59 59 participatorylearningandaction

59 Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development

59 tagging communication Bandwidth technology Community civil society innovation Development Publishing knowledge ICT4DEV blogging 59 Web 2.0 activism Content Connectivity mash-up social change Collaboration participatory wiki aggregator Remote RSS networks mobile 59 Web2forDev 59 file sharing 59 participatorylearningandaction

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THEME SECTION CONTENTS

PART I: OVERVIEW ...... 7 1. Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development Holly Ashley, Jon Corbett, Ben Garside, Dave Jones and Giacomo Rambaldi...... 8 2. The two hands of Web2forDev: a conference summary Chris Addison ...... 21

PART II: STUDIES OF WEB 2.0 TOOLS ...... 27 3. Exploring the potentials of blogging for development Christian Kreutz...... 28 4. Web 2.0 tools to promote social networking for the Forest Connect alliance Duncan Macqueen ...... 34 5. Promoting information-sharing in Ghana using video blogging Prince Deh...... 40 6. Mobile phones: the silver bullet to bridge the digital divide? Roxanna Samii...... 44

PART III: ISSUE-BASED STUDIES...... 51 7. Anti social-computing: indigenous language, digital video and intellectual property Jon Corbett and Tim Kulchyski ...... 52 8. Tools for enhancing knowledge-sharing in agriculture: improving rural livelihoods in Uganda Ednah Akiiki Karamagi and Mary Nakirya...... 59 9. Ushahidi or ‘testimony’: Web 2.0 tools for crowdsourcing crisis information Ory Okolloh...... 65 10. Web 2.0 for Aboriginal cultural survival: a new Australian outback movement Jon Corbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir ...... 71

PART IV: THEORY AND REFLECTION ON PRACTICE...... 79 11. Circling the point: from ICT4D to Web 2.0 and back again Anriette Esterhuysen ...... 80 12. Web 2.0 tools for development: simple tools for smart people Ethan Zuckerman ...... 87 13. The Web2forDev story: towards a community of practice Anja Barth and Giacomo Rambaldi...... 95

PART V: TIPS FOR TRAINERS Web 2.0 tools: a series of short introductions Holly Ashley, Dave Jones and Luigi Assom with Jon Corbett, Ben Garside, Christian Kreutz, Kevin Painting, Duncan Macqueen and Giacomo Rambaldi ...... 105 • Blogging ...... 106 • Micro-blogging and Twitter...... 108 • Wikis ...... 110

1 2 CONTENTS RCPLA Network In Touch Editorial REGULARS Glossary of Web ...... 2.0 terms • ...... Social bookmarking • Tagging ...... • RSS feeds • niesca ewrig...... Online social networking • ...... 117 121 119 115 112 134 125 3 her articleonmobile Samii hasalsopublished blogspot.com . Source: www.rsamii. phones on her personal PLA 59 author Roxanna editorial

Welcome to issue 59 of Participatory steadily increasing. All our subscribers based on presentations made at EDITORIAL Learning and Action. have free access to new and recent the the international Web2forDev We would first of all like to thank issues of PLA online, as soon as they conference, 25th–27th September our readers for their patience. PLA 59 are published. Why not visit the 2007 at the Food and Agriculture is the December 2008 issue although IngentaConnect website and activate Organisation (FAO) headquarters in it was actually published in June your online subscription?2 Rome, Italy.3 4 2009. We hope that you find it was We have also been working hard The conference was the first worth the wait! on the next issue. PLA 60 will be a international event focusing This year promises to see some special edition on community-based specifically on how Web 2.0 tools exciting developments for the PLA adaptation to climate change and will could be used to the advantage of series. We are planning a major be published in time for the next Southern development actors, programme of monitoring and United Nations Climate Change operating in the sectors of evaluation activities as well as a Conference Copenhagen (COP15) in agriculture, rural development and review of the format of the series, December 2009. natural resource management. including our website. The aim is to While all of the articles included in The articles in this special issue ensure that PLA is a leading resource this edition are themed, PLA 61 will have been peer-reviewed by for participatory practitioners in style, be a collection of articles of general members of the Participatory format and content. We will update interest. Please continue to send us Learning and Action series our readers about forthcoming your contributions! Guidelines for International Editorial Advisory activities in the next issue. authors can be found on the inside Board. We are also very grateful to In addition, in November 2008 we back cover of each issue. members of the Web2forDev had a successful launch of issue 57 Conference Steering Committee Immersions: learning about poverty Themed section for their comments and reviews. face-to-face, which was held at the The cover image for this issue UK Department for International Change at hand: depicts two hands supporting a Development (DfID) in London. The Web 2.0 for development ‘ cloud’ – a collection of launch included a short ActionAid This special issue has been co- keywords or terms generated by film, ‘Immersions in action, Uganda – published by the International Internet users to describe online personal and host family experiences,’ Institute for Environment and content.5 The tags represent both introduced by Kate Carroll (ActionAid), Development (IIED) and the Technical Web 2.0 tools for development as well as presentations and a panel Centre for Agricultural and Rural and some of the most popular discussion. We are grateful to Josh Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA). keywords or tags that are used to Levene of Praxis-UK for helping to There are dozens of emerging describe them. The hands organise the event, Mark Robinson of interactive web services and represent the potential benefits DfID for chairing the discussions and applications, sometimes referred to as that come from the participation of to panel members Robert Chambers the ‘participatory’, ‘social’ or ‘read- 3 The organisations involved were: Technical Centre (IDS), Dee Jupp (independent social write’ web, but more commonly for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP development consultant), Sonja known as Web 2.0. Together, they are (CTA), International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), Food and Agriculture Ruparel (ActionAid) and Katy Oswald radically changing the ways we Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), German (IDS). For those of you with online create, share, collaborate and publish Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific access, this issue is now available to digital information through the Group of States (ACP Secretariat), Association for download free of charge online.1 Internet. These new technical Progressive Communications (APC), University of British Columbia Okanagan, International Fund for Since 2007, recent issues of PLA opportunities bring challenges as well Agricultural Development (IFAD), Consultative have also been published online with as opportunities that we need to Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Euforic and IngentaConnect. Since then, understand and grasp. Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR). downloads of free material has been Most of the themed articles are 4 The term ‘Web2forDev’ is short for participatory Web 2.0 tools for development. 5 For a definition of ‘tags’ and ‘tag clouds’ see the 1 2 See: http://tinyurl.com/pla57 See: http://tinyurl.com/plaonline glossary on p.123.

3 EDITORIAL

Participants and panellists at a plenary session at the Web2forDev conference. (IIED), where he has been working on global food and agricultural research and policy projects. Ben is currently working on a pilot project to explore the use of Web 2.0 tools to facilitate devolved collaborative working in EDITORIAL development. He is also leading a new IIED project on how to better measure the impacts of ICTs and their impact on livelihoods for the poorest, including combining new and traditional communications techniques to reach non-literate marginalised groups. Giacomo Rambaldi is senior programme coordinator at the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) based in Wageningen, the Photo: Giacomo Rambaldi Giacomo Photo: Netherlands. CTA operates in 78 ACP people brought together using these tools that are used by communities to Countries. Giacomo has 27 years of tools. For the guest editors, this help express their relationship to, and professional experience in Africa, Latin special issue was an opportunity to knowledge of, their territories and America, Asia, the Pacific and the help ‘demystify’ Web 2.0 and resources. Specifically, Jon's research Caribbean where he worked for a Web2forDev and share learning and interests explore how digital number of international organisations reflections. We hope that it will help multimedia technologies can be including the Food and Agricultural to bring Web2forDev to a wider effectively combined with maps to be Organisation of the United Nations audience of development used by remote and marginal (FAO), Italian Aid to Development, the practitioners and academics: inspiring communities to document, store, ASEAN Regional Center for you to give Web 2.0 tools a go and manage and communicate their Biodiversity Conservation and the share your successes and challenges. culture, language, history and Asian Development Bank. Giacomo traditional ecological knowledge has been active on the Internet since Introducing the guest editors (TEK). Jon’s research also examines 1999 when he launched his first The guest editors for this special issue how using these technologies can website.6 He coordinated the are Jon Corbett, Ben Garside, strengthen communities through the organisation of the Web2forDev 2007 Giacomo Rambaldi and Holly Ashley. revitalisation of culture and traditional international conference and has since Jon Corbett is an assistant environmental management been involved in exploring and professor at the Centre for Social, practices, as well as externally promoting innovation in the domain Spatial and Economic Justice at the through increasing their influence of online collaboration and publishing. University of British Columbia over regional decision-making Unusually for a special issue of Okanagan, Canada, and also a processes. PLA, series co-editor Holly Ashley is member of the Web2forDev Steering Ben Garside is a researcher with a also one of the guest editors. Holly Committee. Jon Corbett is also an strong background in information and previously worked closely with Jon assistant professor in the Community, communication technology, including and Giacomo on PLA 54 and was Culture and Global Studies Unit at participatory web development. Ben invited to attend the Web2forDev UBC Okanagan. Jon’s community- works with the Sustainable Markets conference as part of the conference based research investigates Group at the International Institute participatory mapping processes and for Environment and Development 6 See: www.iapad.org

4 EDITORIAL

Members of the Web2forDev conference media team meet. From left to right: Liliane Kambirigi, Pierre Antonios, Hilde Eugelink, Noel Kokou Tadégnon, Gnona Afangbedji and Brenda Zulu.

David Satterthwaite works in the EDITORIAL field of poverty reduction and environmental problems in urban areas. He is a senior fellow at IIED and also on the teaching staff of the Development Planning Unit (University College London) and Honorary Professor, University of Hull. He is also the Editor of Environment and Urbanization, a leading international journal on urban development issues. His current work is on the potential role of urban poor federations to address their needs and develop partnerships with government agencies – and on why the scale and depth of urban poverty is under-estimated by most governments and international

Photo: Jon Corbett Jon Photo: agencies. He contributed to the Third media team, interviewing participants online and further information. A and Fourth Assessments of the and writing reports for the conference glossary describing Web 2.0 tools and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate blog. Prior to the conference, Holly concepts is also included on page 123. Change and received the Volvo had limited experience in using Web Environment Prize in 2004. 2.0 tools for development. The REGULAR FEATURES Cath Long started with IIED in conference provided an exciting April this year. Before this, Cath opportunity to learn more about and In touch worked with forest communities and experience first-hand many of the Much of our In Touch section is people using forests in Africa, Latin numerous Web 2.0 tools and their devoted to online resources related to America and the UK for over 15 potential application in development, Web 2.0 tools for development – years. Cath has lived and worked in as well as learning more about the including information about the new Uganda, South Africa and Sierra emerging Web2forDev community of Web2forDev Development Gateway. Leone and for the past seven years practice. This is a new initiative which aims to has worked closely with partners in act as a starting point for Web 2.0 the Congo Basin region and in the Tips for trainers learning and sharing experience in the Andean Amazon (principally in Peru). context of development work. Her work has always been focused on Web 2.0 tools: a series of short supporting forest people to secure introductions RCPLA pages their rights to control and use forest In this issue, we present a series of Find out the latest news from partners resources and protect their forests. short introductions to a selection of and colleagues from the Resource Cath has a PhD in forest ecology and Web 2.0 tools and concepts. Drawing Centres for Participatory Learning and a long history of working with on lessons learnt from articles in the Action Network. community-led groups on practical special issue and other resources, forest management projects as well as these introductions give a brief Strategic Editorial Advisory Board campaigning and advocacy on forest description of each tool and how they news rights. can be used for development We are pleased to welcome two new We also say farewell – but not purposes, along with links to where members to the PLA strategic editorial goodbye – to Peter Taylor from the applications can be downloaded board. Participation, Power and Social

5 EDITORIAL

Change (PPSC) team at IDS. Peter is Forthcoming: PLA 59 English and climate change, and is guest edited by joining IDRC in Ottawa, Canada. French multimedia CD-ROM Rachel Berger of Practical Action at Peter has been an active member of In addition to this special issue, we will the Schumacher Centre for our strategic editorial board for the be producing a multimedia CD-ROM. Technology and Development, Terry last year. However, Peter will remain It will contain PDF versions of articles Cannon and Hannah Reid of IIED’s on our international advisory board so from this special issue in English and Climate Change Group, with EDITORIAL we look forward to working with him French as well as other key multimedia Mozaharul Alam. again in the near future. resources, including video and audio clips. Selected articles will also be Final thoughts New International Advisory Board available in Spanish. Copies will be free We would like to thank both the member to subscribers of PLA. This issue will authors and guest editors who have We are pleased to welcome Jasber also be available via the CTA online contributed so much to this special Singh to our international advisory catalogue.7 Subscribers to the CTA issue. Producing this special issue has board. Jasber recently co-guest Publications Distribution Service can not been without its challenges. edited PLA 58: Towards empowered order both the printed and CD-ROM Several of the case studies featured participation: stories and reflections. versions with their credit points. here recount what are relatively new Jasber is a visiting research fellow for experiences of working with Web 2.0 the International Institute for About CTA tools – within a relatively new Environment and Development and The Technical Centre for Agricultural community of practice. As such, Newcastle University. Jasber learnt and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) several authors found it a challenge to the nuances of participation with was established in 1983 under the provide in-depth analysis and critical British youth minorities in the North Lomé Convention between the ACP reflections of their experiences. To an of England. Here he used techniques (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Group extent, the authors here are pioneers, such as participatory video, sport and of States and the European Union exploring the field while many of us music with young minorities to Member States. Since 2000, it has may remain hesitant to embark on our analyse and change their lives and to operated within the framework of the own Web2forDev journey. As Anja effectively deal with racism. He was ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. CTA’s Barth and Giacomo Rambaldi note in also Deputy Director of Cooperative tasks are to develop and provide their article about the conference, Inquiry for Newcastle University services that improve access to developing a range of participatory information for agricultural and rural The greatest challenge that most projects on science and development, and to strengthen the practitioners identified was environmental issues. Recently he capacity of ACP countries to produce, encouraging organisations to adopt worked with an NGO to develop acquire, exchange and utilise Web 2.0 applications and implement environmental justice programmes information in this area. CTA is funded a ‘Web2forDev’ culture across the with marginalised British youth in by the European Commission. development arena – and more inner-city London. Currently he is CTA, Postbus 380, 6700 AJ importantly, in the South. based in India with two NGOs using Wageningen, The Netherlands a participatory action research Website: www.cta.int We hope that this special issue approach to investigate the interplay provides a useful reference and between food sovereignty and Next issue learning tool for those of you who energy productions (agro-fuels) with PLA 60 will be a special issue on wish to learn more about marginalised communities. community-based adaptation to Web2forDev.

7 See: http://catalogue-en.cta.int

6 THEME SECTION 7 describes how the concept of explore the use of Web 2.0 tools for development for tools 2.0 Web of use the explore CHRIS ADDISON CHRIS HOLLY ASHLEY, JON CORBETT, DAVID JONES, BEN GARSIDE BEN JONES, DAVID CORBETT, JON ASHLEY, HOLLY GIACOMO RAMBALDI GIACOMO In the second article, hand left The hands. two of image an as visualised be can Web2forDev issues the represents hand right The tools. 2.0 Web main the represents considering people, access, we need to address when using them, participation, content, and impact. Based on the reflections of the access as such issues discusses Chris participants, conference Web2forDev and – developed are tools new as change’ of ‘scale the connectivity, and interdisciplinary. be to need 2.0 Web using to approaches how In the first article, and are tools 2.0 Web Web2forDev. of concept the to readers introduce and – share, collaborate and publish radically changing the ways we create, for 2.0 Web Participatory Internet. the through information digital web employing of way a is – short for Web2forDev or – development and online services to intentionally improve information-sharing new with us presents 2.0 Web development. for collaboration challenges – that we need to better opportunities for change – as well as learning and reflections from understand and grasp. The authors share for 2.0 Web using for forward ways the consider and practice development. Part I: Overview Part I: issue provide an introduction to The two articles in Part I of this special and learning share and Web2forDev of concept the and 2.0 Web reflections on practice. Theme section Theme 8 THEME SECTION 1 yHLYAHE,JNCRET AEJNS E ASD n ICM RAMBALDI GIACOMO and GARSIDE BEN JONES, CORBETT, DAVE HOLLY ASHLEY, JON by Web 2.0 for developmentChange athand: nology (ICT) that was created for – and thrives on – the – on thrives and – for created was that (ICT) nology perspectives’ ( participate in themselves ‘weavingusers a webbecause of knowledge,accountable, and informationtransparent and 1). – using tools that are typically free or low-cost tomore participatorya useto approach online communicationto(see Box informal more new, a approachinformation-sharing,to herald shifting from top-downa tools 2.0 Web contrast, on email discussion lists and web-based message forums. In either the content or its Most producers. Interactivityinformation. residedwebsites weremainly static,disseminating withto users unableapproach to interact archical online with through the Internet. create, share, collaborate on and publish digital information Web 2.0. Together, they are radically changing the ways we ‘social’‘read-write’or moreweb,butcommonly knownas ‘participatory’, the as to referred sometimes applications, Thereemergingaredozensofinteractive servicesweband Introduction includes applications, platformsandservices. 1 Throughout this special issue, we make reference to Web 2.0 ‘tools’, which 1 Web 2.0 is a form of informationformof a isWebcommunication2.0 tech- The first generation of websites represented a mostly hier- For Web 2.0 advocates, these applications are also more Christian Kreutz , thisissue). was held at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Organisation Agriculture and Food the at held was ‘Web2forDev’ or Development, for 2.0 Web Participatory mulate. In September 2007, the international conference on work, a body of learning and experience has started to accu-their in them withexperiment to developmentand patory promotingfortoolspotential2.0Web hugepartici- the of challenges,and the learnt, lessons the •of analysiscritical • the practical outcomes of such approaches; and • how these are integrated with Web 2.0 applications; • thequality themethodsof andprocesses participationof and implementing in involved processes underlying • the and informedchoices: considered make to order in grasp and understand better tunities for change – as well as challenges – that we need to Web2.0 tools and approaches present uswith new oppor- communication. Yet as the title for this special issueappropriate suggests,than more traditional ICTs orany other form of notsaytothat Web 2.0tools are somehow better moreor participationempowermentispeopleusers.andThisof ways forward. used; of power in the process and the impact of participation; usingWeb 2.0 applications, giving consideration to issues As development practitioners have began to recogniseto began havepractitioners development As 9

1 THEME SECTION Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change For the guest editors, this special issue was an was opportu- issue special this editors, guest the For to further information. Also included here is a glossary of terms. 2.0 Web share and Web2forDev and 2.0 Web ‘demystify’ help to nity We hope that learning and it reflections. will help to bring practition- development of audience wider a to Web2forDev go a tools 2.0 Web give to you inspiring academics: and ers challenges. and successes your share and Part III, the articles focus on the integration of multiple Web multiple of integration the on focus articles the III, Part 2.0 tools to address specific issues. The articles in Part IV lessons including practice, on reflections and theory discuss learnt from experience, challenges identified, and In Part V forward. Tips ways a we for collection trainers, provide in- more give which tools, 2.0 Web to introductions short of depth descriptions of how some of the most commonly- links and started on getting tips including work, tools used Guest editor and organiser conference Giacomo Rambaldi at the Fair Share Web2forDev space. participants’ . The The Web2forDev conference 2 Participatory Learning and Action and Learning Participatory

For a full list of conference organisers, see Editorial, p.3 (this issue). (this p.3 Editorial, see organisers, conference of list full a For

2 written by conference participants. All were developed espe- developed were All participants. conference by written cially for sought to bring practitioners together to further explore how explore further to together practitioners bring to sought we can exploit this potential. Most of the articles here are uses of specific Web 2.0 tools for development purposes. In purposes. development for tools 2.0 Web specific of uses tools used, we have deliberately chosen to focus on how they have been integrated with development approaches. concept the and tools 2.0 Web both introduce we I, Part In In some of Part examine II, the the articles of Web2forDev. Structure of the special issue arti- the Although parts. five into divided is issue special This 2.0 Web the about information technical some include cles headquarters headquarters in Rome, Italy. Photo: Jon Corbett Jon Photo: 10 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi • Online social networks help connect communities of prac- • Interconnectednetworks of bloggers who share common sary and Tips for trainers, this issue. how these tools work and where to get started, see the glos- examples of how multiple this are can be there done. and For – more information on perspectives and ideas mation, others. by released generating,moderatingmediatingand development infor- content of Web2forDevaboutintegrating,is combining, aggregating, pieces redistribute own material, decide on levels of access to information and and connect to other stakeholders, produce and publish theirdevelopment. It is about how development actors can relate isthat Web2forDev isabout the active use ofthese tools in content fordevelopment. improve information-sharing and collaborative production of employingintentionallyservicesofwebto way a is –short Participatory Web 2.0 for development – or Web2forDev for What is Web2forDev? development work. See: www.web2fordev.net become the hub for Web 2.0 learning and sharing experience in the context of 4 3 Box 1: What is Web 2.0? Internet Protocols). websites, RSS, wikis, and some VoIP services (Voice over websites, video- and photo-sharing websites, social bookmarking platforms that support them, for example, social networking includes web-based communities, hosted services, applications and sharing, cooperation and collaboration on the . It design that facilitates interactivity, communication, information- end-users utilise the Web. Web 2.0 refers to web development and specifications, but to changes in the ways software developers and Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical Although the term ‘Web 2.0’ suggests a new version of the World • They create a • They have a share several key elements: • They are Adapted from sources: Wikipedia and Kabissa Wiki • They • They are • Contributors • They allow The Web2forDev Development Gateway is a new initiative which aims to See glossaryp.121. tice,especiallyaredispersed, thosethatshareorderto in particular developmenttopicsorthemes. interests can improve the spread of ideas and discourse on free lowest tier of service); According to Kabissa, successful Web 2.0 websites appear to The distinction between Web 2.0 tools and Web2forDev connect easy andfun free to use anonymous clear purpose own and control community to or build on other Web 2.0 sites; 3 or veryaffordable(usuallytieredpricingwith to joinanduse; (or pseudonymous) use; around thatpurpose; and realutility; 4 their content and identity. • Web 2.0 tools allow users to attribute their own tags or tags own their attribute to users allow tools •2.0 Web • Mobile phones continue to develop as devices to receivetodevices asdevelop • continuetophonesMobile allowing is widgets and feeds RSS of use increasing• The manipulateand filter to you allow which• tools areThere distributed automatically be to content allow feeds • RSS • Social bookmarking websites such as enable Delicious.com development.” abouttheactive useof these tools in and Web2forDevisthat Web2forDevis “Thedistinction between Web2.0tools popular developmenttagsusedbyothers. of collections many are There ). as known systema of create bottom-up, collaborativecollectively and – social content classificationonline to (also keywords in oneplace. relevant information and resources related to development integrate them with Web 2.0 platforms and services. developed to support their use, increase their potential and ects being built around them. More applications are being themselvessupportnewanddo,can structures proj-and and send information – both in terms of what the phones sources. online external more or two from data combines that multiplesources. mash-upA webisapage orapplication create‘mash-ups’userstotheirownonlinefromdata of context. filter new online content as well as translating and adding such as Global Voices use people – as websites well as development software Some – to information. relevant find content from RSS feeds, using keywords or search terms to with others. to improve their own websites, as well as share their work Many development websites are utilising this powerful tool information, thereby adding value to the original content. relevance – or through mash-ups – to combine sources of one place, or manipulated either using filters – to increase aggregatedintobe can Content turn. inwebsites the of are delivered directly to them without the need to visitand neweach content from multiple websites because updates phones. RSS feeds allow users to easily keep track of news mobilebetweenwebsites,asdevices platformssuchand by bookmarked being practitioners. is content development ingly relevanceofor ingorder sharein to withothers. Increas- people to ‘bookmark’ web pages which they find interest- 11

1 THEME SECTION 8 7 58 ‘Democracy walls’ Tips for Trainers for Tips walls’ ‘Democracy 58 PLA Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change (this issue) describes, the concept of These spaces were often occupied These by spaces often were occupied a of group 6 ChrisAddison There was a tangible sense of excitement about the As A democracy wall is a structured open space where people can post their ideas their post can people where space open structured a is wall democracy A conference, Web2forDev the at session http://blog.web2fordev.net See: plenary final the summarises article Chris’s “There was a tangible sense of sense a tangible was “There what for potential the about excitement applications. these with do can people ways just than more are tools 2.0 Web social highly are They communicating. of tools.” (Rambaldi, 2008). Read free online: http://tinyurl.com/c8gkn3 online: free Read 2008). (Rambaldi, journalists and other bloggers – writing reports, interviewing reports, writing – bloggers other and imme- journalists almost learnt they what sharing and participants other blog. Web2forDev the via diately and opinions in a free, focused and concise manner. Participants write their write Participants manner. of concise and pool focused shared free, a written, a in opinions generates It and on-the- paper. of provides and sheets large analysis on participatory observations further for used be can which reflections spot feedback during an event, helping to rapidly adjust facilitation to emerging See circumstances. changing and realities participants. the by made reflections and comments on based was which 6 7 8 The left hand represents key Web 2.0 tools. The right hand right The tools. 2.0 Web key represents hand left The them, using when address to need we issues the represents considering people, access, participation, based on insights useful the content,Chris impact. provides partici- and such issues as including and access own pants’ reflections, phones and a hostdemocracy of A other applications. There Fair. were also Share a including spaces participants’ busy one with reflections their share to participants enabled wall another. and presentations allowed participants to share information, share to participants allowed presentations and began, conference the before day The ideas. and experiences and about learn to participants many allowed day’ a ‘taster mobile wikis, as such tools, 2.0 Web some with experiment potential for what people can do with these applications. 2.0 Web than just more are tools ways of communicating. networks new foster help They tools. social highly are They and of build communities They practice. can how improve we organise, structure and share information Above with all, another. Web 2.0 is onenot just about laptops and broadband. A striking element of the conference was the Mobile phones. mobile of power the bring- on emphasis is repeated that revolution communications global a is telephony ing more and more inclusion to people from all over the unforeseen. previously ways in world can be as Web2forDev visualised an image of two hands. The The conference 5 , this issue). Journalists Brenda Zulu, Brenda Journalists Gnona Soré, Ramata Kokou Noel and Afangbedji the during blogging Tadégnon conference. Web2forDev Giacomo Rambaldi Giacomo and The conference itself was itself any unlike event The held at conference FAO Prior to the event, the organisers adopted a host of Web of host a adopted organisers the event, the to Prior and oversight? inequalities? pation and decision-making? tion? opment approaches? opment

Participants included ICT specialists, information and communication experts, Anja Barth Anja

and programme for the conference using tools such as wikis, as such tools using conference the for programme and groups discussion online and Skype as such applications VoIP ( 2.0 and other ICT tools to create online collaborative spaces. collaborative online create to tools ICT other and 2.0 The organisers were able to jointly elaborate the structure • Can • Web 2.0 applications challenge fundamental social • What are the challenges and barriers to people’s participa- people’s to barriers and challenges the are What • control, equity, access, as such factors address we do How • • How can Web 2.0 applications be integrated How with be devel- can • integrated Web 2.0 applications partici- people’s to contribute and facilitate they can How • the sectors of agriculture, rural development and natural resource management. The conference aimed to address issues such as: focused specifically on how Web 2.0 tools could be used to used be could tools 2.0 Web how on specifically focused in operating actors, development Southern of advantage the before. It had a vibrant and informal combined use of atmosphere.plenary discussions, small group sessions The tries tries in Africa, Europe and Latin America. The Web2forDev conference conference Web2forDev The and kind its of event international first the was Web2forDev coun- 40 over from people 300 than more together brought 5 researchers, trainers, application and system providers, software developers, policy developers, software providers, system and application trainers, researchers, makers, enablers and others working in the agricultural, rural development and sectors. management resource natural Photo: Holly Ashley Holly Photo: 12 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi Image: Regina Doyle and Andy Smith 9 practice. of community Web2forDev new a maintain and form to on changing the ways of working of participants and helpinghavehelped assessto whatimpact theconference hashad ence surveys, immediately after and one year after the event, nity of practice’ (Barth and Rambaldi, this issue). Two confer- a new ‘more committed, interlinked and dedicated commu- approaches to using Web 2.0 need to be interdisciplinary. connectivity, the ‘scale of change’ as tools develop – and how tion demonstrate, despite the potential of Web2forDev, of potential the despite demonstrate, tion theInternet stillis very limited. theAsarticles thisincollec- manypartsInworld,theof access technologiestheto and Beyond the digital divide: towards good practice Read the one-year post conference survey results online: http://tinyurl.com/656qyn power intheprocess. considerationsonof based be should use selection and theirandtools– otherof toolslikeanysetWeb2.0are [to myorganisation]ininvestigatingthesenewtools. evidence to back up the recommendations I put forward and confidence the me gave conference the Attending A keyaimAtheof Web2forDev conference wasfosterto 9 As one respondent wrote, Web2forDev and some of the more issue represents the two hands of The coverimageofthisspecial change isathand. these tools appropriately for you will, is that the power to use associated with it. The analogy, if widely-used keywords or ‘tags’ Editorial Board members commented on the repeated refer- 2.0 toolsfordevelopmentpurposes. tools for smart people’ – selecting the most appropriate Web to-face meetings.Zuckermanemphasisestheuseof‘simple more appropriate – from emailbe may discussioncommunications of forms lists accessible tomore Other, regular, face- the first place, you are still excluded (see e.g. Deh, this issue). without the literacy skills to access that information online in time people need to be online – and is aparticularlyimportantissue. where access and connectivity is both limited and costly,users For thisvoices? those find I can How hear? to want I do users feeling overwhelmed. What is important? Whose voices net access is still mostly limited to urban areas. using Web 2.0 tools in countries such asin Ghana,challenges inherent these where of some describes Inter- also issue) talkingareabout.’activitieswidthwe that make it very difficult to participate in many of the high band- world is still suffering from basic infrastructure problems that lives? As what are they using them for, and how is that issuesimproving of usagetheir and benefits: who is using ICTs/Webof privilege 2.0 thattools, many are denied. So we need to understand being able to participatethat sense in a is using There divide. Web digital 2.0the of toolsbecause actors implies a level Southern of exclusion increasing are tools 2.0 Web tries, informationmuch dominatedonlineisdeveloped by coun- usingWeb 2.0 technologies. One could argue that because ‘people’participate‘anyone’encestoandtobeingable in address. targeted services are challenges we must collectively seek to differentcreatingandstyle)audienceslanguage (bothand capacity to use the tools, the appropriateness of content for people’sconnectivity, Access, remain. issues fundamental of content available online (Zuckerman, this issue). In the In issue). this (Zuckerman, online available content of aggregators will help usersand to editors manage online the expert huge trusted, proliferation of emergence the and becomingmeaningcontextandisincreasingly importantrelevance, – for content online Filtering ways. key several in happening is This issue). this (Esterhuysen,connectivity’ mation – offering us an ‘opportunity for better use of limited 10 ownership of the design process. ideally bedoneinaparticipatorywayto give theusercommunitiesinputintoand according to a ‘needs assessment’ with user groups. The needs assessment would Targeted services are bundles of tools that are put together differently During the production of this special issue, one of the In fact, Web 2.0 tools can help to In addition, the sheer volume of online content can leave 10 Ethan Zuckerman Even with the use of e.g.audioEvenofvideowithuseandtheblogs, (this issue) points out, ‘lots of the improve reduce PrinceDeh access to infor- the amount of (this PLA 13

