engagement, Ushahidi, Toronto, Canada. @heatherleson
Heather specialises in technical incident management, software life-cycle development, community-building, mentoring and idea hacking. She has planned numerous participant-driven 'unconferences' and hackathons and was recently selected as a Personal Democracy Forum Google fellow.
Leonida Mutuku, research manager, iHub Research, Nairobi, Kenya. @C_Leo_patra
Leonida leads governance projects focusing on open data, design thinking methodologies and market research. Leo formerly worked in various capacities at Family Bank and Barclays Bank, and has supported start-up technology businesses and entrepreneurs.
ICTs are also being widely used to empower civil society and promote social justice. The near ubiquity of mobile phones means that every citizen has the power (if not always the means) to send or receive information directly via text message. The implications of this were summed up neatly in a report published by Tufts University: "Transparency breeds self-correcting behaviour among all types of actors, since neither governments nor businesses or individuals want to be caught doing something embarrassing or illegal."
But the transformation from citizen to 'witness' or even informant – through crowdsourcing or crowdmapping exercises – comes with challenges. These include the lack of adequate infrastructure in-country and the issue of understanding the local context. There is also the problem of "drowning in too much information with too little effective use," as ICT4D researcher, Tony Roberts puts it.
Increasingly important – yet often overlooked by NGOs – are the security risks associated with using ICTs to campaign, particularly in fragile or authoritarian states. The NGO Tactical Technology Collective explains: "While computers and the internet can be extremely powerful tools for advocacy, they also present new risks for a group that is already, in many cases, quite vulnerable. As more advocates have begun to rely on digital technology to achieve their outreach, data-collection, information design, communication and mobilisation objectives, these risks have become more severe."
So as the use of information communication technologies by development organisations continues to grow, how do we define what works and why? What are the best ways to manage some of the challenges outlined above and how can activists take advantage of the opportunities while minimising the risks?
Join our live chat panel this Thursday, 11 April, from 1-3pm BST to share your experiences and lessons learnt when using ICTs for social justice work.
The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you would like to submit your views ahead of the chat, please email globaldevpros@guardian.co.uk. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive
Panel
Dirk Slater, lead consultant, Fabriders, London, UK. @fabriderDirk helps social justice campaigners use information and communication technologies more effectively. Dirk has run projects focusing on increasing the ability of advocates and activists in many marginalised communities to use digital technologies, and has also contributed to several of Tactical Tech's toolkits and guides.
Anne Roth, programme researcher and editor, Tactical Technology Collective, Berlin, Germany. @Anne_Roth
Anne co-founded Indymedia Germany, one of the first interactive media activist websites, in 2001, and has been involved with media activism and various forms of activist online media ever since. Anne regularly writes on privacy, surveillance, media, net politics and feminist issues.
Ben Taylor, former executive director, Daraja, London, UK. @mtega
Ben has 13 years experience working on development programmes in Tanzania, working to make local government more responsive in rural Tanzania, using mobile phones and radio gather information on broken down water points and supporting local newspapers to hold local government to account.
Jennifer Radloff, project co-ordinator (capacity building in secure online communications), Association for Progressive Communications, Cape Town, South Africa. @jen_ct
Jennifer is a trainer and facilitator for the APC women's networking support programme. Jennifer has managed many projects, most recently on gender, agriculture and rural development in the information society.
Ronda Zelezny-Green, PhD Student, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK. @GLaM_Leo
Ronda Zelezny-Green is a language educator, teacher trainer, consultant and researcher. She studies information and communication technology for development (ICT4D), in particular the connections between gender, learning and mobile phones. Royal Holloway is the Unesco Chair in ICT4D.
Claudio Silva, contributor, Central Angola 7311, New York City, US. @caiplounge
With a background in entrepreneurship and international management, Claudio now works in the financial services industry. Claudio regularly visits and writes about his home country Angola, focusing on the country's politics and development.
Gabriela Rodriguez, software developer, Data, Portland, USA. @gaba
Gabriela is a social activist and software developer, interested in free and open technologies and ways to resolve social problems via community involvement. Gabriela specialises in the free software movement, community radios, the internet and alternative global media.
Emrys Schoemaker, director, iMedia, London, UK. @emrys_s
Emrys focuses on media and technology as part of development and social change, particularly in conflict affected areas. Emrys has worked in much of South Asia as well as Uganda and Sudan for NGOs, donors, the UN and private sector.
Friedhelm Weinberg, communications specialist, Huridocs, Geneva, Switzerland. @whyfrycek
Friedhelm works to help support human rights organisations to use information technologies and documentation methods. He documents and implements processes and tools that make information work best for advocacy.
Heather Leson, director of community engagement, Ushahidi, Toronto, Canada. @heatherleson
Heather specialises in technical incident management, software life-cycle development, community-building, mentoring and idea hacking. She has planned numerous participant-driven 'unconferences' and hackathons and was recently selected as a Personal Democracy Forum Google fellow.
Leonida Mutuku, research manager, iHub Research, Nairobi, Kenya. @C_Leo_patra
Leonida leads governance projects focusing on open data, design thinking methodologies and market research. Leo formerly worked in various capacities at Family Bank and Barclays Bank, and has supported start-up technology businesses and entrepreneurs.
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