1 THEME SECTION Mary Nakirya Mary and and explores explores the lessons can can do with them. So it is people Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change Ednah Akiiki Karamagi Akiiki Ednah Anriette Anriette Esterhuysen For For example,

driven by technology hype and a narrow new approach to on the emphasis much ‘too with tools, the of appropriation prac- technologies, and and too little theory on the need to integrate development with with and skills, and tools other people many enabled have tools 2.0 Web In contrast, tice’. to explore these new technologies ‘on their own terms’ – these tools have because mostly focus a on social stronger imple- strategic on than rather networking decentralised and People before technology before People development, for applications and tools 2.0 Web using When by a technology- sidetracked not to it become is important about the driven hype, excitement tools where drives their usage, rather than what previ- from learnt lessons the of some on reflect to important tech- communication of information using ous experiences nologies for development – and consider the strategies, issues and to related Web 2.0 challenges integrating tech- approaches. development into nologies learnt in the paradigm shift communica- from information to Web2forDev. (ICT4D) for development technologies tion thinking development into ICTs mainstream to helped ICT4D the of scale of the and and issues connec- highlight access tivity in the developing world. ultimately,Yet ICT4D was settings than others. others. than settings describe the work of the Busoga Rural Open Source and in (BROSDI) Initiative Uganda. BROSDI works Development collect generate, to organisations farmer of a network with prac- agricultural effective about information local share and more and tools 2.0 of Web a range integrates BROSDI tice. traditional approaches – from blogs, mobile phones and digital radio to regular Knowledge SharingBrokers. Knowledge Village Forums with working and Author Ednah Akiiki Karamagi Akiiki Ednah Author with details contact exchanges participant conference another on presentation her after enhancing knowledge-sharing using communities rural in tools. 2.0 Web Photo: Holly Ashley Holly Photo: , this , , this issue). this , Kado Muir Kado and Ory Okolloh Ory Guy Singleton Guy , , this issue). Across the world, the mobile Jon Corbett Jon As the impacts of this new ‘revolution’ are starting are ‘revolution’ new this of impacts the As 11 One example is the way in which integrated online plat- online integrated which in way the is example One For example, through improved access to market information, they are helping are they information, market to access improved through example, For Roxanna Samii net (see also also (see net convenient means of communication than the Internet and Internet the than communication of means convenient telecom- in provision service of areas Expanding computers. munications infrastructure is helping to reduce Inter- costs the and and services phone mobile both to access improve line, the laptop and the need to connect to the Internet’ ( phone is becoming a more accessible, affordable and area that is helping to bridge the digital divide. In developing In divide. digital the bridge to helping is that area countries, people are making innovative uses land- ‘the bypass of to them simultaneously mobile enabling phones, The mobile phone revolution phone mobile The growth another is telephony mobile of popularity rising The to increase the spread of information and ideas – as well as well as – ideas and information of spread the increase to shifting the balance of power betweenconsumers of information. producers and relevant information for easier access and retrieval. RSS feeds RSS retrieval. and access easier for information relevant allow users to more easilyno also keepis trackinformation and – ofwebsites helped newsmultiple have from andcontent tools new These source. original its to confined longer same way, the use of social bookmarking websites is helping is websites bookmarking social of use the way, same people where information, of repositories valuable create to bookmarking development content is helping to signpost becoming the preferred tool for accessing and sharing infor- sharing and accessing for tool preferred the becoming mation. issue). Particularly in Africa, as the cost of services and hand- and services of cost the as Africa, in Particularly issue). sets continues to reduce, mobile phones are increasingly forms can blend the use of the Internet and mobile phones mobile and Internet the of use the blend can forms (see information receive and send to demonstrates also phone mobile the of popularity rising The how some Web 2.0 tools are more appropriate in some potential to become the first universally accessible informa- accessible universally first the become to potential technology. communication tion to to be assessed, Samii argues that mobile phones have the to reduce transportation and transaction costs and introducing new forms of forms new introducing and costs transaction and transportation reduce to income-generation (Samii, this issue). 11 information.” well as shifting the balance of power of balance the shifting as well of consumers and producers between “These tools have helped to increase to helped have tools “These – as ideas and information of spread the 14 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi something that weallhavetounderstand.’ istime,rightthe appropriateat thejobright the tools,for offer.canstandingtheywhat Zuckerman Aswrites,‘using under- as well as do can technologies the what learning factor in capacity building – adopting Webto is 2.0 challenge tools The involvesissue). this (Esterhuysen, inequalities,’ challengingcontextplatformstheof in fundamental social tions. We need to ensure that we begin to ‘appropriateflourishinfrastructure,to – theseaccessappropriateand applica- thatmarket forces will provide the basics for Web 2.0 tools ment in our work with people, information and technology.’priate,adaptandintegrate thesetechnologies fordevelop- 2009). Esterhuysen argues that we need to ‘holisticallyable,technologies appro-need tofactor insocial realities’ (Garside, into local languages are not taken into numbers.account.Contextual factors‘To such astranslation be ofmaterials sustain- catebecause itisbased onsimplistic indicators such asuser acceptance. The success of a pilot projectthatwork inis conjunction oftento build hardlocal capacity, to repli-content and Internet access without building community outreach acyservices and language. Pilot projects often supply equipment and issues still remain: access, connectivity, Clearly,demand. capacity-building,key fostering without supply technology liter- focused and user-driven. learning from early mistakesare andgeneral, in are field becoming ICT4D the morewith along they,people- arguably experiencedtechnology-drivensharetheirfairof andhype mentation by organisations. Web 2.0 technologies have also In development circles, there is also the risk of assuming Many donor-funded projects have a history of focusing on message. sending anSMS Elizabeth Chikusu Maize farmer

Photo: Alex Price – contains– short segments ofvideo content, which youcan (GINKS).Similar blog,toa video a blogor‘’ – forshort Sharing Knowledge for Network Information Ghana the blogging for information-sharing and advocacy purposes by video of use the onreflects also Deh access. Internet with online journal. It is an easy way to publish contentan likewebsite a for is‘log’) and ‘web’ peoplefor (short blog A one. transparent’and open ‘publiclymore a to communication of mode top-down traditional, more a from shift radical a represents blogging Kreutz, For ‘conversations’. online parencyandaccountability thatWeb 2.0tools canbring to trans- increased the to point Web2forDev of Proponents governance Web 2.0 tools for improving advocacy and activists and campaignindividuals, organisers – – could publishanyone their own which in way the altered radically websites,newsjournalismcitizeninternational ofnetwork volunteer-run a Indymedia, blogs, of use widespread the Okolloh; Zuckerman; Kreutz, this issue). For example, before help hold governments and institutions to account (see e.g. ities, experiences and perceptions, which can also be used to ical activism – helping to generate an overview of promoteshared thereal- spread of citizen , particularly in polit- to alertpeoplecauses. appropriatingthese tools to network with one another and friendsfamilyandonline.Yet campaigning groupsarealso Facebook – were created so that people could network with globalcommunity. Socialnetworks MySpacesuchas – and thecommunicatetoto unable otherwisebe might people sharingthatdocumentabusesrightswebsiteshumanthat exampleOnepublishingis photoswithcaptions photo- on prohibit.controlor toattempt to cost’‘social a havetools reluctantto prevent people from using them because these vativepurposes. Zuckerman’s governmentsthatisview are forrecreational purposes –can also be used for more inno- erman, this issue). Web 2.0 tools – many created specifically their own use or devising new tools to satisfy a need (Zuck- opment have been activists, either appropriating the tools for to gain popularity, there are relatively few of them. Yet while the use of blogging for development is beginning engage a broader public sphere into the developmentpotential sector.’ the has issues political or economical social, about out speaking to For approach bottom-up ‘this Kreutz, experiences. and work ongoing about information interviews,sharemembersofhelptoformvlogs these the watchonline without having downloadto them. Usually in Web 2.0 tools and mobile phones are also helping to helping also are phones mobile and tools 2.0 Web fact,mostearlyInadopters Webtoolsdevel- 2.0offor 15

1 THEME SECTION Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change Increased transparency also its presents own transparency challenges Increased It should be remembered that a tool does not make a 2.0 tools can also be used for propaganda and misinforma- and propaganda for used be Particularly also can tools 2.0 alike. state the and corporations activists, by – data tion verifying of issues also are there participation, mass with Okolloh as Yet information. of sources trusted creating and You sources. of patchwork a is crisis a in ‘Information writes, can only hope to up build by a as having many full picture possible.’ as sources activists created the Ushahidi website. Ushahidi (meaning ‘testimony’‘crowd- inThis Swahili)phones. enabledmobile or citizensInternet the via to sendeither in reports news events, of overview immediate an create to helped sourcing’ has Ushahidi reports. of repository time-indexed a as well as for applica- its potential to improve redeveloped now been example excellent – an situations crisis humanitarian in tion applica- 2.0 Web of series a integrates which mash-up, a of maps that allow interactive e.g. tions web-based including users to track reports from specific locations to monitor activity. of hotspots other any like advocacy, mobile-based and Web- campaign. Web advocacy campaign,Arguably, requires people,building. planning, timecapacity and and commitments, resource Jon Corbett and Tim and Corbett Jon of panel the on Kulchyski a plenary session at the conference. Web2forDev 12 13 (this issue) describes how in Kenya in how describes issue) (this Ory Okolloh Ory Similarly, Similarly, The New Statesman is an award-winning UK current affairs magazine. The magazine. affairs current UK award-winning an is Statesman New The www.indymedia.org.uk See:

Award for Advocacy 2002. Advocacy for Award coordinate reporting and mobile phones and SMS for gath- for SMS and phones mobile and reporting coordinate in news. jour- ering This citizen and revolution distributing Media New Statesman New the UK Indymedia earned nalism orate in publishing breaking news and protest reports, and reports, and protest news breaking in publishing orate made Volunteers discourse. and discussion political for space widespread use of wikis and online to ter, they opened the doors to self-publishing. Then, as now, as Then, self-publishing. to doors the opened they ter, demonstratorsplatforms provided were Indymedia often demonisedmarginalised. voices in thedissenting collab- presscould andpeople heard, be could voices alternative where news online and share information. By providing a news plat- news a providing By information. share and online news form with that anyone to access Internet allowed instantly regis- to need the without pictures and reports their publish tion. During the election about crisis in 2007, information a media access blackout to unable were citizens that meant events unfolding on the ground. So a group of Kenyan an innovative an website innovative was for developed sharing informa- New Media Awards celebrate UK new media projects that benefit society, benefit that projects media new UK celebrate Awards Media New www.newstatesman.com/nma See: democracy. or government 12 13 Photo: Guy Singleton Guy Photo: 16 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi ment can be more cost-effective than developing whole new as Zuckerman argues, appropriating these tools for develop- ManyWeb 2.0 tools are free or low-cost ‘off-the-shelf’ and Developing and adapting appropriate Web 2.0 tools interests, and the individuals or groups publishingapplies equally information. to repressive states, organisations with vested This threatening.’extremely is audience online global tially (Zuckerman, this issue). ‘Letting everybody speak to a poten- ware development. ware soft- aroundprocess open more much a to cases many in they are designed, or what they are designed for. participate in using them, but mostly have no control inparticipatory. can less howMany often are which – tools these ipatory use there is also the issuedevelopment of the designfor processes for tools new purposes. And although many Web 2.0 tools havedevelop a partic- necessary if and also often unrealistic to design completely new tools. Givenresourcesthe involved softwarein development, is it platforms. photo-sharing online example for applications, integrated into the original product. In a similar way therewaysimilar a original product.theInintegrated into or addedeasily the be functionalityto new enable which ons) encourage platforms and development thirdapplicationspartyof (plug-insadd- and software, tools, of ers stream activity for software developers. Increasingly, publish- an immediate need. This approach has now become a main- hacking and combining tools to produce new services to fulfil the software development process. overusersdialoguewith engaging problemsin andto ing blogs,plannedinformingdevelopments,ofusers respond- it is now almost obligatory for developers to have their own back from users through email and online discussion forums, progressivesoftware developers have always solicited feed- collaboration.morefeedbackandWhile user potential for greater with – development software in culture ipatory been developedusingOSS. make them publicly available. Many Web 2.0 platforms have ment forward: people make improvements to software and torapidly add toand adapt these tools and drives develop- non-commercial nature of the software allowsof other people development the common programming interfaces. Theseencouraged interfaces plushas the it domain public 14 For more information on OSS see glossary, p.122 (this issue). The increasing use of open source software (OSS) has led However,mayalsoweneed consider to adapting them Activists were often the first people to start playing with, In fact, Web 2.0 has helped to foster an increasing partic- 14 Because OSS code is available in the in available is code OSS Because 15 and topositivelyengageyouth insuchactivities. demonstrating the power of the tools for advocacyacclaim, international purposes win to on went subsequently video The websites.video-sharing on published then was which video short a produce to youths of group a with worked video project, where the project team and community elders digital tools. Particularlyother successfuland 2.0 wasWeb of a participatoryuse the digitalthrough youth and elders community Aboriginal between divide generational the how an innovative project sought to find ways to help bridgeopment. revitaliseaimingto cultureenhance communityand devel- this issue). (Zuckerman, project the to contribute and edit can anyone who has an Internet connection and who is literate createdliterallybyhundreds andthousands peopleof– of multiple different language versions of Wikipedia has been the on generated content The wikis. of power the strates this issue). Wikipedia is a phenomenon that clearly demon- online resources and materials (see e.g. Rambaldi and Barth, interactiondocumentsdevelopingonore.g. collections work of and collaborate to together online. people Applications like wikisfor can facilitate greater ability the is enhanced tools 2.0 Web using of benefit fundamental One Learning to share: collaborative online spaces pages, such as Pageflakes or iGoogle. or Pageflakes as such pages, designed specifically for creating customisable personal start-or videos. Userspictures, can text, eitherit be do this feeds, themselves, RSS or usemultiple a from platform content mash-up could be just creating a page that pulls in different ‘mash-ups’datafromof multiple sources. simplest,itsAt a portableon the Internet, allowing users to create their own be combined to create new functionalities. tionalfunctionality dynamicandcontent. alsoWidgetscan tions which can be easily added to a website toapplica- portable mini provide‘widgets’: in explosion an addi-been has mash-up is one that actually combines data sources to sources producedata newa set of data orservice that was not provided combines actually that one is mash-up new resource. themselvesare adding value toexisting data and creating a onlinemaps(seee.g. Okolloh, thisissue). thisInway, users with combined be can events about data how is example publisher.good original A the by intended) necessarily (or See: www.pageflakes.com and www.google.co.uk/ig Web 2.0 tools can also be particularly useful for projects Web 2.0 tools have also made content much more much content made also have tools 2.0 Web JonCorbett , Guy SingletonGuy and 15 A more advanced more A Kado MuirKado discuss 17

1 THEME SECTION Tim Tim Kulchyski and Jon Corbett Jon Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change Building and maintaining vibrant online communities for communities online vibrant maintaining and Building Increasingly, commercial sectors are using these tools for tools these using are sectors commercial Increasingly, wariness of possible reprisals; or a reluctance of humanitar- of reluctance a or reprisals; possible of wariness information. crisis share to agencies ian resources and time building, capacity requires development arti- the throughout identified are requirements these and – cles in this to collection. One challenge is to understand and development, for spaces online collaborative to contribute all above and timely relevant, generate holistically and share there are other issues fundamental we useful content. Yet of. aware be to need also experience, allocating adequate resources to maintaining and maintaining to resources adequate allocating experience, updating information on blogging websites is crucial to ensuring the community’s interest in using it. Likewise,Okolloh (this issue) compares the success of the Ushahidi platform in Kenya to its less successful deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. participate; This to may have been for a motivation public of lack a reasons: of number realising it, for data example location-specific or YouTube or when Facebook like websites content is uploaded to on is Maps. Google entered when rights property of intellectual the importance discuss using Web 2.0 tools for development. In this new era of on that is the shared Inter- information computing’, ‘social net is usually publicly communities accessible. The authorsHul’q’umi’num’-speaking with describe working a project Intellectual property, privacy and security and privacy property, Intellectual As we have seen,online. Webinformation share 2.0 and toolsinteract we ways havethe enhance the potential to who as such Issues required. is caution of a word However, consid- careful need generated information the to access has the in safety of issues consider to important also is It eration. sensi- culturally uploaded being Is the information process. of this information making What tive? the are implications by risk at put be may Who audience? broader a to available sharing this information? Who is using this information without your knowledge – and for what purposes? social marketing and to promote brand images. peopleOften, concede their privacy and/or intellectual property rights over to information online without service providers “Building and maintaining vibrant maintaining and “Building development for communities online and time building, capacity requires resources.” Duncan 17 Members of the interna- the of Members 16 describes the development of the Forest Connect Forest the of development the describes Many Web 2.0 websites are established with the best of best the with established are websites 2.0 Web Many Because the tools are easy to use and accessible, Web 2.0 Web accessible, and use to easy are tools the Because Online social networking websites are another phenome- another are websites networking social Online See also our short introductions to social networking, social bookmarks and RSS and bookmarks social www.forestconnect.ning.com. networking, See social to introductions short our also See and share relevant information via the website itself. website the via information relevant share and number of genuinely active members. In addition, the website the addition, In members. active genuinely of number find utilises the power categorise, of social and bookmarking RSS to feeds to able are people which in ways the enhance tional Forest Connect Alliance had expressed a strong demand strong a expressed had Alliance Connect Forest tional prac- state-of-the-art about information-sharing for greater increasing an tice in small and Since enterprises. forest its medium-sized attracted has network social online the creation, Macqueen offered. As Kreutz emphasises in relation to blogging, ‘Atten- blogging, to relation in emphasises Kreutz As offered. persevere to need You guaranteed. not are visitors and tion to This or is find you.’ find help the the audience audience also echoed by Corbett and Kulchyski (this issue). In their nent, resourced and moderated. Good intentions and the to themselves in sufficient not are establishment of cost low of the and services upkeep relevance the long-term ensure ing curve involved in testing and adopting them. perti- kept are they that taken be to needs care yet intentions, Rambaldi, this issue). However, the organisers also faced chal- faced also organisers the However, issue). this Rambaldi, from choosing tools, new explore to hesitancy as learn- such lenges steep the and available, applications 2.0 Web many the cation of these tools needs to have a clear utility and purpose and utility clear a have to needs tools these of cation that is both and appropriate For demand-driven. example, the of process has the conference organising Web2forDev and (Barth practice of a community building to contributed community organisations or individuals. Simply making these making Simply individuals. or organisations community – and create to need also We enough. not is available tools appli- The information-sharing. of – a culture value to learn urgent or clear need for information. But however useful the useful however But information. for need clear or urgent using in participate to motivated be to need still people tools, them – whether they are donors, development agencies, tools can quickly fulfil a need, e.g. in response to crises or an or crises to response in e.g. need, a fulfil quickly can tools networks or communities of practice. For example, For example, of practice. or communities networks website. networking social online others who share common interests and/or activities and who and activities and/or interests common share who others and what other each about more in learning interested are they do. They can be used to target, create or enhance community platforms which are similar to websites but offer but websites to similar are which platforms community specific interactive features and tools. network Anbrings people together and online enables them to find social non that development practitioners are recognising as increas- as recognising are practitioners development that non of generation new a are networks social Online useful. ingly feeds, Tips for trainers, this issue.. this trainers, for Tips feeds, 16 17 18 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi 20 19 18 their own profile page. See also Socialpermanent networking, archive this of allissue. material uploadeduploaded –by even members. after Indeleted addition, by the some member websites from such as Facebook retain a party platforms. own server space may be more appropriate than using third content management system (CMS) that can be run on your sophisticated more a using issue, major a is data securing if So network. social a up’ ‘back cannot you community, online social networking platforms canparty third create while And information. a their to vibrant happens what online of control in not are subscribers instances, such in – pear tions and services, the service may alter, malfunctionapplica-thirdpartysubscribingaddition,whento there. In or disap- trust that information you have uploaded online will remain ‘backedsomewhereup’)advisablenot isoffline elseto it – (or stored safely be always should data digital that is tice terms of using your data and what rights you have to have you rights recall/deletewhat and your data.data your using of terms permission.Findwhatoutrightsservice the provider inhas providersretain therightuseyourtomaterial service without your some – network online an joining before service uploadingpersonal information. Always check theterms of and as with anything on the Internet always be careful about that we enter and upload on our social networking websites outside oftheHul’q’umi’num’communities. limited access to these important cultural resourceslimitedwasregistered to forusersonly. peoplethisway,In projectthe sharing websites. In addition, accessvideo- public toon theuploaded were community's segments video blog selected knowledge within their own communities. For example, only valuabletheirculturalstrategicallyretainof much tochose participants project the how describe authors the Here, materials. learning language develop to – tools 2.0 Web and video participatory including – approaches of range a based in Canada to revitalise their language. The project used tries for promoting criticism of authorities. stateshavealso banned theuseFacebookof theirin coun- 2007;Mishra,withoutLee,e.g.2009).warning(seeSome accountsparticulartheshutof individuals online groupsor addition, there have been instances where such services have imprisonedeven asand a jobs result oftheir informationlost they have blacklisted, published. been In have people – socialnetworks meansasa ofsurveillance anddata mining other many and Facebook of use the regardingexpressed For more information about CMS see SocialFor more networking, discussion, p.112 see (thishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Facebook issue). For example, Facebook and YouTube retain the rights to use any information There is also the issue of backing up your data. Best prac- We need to be clear about who owns the information the owns who about clear be to need We 20 18 There have also been some concerns 19 ateness of these tools is fundamental.istoolsthese Implementingatenessof these effectivenessappropri-evaluatingtheMonitoring andand Evaluating effectiveness arekey.” developmentprojects and processes integrating Web2.0 tools into benefit.Multidisciplinary approaches to cannotparticipate – and who will carefulconsideration of who can or “Implementingthese tools requires a from these tools and in what way? For example, what arewhatexample, For way? what in and toolsthesefrom benefitedhas who –outputs just than outcomesrather at Analytics. Google as providerssuchstatistics website partythird and tools (unique visitors, number of document downloads etc.) statistics website of range a are there monitoring of type to monitor outputs such as numbers of users? For this simple are we trying to monitor and evaluate – are we attempting what informationisresource,here importantquestionthe niques putinplacetomonitorthe‘success’oftools. tech- and technologies, new to introduction slow a ing, them. This involves a strong element of local capacity build- owning the combinationsand of tools defining which them are by appropriate driven for importantly – technologies nities have a strong, sustained interest in ICTs and Web 2.0 mobile text message services and newsletters. ALIN commu- ers with Internet access, a cross-network online web portal, radio and drama, focal groups,community participatory video,including comput- tools, traditional and ICT-based of as‘info-mediaries’ – are available, along with a wide range needs.Localoutreachact trainandbothvolunteerswho – information own their drive to communities empowers nity trust by involving existing traditional social networks and Network (ALIN) within East Information Africa. The ALINLands approach Arid builds the commu- by provided is ties approach to adopting Web 2.0 tools within local communi- and what tools are appropriate in individual contexts? projects and processes are key. How do we decide whether Multidisciplinary benefit. approacheswill to integrating Web 2.0 tools into development who and – participate tools requires a careful consideration of who can or cannot A more nuanced definition of ‘success’ means looking means ‘success’ of definition nuanced more A or tool particular a of ‘success’ evaluating of terms In needs-based people-focused, a of example One 19

1 THEME SECTION Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web hand: at Change These frameworks are useful in approaches to 21 In addition, many within the development community may community development the within many addition, In We should also not assume that market forces will For example see ‘Impact Assessment of ICT-for-Development Projects: A Projects: ICT-for-Development of Assessment ‘Impact see example For Compendium of Approaches’ www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/ Approaches’ of Compendium publications/wp/di/di_wp36.htm 21 assessing outcomes where there is direct physical access to access physical direct is there where outcomes assessing are They on ground. the tools 2.0 Web using communities less usefulsuch – whereusers anonymous often the and toolsdispersed geographically are used by a network of as an NGO using an activ- interactiveparticipatory tracking, automated the Here purposes. websiteinfer- to for aids are advocacymentioned tools survey and monitoring, ity ring outcomes and development impacts. that these services will extend to wherever there is a need. So need. a is there wherever to extend will services these that to to support for donors continue it important is vitally still indi- simplistic using beyond services of implementation the profitability. as such cators Ways forward Ways develop- to implementing approaches The most successful – self-sustaining that those are become ment programmes to become funding on donor a reliance from away shifting using initiatives to equally apply would This demand-driven. collec- this in articles the As 2009). (Garside, tools 2.0 Web these that services the if happen can this demonstrate, tion in as rele- and are perceived tools offer Web 2.0 applications information up-to-date and important offer they that vant, a way that builds on technologies that are low-cost and in already use (such as mobile phones), and if the impacts effectiveness. for evaluated and monitored are infra- and development the supporting for basis the provide for structure Web 2.0 for Web Privately-run development. assume cannot we But profitable. become may services 2.0 nities. 2.0 tools. In the broader field of ICT for development there development for ICT of field broader the In tools. 2.0 meas- in particularly emerging, frameworks useful some are commu- pilot on ICTs introduced newly of effects the uring “The most successful approaches to approaches successful most “The programmes development implementing – self-sustaining become that those are donor on a reliance from away shifting This demand-driven. become to funding using initiatives to equally apply would tools.” 2.0 Web The reality is that because Web 2.0 is relatively new and new relatively is 2.0 Web because that is reality The When it comes to more anonymous and widely Practical techniques to perform mapping have been One promising approach that has been used within local within used been has that approach promising One impact is difficult to infer from the mere existence of infor- of existence mere the from infer to difficult is impact mation networks, we have not developed mature formal mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the impacts of Web and and platforms pages provide the or ability to items order and rank times popu- of number the or use of instances larity, to. linked are from user profile data, and webpage visitor patterns can be can patterns visitor webpage and data, profile user from and users network the about information more gain to used tools 2.0 Web many Additionally, behaviours. changing their demonstrate how interesting and socially relevant a website a relevant socially and interesting how demonstrate of variety A network. the of users to are information its and approaches from user surveys, to harvesting information involvement (e.g.linked bookmarked, leaving tagged, repurposed, is comments)content website or else how the to, mashed-up and shared down the line. This helps to dispersed social networks with hundreds, possibly thousands possibly hundreds, with networks social dispersed of users, measuring outcomes is extremely challenging. evaluation needs However, to at the very least infer direct networks are effected when new Web 2.0 tools (such as SMS as we can(such bettertools 2.0 understandWeb new when how changeseffected are to thesenetworks social introduced. are systems) pricing market web-based and such as the 2007). Net-map(Schiffer, This Toolbox makes social network mapping accessible to development practi- mapped, been have networks social local the Once tioners. pioneered by organisations such as the Consultative Group as such the Consultative by organisations are pioneered there And (CGIAR). Research Agricultural used, be International on can that activities workshop-based non-ICT of host a uses the technologies and whether development benefits it. from arise structures act as information distribution networks. They are They networks. distribution information as act structures provides them Mapping knowledge. new of source trusted a a guide for Web introducing 2.0 tools in a socio-culturally who measure better to a template as well as way, sensitive tools tools to These analyse a social provide network structures. for proxy a map’ ‘knowledge of flows. Within information social these relationships, business across and communities itly linked to development impacts. to communities outcome changes understanding is to use Web 2.0) social network membership as a baseline reference baseline a as membership network social 2.0) Web and applying a range of techniques to monitor change in implic- be can then that change) behavioural (e.g. outcomes the the outcomes of new introducing Web 2.0 market pricing tools in a local farming community? understandTo this better it is useful to have knowledge of our existing (non- 20 1

THEME SECTION Holly Ashley,Jon Corbett, Dave Jones, Ben Garside and Giacomo Rambaldi robust monitoring and evaluation more techniques. and better develop to scientists computer as well as groups of practitioners that include socialopmentwork. This means scientists,bringing together multidisciplinary economists, practice if these tools are to be betterto demonstrate mainstreamedthe benefits intoand identify devel-both best and worst academic evaluationofsuchfindings.’Furtherworkisneeded Web2.0usagewithin thecommunity, andthecomparative evidencesupportto whatthey seetheas impact ICTofand communitybetweenmemberswhatconsidervalidgap a is to harness change. As Corbett, Singletonstill needand furtherMuir convincingwrite, about‘There the power of Web 2.0 tools [email protected]. Email: [email protected] The Netherlands Wageningen Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Giacomo Rambaldi Email: [email protected] UK London, WC1H0DD 3 Endsleigh Street, Development (IIED) International Institute for Environment and Sustainable Markets Group Ben Garside Email: [email protected] Independent mediaconsultant Dave Jones Email: [email protected] Canada University ofBritishColumbiaOkanagan Community Culture and Global Studies Jon Corbett Email: [email protected] UK London, WC1H0DD 3 Endsleigh Street Development (IIED) International Institute for Environment and Participatory Learning and Action Holly Ashley CONTACT DETAILS series Web2fordev Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ http://tinyurl.com/oecdWeb2 social networking and User-Created Content: Web 2.0, wikis and Vickery, G. and Wunch-Vincent, S. (2007) Brighton presented to DSA Annual Conference 2007, Studies: Towards Development 2.0.’ Paper Thompson M.(2007)‘ICTandDevelopment See: http://netmap.wordpress.com International Food Policy Research Institute. mapping ofsocialnetworks. Schiffer, E. (2007) facebook-on-digiactive DigiActive.org. See:http://tinyurl.com/ hackers.’ Blogarticle,17thApril2009. Activism: walled gardens, activists and Mishra, G.(2009)‘ThePerilsofFacebook (1.6 MB) www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-ict-web.pdf rural areas Participatory Web: New potentials of ICT in Matthess, A. and Kreutz, C. (2008) buzzwords_faceb.html www.ericlee.info/2007/11/bandwagons_and_ Buzzwords.’ Eric Lee blog. Online: Lee, E.(2007)‘Laborstart:Bandwagonsand http://wiki.kabissa.org/web_2.0/start Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. Online: licensed under a Creative Commons Lindenberg Center. The content of this Wiki is Civil Society.’ A report prepared for the Marc Kabissa wiki (Ongoing) ‘Web 2.0 in African http://tinyurl.com/IIED-ICTbriefing Briefing Papers.IIED:London.Online: inclusive informationtechnologies Garside, B.(2009). REFERENCES . GTZ: Germany. Online: . OECD.Online: Net-map Toolbox: Influence Village voice: towards and ways forward. ways and challenges the on reflections wider critical as the well as both potential demonstrate will articles of collection spread within development circles – but we hope that this the use of Web 2.0 tools for development is not yet wide- that is clear is What others. than mature more are ence experi- of areas Some learnt. being still are lessons tice, new. As with any new and emerging community of prac- relatively still are development for tools 2.0 Web using of experiences their them, of become many for has that is what apparent articles, of collection this create to CGIAR/ In fact, from our experience in working with authors with working in experience our from fact, In . IIED The Web

THEME SECTION 21 is a page or collection or page a is

wiki 2 : : these tools are used to jointly First, we find ourselves with a left hand full of Web 2.0 tools: 2.0 Web of full hand left a with ourselves find we First, use not do we if development for use no are tools these However, It contains regular commentary, descriptions of events, or of events, descriptions commentary, regular It contains to means ‘blog’ To videos. or photos as such material other maintain or add content to a blog. and Wikis social networks A ideas. exchange and develop it accesses who anyone enable to designed pages web of to or contribute modify Wikis content. are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community Box 1: The two hands of Web2forDev of hands two The 1: Box The topic of Web 2.0 for Development is like the fingers of two hands. two of fingers the like is Development for 2.0 Web of topic The When work. development of component one represents finger Each interaction the consider to need we tools, 2.0 Web with working hand. each of finger each between • Blogging networks social and Wikis • bookmarking social and Tagging • Feeds • • Mash-ups a by provided were approaches These approaches. of hand right our number of conference participants: People • Access • Participation • • Content • Impact • 2 (short for (short The The left hand blog 1 : blogs and video blogs are used to publish our ) is a website, usually maintained by an individual. an by maintained usually website, a is )

In every training event since, I still find myself using the using I myself find since, still event In training every Blogging A images. or speech words, in content own Web log Web This article is based on the comments and observations of the conference the of observations and comments the on based is article This Pete Cranston explains the five tools at http://blip.tv/file/406897/ 2 1 participants, which were brought together during the final plenary session. For session. plenary final the during together brought were which and Barth participants, also and p.8 overview, the see conference, the about information more Rambaldi, p.95 (this issue). • At the the Web2forDevabout conference, Pete conference Cranston of Oxfamprevious a from story useful a provided 2.0. Web understand to tools key five know to need Left hand of Web2forDev: five key Web 2.0 tools 2.0 Web key five Web2forDev: of hand Left case at the Web2forDev conference in 2007. A complicated A 2007. in conference Web2forDev the at case was conference summarised by two hands. It It is not up when often summing that at you a conference find yourself withthe was this a summaryYet field. the in work whichday-to-day for mnemonic becomes a useful Introduction by CHRIS ADDISON CHRIS by

a conference summary a conference The two hands of Web2forDev: of hands two The Box 1). how we use them. (see sector development the to 2.0 Web explain to hands two represents the tools neededto in approach Web our 2.0.in Theaddress to rightneed we handissues the represents 2 22

THEME SECTION Chris Addison wikis through together Working issue). this Nakirya, and magi communicating development issues (see Deh and also Kara- ( bloggingvideo and ging GhanaEdnahandKaramagiaboutblog-Uganda how in– DevelopmentSeedstheir in description theofsystems they • • • a free online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. See: http://en.wikipedia.org 4 3 The descriptions for these Web 2.0 tools are adapted from entries in ForWikipedia, a definition of ‘’ see glossary, p.121 (this issue). sonomy’. user-generatedonline‘folk- a referredoftenas is to tags browsing or searching using that keyword. A collection of by again found be to it allow and item an describe help information. Tags are chosen informally and personally. Tags Feeds thoughts. A Tagging ties. communitiesshareinterestspeoplewhoof and/or activi- websites. and audiofiles. into a single integrated tool, e.g. using text, photos, videos application that combines dataweb a fromis moremash-up A than others. oneand sourceourselves for together Mash-ups ally on the Internet. published,withoutsearchhavingmanu-themyoutofor are they as soon as place, one in articles and headlines e.g. content new to links aggregate feeds RSS content. RSS feedsallowyoutoseewhenwebsitesaddnew spread the word to other websites and across the Internet. During the conference, we heard from Prince Deh in Deh Prince from heard we conference, the During and : RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Simple (Really RSS : we also use tags and bookmarks to order our order to bookmarks and tags use also we : social networking platforms networking social 3 Social networking tools : mash-ups help to bring a view of the web the of view a bring to help mash-ups : tag 4 is a keyword or term assigned to a piece of vlogging ) could play their role in roletheir play could ) focus on building online was presented by presented was feeds are used to used are feeds platforms they reach northern audiences throughhow showed theOxfam agencies. development for built had 6 5 we measure impact? ing to a positive change of progress and innovation? How do whilewithout measuring impact. Are these tools contribut- • whom? Forwhatpurposes? With shared? being is information What type). and media • Who canorcannotparticipate,andwhy? participation? facilitate we do How motivations. consider • information you want to share using these tools? access to the tools? Who can or cannot read or listen to the have not does and does Who language. and connectivity • priate? for,andwith appro- toolsconsideringtheAreneeds. their • we do not use our right hand of approaches: However, these Web 2.0 tools are no use for development if Right hand of Web2forDev: five key approaches produce Global Voices (see also Zuckerman, this issue). ent perspectives from around the world into one website, to explained how the by Euforic in the way they had built an entire website around See: http://delicious.com See: www.myspace.com and www.facebook.com Impact Content People Access Participation social bookmarking social : lastly – and most importantly – none of this is worth : we need to look at the people we use the tools the use we people the at look to need we : : it is important to remember issues of access, of issues remember to important is it : : it is important to consider issues of content (style, MySpace and Facebook.andMySpace RSS feeds : we need to support participation and participation support to need we : tool Delicious. tool were used to bring together differ- created by Jon Corbett during The ‘two hands’ image, for thefinalplenarysession. the Web2forDev conference 5 Tagging 6 Ethan Zuckerman Ethan social networking was describedwas 23

2 THEME SECTION Photo: P. Pirani, Euforic Pirani, P. Photo: The two hands of Web2forDev: a conference summary conference a Web2forDev: of hands two The to be ‘exciting, immediate, and empowering – everyone has everyone – empowering and immediate, ‘exciting, be to a say’. Tags on the web materials on tagging observations Participants’ This approaches. and tools other on than limited more were were participants the of few where area an be to seemed still working. However, the interesting thing was to see how Blogs For many at the conference, blogs allow you to reach as Because many issue). people as possible this with your ideas and use them Kreutz, to also (see material unread highlight bloggers like to link between each others’blogs websites,entries, blog andand comments their tag authors because create useful networks between related websites. Video blogging, or vlogging, seemed particularly appeal usefulvisual to immediate civilits of because organisations society (see Deh this issue). thoughts our Wikis structure to way a provided wiki conference The sched- annotated an provide to conference, the preparing in ule during the conference and to form a report after the conference (see also Barth and Rambaldi, this issue). The showed conference the before day the session introductory Perhaps time. first the for tool useful this to use how to many participants by expected as much as used not was wiki the reference important an became certainly it but content, add wiki the found they that commented participant One point. A snapshot of participants’ comments on one of the the at Walls Democracy conference. Web2forDev Anriette 9 58 ‘Democracy PLA Using these and other comments made in made comments other and these Using 8 7 Throughout the conference participants emphasised how emphasised participants conference the Throughout Flickr is a free to use image and video hosting website and online community online and website hosting video and image use to free a is Flickr DGroups is an online platform offering tools and services for groups and groups for services and tools offering platform online an is DGroups ideas their post can people where space open structured a is wall democracy A means that Internet users can use these captions to post politically sensitive texts online, which some governments to. access Internet people’s block otherwise might authoritiesthe arehow about reluctantspoke issue) (this Zuckerman toEthan example, block access to them. For website Flickr allows anyone to popular photo-sharing put also this but – others with share to photos their on captions that because many Web 2.0 tools are in mass use are 2.0 they are tools many Web that because use to want users Internet many so Because ban. to difficult purposes, social mainstream uncontroversial, for tools these One participant observed that while a lot of Web 2.0 tools 2.0 a of lot while Web that observed participant One used be also can they entertainment, for be to thought were for business. Ethan Zuckerman (this issue) made the point Why use Web 2.0 for development? for 2.0 Web use Why democracy walls. democracy Web2forDev partici- from learnt lessons some out drew session final The encouraged been had Participants conference. at the pants conference the on observations and thoughts their write to Matching the left and right hands: tools in action at action in tools hands: right and left the Matching can use the tools to facilitate livelihood benefits. But equally, But benefits. livelihood facilitate to tools the use can factor. interest an provides and in users draws ‘fun’ Esterhuysen (this issue) talked aboutdevel- a From theentertainment. for trade-offs2.0 Web using of benefits and opment perspective, those with sufficient access to them its users’ needs. ‘Web 2.0 before Web 2.0’ – is DGroups, with over 100,000 over with DGroups, is – 2.0’ Web before 2.0 ‘Web soft- latest the was it because not was This users. registered matched it because but – tool sophisticated most and ware and necessary. We heard repeatedly how certain tools were tools certain how repeatedly heard We necessary. and better matched than others to groups of different people. One of the most successful tools – by considered some as important it is not just to promote the tools but to start with start to but tools the promote to just not is it important relevant are tools which decide to and – involved people the model. the final workshop, their comments were then summarised then were comments their workshop, final the and matched against the components of the two hands 9 7 8 platform, where users can upload, view and share images and video clips. See clips. video and images share and view upload, can users where platform, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flickr Source: www.flickr.com. communities interested in international development. See: www.dgroups.org www.dgroups.org See: development. international in interested communities See manner. concise and focused free, a in opinions and walls’ Tips for Trainers (Rambaldi, 2008). Read free online: free Read 2008). (Rambaldi, Trainers for Tips walls’ http://tinyurl.com/c8gkn3 2 24

THEME SECTION Chris Addison ‘Web2forDev’. as Internet the onto uploaded they which conference the retrieving information. navigation whilst keywords and taxonomy have emerged for withparticular keywords, tags.or Tagging oftenis used for tagged content seeks actively that community online any and allows their content to be featured on other websites by the author to organise their articles, structure them in a blog, 11 10 lines todecidethebestwaytagcouldbeused. thisissue). Theonly issue withthis was theneed for guide- opinionsaround the meeting (see also Barth and Rambaldi, content away. bringnew audiences toyour website. They donot just give ‘feeding’themothertointerested Internet users, thishelps and content new to links together gathering by because are a form of marketing and advertise your content tostanding others, of what – and how – feeds share information.misunder-a todue wasthis that and sharecontent new– Feeds to feeds RSS using resistingwere organisations many that to unlock valuable new content from websites. They also felt Many participants felt Internet. there the on was manually a needthem for to search move to to having RSSyou feeds headlines and articles, as soon as they are published, without online. They aggregate links to new content in one place e.g.RSS feeds help to filter the sheer volume of content available Feeds and provide a structured method of retrieval. items ofambiguity classification,avoidassist to developed has and community broader a serve to derived is normally Taxonomy keywords.’ those use who searchers other for betterinformation organisingdimension, social a have popular use to start and keywords used by others to describeInternet, similar content. the to upload they words are used over and over again as people ‘tag’ material commonly-used as emerge keywords, tagging popular of hierarchical folksonomies. These folksonomies, or collections Christian Kreutz explained how taggingexample, For isways. different in usedtagging use users to Internet create non- (this issue). http://blog.web2fordev.net and www.crisscrossed.net. See also theyTagging, had written p.117about the conference when writing posts on blogs such as Wikipedia. particular classification arranged in a hierarchical structure. Adapted from source: For example, conference participants were encouraged to tag any comments Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification. A taxonomy is a Participantswere encouraged tagallitemstorelated to Another emphasised the opportunities for sharing. ‘Tags 11 This led to a vast repository of ideas and ideas of repository vast a to led This 10 Tagging allows 13 12 www.netvibes.com. or Netvibes. See: www.google.co.uk/ig; www.pageflakes.com; feeds, seethepageopposite. from blogs, wikis and tagged documents through the use of cal knowledge. An example of this is a user’s personal user’s a website start-page. is iGoogle exampleanis oftenwethis useon of example An knowledge. cal ownview ofcontent without the need for in-depth techni- their ‘mash-up’individuals how is futurethe for point key then restructured and in waysseparated that being allow are for novel formspresentation of and reuse.’ Themation phenomenon:infor-samethat the offacets allare[these] mind my ‘In observation. interesting an made participant One maps. to websites from ranging examples intriguing our training courses. combining maps with text, photos, and/or videos. from different sources – that are alreadyand – information of availabledifferenttypesreuse restructure and online, such combine, to users allow ‘mash-ups’ tools, 2.0 Web Using Mash-ups skills of how to encouragetoparticipation howcapacitybuildskills ofand where access was possible, people were looking for the key Web 2.0 tools available in languages other than English.constraintsaboutotherkeylanguage, few assuchso with Even and how both are affected by business– supplies andpower unreliable and politics.Africa across connectivity We heard ent ways. Time and again, we heard about variable Internet matterhow useful they are. Access was illustrated in differ- However, you still need access to the tools to use them – no Access benefits tobothlivesandlivelihoods. that when combined with the right approaches can facilitate tools of sets (ICTs)technologiessimplyare tion general, in is meaningless. Web 2.0 tools and information communica- the both content content, itself and meansthe of sharing this content/knowledgegenerate to people the Without technologies.hypenewovershouldthethelostingetnot from two participants in the final wrapping up session. The people-centred approach was emphasised by comments People connected bythesetools. are who peopleit’s the about– tools the aboutIt’s not iGoogle isapersonalisedwebstart-page. SimiliarplatformsincludePageflakes For more information on mash-ups, see glossary, p.122 (this issue). Again and again we heard, ‘It’s all about people’. We people’. about ‘It’s all heard, we again and Again 13 For an example of the combined input 12 We saw 25

2 THEME SECTION , this issue). This worked This , issue). this et et al. The two hands of Web2forDev: a conference summary conference a Web2forDev: of hands two The much on the audience we are trying to reach. The new tools new The reach. to trying are we audience the on much example for working, of way different a completely provide time, one at a document on work to people many allowing review the structure to need still we times still are there but and relevance and clarity will final editing Quality, process. of used, the process need still regardless to be maintained, tools. 2.0 Web or pencil a using whether Content Whatever the new technology, the same concerns about northern how about concerned were Some remain. content information continues to dominate new Web 2.0 services. capture, readily more to way a as tools new the saw Others (see e.g. Karam- content local and share validate generate, Corbett and Nakirya; and agi literacy where materials video and audio for well particularly 2.0 Web addition, In use. their to impediment an of less was to helping own, their into coming are feeds RSS as such tools filter the sheer volume of content available. But the same – who by shared and made content, what remain: concerns so depend will content present we way The with? who and An example of a ‘mash-up’ a of example An using iGoogle mash-up feeds RSS uses It software. to to gather together links content existing and new different many from See place. one in websites www.google.com/ig While Web 2.0 is also known as ‘the partic- ‘the as known also is 2.0 Web While 14 A good example of a participatory online community is the Open Forum on the conference. the tions at the conference did not emphasise this enough. it seemed as though that this was However, the for reality of time the at organisations all) not certainly (although many Participation While many emphasised the important presenta- role that participation regretted some approaches, 2.0 Web in plays the conference was the strong role that mobile phones can phones mobile that role strong the was conference the play in providing this access (see Samii; Okolloh; and also Karamagi and Nakirya, this issue). for people to participate. One thing that became clear from clear became that thing One participate. to people for tools with participatory approaches which generate, collect generate, which approaches participatory with tools information. share and ipatory web’ we need to make a distinction between simply between distinction a make to need we web’ ipatory these of use the combining and web’ ‘participatory the using Participatory Geographic Information Systems and Technologies – a vibrant a – Technologies and Systems Information Geographic Participatory discussion online distinct four hosts which practice of community international lists: Anglophone, Latin American (Spanish), Lusophone (Brazilian) and www.ppgis.net See: Francophone. 14 2 26

THEME SECTION Chris Addison Web2.0 need tobe interdisciplinary. There was particularly mentsector. And everyone stressed that our approaches to develop- the of differentaspects many in working people this dialogue was essential. The conference participants conferencechange.Soweretheof stressedsessionscaleof the closing the in participants the of conclusions general The General conclusions they perceive and appreciate change. how documents Change Significant Most while actions), Mapping Outcome captures changes innetworks. what peopleor do differently (behaviours, publications reports, as such activity the from outputs than rather project a in methodologies focusing on the changes around the peopleevaluation and monitoring are Both Change. Significant Most and approaches Mapping Outcome were context this in mentioned often most techniques two The done. sought. Many participants commented on how this could be and have – we thatimpact thehaving aretools these whether – well how measure to evaluation and monitoring just introducing new technologies. We need to put in place united in a common cause. Positive change is the goal – not hoods,tobuilding social networks and online communities from liveli- our improve to knowledge lives, and information sharing our on have can technologies these impact ices – but what impact the information has had on theirvisitors lives.to a website, or how many people use Web 2.0 serv- aneed to measure impact –not just in terms of number of The discussions running through the conference focused on Measuring impact: is it worth it? 15 www.mande.co.uk/MSC.htm www.outcomemapping.ca. For Most Significant Change see: http://tinyurl.com/dz5jat. Forinformation onOutcomeMappingsee: Website: www.euforic.org Email: [email protected] Belgium Brussels 1200 Avenue de broqueville 140 Chris Addison CONTACT DETAILS See Ricardo Ramirez, Impact of Public Access to ICT (IPAI) project wiki: I think this point is extremelytheaboutispointthis important.thinkis ItI 15 Jon Corbettforembodyingtheideaintwo auditorium into a workshop environment, to in particularhelpingtochangethe300-seat Lucy Lamoreux as my colleague facilitator and to facilitate the Web2forDev conference, to Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) for the opportunity Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Many thankstoGiacomoRambaldiofThe NOTES powerinthe process.” shouldbebased onconsiderations of toolsand–their selection anduse “Web2.0tools are like anyother setof tions of power in the process. considera-basedontheirselectionshould beanduse and and transparency accountability.inclusion, Web 2.0 tools process, are likeof any other set of toolscareful – consideration requires practice good combination: in needed anemphasis that often anthropology andtechnology were two hands. ment, it is useful to remember the toolkit represented by our opment action. So when exploring the new web for develop-offence. Web 2.0 tools shouldcause may alwayscombinations some but approaches, and tools be supportive of a devel- cultures use different gestures. The fingers may represent our the hands says, you should be careful how you use them. but they each match a particular need. And wholeaas array ofWebthe 2.0tools andopportunities story available,about which tools were appropriate to their situation. Thereresounded may be with me. Participants needed to experimentwerenotreplaced byWeb to2.0tools. findInparticular, onepoint they had seen – so more traditional forms of communication noting– down email addresses andwriting articles onwhat pantswould still be taking paper home from the conference 2.0 approaches. One interesting observation was that partici- Many expressed their enthusiasm to get home and try Web We may meet or greet with our hands and different and hands our with greet or meet may We Short URL:http://tinyurl.com/web2hands Two_Hands_of_Web2forDev. Source: http://wiki.web2fordev.net/index.php/ ‘Two Hands of Web2forDev’. article on the Web2forDev conference wiki, IIED forherworkonthisarticle. hands graphicalimageandtoHollyAshleyof This article has been adapted from an THEME SECTION 27 social for by the Ghana blogging , and reflects on the rising video blogging video for development purposes. Across the ROXANNA SAMII ROXANNA explores the potential of describes the development of an online describes the development of an online . Members of the international Forest Connect Alliance . Members of the international Forest describes the use of mobile telephony mobile PRINCE DEH PRINCE CHRISTIAN KREUTZ CHRISTIAN potential to become the first universally accessible information technology. communication information about work and experiences. Deh also considers the potentials of vlogging for advocacy purposes, as well as the challenges Internet where Ghana, as such countries in tools 2.0 Web using in inherent access is still mostly limited to urban areas. The final article in Part II is by popularity of and affordable accessible, more a becoming is phone mobile the world, convenient means of communication than the Internet and computers. Particularly in Africa, as the cost of services and handsets continue to reduce, mobile phones are increasingly becoming the preferred tool for accessing and sharing information. As the impacts of this new ‘revolution’ are starting to be assessed, Samii argues that mobile phones have the networking website The networking information-sharing. greater for demand strong a and expressed access had easily and quickly to members for platform a provided website has network practice in small and medium- share information about state-of-the-art social online the creation, its Since enterprises. forest sized attracted an increasing number of genuinely active members. Although donors still need persuasion to fund further website development, early impact. positive a having is initiative the that are indications Next, Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS). Similar to a blog, a video blog – or ‘vlog’ for short – contains short segments of video content. Usually in the form of interviews, these help members to share for development purposes. First, engage in two-way conversations development. A blog enables users to information-sharing networks. and link to one another to form new traditional, top-down mode of Blogging represents a shift from a more and transparent’ one. While the communication to a more ‘publicly open these popularity, gain to beginning is development for blogging of use of access and literacy remain a blogs are still in limited use – and issues of the world. fundamental challenge in many parts MACQUEEN DUNCAN Part II: Studies of Part II: tools 2.0 Web tools 2.0 Web specific of uses the of some examine articles the II, Part In Theme section Theme 28 THEME SECTION 3 and editwebsites(seeBox1). Now,itispossible formost Internet users tocreate content phase of the web, most people could only read information. fromaround the world in an unforeseen way. With the first voicehaveworldwidetoaanda audience linking– people gies now make it potentially possible for every Internet user Sometimes offers. referredit theas‘readto andwrite’ web,Web 2.0 technolo- participation of forms new the in years, not just in its sheer number of users, but in particular,recent in dramatically changed has Web Wide World The 1 villagersblog,wheredescribetheyahave theirdaily strug- facesevere problems povertytodueHIV/AIDS. and Yet the One example is the village of Nata, Botswana. Villagers there few means you can create an online platform for your cause. roots activists were the first to tap that potential – with very fingertips – and this shift also applies to development. Grass- blogging fordevelopment Exploring thepotentialsof Introduction by CHRISTIAN KREUTZ For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). Seth Godin powerful thanideasdeliveredatanindividual. Ideas that spread through groups of people are far more Commenting, editing or writing articles can be at our at be can articles writing or editing Commenting, 1 3 2 Africa can end poverty. end can Africa Africanregion,Economistthethatblogproclaims of his in Chief Devarajan, Shanta blogs. via development of lenges publiclyopenandtransparent conversation about thechal- multiplewebsites where users can participate bypublishing how we published our own content online. Today, there are In the early years of the Internet, technical constraints limited Who blogs and why? ishes from volunteer engagement. One of the successful key factors of blogging is that it flour- down communication is shifting to a two-way conversation. Slowly,top- interested. is whoever with online challenges worldwide canengageandfollowthelatestnews. supportersblog,this perspectives. Viaown theirfrom gles engagement.” isthat itflourishes from volunteer ofthesuccessful key factors ofblogging shiftingtwo-waytoa conversation. One “Slowly,top-down communication is See: http://endpovertyinsouthasia.worldbank.org/blogs/shanta-devarajan See: http://natavillage.typepad.com/ Even organisationsEven WorldthelikejoinedhaveBankthe 3 He discusses ideas, solutions and solutions ideas, discusses He 2

29 3 THEME SECTION http://natavillage.typepad.com Source: 8 Another example Another 5 Through Through blogs, human 7 6 Exploring the potentials of blogging for development for blogging of potentials the Exploring Bloggers connect not only to share information, but also but information, share to only not connect Bloggers See: http://voicesofafrica.africanews.com http://kisan.wordpress.com See: See e.g.: http://aliveinbaghdad.org http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/publications/2008/Mapping_Irans_Online_Public. e.g.: See The Nata village blog is a The Nata village blog is which tool, fundraising also enables website the meet to visitors people of Nata and to learn about their stories live. they how and Or short URL: http://tinyurl.com/iran-online 5 6 7 8 rights activists connect, coordinate and publish information publish and coordinate media. connect, activists in rights reported not protests or torture of incidents as such Much political debate has now moved to the Internet. However, thisHowever, has also resulted in increased censorship in is the Indian Kisan blog. Farmers can post questions to the can post is questions Farmers blog. Kisan the Indian In experiences by or farmers other scientists. answered are which blog, sharing to contributing is blog Kisan the way, this of rural farmers in India. to take action. One interesting phenomenon is people that phenomenon One interesting to action. take and Africa Asia, In languages. different many in blogging are of transmitters important become have blogs America Latin become have blogs region, Arab the In expertise. and news a major tool for political activism. projects such as Voices of Africa, bloggers film interviews and interviews film bloggers Africa, of Voices as such projects continent. the around from stories upload Although Although blogs 4 All bloggers share the potential opportunity speak All the to share opportunity bloggers potential a information pathways. information the oldest ones – this gives them a sense of immediacy. of sense a them gives this – ones oldest the audio. and videos journal. The author can opt to allow other readers to interact and interact to readers other allow to opt can author The journal. write their own comments on the blog. discussion. in engaging and posts other’s each any kind of topic. topic. of kind any The blogosphere is a collective term encompassing all blogs and their and blogs all encompassing term collective a is blogosphere The • are an expression of personal opinion; opinion; personal of expression an are • and online; discussions trigger help • online. conversations ongoing other on up picking blogs, other to link • • The majority of blogs link to each other, forming new networks and networks new forming other, each to link blogs of majority The • Blogs… • Unlike an online forum, blogs start with the newest posts rather than rather posts newest the with start blogs forum, online an Unlike • photos, add to you allows which system, publishing little a is blog A • • This offers readers an opportunity to participate by commenting on commenting by participate to opportunity an readers offers This • but with some decisive elements: elements: decisive some with but write posts about • Everyone can easily create his or her own blog and of a diary or • Most blogs are written by one person in the form A blog, short for ‘Web’ and ‘log’, is basically just a website with articles, with website a just basically is ‘log’, and ‘Web’ for short blog, A Box 1: What is a blog? blog? a is What 1: Box 4 interconnections. Source: Wikipedia Source: interconnections. opment opment blogs are still loosely linked. But there are various fascinating examples offering new ways of informationblogs. through exchange blogging, however, only a minority of people has participated has people of minority a only however, blogging, audience. large a have blogs Few commenting. or writing by devel- existing the and development, on focus bloggers Few global audience. Particularly for development, previously of In history the short stories. can their tell people unheard mation as an expert, campaigning for a cause, or linking co- linking or cause, a for campaigning expert, an as mation write can Bloggers organisation. or project a within workers or discourse a trigger and – opinions and insights their about controversy. are mostly personal, there are blogs about all kinds of topics, of kinds all about blogs are there personal, mostly are infor- offering to opinions, political or hobby a sharing from nalism is slowly on the rise. Equipped with mobile phones, in phones, mobile with Equipped rise. the on slowly is nalism Blogging in action to information and ideas allows blogs of connectedness The jour- citizen African Internet. the throughout quickly spread of of bloggers write their stories worldwide. communication tools towards the ‘social web’, often referred often web’, ‘social the towards tools own its communication created has blogs of network global A 2.0. Web as to millions where – blogosphere the as known – sphere public their stories, collaborate with others, or simply comment. Blogs have been with synonymous this shift recent in web 3 30

THEME SECTION ChristianKreutz Source: http://voicesofafrica.africanews.com 10 9 that report on topics from different parts of the continent.technorati.com. See: http://afrigator.comAfrigator is a portal that aggregates many different African blogs particularly in conflict situations (see also Okolloh, this issue). of the few – or only – sources of information available online, tive filters of information. They act like fishers, who pick the and give orientation and relevance – and also become information, effec- aggregate bloggers where networks, nodes within or hubs forms This information. of flow and ebb linking conversations and other existing blogs, increasing the edge, expertise and perspectives. In a way, blogging means list of links to other blogs). Bloggers weave a web of knowl- the popularity of a blog – e.g. citations and affiliation (i.e. a generates interaction between bloggers and also measures there is a new link from another blog to their own posts. It time every (‘pinged’) notified also are Bloggers meaning. create process, the in and – information link and analyse Compared to normal development websites, bloggers both Accountability and transparency inglybyInternet companies. surveillanceundergovernmentsincreas-aretheirand by– such as Egypt, China or Iran, bloggers – and thecountries in example,blogosphere For issue). this Zuckerman, also (see bloggers imprisoned for writing about political or socialmany issuescountries, restricting freedom of expression, with some For more information see Reporter Without Borders: www.rsf.org A good example is Technorati, the largest worldwide blogging directory. See: 9 However,blogs are often one Initiated by the Voices of is published on this website. videos –muchoftheirwork uploading texts, photos and Reporters gain experience in launched inlateMay2007. Voices of Africa project was Africa Media Foundation, the examples. and perspectivesvalues – Wikipediaadd and worldchanging.comcan areand good information link to able is user for direct feedback. The paradigm shift is that each Internet tions strengthto the line However,discussed. orproponents heardunder-blogging blogs often do develop where not enough perspectives are chamber of mutual confirmation. Networks of sympathising echo anrepeat themselves,inorending blogs oftenother from paste’ and ‘copy blogs most that say Many nalists. – lies content jour- by information compiled professionallygrowing to compared this of value added the where wonder Keen Andrew as such Critics information. biased be might it and basis personal a on that decides blogger a that is disadvantage The topics. interesting on overview different perspectives. with posts blog different find to important is aggregation ideas and interpretations of them find their way to differentNew participate. can everyone where conversation, large most relevant pieces of information out of the net. the of out information of pieces relevant most knowledge management. social changeand 2.0 toolsfordevelopment, technologies (ICTs) and Web communication the useofinformation of a blog which explores Crisscrossed is one example 11 and encyclopaedia.See: en.wikipedia.org ‘Wikipedia’ is a combination of the words wiki (a type of collaborative multilingual,website) Web-based, free-content encyclopaedia project. The name Wikipedia is a free online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. It is a The advantage of filtering is that these bloggers give an These networks of blogs and their readers become a become readers their and blogs of networks These , disciplines and interests and highlight the possibility the highlight andinterests and disciplines , 11 linkinformation fromdifferent connec- 10 This

Source: www.crisscrossed.net 31 3 THEME SECTION 15 Exploring the potentials of blogging for development for blogging of potentials the Exploring 14 It also has the potential to make the implicit explicit. This explicit. implicit the make to potential the has also It ‘Blogging for transparency and good governance: on IFIs.’ Blog post, 26th April 26th post, Blog IFIs.’ on governance: good and transparency for ‘Blogging platform. exchange internal an as blog a uses GTZ Egypt, in example For Blogs are playing of an restraints increasingly the face not do Blogs governance. improved important role for commercial print media. The blogosphere is a planet apart from traditional PR departments of public institu- tions, enabling citizens to share unfiltered information, expose misdeeds, and freely express views. Blogs account- help more institutions public and governments make able. “These networks of blogs and their and blogs of networks “These conversation, a large become readers New participate. can everyone where find them of interpretations and ideas day.” every blogs different to way their 2008. See: http://thekaufmannpost.net/blogging-for-accountability-good-governance See: 2008. 14 15 web of organisational knowledge, but also communicate blogs Internal audiences. with external blogs their through are a good way to experiment with blogging and grasp hidden experiences, and also put employees at the centre communication. internal of Blogs and organisational knowledge-sharing organisational and Blogs blog- to starting explore are however, Some organisations, keep to blogs use They knowledge-sharing. internal for ging a community of practice running or to improve a depart- communication or even ment’s for project management. Contrary to the traditional Intranet, where few write for internal many, blogs allow everyone to participate and be readers and authors. In its informal approach, blogging on individ- an emphasis places and storytelling encourages to used be can it management, project For experiences. ual helps This place. central one in history project the document project a of voices and perspectives different the highlight to approach. communication horizontal more a in offers organisations the opportunity to not only weave a writes on his blog, improveUSA, the in transparency. particularly Althoughblogs, of influence there political are examplesincreasing of marginal. is still in countries most blogosphere the political challenged yet not has blogs of power communication The watchdogs. as act can they but – organisations development As Daniel Kaufmann, Director of the World Bank Institute 13 Villagers, journalists, scientists and aid scientists journalists, Villagers, 12 Yet Allison Fine (2006) argues that future organisations future that argues (2006) Fine Allison Yet For For many organisations, blogging offers the chance to Blogging can allow us to be transparent about projects. about transparent be to us allow can Blogging See: www.guardian.co.uk/katine See: www.guardian.co.uk/society/katineblog/2008/nov/10/one-year-on-uganda See: project in Uganda. project complex environmental problems. Blogs have opened up new channels for developmentexample is the UK communication.Guardian ongoingnewspaper’s Katine One Examples in development For development, this linking and exchanging becomesessential. Multidisciplinary approaches are key to tackling online: they are not limited to a certain thematic mailing list mailing thematic certain a to limited not are they online: transparent. more are so and blogs every day. Much of this kind of exchange was already was exchange of kind this of Much day. every blogs happening through email mailing lists. However,connections these made by blogging are accessible to anyone 12 13 have to embrace this kind of openness and learn to improve to learn and openness of kind this embrace to have their listening skills. For which organisations, development are non-profit and publicly-funded, there is a chance to and not all appreciate this degree of openness. Unfortu- nately, many of the existing networks. than rather islands are they – linked randomly initiatives are often only to engage a broader public sphere in the But it developmentsector. seems only a few organisations in the devel- opment field have discovered the potential of blogging – people to provide feedback in an open manner – and more and – manner open an in feedback provide to people out speaking to approach bottom-up This before. than easily potential the has issues political or economical social, about Just blogging does not necessarily have a demonstrable impact on development. enter into an ‘authentic two-way conversation’, enabling limits of blogging also allows reporting appear: Guardian’s the best, its ‘At that, comment one bloggerway.’ careful made a in Katine the in life about think and analyse to us It gives more space for opinions, different perspectives and perspectives different opinions, for space more gives It These channels. communication traditional than reflections can help influence the course of a project. But here, the greater than greater the budget.’ project This is a comment direct about the limitations of development aid. shows the complexity of community-driven development projects. For example, on the KatineKavuma writes blog, bluntly, ‘The trouble Richardis, the need is M.much workers are invited to write openly their perspectives about perspectives their openly write to invited are workers entails It website. newspaper’s the on blog a on project the also but aid, development around discussions controversial 3 32

THEME SECTION ChristianKreutz even intensify. from groups many participating. Some of these obstacles will exclude remain or might development and English online in of are debates bridges majority few The very them. are there between and dominate languages few a just Also, conversation. a such in engage to tence) compe- media and (literacy means the or access Internet and acertaindegree ofmedialiteracy. Internet, but there are obstacles: access, cost, time, literacy the on interacting of ways new opened has web ipatory the has experience toor use this tool and connected its opportunities.well The as partic- is everybody not But text. the writing including mouse-clicks, three than more take not should It post. blog a for process publishing the learn For the average, experienced Internet user, you can quickly Issues of access and literacy help theaudiencefindyou(seeBox2). guaranteed. You need to persevere to find the audience or active, commenting audience. Attention and visitors are not Ittakes skill and patience to achieve a vibrant blog with an underestimate how much time and resources a blog needs. Finding an audience is usually a major challenge. Many also discussion.Many blogs quickly lapse orare rarely updated. for spaces vibrant become blogs all not But boom. huge a witnessed have we blog, first the of creation the Since Some challenges to be aware of Box 2: Some tips on how to start a blog • Blogging needs patience, but can also be seen as a good process of • Do not underestimate the effort of blogging. Writing takes time, but • An important key is to link to other blogs for reference. Pick up • Write interesting content for readers. Add value to existing • Think of a topic you want to write about and have an audience in • Blogs can easily be administered from simple web-based interfaces • There are several free blogging websites available from which you and Blogger.com can easily create a blog. Two of the biggest ones are Wordpress.com offline. self reflection, where you digest the things you learn online and regularly blogging keeps your blog dynamic. become part of a network. discussions onotherblogsandlinktoyourfavourite conversations and write authentically. them if you do not want to start your own blog right away. mind. Check blogs on similar topics and start by commenting on information. to add applications such as video clips, photos, or other types of The speed at which innovation is transforming how we have people few countries, developing in Particularly at events act as reporterspresentdifferentas to the act events at opinions Participants versa. vice and Internet the for documented is offline world is social reporting, where knowledge-sharing and online the bridging to approach One constraint. big a is bandwidth so, Even breathtaking. is Internet the use be texts,videosoraudiopresented onawebsite. and perspectives articulated within a group. The results can get richer.’ just may connections and information knowledge, in rich Leadbeater’sCharlesalready‘Those Think concern: (2008) We- of author the share I users. Internet normal of ahead always be:howcanthispotentialtoolhelp? logical. In the development context, the key question must techno- to need solutions communication all Not needs. on focus key: is approach fit best a technology, all With helped to newspaper. empower people – it does a not benefit all causes. would they way have that blogging of cases numerousarethere Although same the in ‘trusted and sources’ factual as blogs take may people literate’ ‘media less Also this. do to styles differentwriting with ity familiar- and education of level certain a takes It standing. under- own their create to it filter also then and content other wonderful Web 2.0 tools will have limited effects. change their mindsetsorganisations towardsnorthern openness,until and blogs andeasily all more these participate stage in this whole movement. So long as the South cannot early very a at still are we opinion my In development. for difference a making blogging of evidence little very still is empowerment, but nevertheless there are limitations. There Blogging can have a positive impact on communication and Conclusion 16 reporting?’ See: http://ictkm.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/what-is-social-reportingremix. Joint live blogging is one waysometimes of creating as a half-product.social reports. This Source: allowsresulting ‘Whatothers ‘socialis to social join report’ in, to isextend, made accessible,jointlyto adjust contribute or usually toonline, some formas soon of reporting,as possible, in text, photos, images or video. The traditionalcommunication channels.” perspectivesandreflections than morespace foropinions, different transparentabout projects. Itgives “Bloggingcanallow ustobe Social reporting is where a group of participants at an event interactively and Lastly, there is also a risk that the front-runners are far front-runnersare the that risk a Lastly,also is there find to has reader the that means also blogs Reading 16 33 3 THEME SECTION Never- 17 Exploring the potentials of blogging for development for blogging of potentials the Exploring Wiley-Joss. See Wiley-Joss. It is not only about publishing, but interacting within For example Twitter, a micro-blogging tool, has had far more networking more far had has tool, micro-blogging a Twitter, example For thelessone key problem of all these initiatives is that they always struggle to get a spill-over world. effect to the offline your own networks. Enthusiasts see in this open collabo- ration promising times ahead, where development chal- lenges are tackled collectively. So whether you choose to the isit remember, tools–2.0 other any Web blogsuseor peoplewhoformthese networks andtheirexchange that create value, ideas and innovation. members to interact and facilitate collaboration. Mobile inter-lettingyoudirection, same the in networkssocialgo act from your mobile phone wherever you are. effects and interesting real life effects than ordinary blogging. Users can send and send can Users blogging. ordinary than effects life real interesting and effects Micro-blogging See phone. mobile a or Internet the via updates text short receive issue). (this p.108 Twitter, and 17 Portfolio Penguin We-think: mass We-think: Meatball Sundae: is your The Cult of the Amateur: Momentum igniting social Profile Books: London. See: London. Books: Profile Doubleday: New York. See also: See York. New Doubleday: http://thecultoftheamateur.com (2008). C. Leadbeater, innovation, not mass production: the power of creativity. mass www.charlesleadbeater.net REFERENCES Fine, A. (2006). change in the Connected Age. www.momentumthebook.com also: Godin, S. (2007). marketing out of sync? USA Group: Keen, A. (2007). culture. our killing is Internet today’s how Blogging is just one form of publishing and interacting. and publishing of form one just is Blogging Email: [email protected] Email: www.crisscrossed.net Blog: www.linkedin.com/in/ckreutz Linkedin: CrissCrossed Consulting CrissCrossed 50 Weberstraße 60318 Frankfurt Germany CONTACT DETAILS CONTACT Kreutz Christian context, the key question must always must question key the context, help?” tool potential this can how be: communication solutions need to need solutions communication development the In technological. “With all technology, a best fit approach fit a best technology, all “With all Not needs. on focus key: is social networks such as Facebook, which allow their ManyInternet userspublishing are content onwikis oron 34 THEME SECTION 4 organisations that support SMFEs. sector support that organisations private non- and government government, among use and membership in increase steady a seen has website Connect Forest the-art practice in small forest enterprise support (see Box 1). quicklyandeasily getaccessinformation to aboutstate-of- those new to this area of development, it provides a way to 1 Connect alliance networking fortheForest Web 2.0 tools to promote social by DUNCAN MACQUEEN access reports and practical manuals, share photos and videos andsend personal messages photos toother site users. share manuals, practical and reports access event information, announcementsupload and workto opportunities, discuss key issues, countries) 48 from 300 growing numbera of for these practitionerspossible it makes (currently website in excessConnect of Forest new The by supportersused ofsmall andmedium forest enterprises currently (SMFEs). tactics, and approaches new share to been.Described here is the use of anew Web 2.0 platform has it effective how and developed was network social a world is the theme of this article. The aim is to explore how Connecting practitioners working on similar issues across the Introduction See: http://forestconnect.ning.com Launched in January 2008, the 2008, January in Launched 1 For environmental, social and economic terms is increasinglyin sustainable poverty,SMFEsreduce makingand estation seen With the twofold clamour to avoid climate-threateningally, defor- they add value to an estimated US$130 billion per year. laws, it can be that SMFEs dominate forest outcomes. Glob- formalbusiness registration outsideor legalforest licensing non-timber forest product enterprises which operate without enterprisesare factored in, for example the many timber or informal numerous more much the If 2008). (Macqueen, countries developing most in employment sector forest up 80-90% of forest enterprise numbers and 50% of formal case. SMFEs (forest enterprises with 10-100 employees)The makeglobal context provides hints as to why this might be the comments on the Forest Connect networking website ANSAB, the Forest Connect country partner for Nepal) Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources,Box 1. Ram Subedi (Enterprise and Marketing adviser, Asia Forest Connect members around the world. web portalwhereeveryonecanshare/exchangetheirideaswithother Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have developed a dynamic for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Food and Agriculture countries. Amongst various other activities, the International Institute enterprises with markets, service providers and government in several insufficient business know-how. Forest Connect members link these information, inadequate technology, poor infrastructure, and unstable policies and regulations, poor access to credit, poor market SMFEs face a number of problems such as excessive bureaucracy, 35

4 THEME SECTION Early Forest Connect activities included diagnostics to providers have been mapped and in some cases, bench- marked. Communication SMFEs with contact maintain to platforms, aim that partners, Connect hosted by Forest are now active or are being established using newsletters, bulletin boards, trade fairs, mobile telephone pricepayment services andand the service Internet to facilitate better markets, links associations, enterprise forest small between providers and policy makers. Specific training courses to discussions, IIED and the Community-Based Forest Enterprise Forest Community-Based the and IIED discussions, partners, Developmentcountry various from Programmeinputs with (CBED)Together ofresponse. FAO developed a dedicated Connect Forest called an alliance developed they to addressing the isolation ofstrengthen SMFEs.the capacity ofThe national aimpartners wasto facilitate to better linkages between SMFEs, markets, service providers early in began activities project Funded makers. decision and Guatemala, Ghana, Faso, Burkina from partners with 2007 Guyana, Mozambique and Nepal. demand Byhad led to 2008the addition of China, Ethiopia, in-countryIndia, Mali and Laos. raise awareness of the extent and nature of small forest enterprises in each context. Financial and business service Web 2.0 tools to promote social networking for the Forest Connect alliance Connect Forest the for networking social promote to tools 2.0 Web Sharing information about Ethiopian SMFE training business Forest with events partners Connect website. the through

prise Development for Poverty Reduction at the The Tropical The the at Reduction Poverty for Development prise (CATIE), Center Education Higher and Research Agricultural May As 2006. of a these result 23rd–25th Rica from Costa providers, and decision makers who determine the business the determine who makers decision and providers, identified was isolation This 2007). (Macqueen, environment at organisations support and managers SMFE by numerous Enter- Forest Medium and Small on meeting international an of SMFEs from four groups of actors: other enterprises with enterprises other actors: of groups four from SMFEs of whom to pursue scale efficiencies and bargaining power, markets, business development and financial service Diagnostic work on SMFEs highlights their dominance in the in dominance their highlights SMFEs on work Diagnostic forest sector and the challenges they face (Kozak, isolation 2007). widespread the is challenges these among Principle bring them up to speed on this area of practice. practice. of area this on speed to up them bring Background frequently come to the theme of enterprise and markets a tech- beyond training vocational any without often fresh, It therefore is understandable in nical forestry. background that new practitioners would seek out a website that can as a priority. As a result, new SMFE initiatives are springing are As new a SMFE initiatives result, as a priority. develop to need the comes them With world. the over all up who SMFEs support to working practitioners of capacity the Photo: Duncan MacQueen Duncan Photo: 4 36

THEME SECTION DuncanMacqueen Delicious.com. documents throughuseful of a link tolibrary another usefulvirtual a social bookmarkingcreate to website, capacity dedicateddocument repository facility, websitethethehas a have not does it Although profiles). member individual at lookthey if see canothersthat way a another(albeitone in with directly communicate to members allows tool messagingthe while text,written add publicly to means a tional website. The blog and discussion forum tools provide lenged could click and drag to make a presentable and func- video-photo-sharing)and thatevenelectronicallythe chal- ing between members, text boxes, blogs, discussion forums, had pre-designed modules (e.g. for member profiles,it that was Ningadvantage ofNing.com.useful, Themost messag- then selected one social networking platform that appeared video-sharingwebsites,blogs.reviewedIIEDwikisand and ties and hosted services, such as social networking websites, tothe development and evolution of web-based communi- private and public communication between both users. Web 2.0concepts for have led options with collaboration andweb design that allow greater information sharing and 2.0 is a term describing new World Wide Web technologies emerged through developments of Web 2.0 platforms. Web The potential to be more creative in networking partners has Methods and processes ation (SDC) and the Norwegian governmentAffairs (NORAD). (DANIDA), Swiss Agency for DevelopmentInternational andDevelopment Cooper-(DfID), Danish Ministry ofForeign mation more easily. Funding came wouldfrom theenable UK Department partners for and otherasocial networking interestedwebsite with registration partiesopen to all that to toshare explore infor- the potential of usingunable an Internetto provide platform financial to develop supportsupportSMFEs in countries to. thatIn the earlyForest Connect 2008,alliance what IIEDis each decided other was doing, andings, both bybyForest Connectnumerous partners who wanted topractitionersknow whoknowledge. This demand was articulatedbecome clearin emails that thereand atis meet-strong demand for greater sharing of been carriedout. have practice business and design product forest improve bookmarking, p.119 (thisissue). particular topic or region to find information more easily. See also Social or a country name such as ‘Guatemala’ to allow website users interested in a users. For example, a document might be tagged with words such as ‘manual’ explanatory terms or keywords. These tags can then serve as an index for other a list of documents already available on the Internet and tag each one with 2 Social bookmarking website Delicious allows users of a Ning website to create Whilestill in its early phase of development, it has quickly 2 departments and private sectorgovernment representative whogroups, bodiessociety – civil – audience particular a of contacts’ and those who found the website independently rapidlybroadened out to include distant dynamic chains of this ‘contacts but relationships, and links Connect Forest existing through primarily came membership weeks two after nine weeks – and another 50 after 20 weeks. In thenew firstmembers had registered, followed by a further 50 more wordtoothers whomight find ituseful. Intwoweeks 100 receivedwelcomea message encourageto themspreadto personswereinvited joinwebsite.the to members newAll resource known and practitioners SMFE of group wider a receivedfrom these initial Forest Connect country partners, was feedback initial Once FAOco-managers. and IIED the consultationwith in SMFEs informationon nationaluseful whichhad been driven byin-country decisions onthe most existing websites of Forest Connect partners, the content of several to made were links addition, In 2008. January late Forest Connect country partners were then invited to join in interest. stimulate to videos and photos topics, discussion and blogs example SMFEs, on manuals and reports useful IIED Forest Connect co-manager stocking the site with a few team member developing the main framework and then the IIEDday,one a with than less tookreality into design that and what it would look like. The actual process of converting held to determine what features the website should contain developed asdescribedabove. been have platforms communication country accessible needs are whose more and context-specific.access, Internet For have SMFEs not do themselves, whom of moremany themselves, managers SMFE for appropriate deemed not waswebsiteactivities.SMFEThenational summaries of as ance on approaches and tactics to supporting SMFEs, as well organisationsprovidingthoseguid-bycapacity of build to acted to support SMFE development. Content was designed moreeasily.” interestedparties toshare information thatwould enable partners andother websitewith registration open toall platformtodevelop sociala networking thepotential ofusing anInternet “Inearly 2008, IIED decided toexplore The co-managers of the Forest Connect alliance targeted Initial discussions within the co-management team were 37

4 THEME SECTION A number of lessons have been learnt through this form form search- has been useful fully (in common with not other document is platform existing the However, archives). the in described tags the of use careful a requires and able With available. easily resources make to footnote previous careful given have to useful been have would it hindsight For advance. in tags category useful most the to thought example, it now seems best study’ to have ‘case a few broad ‘report’, docu- ‘manual’, as such categories tag ment and time (at least one day per month). The Forest Connect Forest The month). per day one least (at time and a to response organic an as much very evolved has alliance raised funding with issues, country partner of set perceived pre-designed and top-down a as than rather way, the along project. Given the retrospective understanding of how to alliance budget be useful it would been, has activity this Connect useful Forest a into management website for time donors. to palatable proved yet not has this but project, The so. do to chased and promoted actively unless material SMFEs of supporters many that suspect managers site IIED materi- and ideas their of exposure wider appreciate would als, but are inevitably time-constrained. While it may be for requirements to in build contractual in future possible on materials their share to partners Connect Forest funded the – pursue to this time website, and – beyondof thisknowledge small contractualmanager’s groupwebsite the future broadening to critical be will field the in actors main contributions. and use greater encouraged has members to to updates odic relate to seems interest greatest The sharing. information announcements and manuals practical reports, to country help new can these – opportunities consultancy or financial of visits. repeat attract helped to assemble a membership that is genuinely active in active genuinely is that membership a assemble to helped share. to experience useful with field this energy considerable taken has Connect) Forest of manager “The potential to be more creative in to be “The potential creative more has emerged partners networking 2.0 Web of developments through platforms.” • Few members have taken on a proactive role in uploading in role proactive a on taken have members Few • peri- and information new with fresh website the Keeping • plat- Delicious the through available library document The • process, which others with similar visions might find useful: find might visions similar with others which process, Keeping • the confines of content and audience clear has co- the (by network social online this of management IIED • Web 2.0 tools to promote social networking for the Forest Connect alliance Connect Forest the for networking social promote to tools 2.0 Web The IIED co-manager of Forest Connect and IIED website IIED and Connect Forest of co-manager IIED The relational aspects, having photos of members that rotate on the home the on rotate that members of photos having aspects, relational page of the site creates a greater sense of a shared community faces. the of some recognising start you when especially one to keep up to date on important developments amongst the other the amongst developments important on date to up keep to one all visit necessarily to having without partners project Connect Forest the appreciate particularly also I websites. project separate the On site. the on up put network the of members that resources different The Forest Connect network site is a very useful hub site that allows that site hub useful very a is site network Connect Forest The for Burkina Faso) comments on the Forest Connect Forest the on comments Faso) Burkina for networking site Box 2. Yarri Kamara (Enterprise support manager for manager support (Enterprise Kamara Yarri 2. partner Box country Connect Forest the Africa, West TreeAid the document library. Comments, such as those in Boxes 1- Boxes in those as such Comments, library. document the 3 indicate that at least some members find the websiteuseful. other members. Some post messages announcing financial or Many also use the financial website to send individual messages to announcing messages post Some members. other their of photos added have Many opportunities. consultancy from manuals or reports downloaded have number A work. website regularly (or atposts blog least add to occasionallystarted have Members digests). following bimonthly the or in to discussions. post or reports, with useful participate Lessons learnt, critical reflections and analysis and reflections critical learnt, website Lessons networking social Connect Forest the 2009 March By had in excess of 300 members, many of whom visit the such contributions, repeat visits by members have greatly improved. ated to inform existing members of recent additions and developments, under the headings of: news, resources, blog and photos By posts, videos. highlighting discussions, co-manager of Forest Connect into news features (e.g. work- (e.g. features news into Connect Forest of co-manager shop proceedings, country developments and managerial decisions such as the election of an international initi- steering was digest email bimonthly short a Thirdly, committee). tion drawn from the many other institutionaldealing with websitesSMFEs. Secondly, the project developments within the Connect Forest alliance were edited by the IIED members alike, a threefold strategy was adopted. Firstly, a members alike, a strategy was threefold adopted. Firstly, Forest of co-manager IIED the by made was effort concerted informa- new useful of stream regular a upload to Connect administrator at IIED, who had developed it without any prior any without it developed had who IIED, at administrator visits the after few first that repeat weeks noticed training, were limited. In order to encourage repeat visits and new using Internet search engines when looking for relevant material on SMFEs. 4 38

THEME SECTION DuncanMacqueen • It is a challenge to provide the necessary guidance on how to • While one or two documents have been made available in comings of the websiteshort- are obvious.linguistic the countries, 48 from members With from uploading documents in their own languages to date.neitherencourageddiscouragedhavenorusersbut this, latedcontent. Administrators arecurrently fundraising for andeasythelackanformatof which inprovideto trans- primarily– because lackoffundsof payfor to translation Spanishand French, the website itself isentirely inEnglish laboriously. rather happening, currently is which process a on, later documents numerous retag to need the avoided have etc. Setting up such a hierarchy carefully in advance would tags such as ‘finance’, ‘marketing’, ‘business development’ tagssuch‘Ethiopia’,as ‘Burkina Faso’content-specificor geographical specific more by supplemented ‘review’ networking website. Forest Connect social A screen shot of the back for those wishing to identify potential contacts in differ-countryby institutionor Ningonwebsites major adraw-is mistakenoruploadsinstancesof few a • beenTherehave manualwebsite’ as a featuredthis use publication to ‘how (see a Box 3). adding by time-permitting, website a bit difficult to navigate, which could be addressed,files to the website administrators to upload. Others find the taken using slower connection speeds, opting triedinsteadandgave up,either through to lack offamiliaritysend ortime tothewebsite, blog anddiscussion tools. Several members use the two main avenues for contributing written materials mutually agreed deletion of unwanted by content. followed – material inappropriate with site the clog those concerned to indicate why certain types of use might these can easily be dealt with through private messages to deliberateattemptsinstitutionalselfor at promotion, but Theinability to search or sort members alphabetically or

Image: Forest Connect Alliance. 39

4 THEME SECTION 58 (228): Unasylva Small and medium forest enterprise enterprises: A cross-sectoral review of best of review cross-sectoral A enterprises: practice.’ Envi- for Institute International 23. issue series, UK. London, Development: and ronment Macqueen, D.J. (2007). ‘Connecting small enterprises in ways that enhance the lives of people.’ forest-dependent 26-30 forest small ‘Supporting (2008) D.J. Macqueen, : I found the Forest Connect website a useful source of information on information of source useful a website Connect Forest the found I is structured is website the way The development. sector and SMFEs quick a make already can I minute, one in Only user-friendly. much very me. for interesting is what and new is what on scan Box 4. Phuong Thao (Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Industry of (Ministry Thao Phuong 4. Box the Promotion, Trade and Production of Department on comments PDR) Lao in partner country Connect Forest website networking Connect Forest the Conclusion institu- allowed has website networking Connect Forest The pertinent information useful share to SMFEs supporting tions one with touch in members put has It work. of field their to and another helped to a create of archive virtual resources and ideas for practitioners. The technology involved could similar to achieve hoping of practitioners groups other help the Finding easy. relatively is websites such Launching aims. time, budget, and incentiveschallenge! a of more is going forthem keep and participatingcontribute users to “Fundraising for time to develop the develop to time for “Fundraising for – priority obvious an is further website for guidance better providing example, chasing and translations more doing users, contributors.” resource potential up consideration. diary diary organisations rather than local community or private sector groups.some Feedbackprovide wouldmight be that welcome from platforms others 2.0 Web alternative using of the functionality that important an is sites constrainssuch managing for time the Budgeting the utility of Ning. ODI Natural Resource Web 2.0 tools to promote social networking for the Forest Connect alliance Connect Forest the for networking social promote to tools 2.0 Web Rights and Resources Initiative 104, Overseas Development Insti- REFERENCES Donovan, J., Stoian, D., Macqueen, D., and of side business ‘The (2006) S. Grouwels, and Small management: forest sustainable for development enterprise forest medium reduction.’ poverty Perspectives tute: London, UK. forest medium and ‘Small (2007) R. Kozak, enterprises: instruments of change in a devel- oping world.’ USA. Washington, The limited experience of managing this networking groups. I do feel like I am navigating in a maze – it is bit cluttered and cluttered bit is it – maze a in navigating am I like feel do I groups. confusing – however I do eventually get through. enterprises. This means that many countries don’t need to spend an spend to need don’t countries many that means This enterprises. manuals for training enormous amount of resources to recreate these tweaks minor maybe need just They efforts. building capacity other and targeted and countries particular to adaptive literature the make to I have found the website to be very useful in terms of the practical I have found the website to be very useful in terms forest literature and manuals on support to small and medium Guyana) comments on the Forest Connect website Connect Forest the on comments Guyana) Box 3. Sharon Ousman (Researcher at Iwokrama at (Researcher Ousman Sharon and 3. Box Conservation Forest Rain for Centre in International partner country Connect Forest the Development, WC1H 0DD, UK. Email: [email protected] http://forestconnect.ning.com Website: International Institute for Environment and Environment for Institute International Development (IIED) Street Endsleigh 3 London CONTACT DETAILS CONTACT Duncan Macqueen Group Resources Natural website to date suggests that the technology could poten- could that the technology to date suggests website other in practitioners’ of ‘communities other by used be tially interme- well-connected to appropriate most seems It fields. used for any formal e-conference, this would potentially be potentially would this e-conference, formal any for used possible using a set of consideredrespond. could discussionparticipants topicswhich to and summaries of information. In addition, there are plans to experiment with experiment to plans are there addition, In information. of more invoke and try to starters discussion been not opinionated more has website the While website. the on debate active to build in responsibilities into the terms of reference of Forest of reference of terms the into responsibilities regional in build uploading to and scanning for partners sharing alliance broader Connect encourage to help might too This documents. resource contributors would help move the website beyond website the move help would contributors is resource that network social true the towards source information an possible prove might it addition In present. at embryonic still Fundraising for time to developfor the websiteguidance furtherbetter is an providing example, for – priority obvious users, doing more translations and chasing up potential ent institutions or countries. Presently, a search involves page involves search a Presently, countries. or institutions ent members. of hundreds many through scrolling page by forward ways for Ideas 40 THEME SECTION 5 ‘vlog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). 3 2 1 ging as an information-sharing and advocacy tool for tool advocacy and development inGhana. information-sharing an as ging the Internettheintentionwiththe sharing ofinformation. Like reach a wider audience with minimal cost. low-cost Web 2.0 tools on the Internet, with the potential to promoteinformation- andknowledge-sharing usinghelp free or can tool the how of because elsewhere and Ghana in vlogging of concept the popularising been has GINKS mationknowledgeand withmembershipits audience.and andWeb 2.0technologies leverageasa tool toshare infor- (GINKS) uses information communication technologies (ICTs) cation. asa vlog for short – is one such next-generation web appli- peopleallofraces andidentities. videoA blog also– know differentandnewbeingnowusedin reachwaystotoout in Ghanausingvideoblogging Promoting information-sharing 2.0tools. Web presentedby been hasopportunities of wave new A Introduction by PRINCE DEH Visit our vlog online: www.ginks.blogspot.com Here, video blogs are referred to as ‘vlogs’.For a definition For a definition of Web 2.0, seeof glossary,both ‘blog’ p.123and and overview, p.8 (this issue). Vlogging is a process of making and publishing videos on TheGhana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing 2 Thisarticle reflects someexperiences usingof vlog- 1 Websiteshave been transformed andthe web is 3 aboutparticular issues.” shareinformation andtrigger debates shortdiscussion pieces, which aimto “Likeblogs, video entries are relatively least oneofthe stakeholdersofournetwork. ICT4D they want to share and which we think will benefit at people and groups who have ideas aboutrecordvideoswe areinterviewsthe of withMost work. of good practice about tionand reflections ongood practice intheir different areas videos that our members contributeThe interesting. include and short is sharing story the if informa- particularly sible, simple and attractive format, making informationwritten more blogs. acces-Vlogs can help to present stories in a relatively than skillsrequired. theseHowever, on lessrelies vlogging are skills language and literacy of level a so technologies, doesrequireItdo. computer,ofusethe Internetvideo and whichmakes itrelatively easy for beginners tolearn how to online and creating new conversations. their ideas, stories and information, linking to other bloggers order,where people cancomment thevideoson andshare particular issues. Entries are displayed in reverseshareinformation totrigger aimdebateswhichand about chronological pieces, discussion short relatively are entries video blogs, Thevlogging process requires little specialised expertise, 41

5 THEME SECTION . The We also encour- also We 6 newsletter, which newsletter, Cyber Series GINKS regularly receives regularly GINKS 4 iConnectGhana In partnership with BusyInternet (a cyber cafe and cafe cyber (a BusyInternet with partnership In 5 Promoting information-sharing in Ghana using video blogging video using Ghana in information-sharing Promoting The GINKS website is used to share information on ICT4D on information share to used is website GINKS The In recent years, the technology required to produce a vlog a produce to required technology the years, recent In The network is a diverse group of people with different with of people group is a The diverse network For example, the GINKS-Tech Forum focuses on technical issues and GINKS- and issues technical on focuses Forum GINKS-Tech the example, For www.ginks.org See: in interested communities and groups for home online an is DGroups “Asking someone to someone give you “Asking can help feedback to make constructive informative that the sure video is clear, and interesting.” 4 5 6 Women&ICT4D focuses on gender issues related to ICT4D. to related issues gender on focuses Women&ICT4D www.dgroups.org See: development. international feedback and comments from its members on how benefi- members its from comments and feedback way. this in shared information the find they cial Ghana. in Internet Service Provider in Ghana), GINKS also publishes a also publishes GINKS in Ghana), Provider Service Internet monthly newsletter about ICT4D called the publishes also network vidual or group interview, e.g. telling a story or illustrating their illustrating or story a telling e.g. interview, group or vidual working practice for a particular issue. How do you make a video blog? video a make you do How vlog- topic, or issue particular a about vlog a creating When to want they information of type what consider to need gers and are share video how segments written it. to Recorded present of length the to similar – less or minutes five normally videos the keep to helps This a blog. on find might you text video keep to helps also It watch. to interesting and concise file sizes small and manageable, both to upload and indi- view an record to is format good a experience, our In online. specialised spaces for members with a common interest to with for a spaces members interest common specialised country. the across experiences share backgrounds, who use the information shared by the network the by shared information the use who backgrounds, from range Members livelihoods. and productivity improve to environ- development, rural industry, ICT the in stakeholders to mental protection, agriculture,discussions health, gender and targeted youth. encourages it forum, open an Though create forums Thematic groups. particular of needs the meet age our members to share their experiences of development of experiences their share to members our age which blogs video short producing by network the with work blog. online our to uploaded then are remains remains the topmost media devoted to news on mailing ICT4D in email DGroups GINKS a is there Additionally, Ghana. list with over 430 location. subscribers, which offers a platform for physical of irrespective engagement Examples of interviews uploaded on the blog. video GINKS The GINKS network is an open forum, which helps to spaces where discussions can be held, lessons can be shared be can lessons held, be can discussions where spaces to ICT and promote for best transferred develop- practices ment in Ghana. members. GINKS offers innovative ways for information and information for ways innovative offers GINKS members. knowl- the fill to is aim knowledge-sharing Its among ICT professionals and decision country. the across ICT4D on makers edge-sharing vacuum by creating both online and offline information and communication technologies for develop- technologies and information communication 500 over to 200 ment (ICT4D). Sinceapproximately its from official launchdoubled has in October 2003,membership that related to the evolving ICT industry in Ghana. Ghana. in industry ICT evolving the to related that in interested are who groups and individuals together bring decision makers and advocates in Ghana had very few options few very had Ghana in about advocates and information makers share to issues decision discuss colleagues and other with network up to linking or for learnt, lessons and practice best institutions and individuals to promote dialogue and share expe- for share platform a create and to aims GINKS dialogue (IICD). Development promote and to individuals and for tools ICT institutions of potential the maximise help to order in riences professionals, ICT this, Before development. socioeconomic About the GINKS network in organisations 15 of a group by Communication founded was for network The Institute International the with partnership 5 42

THEME SECTION PrinceDeh http://video.google.com. can upload, view and share video clips. See www.youtube.com, http://blip.tv, and in camcorder. 10 9 8 7 information and knowledge. Where there is access, it is too sharinghindrancesmainto the of one is thisworld,oping lenge is connectivity and access to the Internet. In the devel- The challenges of vlogging are interlocked. The major chal- Challenges for vloggers • a video camera/camcorder you need to make a vlog are: comparatively less resources and training. The minimumaffordable,moreand userequiring tosimpler become has tools hostingwebsite theInternet.on upload thistexttoaccompanythevideoversion. theaudiospeech intotextbefore youuploadalsoand to it clear, informative and interesting. It is also usefulconstructive to transcribefeedback can help to make sure that the video someoneaskis watchelsetoAskingit. someone give youto postingvideoyouratovlog website, alsoisimportantit to GINKS blog. the to it linking by video the share we where from space • anonlinevideoaccount/space. • ablogaccount/space;and • an Internet connection; • a computer with video-editing software; which are either free or low-cost programmes, and software also video-editing easyvarious using to edited use. desktopcomputerand orlaptop downloadeda thenonto feature for membersa has to commentalso vlog and shareGINKS ideas.the blog, other any Like GINKS network. the to links video new announce We public. the Ghanaiancities.” widerandbeyond thescope of thebenefits of Web2.0tools much Thequestion remains ofhow to extend advocacyandinformation-sharing tool. thepotential tobecome animportant “Web2.0tools such asvlogging have YouTube, BlipTV and Google Video are all video-sharing websiteWe wherehave used users e.g. Apple’s iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Windows Movie Maker. At GINKS,weuseadigitalcameraandalso mobilephoneswhichhaveabuilt- See: www.ginks.blogspot.com After editing the video, it is then uploaded onto a video- Once the interviews have been recorded, the raw video is 10 From here, you can then share your videos with 7 ; 9 WeusetheGINKSBlipTV 8 Before ableinformation and knowledge. We need to develop ways to andusethem. facilities in practice and how practical it isCICs the foruse and accesspeople to able be towill people travelmany how and the Internet, there are still challenges to consider,Althoughimprovewillthistechnologiestheboth access to such as CIC. one with provided be to expected is country the of computers, printers, scanners and fax machines. five Everyleast at connection, Internet an districtwith equipped be will help extend connectivity to all parts of Ghana.to These(UNDP) centresProgramme Development Nations United with projectCIC initiatedwasgovernmentthe bypartnership in country.thethroughout The Ghanaians to access Internet bridgingin therural-urban digital divide andprovide better proposed the However, Communityvlog. Information Centre to (CIC) project may well help needed and resources the connectivity have that those of hands the in left tool a stillthemselvesisnot startedvlogging. havenities It development contexts. Yetrural in it mustcommunities with be working said when use that to the these network for commu-tool useful a is it found have we skills, technical in future (see also Samii; Karamagi and Nakirya, this issue). arebecoming more affordable, this may be less of an issue phones is steadily rising. As both the handsets and call tariffs affordhowever,areastorural–mobile in livingof use the connect to the Internet are still too expensive for Ghanaians of cyber cafes in Ghana. Mobile phones which allow you to Ghana’sin 60%aboutaccountsaloneforcities.Accra big the Internet using cyber cafes, but these can only be located expensive for the ordinary citizen to buy. People can access Box 1: Vlogging – an example from practice information andresourcecentreinthevillagethatGINKShelped copies made available to other members of the community at an from within and outside their local area. These videos were edited and process theendproductsandhowtofindcustomersfortheir stories, as they talked about how to cultivate various food crops, rural womenfarmerstousevideodocumentandcapturetheir acceptable ICT formats. and disseminate relevant local content using appropriate and communities inGhanabydefiningmechanismsandtoolstogenerate enhance information-andknowledge-sharingamongunderprivileged Development and Research Centre (IDRC). The project explored how to community inruralGhanacollaborationwiththeInternational from atwo-yearresearchprojectthatthenetworkundertookwith The GINKS has used vlogs to capture some interesting experiences refurbish. As an important component of the research, GINKS worked with There is also the challenge of getting people to share valu- minimum requires blogging video producing Because 43

5 THEME SECTION Promoting information-sharing in Ghana using video blogging video using Ghana in information-sharing Promoting We do believe that vlogging can be used as an effective an as used be can vlogging that believe do We However, it is important to remember that the benefit of benefit the that remember to important is it However, advocacy tool, helping to project and amplify the voices of voices the amplify and project to helping tool, advocacy achieving towards work to continue also We poor. rural the and – all to knowledge and information bringing of aim our the with share to stories have communities rural more many larger public. Vlogging has the potentialimpact on ofpolicy – makingif there is clarity an in the message being media. conveyed to both policy makers and the tool. The question remains of how to extend the benefits of benefits the extend to how of remains question The tool. Ghana- of scope the beyond and wider much tools 2.0 Web is it and – approach one only is example CIC The cities. ian imperative that governmenthighway. information makes the onto conscious get folk rural efforts our that to ensure form who – poor rural the to tools 2.0 Web other and this the majority in Ghana – depends largely on the issues of better able to access connectivity and access. If people are and share relevant information elsewhereappropriate more andother, use to likely bymore are they means, other solutions instead. So it is important to use a combination of approaches to sharing information, both offline. online and Lastly, the equipment used for vlogging is still a luxury for luxury a still is vlogging for used equipment the Lastly, CONTACT DETAILS CONTACT Prince Deh Email: [email protected] The future of vlogging of future The Web 2.0 tools such as vloggingbecome havean important theadvocacy andpotential information-sharing to which are more accessible to those who do not have access have not do who those to accessible more are which to the technologies. Web 2.0 tools thrive is the availability of Internet connectivity. Internet of availability the is thrive tools 2.0 Web – simply blogs – 2.0 video and Web of that, absence In the continue to important is it So without. those for exist cannot to use low-tech communication methods and techniques, most people in our part of the world. It is not common to see to common not is It world. the of have part our not in may people do most who those and – cameras makes What digital with people successfully. vlog to able be to access Internet the grow, sharing information is more and more regarded as a is regarded and more more information sharing grow, tool for nation-building. have not realised how important it is. This is gradually chang- gradually is This is. it important how realised not have As technologies. affordable more new, of influx the with ing to continues purposes development for tools of the use the of demonstrating the social, political and cultural benefits of benefits cultural and political social, the culture the demonstrating of mastered not simply have We information. sharing people Maybe Ghana. in here practices best documenting of 44 THEME SECTION 6 publications/world/world.html Technology (ICT) penetration, accessibility and use. See: www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/the most comprehensive range of statistics on Information and Communication 1 to bridgethedigitaldivide? Mobile phones:thesilverbullet by ROXANNA SAMII wide. world- subscribers phone mobile billion 3.3 are there that InternationalThe Telecommunication Union(ITU)estimates Introduction inavillage has amobile phone others can use it –amobile whyprepaid services are sopopular inAfrica. Ifoneperson betweencostUS$40-50.affordable alsoAirtime isis this – Handsets models.different pricingand flexible of because affordable, more becoming are They cost. low reasonably a at services of range wide a provide They families. their to security food provide and goals socioeconomic achieve Mobilephones arepaving thewayformenandwomento empowering. and self-sustaining scalable, affordable, is involving them in viable economic activities. Mobilelivesmillionsof urban ruralofandconnecting poorby telephony and andsisters in developing countries. It has revolutionised the emails, book, photos, music andaddress even allow us to access the Internet. appointments, daily our contain can devices hand-held little These phone. mobile uitous ITU isaUnitedNationsspecialisedagency fortelecommunications.ITUcollects The mobileequallyThephoneisimportant brothersour for 1 The vast majority of users never part from their ubiq- initiativeslike telecentres (see Box 1). And they are the only phonesaremorea appealing andviable toolthanprevious many,mobile For achieve. to manage not did computers as such (ICTs) technologies other communication something – information divide digital the reducing to tively nication in developing countries. It has contributed substan- phone isnotnecessarilyconfinedjusttooneperson. Box 1: Mobile phones and the demise of telecentres connect to the Internet. simultaneously bypassed the landline, the laptop and the need to walk to remote telecentres to access ICTs. Instead, they have handsets, or recharging battery services. opportunities, such as selling pre-paid airtime cards, renting out telecentres didnotpromoteentrepreneurshipgrowthandemployment shacks with broken and/or obsolete equipment. Unlike mobile phones, Usually, when funding ended, telecentres gradually turned into shabby broken equipment because of the remote locations. infrastructure and connectivity was costly and it was hard to service Villagers usually had a long walk to reach them. Providing basic ICT in isolated and remote areas to serve an entire village or community. the vision of bridging the digital divide. Internet services. A number of donors funded telecentre projects with access for people in developing countries to ICTs, computing and The telecentre movement in the late 20th Century aimed to provide Mobiletelephony predominanttheis commu-modeof With mobile handsets, poor rural women and men do not need to However, financial sustainability posed the biggest challenge. Telecentres faced a number of challenges. They were mostly located 45

6 THEME SECTION 2008). et et al., on inclusion, but relies people who are excluded and may even be worse be even may and excluded are who people Mobile phones: the silver bullet to bridge the digital divide? digital the bridge to bullet silver the phones: Mobile are I had not seen any mobile phone signal transmitter towers on the I had not seen any mobile phone signal transmitter A A recent World Bank study states that ‘there is a myth In Africa, many countries have completely skipped the previ- those how shows 2 Box in example anecdotal The In November 2008 I visited a remote and isolated irrigation site in the In November 2008 I visited Agricultural for Fund International the of part region, Barka Gash Agricultural and Livestock Barka Gash (IFAD)-funded Development when awe in stood I visit field the During programme. Development started herder a and worker extension the of phones mobile the ringing. and herder the both and reception was there However, there. way worker extension The communicate. to able were worker extension and the herder imparted some technical information to his colleague livestock Asmara the to cattle taking of possibility the about inquired Monday. on market Box 2: Out of the blue in Eritrea… in blue the of Out 2: Box off because market in access herder The nowinclusion. more brought has telephony mobile my does example personal not have access to a fixed tele- phone line, therefore previously he was excluded. Today, still we are he is Although not. telephony to mobile thanks indicates observing are we what evidence, empirical lacking not) will (and not does probably most telephony mobile that use. to easy and affordable is it because exclusion create poorest people – 1.05 billion women, children and men – live – men and children women, billion 1.05 – people poorest activities related and agriculture on depend and areas rural in for their We livelihoods. may think that for them a mobile wrong! are We what? guess But luxury. a is phone that the rural poor are not able or not willing to pay for(Bhavnan services’ telecommunication mobile accessibility phone mobile that are field the in Observations Rural connectivity: a revolution within a revolution revolution a within revolution a connectivity: Rural erad- help and development catalyse can phone mobile The icate rural poverty. Seventy-five per cent of the world’s net users. Approximately 72% of total global telephone subscribers are mobile subscribers. Recent estimates show while users, Internet are people of 6.5% only Africa, in that subscribers. mobile are (30%) people million 281 nearly teleph- mobile to directly moved have and landline telephone the technology mobile makes this that argue could One ony. conti- this in infrastructure telecommunications modern first nent (see Box 2). take now can infrastructure of lack of because excluded ously an active part in improving their livelihoods thanks to the services. mobile of schemes pricing different and affordable There population) are mobile subscribers against 1.3 billion Inter- 1.3 billion against subscribers mobile are population) Mobile phones are now integrated platforms are now phones Mobile integrated 2 Mobile telephony is providing timely, localised and rele- localised timely, is providing telephony Mobile Some argue that new ICTs such as mobile telephony even even exist. and social benefits. advantaged. less and marginalised are who those to sible or sub-region. or Some models also incorporate cameras and can record videos etc. offering both content and telecommunication services. Every generation needs a new revolution. new a needs generation Every Jefferson Thomas A mash-up is a derivative work consisting of two pieces of media joined countries. It has contributed substantively contributed has It countries. divide.” digital the reducing to “Mobile telephony is the predominant the is telephony “Mobile developing in communication of mode 2 Mobile phone revolution: the numbers speak for speak numbers the revolution: phone Mobile themselves tion about sexually transmitted diseases and to monitor patients. costs. Mobile phones are also being used to provide medical provide to used being also are phones Mobile costs. services such as using SMS to remind patients of medical and or appointments vaccinations to informa- disseminate use mobile telephony use to price mobile commodity telephony informa- receive tion via mobile phonecan they text that so messages, intelligence market or Shortgather to Message(SMS), Service make targeted trips and save on travel and transportation vant access to information, which has helped reduce produc- reduce helped has which information, to access vant tion and transaction costs. For example, poor rural people ICT sector where developing countries are catching up with up catching are countries developing where sector ICT countries. – and in some cases – overtaking developed together. Source: Wikipedia. See also glossary, p.122 (this issue). (this p.122 glossary, also See Wikipedia. Source: together. • It is an early example of a mash-up when this term did not did term this when mash-up a of example early an is It • • Because it is global, it is becoming increasingly more acces- more increasingly becoming is it global, is it Because • • It is truly global and not limited to a specific country, region country, specific a to limited not and global truly is It • economic global unprecedented for a catalyst been It has • The mobile phone revolution is our generation’s revolution. is generation’s our revolution phone mobile The political and social and economy, culture, our changed ICT. has It accessible universally first the become to promises It lives. revolution. unique a is it And ITU statistics show that 3.3 billion people (50% of the world the of (50% people billion 3.3 that show statistics ITU increase the increase gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. Yet 6 46

THEME SECTION RoxannaSamii Photo: Alex Price a percentage) within a specific population. increasing. highlights how expenditure on ICTs and mobile telephony are consistently having a point of contact, which previously was a luxury.accessible information – such as weather reports or commodity prices – or simply 5 4 3 telephony (Hammond mobile on income their of 4–8% spend now households the popularityofmobilephone. of rise thecontributed havefactorsto these All costs. tion private/publicsector investors andfarmers andlow installa- There are shorter payback periods on investment both forservice theproviders to invest in new encouraged areas have to rates increase penetration business. low Previously email. media literacy skills, unlike the Internet and applications like use to rural areas of developing countries. expansionpopularityand mobileoftelephony, especially in cationssectorprepaidand services havecontributed theto tions such as ease of use, liberalisation of the telecommuni- condi-politicalsocio-economicenablingand of number A Mobile phone growth drivers: a unique business model illiterateswithaccessno basic to services. herders, fishers, small-scale farmers, indigenous peoples and communities and beyond, such as women, landless workers, a more active part in the economic and social spheres ofis helpingtheir to facilitate previously marginalised groups to take market to competition.encouragedhasprivatetomarketsectorThis supported by sound regulatory mechanisms has opened the Penetration rates refer to the number of active mobile phone numbers (usually as The Next4Billion For example, keeping in touch with family and friends, accessing previously less The Compared to computers, mobile phones are much . They require little or no specialised computer and computer specialised no or little require They . liberalisation of the telecommunications sector telecommunications the of liberalisation shows that‘low-income’doesnotmean ‘no income’.It et al. , 2007). 4 3 latest maizeprices. SMS tofindoutthe Chikusu sendan and Elizabeth Farmers Dina Lungu Manypoorrural easier 5 nomic impact of the mobile revolution. macroeco-the calculate to strugglingequally are they but understandingthefullimpact theofcurrent financial crisis, busy be may economists World infrastructure. modernise and invest to sectors private and public for opportunities creating and opportunities employment providing gence, intelli-market todirect entrepreneursaccesssmallhave to represents a viable way for improving theirphone mobile the lives.less, or day Ita US$1.25 ison living enablingpeople poor rural billion 1.05 the For people. rural poor to perity and elsewhere, occasional labourers put up adverts in village services such as reading and sending SMS messages. Inprepaid cards,Africa renting outphones and/or airtime andother selling batteries, phone mobile recharging include These businesses. small for activities income-generating vative Mobilephoneshavespearheadedinno-and new hostof a Mobile phonesandsmallbusinesses benefiting from better services at better rates. amongdifferenttion result,operators.aconsumers Asare investmentin developing countries, and increased competi- prepaid service reaches out to the ‘unbankable’. importantly there is no need to present a creditlow.Most are incomes and history,savings when especially costs, as the control can s/he and data physical and financial submit to no formal registration or waiting lists. The user doesTherepeople.is rural offersnumerouspoor advantages tonot need modelbusinessuse’ you as ‘pay subscriptions.Themobile many inruralpopulations. 6 their produce. the bestpossiblepricesfor phone to help farmers get Mchome useshismobile Market investigatorStanley i.e. those who without the prerequisites to open a bank account, which means Innovative use In Africa prepaid subscriptions of mobile telephony brings economic pros- accounts for 95% of total 6

Photo: M. Millinga 47

6 THEME SECTION Mobile phones: the silver bullet to bridge the digital divide? digital the bridge to bullet silver the phones: Mobile Tradenet.biz uses markets as a venue to raise awareness about its about awareness raise to venue a as markets uses Tradenet.biz allows which technology, peer-to-peer new uses also Tradnet.biz The relatively affordable airtime of mobile phones has Increasingly, private sector companies are providing market providing are companies sector private Increasingly, Although enterprise. such one is Tradenet.biz farmers. to information is It markets. 500 and countries 15 covers already it infancy, its in still key of range a offers It world. the in anywhere users to available the along working others and processors producers, to information offers, trading transport, harvests, updates, price from chain: supply more. and weather outbreaks, disease information market offer and kiosks up set agents Tradenet services. people’s on alerts configure and service the for people register advice, phones. mobile – via mobile users to share their resources – in this case information database growing and vast the links also It service. a create to phones www.tradenet.biz See: networks. cellular to information market of On the island of Mauritius, the fishers of the Tamarin community under community Tamarin the of fishers the Mauritius, of island the On direct have not do Programme Diversification Rural IFAD-funded the they However, excluded. are they result, a As market. fish the to access daily catch and to use their mobile phones to inform buyers of their will they that sure are and fish over not do they way This orders. take also and efficiencies economic increased has This catch. daily their sell impact on the helps to protect fish stock – which in turn has a positive lagoon ecosystem. Box 3: How new technology can strengthen rural markets rural strengthen can technology new How 3: Box Box 4: Mobile phones open up markets for fishermen for markets up open phones Mobile 4: Box Cellular banking: the bank of the ‘unbankables’ the of bank the banking: Cellular Mobile phones are now providing ‘cellular‘unbankable’ banking’ clients. to For example, millions of poor rural to home money send phones now mobile use their people banking no are there where loans microcredit deliver to and facilities. commodity prices via SMS (see Box 4). market information, poor transportation infrastructure and infrastructure poor transportation information, market unscrupulous to vulnerable are producers Small competition. below-market at prices them giving middle-men and traders into different to may diversify be reluctant Producers rates. their for market profitable a finding not of fear for products output. Informa- easier. information of exchange and transfer made serv- structured through either happens tion dissemination SMS Zambia and Tradenet.biz as such subscriptions and ices Market Informationand Serviceformal or throughblending unstructuredby and and – phones mobile of use informal to both phone mobile their use can People services. informal directly communicate with buyers and also to access Twaha-Abdallah communicating commodity prices. , 2005). According to the study: the to According 2005). , et al. A 2005 London Business School study found that ‘for phone. said mobile use was linked to an increase in profits. profits. in increase an to linked was use mobile said a mobile phone, while just 28% could access a landline manufacturing manufacturing and service activities) relies exclusively on telephony. mobile had no access toAfrica telephony.South in phones Over mobile theusing lastbusinesses of decade number the 125%. nearly by increased has people showed that more than 85% rely solely on mobile on solely rely 85% than more that showed people previously 15% these, Of telecommunications. for phones

quality, and prices quality, chal- are highly unstable. For example, enormous small face Africa in areas rural in trading producers lenges such as lack of access to reliable and up-to-date For producers, access to reliable market information increases information market reliable to access producers, For on governments relied chains they In 3). Box past the (see income transaction addition, In information. market provide to are long, volumes of goods are often small and of varied Mobile phones and access to market information market to access and phones Mobile • In Tanzania, 97% of people surveyed said they could access could they said surveyed people of 97% Tanzania, In • • In In • South Africa, 62% of businesses (and in Egypt, 59%) • In Egypt, 90% of the informal sector (including small retail, small (including sector informal the of 90% Egypt, In • • In South Africa, a survey of small businesses run by black a of businesses small survey In Africa, South • every additional 10 mobile phonesgross country’s domestic product (GDP) risesper 0.5 percent’ 100 people, a (Waverman ing people to move when there is a concrete economicopportunity. centres with a mobile phone number to offer services, or unemployment from SMS via alerts job to receive subscribe allow- costs travel minimise also can phones Mobile centres. Photo: M. Millinga M. Photo: 6 48

THEME SECTION RoxannaSamii Photo: Roxanna Samii creating ‘branchless banking channels using mobile phones’. enough evidencehave to unleashinstitutions the potential microfinance of and cellular bankingMicrocredit and start cash machines or point-of-sale, cutting costs by up to 50%. Internet, the via banking to alternative low-cost a provide ices.arguesCGAPmobilethethatphonecouldpotentially serv-bankingaccess and moneytransfer to optionsfewer ices. countries have little or limited access to formal financial serv- (CGAP), approximately 1.5 billion mobile users in developing mobileusers indeveloping countries have invented mecha- wayBruijnintriguedaretheMirjampologistsdeby Dr like allowed families and the diaspora to keep in touch. Anthro- has Connectivity impact. psychological positive a had also reading and writing text message services. handset and rent it to other community members along with for one person or a group of people to own a mobile phone ruralcommunitiesIn developing in countries,common is it Social cohesivenessandsenseofcommunity be appropriate, sensible and meet the requirements of poor Thefocus must beonpeople andtheir needs. ICTs need to How can ICTs help poor rural people? and inventivenessofpoorruralpeople. struggling to make money by working around the ingenuity alert someone else to call them. Mobile providers are to codesequally as ‘flashing’ or ‘bipage’ ‘beeping’, as such nisms 7 See: www.cgap.org AccordingConsultativetheto GroupAssistPoor theto From a social networking perspective mobile phones have 7 With limited formal banking infrastructure there are there infrastructure banking formal limited With with satellitedish. electricity, equipped water andstable region lacking running Eritrean Gasha-Barka Remote villagein engagements for farmers, traders, processors, buyers and buyers processors, traders, farmers, for engagements of rules and expectations the outlining conduct of code a equitable, fair and transparent services, the ZNFU developed Information Service. To ensure good governance and provide tivewayaccessto commodity prices, usingSMS anMarket programme introduced an innovative, simple and cost-effec- providemarket intelligence to to farmers. need In August the 2006, the identified it (ZNFU), Union Farmers National in Programme(SHEMP) Marketing and Enterprise Smallholder the supports IFAD SMS Market Information Service, Zambia projects and activities. various theimplementing responsibility in take to also but allowedfarmers activelyto takepart notonly thedesignin approach participatory This phones. mobile of power the harness mechanismstodevelop stakeholdersto other and in identifying and defining their needs, working with donors The following examples show how farmers have participated Examples ofmobiletelephonyinaction only be successful if it is demand-driven and responds to the can technology of uptake power. The purchasing and ing rural people so that, as a tool, ICTs can increase their bargain- • thereis a blending of old and new technology to create a • therecommitmentais buildto thecapacity communi-of • national poverty reduction strategies systematically include • we use participatory approaches, as outlined in the exam- to contributefurtherdevelopmentif: needs ofbeneficiaries. infrastructureinthis continent.” moderntelecommunications thismakes mobile technology thefirst mobiletelephony. Onecould argue that landlineandhave moved directly to completelyskipped thetelephone “In Africa,many countries have three-tier system of public, private and community. appropriation; and ties and local organisations to lead and own the process of adoption of appropriate ICTs; lenges ofpoorruralpeople; ples below, to find out and understand the needs and chal- ICTs and more specifically mobile telephony can continue Zambia . Working with the Zambia the withWorking . 49

6 THEME SECTION – shu shu shus shu shu under the First Mile Project Tanzania in Tanzania in Market ‘spies’ – known locally as locally known – ‘spies’ Market 9 Mobile phones: the silver bullet to bridge the digital divide? digital the bridge to bullet silver the phones: Mobile By now, policy makers and development agencies should agencies development and makers policy now, By access universal first the telephony mobile make truly To peer-to-peer information systems; peer-to-peer mobile services to thrive and expand. ment, civil society, private sector actors and consumers; ment, civil society, and disadvantaged areas; mobile of potential the exploit better to organisations ers’ phones; A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. single a with begins miles thousand a of journey A do you as long so go, you slowly how matter not does It not stop. Confucius The First Mile Project is supported by the Government of Switzerland and Switzerland of Government the by supported is Project Mile First The 9 implemented in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania’s and the IFAD- the and Tanzania’s of Government the with collaboration in implemented (AMSDP). Programme Development Systems Marketing Agricultural funded investigate prices and what is selling at local markets, and The villages. their to back report to phones mobile their use commodity prices are then transcribed on village notice boards and also broadcast on radio. In partnership with Tradenet.biz they willand old of soon blend This be information. usingmarket more even mobile access phones to new technology is helping farmers build better and more to consumer. producer collaborative market chains from Making mobile phones universally accessible universally phones mobile Making Shu shu shus Farmers’ inventiveness has spearheaded another phenom- enon. Poor in farmers are using mobile phones to access market information in time. real •deliver relevant and timely content and further develop both airtime and handset prices; and • reduce put• in place better and enabling regulations to allow have enough evidence that of all ICTs, mobile phones have phones mobile of that all ICTs, evidence enough have coun- in developing growth to the stimulate best potential to contribute can services mobile in investing that and – tries manufactur- Phone development. social and economic both that the poorest recognise should ers providers and service markets. biggest their of one be to out turned have people Mobile telephony has not only helped bridge the digital divide but has been a catalyst to eradicate rural poverty and poor. and marginalised the of livelihoods the improve is a need to: ICT there govern- with collaboration in policy ICT sound place in put • rural in services and infrastructures mobile in more invest • farm- and entrepreneurs rural of capacity the strengthen • 8 Over 100 traders and processors are now providing This This market intelligence system is continuously gaining The farmers then send a second SMS message with the with message SMS a second send then farmers The The SMS system is simple to use. To obtain the best prices best the obtain To use. to simple is system SMS The See: www.farmprices.co.zm See: 8 stimulate growth in developing in growth stimulate countries.” enough evidence that of all ICTs, mobile ICTs, all of that evidence enough to potential best the have phones “By now, policy makers and makers policy now, “By have should agencies development access, the system is also supported by a website. access, the system is also supported by tion, business news, accessi- up-to-date cost-effective, a market in commodities prices, major 14 andfor addi- buyers lists provide also workers Extension manner. reliable and ble Internet with those For building. capacity and training tional ZNFU agents. It also provides detailed contact information to information contact detailed provides also It agents. ZNFU The weather service informa- provides irregularities. report their products and at what price. price. what at and products their betweenSMS weekly 1220 Februaryover August and July Between andexchanged. June, 520 weekly messageSMS were were exchanged. Smallholders sell to where today grow, to what have know to information the necessary weekly price updates. Website visits and the number of SMS of number the and visits Website updates. price weekly 2007 in example, For increasing. continuously are messages the system is spon- managed corporate attract to byactivities localadvocacy public institutions.conduct They also sorships. offering time-sensitive information and fostering parency trans- in pricing. SHEMP and ZNFU continuously update prices on a daily and ensure sustainability weekly basis. To ing both. Farmers can then call the contact and start trading. start and contact the call then can Farmers both. ing The farmers pay US$0.15 for each text message. It is popularity. empowering farmers to negotiate deals by selected buyer’s code to 4455. A text message is back to A sent code 4455. message text buyer’s selected with the buyer’s contactreach- for namedirections andsimple and phoneaddress and number,name company the prices code. in a commodity specific the after district code or province,province/district hethe or sheincludes simply 4455 containing the first four letters of the commodity name. commodity the of letters four first the containing 4455 Within seconds, they a receive text message with the best best get To codes. buyers’ abbreviated using buyer by prices for a commodity, farmers for simply send a an commodity, SMS message to 6 50

THEME SECTION RoxannaSamii communitiesandbeyond.” economicandsocial spheres oftheir totake morea active part inthe facilitatepreviously marginalised groups mobilephone accessibility ishelping to “Observationsinthe field are that Tel: +39 06 5459 2375 Website: www.ifad.org Email: [email protected] Rome, Italy Via Paolo di Dono, 44 Development (IFAD) International Fund for Agricultural Services Manager, Web, Knowledge and Distribution Roxanna Samii CONTACT DETAILS this revolution, the mobile sector also needs to capture to needs also sector mobile the revolution, this Finally, to really appreciate the power and potential of potential and power the appreciateFinally, really to (IFC). (WRI) and International Finance Corporation of thePyramid Market SizeandBusinessStrategyattheBase and Walker, C. (2007). Hammond, A., Kramer, W J., Tran, J., Katz, R., Bank. in sustainableruralpovertyreduction Silarszky, P. (2008). Bhavnan, A., Won-Wai Chiu, R., Janakiram, S., Business School:London Growth inDevelopingCountries (2005). Waverman, L., Meschi, M. and Fuss, M. REFERENCES The Impact of Telecoms on Economic . World Resources Institute The roleofmobilephones The Next4Billion: for thosecommunities. build systems that are both profitable and work effectively to constraints and realities their understand to and needs community identify to working partnerships, community And yes – this can be done through joint private-public and costs. airtime reducing further and handset US$1 the ing producing the US$10 handset – with the vision of produc- start and forces join sectors public and private the before a within community. subscription a sharing those – phones mobile of use’ ‘informal the to: unable are statistics official what Given the conducive environment, it should not be long . London . World USEFUL LINKS Africa Connect: www.connectafrica.net www.farmprices.co.zm Zambia MarketInformationSystem: Tradenet: www.tradenet.biz www.ruralpovertyportal.org Rural PovertyPortal: IFAD: www.ifad.org THEME SECTION 51 describe how a joint describe the work of the KADO MUIR KADO and MARY NAKIRYA MARY discuss the importance of intellectual and GUY SINGLETON GUY , TIM KULCHYSKI TIM explores the potentials for or and JON CORBETT JON EDNAH AKIIKI KARAMAGI AKIIKI EDNAH news reports either via the Internet or mobile phones. The Ushahidi platform has now been redeveloped to improve its potential for Web of series a integrating – situations crisis humanitarian in application 2.0 applications. Next, Next, Initiative (BROSDI) in Busoga Rural Open Source and Development of farmer organisations to Uganda. BROSDI works with a network agricultural effective about information local share and collect generate, traditional more and tools 2.0 Web of range a integrates BROSDI practice. approaches – from digital radio, mobile phones and blogs to regular Brokers. Knowledge Village with working and Forums Sharing Knowledge OKOLLOH ORY ‘crowdsourcing’. The author describes how in Kenya the innovative Ushahidi website was developed for sharing information during the election crisis in 2007. The website enabled citizens to send in and receive used to address specific development issues. used to address specific development CORBETT JON authors The development. for tools 2.0 Web using when rights property communities describe a project working with Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking Using a range of tools and based in Canada to revitalise their language. the project also developed a approaches including participatory video, which were uploaded to video- series of short language-learning videos made was generated material the all not However, websites. sharing limited how much of their available online. The participants strategically public, retaining much of it within valuable cultural knowledge was made their own communities. Part III: Issue-based Part III: studies and integrated being are tools 2.0 Web how explore articles the Here, project with the Aboriginal Walkatjurra Cultural Centre in Australia, in Centre Cultural Walkatjurra Aboriginal the with project Columbia British of University the and Technology of University Curtin revitalise help to tools 2.0 Web of use the exploring been have Okanagan culture and enhance community development. This article explores how this towards contributed has tools digital other and 2.0 Web of use the aim – and how using the tools helped to positively engage youth in such activities. Theme section Theme 52 THEME SECTION video andintellectualproperty indigenous language,digital Anti social-computing: in Internet communication. Web2.0 technologies have been hailed as anew paradigm Introduction and TIMby KULCHYSKI JON CORBETT New York Times, September 2007 in this century. In fact, one falls out of use every two weeks. nearly half are in danger of extinction and likely to disappear Of the estimated 7,000 languages spoken in the world today Background tion using media that they can control more satisfactorily. informa- the distribute and retain to chosen subsequently have and – tools mash-up blog-based using with mented VancouverSouthernexperi- haveinCanada,Island, based Hul’q’umi’num’-speakingcommunitieshow on reflectWe ingindigenous language mightnotalways appropriate. be that using Web 2.0 tools in the context of restoring a declin- on and reproduce. access,critique,commenttoanyone to open are tools 2.0 and information. Often referred to as the ‘social’ web, Web mentwithmaterial,the sharingtheandideas, of thoughts encouragesuser-generatedthat ence engage- activedata, 1 7 For a definition of Web 2.0, see glossary, p.123 and overview, p.8 (this issue). We use the term ‘anti-social’ because we refer to the fact 1 They offer a web-based experi- sity researchers to test the use of digital multimedia in multimedia digital of use the test to researchers sity University ResearchAlliance programme. The project Community engages univer- the through Canada of Council Research Humanities and Sciences Social the by funded is VictoriaofUniversityand British ofColumbia Okanagan. It project in collaboration with researchers from the University revitalisation language major a begun have They Nations. to decline amongstyoungergenerations. continue levels Fluency old. years 60 over are whom of majority the – 10,000 approximately of community a than 100 fluent Hul’q’umi’num’ speakers alive today out of fewer remain There language.’ our of use the largely out wiped schools, residential particularly policies, lationist mi’num’ Treaty Group (HTG) website clearly states, ‘Assimi- Lake theirand language now lies at a criticalNation, juncture. As the of Hul’q’u- First survival The exception. no are – Nation Halalt First Cowichan Nations, First Lyackson Tribe,Tribes,PenelakutCowichanNation, FirstChemainus include which – communities Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking forever.The lost being to close are languages indigenous key to the future survival of cultures worldwide. and past the to bridge a both is It understanding.cultural expression of – and means of sharing – local knowledge and people within the place from which they come. It is the living HTG is an organisation that acts of behalf these First these behalf of acts that organisation an is HTG nations, colonial former other many in as Canada, In Language is the essence of culture and identity. It situates 53

7 THEME SECTION They also offer an unprecedented opportunity to help The tools used by the project have changed dramatically advance- the continuing reflecting years, five the past over of range a using by began We technologies. digital of ments to DVDs interactive of series a produce to tools video digital language Hul’q’umi’num’ the communicate and document to began we Later, manner. educational and engaging an in experiment with Internet-based Web 2.0 technologies.Throughout each stage, we employed the principles of Methods and processes processes and Methods appealing, easily for accessible elements toimportant theare viewerThese and involvesendeavour. creative a strong and crafting in community the in youth and elders engaging evaluating language-learning materials. Itaccess can increaseto – and visibility of – language classes, communities and to the general public. the language in schools, provide subsequently and language the in interest an foster might tools these that is hope The it. learn help to materials help to revitalise the Hul’q’umi’num’ language and help extinction. of brink the from back it bring Filming Willie Seymour, one Seymour, Willie Filming fluent remaining the of in speakers, Hul’q’umi’num’ Chemainus in Bay, Kuleet lands. Nation’s First Anti social-computing: indigenous language, digital video and intellectual property property intellectual and video digital language, indigenous social-computing: Anti However, elders recog- elders However, 1 Digital technology is becoming easier and cheaper to Among others these include a Hul’q’umi’num’ dictionary project, a language a project, dictionary Hul’q’umi’num’ a include these others Among 1 mentoring programme and evening school. evening and programme mentoring number of importantcommunity. the in projects language and ongoing Hul’q’umi’num’ corporation of the Hul’q’umi’num’ It is community. guided by an elders advisory languageboard made into the from elders and language-speaking up fluent of interested a already are There communities. six these Hul’q’umi’num’ language learning. The ultimate aim is to support the aim rein- is to support The ultimate learning. language digital multimedia – especially digital video. Video is visually is Video video. digital especially – multimedia digital access, produce and distribute. Many groups are now using now are groups Many distribute. and produce access, new media (including audio, video and text-based materi- infor- and positions their communicate and document to als) mation. learning Language in lends particular itself well to have attempted to achieve this goal. Work began in May 2004 and is still ongoing. expert-orienteddigital environmentinteractive The andmembers. bringcommunity of it backlives intoeveryday the here video disc described (DVD) and 2.0 Web components nised the need to take language from a classroom and 7 54

THEME SECTION JonCorbett and TimKulchyski when both are combined the subsequent that materials is aim are The activity. morecultural a with language-learning ects, the CURA/HTG project partnership wanted to combine correct and appropriate. were material the of the presentation that and content ensure message, to project, the throughout elders with closelyworksensitivity. toimportantand care greatwas It the Bighouse, but the project needed to be approached with withassociatedlanguage thedocumenting of importance the language recognised elders The importance. central of remains Hul’q’umi’num’ the where fora principle the of one is it and protocols ceremonial with deals Speaking Bighouse 1). Box (see sensitive culturally very considered is Speaking, Bighouse on, worked we that project major first the because important particularly was This projects. the of each for process approval the in instrumental was worked. weaving. These became the principal projects on which we of public ceremonial speech and cedar-bark harvesting and includingidentifieddocumentingthemestraditionalforms strengthening of cultural practices and understanding. They and revitalisation the to contribute also but language, on important that the DVD subject matter would not only focus the existing HTG elders’ advisory boards. They considered it more Perhaps importantly, the project developed a communities. close relationship with Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking of representatives, both men and women, from each of the DVD production. An advisory board was created,and filming in comprising skills and training hands-on with members community provide to was collaborators) university the content oftheDVDs. were key decision makers in the design, filming location and product (see Lunch and Lunch, 2005). Community members final the of ownership exclusive maintained they that and digitalthemediaproductionsall endeavourtheirownas– participatory video to ensure that the community considered notalways beappropriate.” decliningindigenous language might toolsinthe context ofrestoring a werefer tothe fact that using Web2.0 “Weusethe term ‘anti-social’because With both the Bighouseproj-thebarkSpeakingcedarbothand With Theadvisory board also gave guidance throughout and particularintermediaries(intechnology the of role The menu allows DVD the user to selectThe the type of information that material. user-determined other and exercises based technologies. web- with found commonly more is that interactivity user instead, project collaborators So decided to players. emulate DVD the to sort ofaccess had 90% over comparison, In home, due to poor broadband access on the reserve lands. at access Internet high-speed to access had members nity download or multimedia content. view At that time only 10-15% of to commu- access Internet high-speed costly language- access related information can in their own homes without relying on people DVDs, With tools. based immediately incorporatedtotheDVDmaterials. every sessionIn minor recommendationschanges. were madesuggest and and these were feedback provide would them. In a series of public screenings, community members to ownership over handing in step important an was This approval.evaluationtheircommunityandwiderfor the to product finished the showed we throughout, information rough footage into a finished product.the develop to elders with closely work to continue and 1) determine the material, content and location for the video knowledge holders (such as Willie Seymour discussed in Box The consultations. of series a through holders knowledge advisory board worked with the community to identify these activity.culturalelders’ the The knowledgeableof also are The process works directly with local language speakers members. that community engage and to relevant be to likely Box 1: The Bighouse Speaking Project ensure that the material was correct and appropriate. Throughout the filming process a community elder was also present to elders. He would speak first in Hul’q’umi’num’ and then in English. discussed hispersonalexperiencesandstoriestoldtohimby described a bighouse naming ceremony. During the filming, Willie the language and his hope for its future revitalisation. Willie also role of the bighouse for the Hul’q’umi’num’ people, the current state of project filmed Willie discussing the significance of the language, the remembers much of his childhood growing up in the bighouse. The grandparents and his grandfather was a bighouse speaker. He Island and a fluent Hul’q’umi’num’ speaker. Willie was raised by his one of the most respected bighouse speakers in Southern Vancouver We worked closely with Willie Seymour to produce two DVDs. Willie is learning exercises that were also included on the DVD. subtitles. Stories and other materials were worked into interactive in the community transcribed and translated the recordings, to use as The digital DVD content includes language drills, worddrills,language includes content DVD digital The Internet- than rather DVDs use to chose initially We Although community elders approved and validated the This footage was then captured onto a computer. Language experts 55

7 THEME SECTION Selected 4 5 4 It combines photo, video and audio and video photo, combines It 2 3 2 is a free blog publishing tool from Google where you can post text, post can you where Google from tool publishing blog free a is Community project collaborators began developing a Blogger source one than more from data combines that application web a is up mash A and view upload, can users registered where website a is Albums Web Picasa See clips. video can users where website sharing video a is YouTube photos and video. See www.blogger.com See video. and photos materials housed on Picasa Web Albums and YouTube with YouTube and Albums Web Picasa on housed materials form. text in materials dictionary-based and text learning community. Initially there was interest and Hul’q’u- and interest was there Initially community. learning sections of video from the earlier DVD project were reused were DVD project the earlier of from video sections in this new format. Themate- fresh blogprovides this cantheory, In moderators. be community easily updated by rial on a regular basis, encouraging users to return to the regis- allow also can It material. language new access to site to helping blog, the on material on comment to users tered contribute to a growing online Hul’q’umi’num' language 2 3 4 5 blog-based mash-up. blog-based into a single integrated tool, e.g. using text, photos, videos and audio files. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashup Source: www.picasaweb.google.com See free. for online photos their share www.youtube.com Cover of Xe’xe’ Sqwal Language) Sacred (the DVD. interactive Anti social-computing: indigenous language, digital video and intellectual property property intellectual and video digital language, indigenous social-computing: Anti access to broadband either at home or using publicly acces- publicly using or home at either broadband to access Tribes Cowichan the in example (for services computer sible centre). youth ular, they wanted to encourage youth increas- were Hul’q’umi’num’ members. community the input of younger enter- for technologies social-computing online using ingly had people and more More and communication. tainment By early 2007, the collaborators proposed reusing the video the reusing proposed collaborators the 2007, early By the to increase hoped They in 2.0 format. a Web materials partic- In material. language the accessing people of range The role of Web 2.0 in Hul’q’umi’num’ language Hul’q’umi’num’ in 2.0 Web of role The revitalisation sections sections of as information and when they want. This flexi- bility makes the tool DVDs training that a language robust classroom. the in or home at easily used be can they want to access, achieving a high level of user choice all to access unlikely are users In addition, interactivity. and the content in one go. Instead, they can access short 7 56

THEME SECTION JonCorbett and TimKulchyski were advertised in community newspapers and newsletters. easy. We organised a series of open screeningmembers sessions, are whichgeographically dispersed so this was not alwaysporated into the final media products. However, community the process,throughout ensuring that theirup-to-date commentsand and ideas involved were incor- members nity commu-eldersandkeep to need importanttheMost was Since2004havewe learnt number a significant of lessons. Lessons learnt, critical reflections and analysis community interactionandcommentshavedwindled. of of competing time pressures on the moderators. number As a a result, made rial on a regular basis has proven to be challenging because members comments. However, populating the blog community with fresh mate- mi’num’ intermediaries)foundourselves working severalon projects initiallyhadmentthanwe considered. (theWetechnology mediaproducts takessubstantially morecommit-timeand about thematerials. universityprojectmemberscommunityand both with talk openvenues gave community members theopportunity to materials.videoThesetheviewedpeople 200 to up when ing. We screened the DVDs during National Aboriginal Day, Often turnout was reasonable with up to 30 people attend- Our second general lesson was that producing these producing that was lesson general second Our blog mash-up. the Hul’q’umi’num’ Screen capture of ensure asuccessfulend. them time to develop their own momentum, then that will allowandtheirownbuild projectsongive youto time the If wrong. wasn’t that And more. even back it pushing up evaluating thefinishedmedia.Asoneteammembernoted, six of the communities involved and other project partners,others. in Added to this we needed to involve members fromprioritise all certain projects, which affected our ability to tohad Weholders.knowledge organisersandcommunity finalise simultaneously.oftensplitbetweenwasdifferenttimeOur Lessons learnt: Web 2.0 applications school children). Once online, the user can select the specific They are short enough to maintain attention (particularlyness. However,with it was an ideal length for ‘learning segments’.be less than 10 minutes long). Initially we saw this as a youweak- can only upload short videos (e.g. on YouTube, languagefiles learners.must On most Web 2.0 video sharing websites video sections 20 or 30 minutes long, which are not ideal for filming fortheBighouseSpeakingDVD. products, such as several stories told by Willie Seymour after finalDVDtherelevanceinnityused been notwhichhad – video phase. We had high quality material – of greatwe had commu-already recorded in the project’s earlier participatory YouTube)that materialreuse repurposeand to us allowed the website’s scope and relevance. contributecontent, and generally take amore active role in more influence. Any user can provide feedback, suggest and creatordesigner.and applicationWeb2.0 Withusershave passive recipients of information, determinedfrom by away the website control took community also members. It Users on a staticexpensive. websitewas are treatedproject as the for website static ‘traditional’ a Establishing benefits. to easy and free) (i.e. affordable were technologies • the online interested an develop and promote helped • it (in far-reachingaudience and broader a reach could • we talisation project. Several obvious benefits included: revi- language Hul’q’umi’num’ the for good was nologies tech- web-based to DVD from transition the Undoubtedly on avoluntarybasis. setup, update and maintain by project moderators working community; and particular theHul’q’umi’num’youth); Whenever we pushed back a timeline we always ended When producing the DVDs, we often ended up with long (specifically applications video-sharing online Using specific other several had technologies 2.0 Web Using 57

7 THEME SECTION Knowledge in society is not objective or static, but ever or static, is not in objective society Knowledge The Hul’q’umi’num’ language reflects knowledge that Most significantly, material shared via the Internet is Knowledge is not just ready to be picked like an apple on apple an like picked be to ready just not is Knowledge to attached and contexts in social It is embedded a tree. different power positions. Just because you can record it, doesn’t mean that you actu- you that mean doesn’t it, record can you because Just families. ally havespecific with to recordstay it actually and that put itthings on themany Internet.recorded We’ve shared knowledge, held by many, much held knowledge, of shared by it many, is specialised 1996). (IIRR, training special with few a by held knowledge, of of some the transfer facilitate systems traditional Formal this knowledge, such as ceremonies, festivals and other processes. For (and example, the available Bighouse Namingonly Ceremonyis that information sensitive contains DVD relevant) to Hul’q’umi’num’ speakers – on the request of community elders it is not available for public distribution. manipulated, distorted and controlled. This is particularly ‘infor- between the difference considering when important Infor- is a distinction. clear There and ‘knowledge’. mation’ it process and interpret we until passive is that data is mation 2.0 Web on posted material Much 2002). Foray, and (David transient inert, – information as categorised be can websites people that sense the is Knowledge note, self-indulgent. often (1993) and Thompson and Scoones As information. of make attitudes skills, beliefs, values, the with infused and changing However 1998). (Panos, it have who those of 2.0 practices and Web on found information user-generated much already, tran- as many by considered is applications networking social sient and unimportant. gener- successive by immemorial time over accumulated has main- and identity community for element vital a is It ations. It of colonisation. face in the distinctiveness cultural taining relation- is institutions, in practices, embedded community simulta- exist knowledge of types Different ritual. and ships or common is much Although community. a within neously usually considered to be public. There are few controls in place in controls few are There public. be to considered usually misinterpreted, reused, used, is material that how manage to the the Hul’q’umi’num’ language. These concerns are specific tradi- to communicate to the use 2.0 of technologies Web in and materials, language indigenous and knowledge tional also has caution This rights. property intellectual particular, been voiced by several community elders. As onemember noted, team Anti social-computing: indigenous language, digital video and intellectual property property intellectual and video digital language, indigenous social-computing: Anti Despite this, we do feel that the blog has the potential to potential the has blog the that feel do we this, Despite The CURA project funding is beginning to wind down. So down. wind to beginning is funding project CURA The Web 2.0 applications do offer enormous potential. However, potential. enormous offer do applications 2.0 Web there remain several significant cautious of this endorsing medium for of the revitalisation issues. So we remain could not support this position. As a result, the full potential full the result, a As position. this support not could realised. fully been not has website Hul’q’umi’num’ the for 2.0 Web using caution of word A and animator for the website. Their role would be to encour- to be would role Their website. the for animator and new sufficient that ensure and involvement community age content is uploaded to the website. our However, project contributing to developing a cohesive community of people of community a cohesive developing to However, contributing revitalisation. language Hul’q’umi’num’ marketer a in as act to interested moderator dedicated a hiring requires this be a good communication tool, helping to stimulate interest stimulate to helping tool, communication good a be as well as media, of forms different many using language in the blog was not directly funded by the project, but set up by the project, funded the was blog not directly and maintained on a purely voluntary basis. We have not other to role moderating the outsourcing in successful been community members. comments made to project staff. Undoubtedly this is because is this Undoubtedly staff. project to made comments continu- to need that moderators is university and community the difficulty The blog. the maintain to material update ally the interactive DVDs. However, the Web 2.0 component has component 2.0 Web the However, DVDs. interactive the not generated as much community interest as anticipated despite initial community enthusiasm, demonstrated by Assessing difficulties and successes gener- in successful highly been have project the of Elements ating interest in the Hul’q’umi’num’ language, particularly expensive and lengthy process) they can post their materials their post can they process) lengthy and expensive costs. distribution cutting dramatically online, directly ment is low cost. The project partners can still use the equip- the use still can partners project The cost. low and is ment capture record, to started project the when bought ment than rather but – material audio and video photographs, edit (an DVDs interactive distribute physically and to create have using ‘out of the box’ Web 2.0 applications is very attractive. very is applications 2.0 Web box’ the of ‘out using manage- term to medium and the short maintenance Both segments they want to watch. Short videos are also easier to easier also are videos Short watch. to want they segments than edit longer and ones, often by prepare using a single video camera (rather than two). especially digital video.” digital especially “Language learning in particular lends particular in learning “Language – multimedia digital to well itself 7 58

THEME SECTION JonCorbett and TimKulchyski distribute knowledge. data archiving are as important as the ways in which we can of systems traditional More websites. these on exclusively it simply be lost? Important information should not be stored Web 2.0 applications? How easily will it be repatriated? Will is curtailed,access what will universal happen or to the removed, materials are housed on services thoseIf economy. particularly relevant given the current downturn in is This theall.offered ateven or global – servicefree a offeredas be We question whether Web 2.0 applications will continue to enormous effort, funds and, perhaps most importantly, time. it back into everyday use by community members will takehaseroded relatively an fast (within twogenerations), tobring language Hul’q’umi’num’ the Though venture. short-term ally withthepublic. informationbetween community members, or more gener- culturalimportantshareapplications) networkingto social particularly(andInternet the usewillingness theirtoences many indigenous groups around the world and greatly influ- significanthighlyfor issue a is Thislost. control isand tion If this material is uploaded to the Internet, any level of monyrestric- DVD the community can regulate who has access to it. copy.hardtowhichis Bighouse thewith NamingAs Cere- becomes expropriated. ation where what remaining information they do control alsoCommunity elders do not want to find themselves in a situ- generations. for expropriated been has communities ing information.Hul’q’umi’num’-speak-knowledgetheThe of statusof significanceknowledgethedevaluethethe to of might Internet the onto knowledge this Releasing ment. ing loss of culture and rapid changes in the natural environ- intrinsic to the identity of a people facing both an accelerat- Email: [email protected] Canada British Columbia Cowichan Tribes Tim Kulchyski Email: [email protected] Canada University ofBritishColumbiaOkanagan Community Culture and Global Studies Jon Corbett CONTACT DETAILS A secondAcaution thatlanguage is revitalisation a notis form, physical a in exists information the DVDs, With is language Hul’q’umi’num’ the that is point key The International Development Research Centre edge: AGuideforResearchers Grenier, L. (1998) tional SocialScienceJournal the economy of the knowledge society.’ David, P.A. and D. Foray (2002) ‘An introduction to REFERENCES Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria. Hul’q’umi’num’ Treaty Group (HTG) and the Salish Communities: A Multimedia Approach’, project ‘Language Revitalization in Vancouver Island The authors are indebted to members of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Working with indigenous Knowl- issue 54 . Ottawa,Ontario: theneed forlanguage revitalisation.” drivingforce forthe project, rather than sensea that thetechnology isthe ofworking with newtools might create “Weare conscious that theexcitement Web 2.0 applications in particular, have the promise to contribute to the ambitious goalpromise of language revitalisation.the have particular, in applications 2.0 Web The initial project results suggest that digital multimedia and Conclusion face contact. the with eldersin the community. There engage is no substitute for face-to- actually to have members community sation to take place in a meaningful and sustainable manner, language-learning.However, inorder forlanguage revitali- in interested is that community a community,particularly 2.0 might play in language revitalisation: Arthur C. Clarke seem particularly relevant to the role Web ofwordsdelivered.The be language-learning cancontent language revitalisation and using the best medium by whichfor need the than rather project, the for force driving the withnew tools might create asense that the technology is However, we are conscious that the excitement of working and weneedthemall. and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, mesmerisingand videodisplays,remindthatyoume let Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets Realistically, these tools can contribute to helping create Interna- Studies University ofSussex,InstituteDevelopment agricultural researchandextension practice the Populist Perspective: rural people’s knowledge, Scoones, I.andJ.Thompson(1993) opment. PANOS (1998) national Development Research Centre Environmental Knowledge Johnson, M.(1992) national InstituteofRuralReconstruction Knowledge: AManual IIRR (1996) New York: World Bank Recording andUsingindigenous Information, KnowledgeandDevel- Lore: Capturing Traditional . Manila,Philippines:Inter- . Ottawa,Ontario:Inter- Challenging . UK:

59 THEME SECTION 8 In addition, information is gathered and dissem- and gathered is information addition, In 3 BROSDI uses a range of approaches to facilitate the gath- the facilitate to approaches of range a uses BROSDI For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). (this p.106 Blogging also See p.121. glossary, see ‘blog’, of definition a For inated during Knowledge Sharing Forums, via the Collecting the via Forums, Sharing Knowledge during inated Knowl- andVillage Exchangeand Network ofAgricultural LocalDistrict AgriculturalProgramme’s Content (CELAC) edge Brokers, and during Annual Knowledge Fairs, where ways in which we work with farmers to generate and share and generate to farmers with work we which in ways local information using these tools. text messaging services brochures. and printed newsletters and Background their exploit to communities rural empower to seeks BROSDI environment using ICTs and otherand methodsknowledge-sharing society for sustainable civil livelihoods. It uses a government, multi-stake- with engaging approach, holder health education, our through done is This sector. private the and agricultural programmes that primarily target orphan women. and youth children, ICT other and 2.0 Web of information. exchange and ering discs compact blogs, and text audio websites, include tools SMS phone mobile conferencing, and calls telephone (CDs), 3 This article explores some of some the explores article This Our approach to sharing farming sharing to approach Our 1 2

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Busoga Experience has Experience taught us that farmers hold themselves See www.brosdi.or.ug See Sending a text message via mobile telephone is known as Short Messaging (ICTs) and Web 2.0 tools. In particular, the use of mobile tele- technologies with mobile communication approaches information of use the particular, In tools. 2.0 Web and (ICTs) information sharing for (SMS) services messaging text phone effective. very has proved knowledge is a blend of participatory development Rural Open Source and Development Initiative (BROSDI) are (BROSDI) Initiative Development and Source Open Rural gap. this bridge to striving They They simply the require platforms and to resources enable information. that share to them US dollar a day? livelihoods. their improve to help necessary information the tant, these techniques require inputs like hybridfertilisers, pesticides,seeds, herbicides and machinery. But how practical is it to implement them in grassrootscommunities in Uganda farmingwhen farmers live on barely one In recent times, conventional wisdom among government and civil society has been that better farm outputs require the use of modern farming techniques. Although impor- Introduction by EDNAH AKIIKI KARAMAGI and MARY NAKIRYA KARAMAGINAKIRYA AKIIKI MARY and EDNAH by rural livelihoods in Uganda rural livelihoods sharing in agriculture: improving sharing in agriculture: Tools for enhancing knowledge- enhancing for Tools 1 2 Service, or SMS. 8 60

THEME SECTION Ednah AkiikiKaramagi and Mary Nakirya with theHumanistInstituteforDevelopment Cooperation(Hivos). participated in our Annual Knowledge Fair. The fairs are organised in partnership 4 ities.Theaim istofoster learning from diverse experiences, also receivesgroup Each seed fundingBrokers. to beginKnowledge small Village income-generating elected by activ- project’sthejoin DistrictAgricultural Network, represented to them encourages and organisations, community-based farming inputs. affordcannotmoderngrassrootswho amongfarmers tice edge and information management of local agricultural prac-projectpromotes the sharing of indigenous farming knowl- agricultural new security a of rural farmers, especially women. In began particular, the BROSDI programme. CELAC aims 2005, to improve the livelihoods March and In food (CELAC) Collecting and Exchange of Local Agricultural Content and to share information about local agricultural practice. goodsotherproduce ortrade or display to gatherfarmers For example in 2007, over 600 farmers from different areas of the country The project facilitates farmer groups to register as register to groups farmer facilitates project The 4

Source: United Nations groups and the network are sustainable in the longer term. more effective problem-solvingin engage – and farmers to help help and ensure thateffectiveness, thework increase laptop, a digital camera, pen and paper. outcomes for later dissemination, using audiothe equipment,document a to group the helps then team project The is discussed, from crop preparation to post harvest methods. group discussions or card sorting. The whole farminge.g. methods, participatory processusing discussions the facilitate farming methods forthatparticulartopic. effective about knowledgeable being as tified also invite other farmers to participate, who they have iden- beansetc. The farmers decide on the topic beforehand and tion for a targeted crop or livestock type, e.g. goats, chickens, and newideas(SeeBox1). mation about ‘how they do it’, ‘the good and bad practices’ infor-share to discussions,participatory these in part take departments) and civil society organisations are all invited to agriculturalFarmers,officialsgovernmentthe(especially in learning. and education peer-to-peer participatory using agriculturallocalinformationfarmers,exchange ofamong the promote to convened are Forums Sharing Knowledge Knowledge Sharing Forums and outside information. local both of consists content The education. basic are appropriatethat for ruralformats farmers,into most it of whom have notrepackages had and a adapts and tice CELAC collects information about effective agricultural prac- Developing local agricultural content Annual Knowledge Fair. Farmers Network the 2007 CELAC District Participants gather at Thefarmers choose amongst themselves convener,a to Forumsareusually themedaround generating informa-

Photo: BROSDI 61

8 THEME SECTION We also further summarise the information into information the summarise further also We 5 The next section explores how these tools and The project enables farmers to subscribe to to a to subscribe farmers service enables The project

See the BROSDI audio blog: http://audioblog.podbean.com. For a definition of

Members of the of Members Masaka District Network Farmers meeting. 5 ‘audio blog’ see glossary, p.121 (this issue). (this p.121 glossary, see blog’ ‘audio mobile mobile phone text messages (SMS), which are sent out to over 400 farmer subscribers on a weekly basis – and our growing. is database practice. in work approaches has a mobile telephone and access to a network. receive information by weekly text messages. The SMS is local Ugandan a Luganda, and English both in disseminated language. Getting flexible with other tools for sharing Getting flexible with other tools for infor- the knowledge collected have project CELAC the and BROSDI Once mation generated and documented e.g. from VKBs and other farmers or during forums and field visits, it is then repackaged and distributed. The information is organised and CDs) audio and (booklets Guides’ to ‘How detailed into Audio network. the to distribution for summaries single-page on also are our uploaded blog audio versions for to others download. phones mobile using information agricultural Sharing serv- Due to the liberalisation phone of the airwaves, various mobile telecom- their extended have networks munication taken iceshave topeople ruralrural that areassomething – andhandsets subsidised telephone the costs of more and mobile expensive a less are messages Text of. advantage means access and of accessible dissemination, information in particular for women farmers who are the major family income earners. SMS can be one used provided anywhere Photo: BROSDI Photo: Tools for enhancing knowledge-sharing in agriculture: improving rural livelihoods in Uganda Uganda in livelihoods rural improving agriculture: in knowledge-sharing enhancing for Tools VKBs VKBs are expected to be the of information vanguards Source: http://successtories.wordpress.com Source: to treat her turkeys using plants growing wild on her farmland from a from farmland her on wild growing plants using turkeys her treat to her that he had man she already knew – it had never occurred to said: Namutosi Afterwards, challenges. her to answers practical Gwiko is my friend, everybody’s friend. We all know him and that he and acquired all his knowledge from his parents and through trial and and acquired all his knowledge from his parents largely is livelihood whose Rose, Namutosi met also We error. of sums large spent had Namutosi turkeys. rearing on dependent how learnt she Forum, the During turkeys. her for medicines on money sharing for personal development is a new concept among farmers. among concept new a is development personal for sharing District Budaka in Forum Sharing Knowledge turkey-rearing a During in farmers turkey local largest the of one Geroshom, Gwiko met we turkeys his treat to methods local exclusively uses He District. Pallisa Interestingly, with each district visited, we found that knowledge- that found we visited, district each with Interestingly, rears turkeys. What we didn’t know is that he has such enormous amounts of knowledge in turkey rearing. Our turkeys die everyday yet we have the cure in our homes. More so, we call the ‘cure’ stubborn weeds and keep digging them out! are asked to elect representatives who are: who representatives elect to asked are • sociable and willing to share knowledge; and areas; rural in living and active • women. preferably farmers, • analyse and disseminate agricultural information within their able or literate computer be to have not do VKBs Elected communities. and support, training, provides project The write. and read to Farmers classes. literacy adult inter-group encourages and information The project has established village-level community knowledge community village-level established has project The store, collect, to skills the with men and women empowering brokers, Box 1: Knowledge Sharing Forums in action in Forums Sharing Knowledge 1: Box Box 2: Village Knowledge Brokers Knowledge Village 2: Box from farmers and VKBsfarm- is on first testedimpact and verified.negative This potential is the of because important livestock. and crops ers’ Knowledge Knowledge Sharing Forums within their communities. We request that they send any information generated to the team, which is in turn disseminated to received the other farmers. information the distributed, widely more is it Before CELAC project is processed and repackaged and then dissem- then and repackaged and processed is project on CELAC information the pass turn in who VKBs, the to back inated to village members. The VKBs also periodically hold mini- the village they represent. Information generated by the Network. Participants select one person from each village to village each from person one select Participants Network. as act to and (VKB) Broker Knowledge Village their become 2). Box (see network the in representative their Brokers also team project the Forums, Sharing Knowledge the During Agricultural District CELAC the join to participants the invites The District Agricultural Network and Village Knowledge Village and Network Agricultural District The 8 62

THEME SECTION Ednah AkiikiKaramagi and Mary Nakirya due toitslonglength(seeBox 4). ient’sphones break themessage intoeightsixtomessages sent have no defined word number count. Often, the recip- startpreparing their gardens forthe next season. other to farmers aboutalerts approachingSMS dry sending spells in and to remindactive is them to district, Luwero ures. For example, Cissy Serunjogi, a sweet potato farmer in post meas- control disease and and pest and marketing harvesting, harvesting planting, preparation, garden e.g. content, local using practices farming betterpromote and roots farmers in the villages. The service helps them to share mation andfurtherdisseminateit. infor-thisaccess then canphones mobilewithoutfarmers reference.Other future for them file and messages the of use a public address system. They also make a written record protectmangotreesrain.Otherstofromfruitorthemthe the messagesonnotice post boards inmarket Some places, orunder 3). jack- Box (see farmers neighbouring other text messages to our subscribers, who then disseminate it to 6 Box 3: An example of ‘repackaged’ information sent via SMS every 3 weeks to control spider mites and caterpillar eggs. caterpillar and mites spider control to weeks 3 every e.g. blights, mildew, other fungal diseases and mosaic virus. Spray virus. mosaic and diseases fungal other mildew, blights, e.g. days is effective in controlling mites and plant diseases in many plants many in diseases plant and mites controlling in effective is days Weaker solution of 1 part milk to 10-15 parts water applied every 10 every applied water parts 10-15 to milk part 1 of solution Weaker days to prevent mosaic virus in tomatoes, tobacco and sugarcane. and tobacco tomatoes, in virus mosaic prevent to days Dilute 1 litre of milk with 9 litres of water. Spray the solution every 10 every solution the Spray water. of litres 9 with milk of litre 1 Dilute Cissy is also the current Luwero CELAC District Farmers Network Chairperson. These are significant information sources for other grass- Every Monday, we repackage information and send it via 6 TheSMS

Photo: BROSDI access can download or listen to the different farming prac- Internet with anyone that so blog, audio the to uploaded wider audience. wider a reach to helps also blog audio 2.0 Web Ourgroup. a as CDs and audio equipment to enable them to listen to them example,blog.Forfarmers areprovided the copieswithof interviews using audio CDs, digital online radio and an audio because they preferred their local FM stations. listen to the programmes because of a poor radio signal and revealedfarmersthedirectlyofthatwe90% servenotdid mationabouteffective farming practice. However, surveya facilitating farmers to travel to the radio station BROSDIto used to broadcastshare a live monthlyinfor- radio programme, digital radio Sharing on- and offline information: websites, blogs and Challenges andlessonslearnt 7 using SMStextmessages Box 4: Comments on sharing agricultural information avenues and amounts. amounts. and avenues led to our household development through increasing our income our increasing through development household our to led give practical solutions to many of our farming challenges that have that challenges farming our of many to solutions practical give other colleagues when they hear my phone ring a number of times. of number a ring phone my hear they when colleagues other Development Centre, Mayuge. at a CELAC Village Knowledge Brokers training at the BROSDI they Elizabeth Mpungu, a farmer from Masaka district,because during a discussion especially significance great of been have sent SMS The Baitambogwe sub-county. attracts this fact, In Network Chairperson and also the Agricultural Extension Officer in batches. into Mwanja Edwin, Coordinator for the Mayuge CELACdivided District Farmers is SMS the that mind don’t We See: http://audioblog.podbean.com Instead, we now record and disseminate the farmers’ the disseminate and record now we Instead, 7 All farmer interview recordings are recordings interview farmer All

Photo: BROSDI 63

8 THEME SECTION BROSDI encourages farmers to take advantage of the free the of advantage take to farmers encourages BROSDI Repackaging information like this is time consuming and consuming time is this like information Repackaging To help To bridge this gap, we also work to make online “Text messages are a less expensive and expensive a less are messages “Text information of means accessible more particular in dissemination, and access major the are who farmers women for earners.” income family approaches have enabled a wider audience to access the information we send out. Issues of affordable and accessible tools indige- has that sharing shown project CELAC The BROSDI nous knowledge using adop- ICTthe is methods it and – makes problems a local significant resolving to contribution tion of mobile telephony services which has taken the lead. Overcoming language and literacy barriers is in and disseminate we produce of Much the information to unable are populations rural in people many so – English in the information local language, them. We read produce out. left also are read cannot that those but Luganda, Educa- Primary Universal programme, them. education for government information the read to children their ask to or tion, Often, children or fellow farmers rewrite what they can in their One local languages. is advantage that all the Village addition, In English. write and read can Brokers Knowledge the audio CDs help to overcome literacy barriers. These information available offline. The project periodically prints periodically The project offline. available information them distributes It blog. the from comments and articles out commu- their with share to Brokers Knowledge Village the to nities.them Farmers access are thento able tohaving read and without also respond VKBs, to the via posts blog these offline and on- the both with touch in keeps BROSDI online. blog authors, mostly using mobile phones. This enables a parties. two-way communication between the distant must information balance: to have scales the Yet expensive. infor- of flow the maintain to offline and on- both shared be those and access, Internet have who those between mation who do not. storing, managing and accessing information and enhances and information accessing and managing storing, networking and it sharing. is However, only accessed by a very small percentage of farmers. Although such tools are and areas, rural in limited is connectivity Internet useful, very farmers. to unaffordable often 10 Screengrab from Screengrab http://audioblog. podbean.com Tools for enhancing knowledge-sharing in agriculture: improving rural livelihoods in Uganda Uganda in livelihoods rural improving agriculture: in knowledge-sharing enhancing for Tools 8 Free printed copies of the ‘How to ‘How the of copies printed Free 9 Another online information-sharing tool is the CELAC We also download text files and education materials to materials and education files text download also We See: http://celac.wordpress.com See: See: www.brosdi.or.ug and www.celac.or.ug and www.brosdi.or.ug See: WorldSpace radio uses two satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar, to broadcast more broadcast to AsiaStar, and AfriStar satellites, two uses radio WorldSpace Using this kind of Web 2.0 application is an effective way of way effective an is application 2.0 Web of kind this Using costs of CDs. Through WorldSpace radio, BROSDI now also now BROSDI radio, WorldSpace Through CDs. of costs them uploads and files audio relevant downloads frequently on our website for public access. tises described. This has helped to reduce the production practitioners can post local agricultural-related articles. farmers during Annual Knowledge Fairs. agricultural other and staff farmers, where blog, text-based Guides’ Guides’ are also at available BROSDI Centre. Development to available also are of information copies printed Similarly, document format (PDF). format document the the BROSDI website. CELAC also has a website where the and forums the from transcripts and Guides’ to ‘How short in portable can be downloaded studies and case visits field 9 10 8 than 100 digital-quality audio channels to people around the world, enabling world, the around people to channels audio on digital-quality found 100 than rarely or available not are that programmes radio digital receive to them www.worldspace.com See: radio. terrestrial national or regional local, 8 64

THEME SECTION Ednah AkiikiKaramagi and Mary Nakirya had apositiveimpactforruralfarmers. phone.Yet even with these challenges, theuse ofSMS has VillagephoneKnowledgenetworka or Brokertele- awith areas, farmers have to travel long distances to tendaccesstoinstall networks inurban a centres mobilefirst. Insome rural charge a mobile phone. Also, telecommunication companies areas. Those with electricity often charge exorbitant costs to charged. Electricity is not evenly distributed especially in rural help to ease the process. We have found that rural commu- Knowledge Sharing Forums using peer-to-peer learning can open to working with the project. other men see their involvement, local communities are moreinvolved, provided they are not the dominant players. When closelyalsoare men importantthat is experience,it our In projects,whichoften raise much curiosity amongthemen. ently.Rural communities have mixed views onwomen-only People have differing susceptibility to change. paramount that the process is introduced gradually to them. grassroots Many communities in. are it also not usedshare to to sharing informationforums so it is appropriate the eters. Many do not intend to hoard their information knowledge, share butbecause to lack of pre-existing culturallyunwilling defined criteriasometimes and are param- farmers many that experience their people. from discovered have BRODSI mobilising just than more requires it accessing share, to information have communities rural Although Issues ofgenderandculture Internetaccess, andthose whodo not.” informationbetween those whohave andoffline tomaintain theflow of “Informationmust beshared both on- Email: [email protected] Mary Nakirya Email: [email protected] Ednah AkiikiKaramagi CONTACT DETAILS However, there are challenges. Telephones need to be Telephonesto challenges. However,need are there Involving communities in mobilising and conducting the Eachcommunity alsoaddresses gender concerns differ- www.celac.or.ug Websites: www.brosdi.or.ug and Fax: +25641343005 Tel: +256 77 506 227 Uganda Kampala PO BOX26970 Initiative (BROSDI) Busoga Rural Open Source and Development address challenges and take advantage of strengths, and strengths, of advantage take and challenges address to how advance in plan and community the Visit project. the to are people receptive how and gender, culture, of research and planning at the base level to explore issues e.g. tant to understand the specific community culture. It requireschallenge – and to allow time for this to happen. It is impor- to change,cooperate,to commitmentto createa to need learning freely. are too they that realise they when share to begin pants strategyThiswell.Normally,learn.workappears to partici- to want you if share to need the emphasises team CELAC toryapproaches andprocesses. During thesemeetings, the sharenitiesmoreareknowledgewillingtoparticipa-using adjust your plans accordingly. and localcontent. helped by the use of appropriate tools for – sharingactivities income-generating their diversified knowledgeand season who have benefited from increased farm outputs with each to families, constructingtheir for more care permanent houses.medical We haveprovide seen and farmers children edge can have, from farmers who can afford to educate their project ownership to prevail. memberscivilofsociety haveworktotogether orderin for team, the district farmers’ networks,project governmentThe and othergroup. target the and solved being problem communicate these initiatives in a language that matches theinformationthenmanagementinitiatives;andandsharing tifykeyneedsissues;or determine appropriate knowledge- and share it again thereafter. only have and use it, but can also customise it for themselves tively. This information needs to be shared so that others not livelihoods, provided the farmer farmers’ can increase and use enable to the tool vital information a is Information posi- Conclusion Farmers, other members of civil society and government Wehaveseen thetangible benefits thatsharing knowl- At BROSDI, our approach is to work with partners to iden-

THEME SECTION 65

2 9 I quickly become overwhelmed by the volume and that felt I reporting, false of risk high a was there Though the was to website intended be a or ‘memorial’ Finally, Short Messaging Service (SMS) How Ushahidi began and blog my on thoughts my shared I 2008, January 3rd On building in interested were who ‘techies’ Kenyan encouraged of just how bad things got – so that Kenyans would hopefully would Kenyans that so – got things bad how just of elections. future at history repeating avoid thought how useful it would be to have a dedicated website dedicated a have to be would it useful how thought of incidents about report anonymously could people where could or online – (SMS) via text phone violence messages mobile people that so mapped be could information this if and visualise what was going on. having a vehicle where some information could be shared a was resources local on relying that and – none better was of patchwork a is crisis a in Information this. do to way good sources. You can only hope to build up a full picture by having as many sources as possible. The Ushahidi website there certainly and accurate to be wholly intended not was was no intention to achieve the standards e.g. of a main- organisation reporting rights human a or newspaper stream – the main focus was the need to immediate get informa- tion out. reminder a as – happened that events the for sorts of archive 2 1

At At the height of the post-election violence in Kenya in There was a government ban on live media and a wave and media live on ban a government was There

See: www.kenyanpundit.com See: thereafter. late late December 2007 and early January 2008, my personal about information of sources main the of one become blog out broke that violence the and process electoral flawed the of people to report on a story) and facilitate the sharing of the sharing on of to a and report people facilitate story) information in an where rumours environment and uncer- dominant. were tainty This article reflects on the development of the Ushahidiwebsite. The idea behind the website was to harness the group a large (using information of crowdsourcing benefits Introduction Introduction that were not being reported by the media. media. the by reported being not were that reports before they went ‘live’. In response to the ban I asked I ban the to response In ‘live’. went they before reports people to send me information via comments on my blog and emails – about incidents of violence that they were witnessing or hearing about throughout the and country, an information vacuum. The government argued false or biased reportingmedia would review result to in even moreopportunity ethnic-based the wanted it that and violence, of self-censorship within mainstream media, which created which media, mainstream within of self-censorship

1 tools for crowdsourcing crisis tools for crowdsourcing by ORY OKOLLOH ORY by

information Ushahidi,or‘testimony’: Web 2.0 2.0 Web Ushahidi,or‘testimony’: 9 66

THEME SECTION OryOkolloh initial data to helping spread the word. donating the short code for SMS calls and code, helpingthe writing space, gather server donating from the volunteers, funding for the website at the time – everything was donecame by from Africa. The majority were Kenyans. There was no Source: www.frontlinesms.com/what ability tosendmessageslargenumbers ofpeopleinashortamounttime.’ offers advantages over traditional voice services including reduced costcountries, SMShasbecomeafamiliarand widelyusedformofcommunication.It and the collaborative manner. in modifiedorunmodifiedform.Itisvery oftendevelopedinapublic, This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistributearrangement suchit as the public domain) that meets the Open Source Definition.human-readable source code is made available under a copyright license (or 4 3 rather was process approval the website but SMS reports had to be manually entered. The live (seeBox2). went theybeforemanually staffUshahidi approvedby and be checked to had reports all However, itself. website the and SMS via reporting allowed website Ushahidi The Issues around verifying reports contributions. different making sourceopenusingsoftware around with developers15-20 Ushahidi, whichmeans‘testimony’inKiswahili. of genesis the was That registered. was domain the and fast. Within a day or two a group of volunteers hadsuch a coalescedwebsite to get in touch. The response was lightening wanted to figurewho outgroups and whereindividuals help helpalso would was information most needed (see Box 1). receive information. We also had the expectation thatwebsite sharing was interactive.The source. People couldinformation an contributeas website and notthe justusing started even stations radio Some information. sharing of means addressing the details and any technical hitches later. focused on building and launching creativity.We an and overallinnovativeness our spurred framework, this believe We job. and the on learning by along went we as be improved could things that premise the on based model, type sourcesaspossible.” fullupa picture byhaving asmany ofsources. Youcanonly hope tobuild “Informationcrisisina patchworkisa ‘With the growing popularity of mobile phones, especially in developing Open source software The ‘go-live’The processreportsforeasy was submitted via The website went live less than a week later. It was built Over 250 people began to use the new platform as a as platform new the use to began people 250 Over (OSS) can be defined as computer software for which the 3 Most of these developers these of Most 4 It was a rapid proto- it, weposteditandnotedthat itwasnotverified. Where information appeared credible butmedia. mainstream we e.g. could sources other with not comparing verify by people reported anonymously, stories were counter-checkedWhere reports. verify to try to reporters emailed or called www.frontlinesms.com messages to large groups of people anywhere there is a mobile signal.providers See do not operate. It is free software that allows you to send text 5 comes in handy.’ Box 1: Extracts from ‘Kenya: Citizens' reporting tool Box 2: How SMS messages are routed through Ushahidi Source: Kinyanjui (2008) around the country. Government mayhavegrosslyunderplayedtheextentofdamage website –indicatingthatofficialreportsfromaidagenciesandthe with which new, unreported episodes are being uploaded to the groups workingontheground. others to see. Most incidents listed on the website are verified by local they have seen. The incidents are then placed on a map-based view for people who witness acts of violence in Kenya to report incidents that Ushahidi, meaning ‘witness’ in Kiswahili, describes itself as a tool for • Administrators can then decide whether to send a message back to • The message shows up on the Ushahidi website • This synchronises with the Ushahidi platform • It is then rerouted through FrontlineSMS • An SMS text message gets sent to a local number way communication cycle. how SMStextmessagesmovethroughtheUshahidisysteminatwo- both via SMS and on the website itself. This simplified diagram shows The first Ushahidi website model allowed people to send in reports FrontlineSMS enables you to provide local numbers in areas where larger SMS the originalsender What isshockingaboutsomereportedincidentsthefrequency ad hoc ad 5 . Where possible, we possible, Where . 67

9 THEME SECTION We We are surveying 7 7 8 Our immediate experience with the DRC deployment It is too early to fully evaluate what impact the tool is out an outreach email and they were recommended to us to recommended were they and email outreach an out expected this and worked hard to get the mobile compo- mobile the get to hard worked and this expected struggling are even organisations our partner nent ready, Internet. the to access their maintain to the manage to going were we which in instance rare a was deployment itself at which least is initially, why we have sent We Africa. as Heal such groups with to partner tried Peace Heroes: Unsung Peace Heroes is a campaign developed by Butterfly by developed campaign a is Heroes Peace Unsung Heroes: Peace Deployment to the DRC Congo happened on 7th November 2008 – the week “We anticipated that over time it would it time over that anticipated “We reports false counter-check to easy be the to it made eventually what against the using by and media mainstream to themselves citizens the of power reports.” false counteract of of Congo (DRC) crisis and four others. was released in October 2008. The alpha is the initial version initial the is alpha The 2008. October in released was of the rebuilt platform. It ispublic. being general tested the byto a numberreleased is of software the before groups Republic Democratic the Heroes, Peace include projects Pilot 7 8 Challenges and lessons learnt DRC Ushahidi the with deployment own our tried have We very a been has That DRC. Eastern in crisis the cover to page useful learning process for us, including the challenges Inter- of low very a in operating facilities, translation in building local the from issues trust overcoming and region access net population as far as submitting information. reveals that there is still a lot to be done andcrisis/situation that eachhas its own set of unique challengesbelow. outlined (and are challenges main The possibilities). we Although connectivity. Internet local of good lack The • This ground. on the person point of an Ushahidi lack The • our testers and the our about plan to imple- testers case studies write completed. is phase this once process testing and mentation our on based reflections initial some have we DRC. in However, experiences having. recent more our and Kenya in experiences Works and Media Focus on Africa Foundation. The goal is to nominate people nominate to is goal The Foundation. Africa on Focus Media and Works their for who helped do positive things during and after the post-election violence in things extraordinary did who people ordinary are heroes Kenyan Kenya. http://peaceheroes.ushahidi.com, See: country. their or citizens fellow www.butterflyworks.org and www.mediafocusonafrica.org See: released. was software Engine Ushahidi new the of version alpha the http://drc.ushahidi.com Ushahidi, or ‘testimony’: Web 2.0 tools for crowdsourcing crisis information crisis crowdsourcing for tools 2.0 Web ‘testimony’: or Ushahidi, 6 The private alpha of the redesigned Ushahidi platform Our view was that Ushahidi could in the future help local help future the in could Ushahidi that was view Our This is the risk with any crowdsourcing social media tool. media social crowdsourcing any with risk the is This ically mapping real-time citizen reports and crisis-related reports citizen real-time mapping ically information to help civilians avoid conflict. United Humanity of CEO and President Newcomb, Randy In Kenya, Ushahidi demonstrated the power of geograph- of power the demonstrated Ushahidi Kenya, In See: www.commondreams.org/news2008/0124-07.htm See: modern-day slavery and mass atrocities. This has allowed us allowed has This atrocities. mass and slavery modern-day organ- or person any that tool a into platform the rebuild to visu- and to collect way own up their to set use can isation alise information. As a result of the growing public interest in Ushahidi and its and Ushahidi in interest public growing the of result a As potential for wider replication we received funding from Humanity United, an organisation dedicated to ending Redeveloping the Ushahidi platform crisis situations Developing potential: Ushahidi and humanitarian and Ushahidi potential: Developing and facilitating response. response. facilitating and early conflict warning to tracking a crisis situation as it evolves it as and international situation NGOs working crisis in crisisa situations: from tracking to warning conflict early Within hours we had received severalarea. the reports in from other violence no was there that saying sources by using the power of the citizens themselves to counteract to themselves citizens the of power the using by of report false a posted someone example, For reports. false Garissa. called town North-Eastern a in out breaking violence inflammatory or inaccurate was not posted. We anticipated We posted. not was or inaccurate reports inflammatory false counter-check to easy be would it and time media over that mainstream the to it made eventually what against ishes any false reports. To avoid the risk of the website being website the of risk the avoid To reports. false any ishes used for before were they reports monitored propaganda, went ‘live’. Anything that appeared to be patently false, ‘Truth’ is not guaranteed – but the idea behind crowdsourc- behind idea the but – guaranteed not is dimin- ‘Truth’ that emerges ‘truth’ a volume, enough with that is ing over time. Kenya was one such example. While the violence the While example. such one was Kenya time. over support- by protests of eruption’ ‘sudden a as depicted was indica- were there Odinga, Raila leader opposition the of ers pre-planned. was violence the of some that tions larly in crisis situations. Humanitarian-based crisis situations crisis Humanitarian-based situations. in larly crisis result generally They flashpoint. one with start usually not do from a number of events and factors that have happened As interest in the website developed, it became apparent that apparent became it developed, website the in interest As the tool had beyond potential applicability Kenya, particu- 6 9 68

THEME SECTION OryOkolloh better able to engage in citizen reporting. As someonethe violence closely also ebbed and flowed. This meant people were InKenya, some areas were isolated from the violence – and People need time and resources more hesitant to embrace this type of approach. has been much longer and more persistent, organisations arefor reporting to the website. Perhaps because the DRC crisis tions and contacts we were often asked if they wouldinKenya, in beEastern DRC when paidapproaching local organisa- We need to be clear about what Ushahidi is and isBe clearaboutwhatyouaimtodo not. Unlike few resources on the ground. aretherewheresituations to adapt to harder it make and possible – more complicated features slow the website down Thetool needs toremain simple andfunctional asmuch as Be simplebuteffective a wider network of bloggers geographically and linguistically.We need to tackle the translation issues and also work with Translation is important Ushahidi butsofarno-onehasdoneso. on reports their share to bloggers encouraged have We expatriates. and locals both of communityblogging active tools like Ushahidi. DRC does have a comparatively small but example).good a Localwas bloggers(Kenya help raiseawareness thelocal profileraise to of social community media connectedbloggingrelativelyandactive a have to helps It Blogging can help raise awareness the in Ushahidi about awareness raising in difficulty• The particularlyincrisis situations.” potentialapplicability beyond Kenya, becameapparent that thetool had “Asinterest inthe website developed, it etc. radio local NGOs, international organisations, local gers, topromote the service wherever wecould, via local blog- local population and encouraging them to use it. We tried crisis. the by affectedbeing is population local the how toring theirlengthyexperiencebasedon moni- locallywith and Other challenges and lessons learnt are outlined below. Kenya,thereMamaMikesno is optiondonatingfor credit. SMSfunctionality doesnotreally helpthem. Also, unlike in Some people do not have the resources to buy credit so the charged. be cannot phones mobile so cuts electricity like time to file reports. crisis situation most people are on the run – they do not involvedhaveassistingin peoplepointedDRCin a inme, toout shopping credits, mobile phone airtime, and other gifts.America See www.mamamikes.organd Europe to transfer help home – not via cash, but by sending free press – nor of people asking for their opinion. Most opinion. their for asking people of nor – press free Unlikein Kenya, in DRC people are not used to aculture of Gaining trust provider in Africa, interested in this type of service. service phone mobile leading a Zain, get to trying are We 9 so far. of reports, we certainly expected more than we receiveexpecthavenottodid thousandspart. Whileweour on received we received more reports with very minimal active outreach Kenya, in contrast Inconflict. DRC the on coveragemedia minimal the about complained had closely situation the anticipated. Many of those affected by the crisis press. or watchingwe reports of volume the received not have However, we international the in coverage great received has page DRCUshahidi structured.moreThe much were DRC In comparison to when we launched in Kenya, our efforts in Creating acultureofsharing mation e.g. on where to get help. people are not just giving information but also– informationloopthe closes functionality that inbuilding receiving infor- etc. has not really changed anything. To address this, we are sharing this information that with the citizens media, shown NGOs, has UN Missionsexperience Past information. for Ushahidibecomesanotherjust organisation lookingisthat fatigue among the locals, which was not the case in Kenya. of issue the also is there DRC, like conflict ongoing an In Creating two-way information flows present we do not have detailedat guidelines forHowever reporters. Rutshuru’. in outbreak cholera a of because reports can be anonymous and generic, e.g. ‘help is needed emphasisingthe thatby concerns these allay to triedhave about reprisals if people are targeted for making reports. We importantly, there is a huge lack of trust as well as concerns The MamaMikes remittance service empowers Kenyan immigrants in North In places like Eastern DRC that is compounded by factors Another challenge is the distinct desire to silo informa-silodistinctdesire tothe challenge Anotheris 9 69

9 THEME SECTION 10 Although it is still very early days for Ushahidi, the devel- the Ushahidi, for days early very still is it Although designate them as ‘hotspots’ and apply a heat-map to that area with area that to heat-map a apply and ‘hotspots’ as them designate explanations. extra contact description, short a with added be to administrator site. their to link and information Cross). Red Kenyan (e.g. country affected the in organisation choice. interactive maps. interactive phones. mobile city. or country region, by segmented – reader feed RSS or email video. and images, links, category, description, date, incident. For a definition of ‘RSS’, see glossary, p.122. See also RSS feeds p.115 (this issue). (this p.115 feeds RSS also See p.122. glossary, see ‘RSS’, of definition a For • Track the number of reports coming in from specific locations and locations specific from in coming reports of number the Track • site the email organisations different where area help’ can you ‘How • specific a for system donation simple a of addition Possible • contributor’s the by reports, incident anonymous post to Ability • feature. timeline and search A • Some of the technical features of the new platform will include: Some of the technical features accessibility. web/Internet fast and Simple • web-based using country each for views regional Map-based • cities. major for information geo-location Pre-determined • phones. mobile through Ushahidi to reports send to Ability • through alerts message text receive to up sign to people for Ability • phone, mobile their to feeds RSS for up sign to people for Ability • Multilingual. • location, to: limited not but including page, report incident Detailed • specific a about information more submit to others for Ability • Box 3: The new Ushahidi platform Ushahidi new The 3: Box strates how we can use open source software in humanitar- in software source open use can we how strates ian crises, the potential We power of crowdsourcing, and adaptable. the easily and simple tools keeping of advantages anticipate that the platform will revolutionise how many handle organisations their data and also democratise how situations. crisis in shared and collected is information 10 Final reflections Final in the and is refined evolves in the platform As the interest development process, more lessons and challengesbound to emerge. How are can we handle the verification of Ushahidi’s extend we can How crisis? fast-breaking a in data areas? low-tech in reach useful some generated already has platform the of opment lessons in terms of how to approach participatory media, especially in challenging environments. Ushahidi demon- tion. Our goal is to create the best tool possible to help make help to possible tool best the create to is goal Our tion. mobile and web develop to and situations emerging of sense on decision-making and visualisation with help can that tools assistance. of forms other and aid deploy to how and where Ushahidi, or ‘testimony’: Web 2.0 tools for crowdsourcing crisis information crisis crowdsourcing for tools 2.0 Web ‘testimony’: or Ushahidi, However, we do that it realise is However, a tool and not a solu- Organisations will also be able to use the tool for inter- for to be tool the use able also will Organisations This open source application will be available for free for free for available be will application source open This of those testifying or because they want to verify the infor- the verify to want they because or testifying those of mation first (see Box 3). nal monitoring purposes. For example, a human rights organ- rights human a example, For purposes. monitoring nal want not may event an about testimonies collecting isation anonymity the protect to publicly information the release to (e.g. for organisations to submit their own reports from the from reports own their submit to organisations for (e.g. field), to full administrative privileges, which includereports. submitted thethe verifying of responsibility the the tool and encouraging e.g. members of the public and staff members to submit reports. The rebuilt platform will reports of entry data from levels administration various have to crises in their own region. The core platformcustomised for different canlocales and needs. beabout Implementing awareness raising for responsible be will organisations shown in a simplified geographical format. Anyone tracking Anyone format. geographical simplified a in shown reports. submit can situation particular a by affected or awareness bring to use and implement download, to others the aggregation of crisis information by displaying data from data displaying by information crisis of aggregation the various sources such as mobile phones, the Internet and be also can data The page. one on feeds news mainstream The new Ushahidi platform will soon be available. It will allow forward will Ways It available. be soon will platform Ushahidi new The problem. These organisations purportedly speak for the people who are affected by a crisis, yet do not appear to reporting. citizen of form this embrace to want embrace embrace innovation. Perhaps it is a belief that fundraising works best for those with the In is Ushahidi any seen event, it as is a a competitor. mosthuge information, and mation collected in the field (which was substantial) but with but substantial) was (which field the in collected mation benefits the considering unclear are reasons The success. no strate- to helping and a to crisis attention more bringing of gically direct help. Perhaps it is a general reluctance to tion among humanitarian organisations in DRC who should who DRC in organisations humanitarian among tion be the natural users of Ushahidi –problem in Kenya. We andencouraged NGOs to submit infor- this was also a keeping tools simple and easily adaptable.” easily and simple tools keeping crises, the potential power of power potential the crises, of advantages the and crowdsourcing, “Ushahidi demonstrates how we can use can we how demonstrates “Ushahidi humanitarian in software source open 9 70

THEME SECTION OryOkolloh type model and focus on pushing the boundaries of the of boundaries the pushing on focus and model type Twitter: www.twitter.com/ushahidi Website: www.ushahidi.com Email: [email protected] Ory Okolloh CONTACT DETAILS For now, we will continue to embrace the rapid proto-rapidtheembrace continueto now,willFor we http://allafrica.com/stories/200801150990.htm to the website to view this report for free: January 2008.Pleasenoteyouneedtosubscribe Tool Comes in Handy.’ Online blog report 15th Kinyanjui, K.(2008)‘Kenya:Citizens'Reporting REFERENCES and support as needed. provide technical customisations The Ushahiditeamwillbeableto interested parties and organisations. tool available globally for free to Ushahidi planstomakeitsmapping visualisation; mapping;andmobilephoneplatforms. various areas that the platform touches on – crowdsourcing; THEME SECTION 71

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, knowledge; and irrele- and largely it making parochial appear knowledge, vant in everyday Aboriginal life.

bution to – the greater community development strategy. strategy. development community greater the – to bution 10 • that mainstream Australian society places little value on this on value little places society Australian mainstream that • English only speaks population Aboriginal the of around 80% Only 2003), population). non-Aboriginal Australia’s to (similar 12% of the Aboriginal population speaks a customary Background of people Aboriginal the cultures, indigenous many with As Australia strive to maintain a with strong relationship their country and culture. This place-based affinity is especially place to connection This communities. rural isolated for true exemplifies what it means to be an Aboriginal Australian. ecological traditional on their rely families Aboriginal Many knowledge (TEK) of the surroundingnatural environment resources and for subsistence, to contribute issues two significant culturalHowever, employment. identity and limiting the role of this place-based identity in everydaycommunity life: the • breakdown of the intergenerational transfer of local • to facilitate the youths’ direct participation in – and contri- and – in participation direct youths’ the facilitate to •

There were two principal purposes for using Web 2.0 Fieldwork began in May 2005 with the creation of a their rapidly forgotten local knowledge and help them adopt new skills; and • to meaningfully engage Aboriginal youth in learning about learning in youth Aboriginal engage meaningfully to • 2.0 technologies to expand both the scope and longevity of longevity and scope the both expand to technologies 2.0 ongoing. still is project This project. original the based tools: as well as to influence non-indigenous decision makers (local makers decision non-indigenous influence to as well as members, Community companies). mining Web and of government number a using now are skills, video their on building participatory digital video disc (DVD). The DVD was used by used was DVD knowl- The (DVD). disc video digital traditional participatory communicate to vehicle a as community the divide, knowledge intergenerational the bridge help to edge project involving university researcherscommunity members. and Aboriginal gies, including most recently Web 2.0 applications, to revi- Web 2.0 applications, most recently gies, including talise their culture and enhance community development both socially and economically. outcomesWe also of highlight a community-based the youth empowerment The Walkatjurra Cultural Centre is an Aboriginal organisation Aboriginal an is Centre Cultural Walkatjurra The on reflects article This Australia. Western in Leonora, based technolo- digital of uptake the in invest they as journey their Introduction Introduction by JON CORBETT, GUY SINGLETON and KADO MUIR MUIR KADO and SINGLETON GUY CORBETT, JON by outback movement survival: a new Australian survival: a Web 2.0 for Aboriginal cultural Aboriginal for 2.0 Web 10 72

THEME SECTION JonCorbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir media content. shows, and the new National Indigenous TV (NITV) features 100% indigenousfocuses on contemporary indigenous issues mixed with mainstream interestindigenous communities. Imparja, a mainstream Aboriginal-run televisionAustralian station, Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) broadcasts radio to remotecommunities in central Australia with radio and television. Today, the Central place in stays history ensure to processes strengthen • to • to get involved in some form of ‘development’, e.g. incor- main purposes: at the community level are using digital technologies for two knowledge transfer? and engage the resources, community natural youth in promotingself-manage intergenerationaleffectively to ability contact and networks outside their immediate space immediate their (Michaels, 1994).outside networks and contact maintain and create to years thirty over ICTs for of range a used have Australia in communities Aboriginal Remote Aboriginal Australia, digital technology and Web 2.0 technologies (ICTs) may provide an answer (Chikonzo, 2006).modes of communication using information communication across indigenous generations. non-indigenoustheboth toedge community youngerand challenge incommunicatingtheimportanceoftheirknowl- is of that many indigenousway elders andmain parents facethe a significantis word transmittingwritten culturalthe heritage that in the westerngiven world. The cially result ingfully engage in Western modes of communication, espe- mean- toability their‘self-belief’experiencelimited inand erence for a more dominant Western one. to the apparent abandonment of Aboriginal culture in pref- edge and maintaining their indigenous identity. This has led society that fails to recognise the significance of their knowl- language. The younger generation have grown up in a wider 1 thegeneration gap.” technologies)istheir potential tobridge technologies(specifically Web2.0 “Themost anticipated benefit ofdigital In 1988 the first communication satellite was launched to provide remote other Internet-based applications; and and video 2.0, Web including – resources mobilising for porating modern infrastructure into existing lifestyles and/or Recent literature suggests that more culturally adaptable So how does an Aboriginal elder effectively communicate have elders Aboriginal of numbers large addition, In cultures this connection to place, demonstrateplace,culturestheirconnectiontothis 1 Today, many indigenous Australian groups the generation gap as a culturally adaptable mode of mode adaptable communication. culturally a as gap generation the (specifically Web 2.0 technologies) is their potential to bridge • using video cameras to bring together groups of elders to • creatingvideos storytellingof withreference particularto • generatingdigitised mapsincorporating Aboriginal place and stories share to photographs digital of • collections • digital recordings of ancestral songs; pants’skills, abilities, social capital and technical capacities. use various multimedia tools to enhance indigenous partici- developing, buildingorenhancingindividualcapacities. for potential the has products end associated and nology for broadband delivery on ABC Online. See www.abc.net.au/usmob Initiative (BPI). It supports dynamic projects developed and produced (AFC)specifically and ABC New Media and Digital Services AFC/ABC Broadband Production cultural validityetc. between genders or age groups. 4 3 2 Australia Figure 1: Map showing location of Leonora, Western UsMob is the first project to be launched under the Australian Film Commission E.g. knowledge archives, non-discriminate forums, cultural asset inventories, By andlargetheinclusivenessofdigitaltechnologies doesnotdiscriminate and Veran (2006) describe as ‘envelopment’. and/orforthe enrichment ofclan places, inwhat Christie pass onstoriestotheyoungergeneration. lands and places (history, management and ownership); and names to strengthen Native Title claims; strengthen family identities; The most anticipated benefit of digital technologies digital of benefit anticipated most The Examples ofsuchpracticesinclude: Australian organisations such as UsMob and dEadly mOb 2 The process of involvement in digital tech- 3 4 Source: Google 73

10 THEME SECTION The rest of this article describes an ongoing project that project ongoing an describes article this of rest The Methods and processes processes and Methods invest- is 1) (Figure Leonora in enhance Centre to Cultural is aim Walkatjurra The explicit The technologies. digital in heavily ing It initiatives. envelopment and development community both is but above, outlined technologies the of many using began to of now focus beginning on Internet- the implementation technologies. 2.0 Web particular in and tools, based collaboration between the Walkatjurra British of University Culturalthe and Centre, Technology of University Curtin two into divided is process project The Okanagan. Columbia of use the in youth training involved first The phases. distinct techniques. and editing production video recording, digital them transferring and skills these taking involved second The to a Web 2.0 environment. described overleaf. Both of these phases are explicitly seeks to revitalise culture and enhance community enhance and culture revitalise to seeks explicitly the use through development participatory of digital tech- Cooper- Knowledge Desert the from funding With nologies. ative Research Centre (DKCRC), the project involved Web 2.0 for Aboriginal cultural survival: a new Australian outback movement outback Australian new a survival: cultural Aboriginal for 2.0 Web Many devel- Many 5 The digital tools used to achieve such development and development such achieve to used tools digital The Figure 2: Community youth members uses a video camera video a uses members youth Community 2: Figure

dEadly mOb is a mentoring programme, which uses ICT to create online create to ICT uses which programme, mentoring a is mOb dEadly

This can help increase employment opportunities by easing opportunities employment increase help can This in and environments workplace to school from transition the awareness. cultural and maintenance language them relatively cost-effective. More recently, evolving Web More recently, them cost-effective. relatively authoring for tools accessible becoming are applications 2.0 and disseminating digital content. envelopment objectives are increasingly in the form of videos, of form the in increasingly are objectives envelopment technologies these All files. audio and photos, digital DVDs, making to members, available most community are readily examples of capacity building/development/enhancement in building/development/enhancement capacity of examples practice. status and the cultural awareness of individuals as key capac- key as individuals of awareness cultural the and status ity building/development indicators. Arguably, the use of ICT/digital technology discussed here represents potential opment agencies use positive changes in socioeconomic 5 opportunities for Aboriginal youth. Photo: Jon Corbett Jon Photo: 10 74

THEME SECTION JonCorbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir in Australia. Commonly used when referring to ‘traditional Aboriginal lands’. 6 youth. and elders of comprised members community of group a of number community memberscanthenparticipate. broader a gathered, are resources required initialprojectsacquittedbeen haveevaluated,and the and the once on, Later direction. and momentum project ate theofproject involved particular families orderin gener-to kinshipnetworks to get the project going. The initial stages est and momentum was based around particular community key process and outcome within such initiatives, initial inter- nalyouth inLeonora. While inclusive participation isboth a suchprojects. This represents a small proportion of Aborigi- Cultural Centre in filming, editing and producing a DVD. trained an enthusiastic group of youth from the Walkatjurra studio processed and are easily disseminated. alised communities. The videos produced do not need to be relativelyeconomicallyformargin- affordableevenmore – as well as – handle and learn to straightforward and port 1998).Videocameras have becomelighter, easiertrans-to mation,skills and education for their own benefit’ (Norrish, infor- communication, of users and transformers creators,‘generators, become to members community supports with oral societies and non-literate people. It is a process particularlythatlasttwentytheayears, is and use goodtool to communication tool. It has become increasingly popular over Participatoryvideo (PV) is the use of video as a participatory Walkatjurra digital video project the informationthattheirelders hadtaughtthem. thefoods being harvested and eaten, inessence reiterating the trip and filming their own short videos that documented youth taking away the video equipment several times during the by confirmed was This participation. their encouraged actively not technologies the had have interesting less might seemed which information, and elders’ their absorbing processing were group the in members young the usingthe video equipment. There was strong evidence that preparation and consumption), they recorded the teachings seasonality,(their groupharvesting, the in elders the from grubs and kangaroo. As the youth learnt about these foods bush foods. These included the bush tomato ( centrale tomato bush the included These foods. bush designed to acquaint the youth with several locally important ‘Bush’ is a local term used to describe the outback or desert-like wilderness areas Thistraining took place during tripa into thebush with To date, a core group of five youth have been involved in guidingUsingtheprinciples PV, of project collaborators 6 ), silky pear ( pear silky ), The trip lasted four days and was intentionally was and days four lasted trip The Marsdenia australis Marsdenia ), emu, witchety emu, ), Solanum remote Aboriginal communities. ices, and overcoming the barrier of distance that oftenincreasing affects awareness of community issues, activities creatingand serv-private web pages. These became valuable tools for ing Web 2.0 technologies. This initially began with individualsmationandexperimented withdeveloping andimplement- have built on and expanded their repository of cultural infor- WalkatjurraCentre’stheCultural journey.digital Members activity. from an industry that historically disrupts Aboriginal cultural technology.communitiesunexpectedforbenefitan is This communities in regions that would normally has be void of suchThis towers. providedmobilephone Internetcommunicationsandaccessto to mobile as such infrastructure, companiesexpand, doessotheir needforcommunications industryactivity.miningincreaserapidof the mining to As able in Western Australia over the last five years, largely due Rural Internet access has increased and become more afford- Walkatjurra and Web 2.0 development editingcomponent oftheproject. Itistime consuming and during participatory video projects there is less interest in the eldersyouthandspentthree days producing DVD.Oftena remotetheir rural of community. outside others to lifestyles their and themselves about information communicate to means a as medium for several youth in foundation Leonora tothe begin to set really exploreproject the video initial This stations. radio and television state on featured also were DVD their and youth members were invited to presentthe where conferences theirDKCRC national work. several at Theshown youth in the community. enthusiasm.of Thefinalproduct wasscreened everyoneto out – providing advice, voice-over segments and a large dose tedious work. Yet the Leonora youth were engaged through- participation.“ notactively encouraged their lessinteresting hadthe technologies information,which might have seemed absorbingandprocessing their elders' “Youngmembers inthe group were This improved connectivity has enabled the next phase of On returningOn Leonorato technologythe intermediaries, Over the next twelve months the DVD went on to be to on went DVD the months twelve next the Over 75

10 THEME SECTION 11 External External parties such as government private enterprise, At this point it is difficult to tell whether this strategy has strategy this whether tell to difficult is it point this At Generally positive information regarding the community’s achievements and achievements community’s the regarding information positive Generally future development plans. Controversial aspects of native title and heritage and title native of aspects Controversial plans. development in future broadcast be not would information community internal sensitive and matters manner. this 11 quent level of support for the Walkatjurra Cultural Centre. Cultural Walkatjurra the for support of level quent than using the RSS feeds. Perhaps the categories of informa- of categories the Perhaps feeds. RSS the using than general too been have may feeds by RSS the displayed tion access to feeds RSS the use to people encourage not did and information. commu- other and institutions research partnering departments, of or parcels select with provided were environmental organisations cultural, nity-based to subse- related and These relationship information. their general influence might that issues political changed how external stakeholders respond to related socio- related to respond stakeholders external how changed stakeholder informally, However matters. community political Web 2.0 for Aboriginal cultural survival: a new Australian outback movement outback Australian new a survival: cultural Aboriginal for 2.0 Web The The Cultural 7 7 8 9 They They used them to share 10 More recently, members have adopted the use of Web 2.0 Web of use the adopted have members recently, More For a definition of ‘RSS’, see glossary, p.122. See also RSS feeds p.115 (this issue). (this p.115 feeds RSS also See p.122. glossary, see ‘RSS’, of definition a For Figure 3: Community youth edit ‘Papinmaru’ in the Walkatjurra Cultural Centre Cultural Walkatjurra the in ‘Papinmaru’ edit youth Community 3: Figure

Online social networking tools focus on building online communities of people For a definition of ‘VoIP’, see glossary, p.123 (this issue). (this p.123 glossary, see ‘VoIP’, of definition a For For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). (this p.106 Blogging also See p.121. glossary, see ‘blog’, of definition a For

to communicate either face-to-face rather available, increasingly or bybecoming were usingwhich phones, mobile progress of the Cultural Centre’s activities. However, our infor- our However, nity activities. members withCentre’s access Cultural to the information of preferred outliningprogress members the community that showed observations mal information about community issues, targeting both internal both targeting issues, community about information commu- provided this Internally, stakeholders. and external free-to-use Google free-to-use application. Centre set up several blogs with RSS feeds using Blogger, a Blogger, using feeds RSS with blogs up several set Centre applications such as and systems, applications blogs, social networking services. (VoIP) Protocol Internet over Voice 9 10 7 8 who share interests and/or activities. For a full definition, see glossary, p.123. See p.123. glossary, see definition, full a For activities. and/or interests share who also Social networking, p.112 (this issue). Photo: Jon Corbett Jon Photo: 10 76

THEME SECTION JonCorbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir competition hosted by the Lonely Planet travel company,video web a competition, the three’ than Less Planet: ‘Lonely impact and outputs of the youth video projects. Through the mobile phone,email, and landlines) at a very(Internet, cost effective rate.mediums communication other linking strated that it could be a very powerful communication tool, demon- it adopted, widely not Although access. constant providing phones, mobile their through diverted be can greatly reduced, permitting far longer call times. Skype calls taining social relationships.social taining of community life, mobile phones are valuable toolstransient CulturalthenaturewithintheCentre. toersfor Due main- cult to quantify. issues. But again,community theirfor impactsupport and effectivenesspolitical and awareness remains increase diffi- to aim strategies These society. mainstream with clashes counter-cultureindigenous and rights land of experiences Australia, providingoutside from personalpeoples accounts indigenous of are similarMany internationaljoined. have ciallymembersCulturalthe of Centre. To date,people126 cacy – a topical issue for Australian Aboriginal peoples, espe- was created to outline and debate issues of land rights advo- mation relating to the Centre’s initiatives. A Facebook group membersofthe Cultural Centre toincrease access toinfor- able andimmediatelyaccessibletothem. readilymoreavail-informationis applications this because funding future support to likely more be also may bodies thesuccesses of the community youth ICT initiatives, donor more, by providing access to regular updatesFurther- agenda. community the viaon impact may RSSdecisions feeds on understanding of the community’s objectives – andholisticincreasedtheir has strategy this howsuggests feedback their youngermembers.” increasingthelikelihood ofinvolving activities,older generations are meaningfulparticipation intheCentre's technologyinteraction andpermitting “Byengaging theyouth inpositive 12 with dispersedfamilies andfriendsimportant. such as births, funerals or ceremonies, making cost-effectiveness communication Aboriginal peoples regularly move between towns to fulfil kinship obligations We also used Web 2.0 technologies to increase the increase to technologies 2.0 Web used also We VoIP services, in particular Skype, were set up on comput- Online social networking tools have been used by several 12 By using Skype, call costs are costs call Skype, using By menting how they hunt hunt they how menting three-minute,docu-thanvideo lessshort, created a youth of theiryouth. the Cultural Centre, marketing their activities, andvideowasuploaded, wastaggedtheit withreferences successbackto also uploaded to the Cultural Centre website. Wherever the relatedandactivitiesCultural theCentre. at videowas The quently generated significant interestThis subse- aroundwhich audience, the shared. international youths’ wider a winfor allowed further and accessed promoted, easily be websites to showcase their video. This meant the video could linked totheLonelyPlanetTVsite. also and site competition official the on posted was video Papinmaru The competition. Planet’sinternational Lonely won broad acclaim and was awarded the runner-up prize in successfullyhunting andthen cooking their prey. Thevideo video takes the audience into the bush and shows the youth creation theory. Australians, including totemic relationships and representations within their 15 14 13 www.lonelyplanet.com/lessthanthree/winning_videos.cfm website, for more information about the Less Than Three competition see: Than Three website Figure 4: The Papinmaru video on the Lonely Planet Less For a definition of ‘tagging’ see glossary, p. x. See also Tagging p. X (this issue). Although thePapinmaruvideoisnolonger availableontheLonelyPlanetTV Papinmaru Community members and the youth used several used youth the and members Community or goanna 15 have a prominent place in the culture of Aboriginal papinmaru 14 (a large lizard). large (a 13 The 77

10 THEME SECTION Finally, and significant to both researchers and community and researchers both to significant and Finally, Researchers linked to the Centre have been approached been have Centre the to linked Researchers “There is a gap between what between a is gap “There valid consider members community as see they what support to evidence usage 2.0 Web and ICT of impact the the and community, the within of evaluation academic comparative findings.” such participation seems to rest with the logistical, financial and financial to seems with the rest logistical, participation to mean- centre the cultural within of staff capacity ethical members. community of number greater a engage ingfully and measurement the both improve to how is alike, members There is research. a gap support between evaluation of ICT-related to evidence valid consider members within community usage what 2.0 Web and ICT of impact the as see they what incorporate appropriate training curricula and tools required tools and curricula training appropriate incorporate inter- work, The innovative by the of users the technology. the enabled greatly have profile high and successes, national Walkatjurra Cultural Centre to continue to raise funds for there projects. still However, remains the need for longer- – youth as as well more by participating commitment term support by parents and other non-involved communitymembers. Walkatjurra Cultural Centre organisersattempted to incorporatehave a video and Web 2.0 teaching to generate this in order curriculum school the into component However, large. at community the in participation greater has been largelyfall activities unsuccessful such that view due the toand a school, lack the offrom availablefinance children for objectives educational core of range the outside (such as literacy and numeracy). future about asked and project the of independent youth by participat- that noticed We productions. DVD and trips field activ- related observe to friends along bring often youth ing a shown also have friends Their Centre. Cultural the in ities Commu- inclusion. and participation future for desire strong might child their how about inquired also have members nity in participate This activities. to desire was participate most notable after the youth made the Papinmaru DVD and won of outputs positive the once competition, Planet Lonely the future Improving recognised. publicly been had initiative the Lessons learnt, critical reflections and analysis analysis and reflections critical learnt, Lessons This project is a long-term undertaking. As a result, is It and to theadaptive. has process developed accommodate This Web 2.0 for Aboriginal cultural survival: a new Australian outback movement outback Australian new a survival: cultural Aboriginal for 2.0 Web 16 By understanding the Cultural Centre’s objectives and the and objectives Centre’s Cultural the understanding By The youth also edited a longer, 10 minute version of the of version minute 10 longer, a edited also youth The One of whom was non-indigenous and a university researcher. researcher. university a and non-indigenous was whom of One Figure 5: Papinmaru DVD cover DVD Papinmaru 5: Figure

drive the Centre’s activities in the future. future. the in activities Centre’s the drive riences can be clearly acknowledged. By engaging the youth the engaging By acknowledged. clearly be can riences meaningful permitting and interaction technology positive in are generations older activities, Centre’s the in participation the of increasing likelihood younger involving members to range of technologies its members use to achieve them, the them, achieve to use members its expe- technologies of video range 2.0 Web youth’s the of relevance and importance won the competition, every copy to ofable thebeen have videoyouth The waseach. $20 sold,at copies 50 around Centre. the for product valuable a generate turned it into a marketable product. It was offered for sale on sale for offered was It product. marketable a into it turned exhibitions, (art functions related at and website Centre’s the they after months Eighteen events). community conferences, video helped by several older Cultural Centre members. Centre Cultural older several by helped video 16 Source: Walkatjurra Cultural Centre Cultural Walkatjurra Source: 10 78

THEME SECTION JonCorbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir Email: [email protected] Australia Leonora 6438 PO Box13 Walkatjurra Cultural Centre Kado Muir Email: [email protected] Australia Curtin University of Technology Guy Singleton Email: [email protected] Canada. University ofBritishColumbia Community Culture and Global Studies Jon Corbett CONTACT DETAILS Centre’s intent. survivaland pride that iscentral tothe Walkatjurra Cultural cultural of message promotesthe and potential own their nationalforum.strong Thishasa impactunderstanding on inter-an tolimited veryonemovingaudiencetheir from a message,their andreachgreatly theirexpandedhave gies inPerth, the state capital, youth in early 2008. Web 2.0 technolo- Four skills. members tookvideo-making part in their the Freemantle develop Film school programmefurther tangibleencouragedsuccess.hasacentre’s It the youthto project.Thecommunity viewsthePapinmaru webvideoas the in involved youth the and Centre WalkatjurraCultural the for energy and time of investment positive largely a This evolving exploration with digital technologies has been Conclusion questions they themselves have sought to answer. opinionsinsufficientareandstand-alone asconclusions to distractiveasinappropriate,thisview or their viewsthator project appraisals and assessments, community anismsmembers for maythe community. Therefore, if they initiate intensivesuch findings. Participating researchers act as support mech- the community, and the comparative academic evaluation of Firstly, that youth living in marginal and remote outback remote and marginal in living youth that Firstly, There are clear lessons learnt to date from this project.thisfromdate to learntlessonsclear Thereare for the Studies of Science and Technology Knowledges Australia.’ ICTs, technologies indoingindigenousplaces Christie, M. and H. Verran (2006) ‘Using digital (3): 132-138 International Information & Library Review indigenous knowledgeinAfrica.’ in collecting, preserving and disseminating information andcommunicationtechnologies Chikonzo, A.(2006)‘Thepotentialof REFERENCES . Lausanne, European Association Development andIndigenous influence both the general public and decision makers, by makers,decision and publicgeneral the bothinfluence organisationsinvolved theinproject. hasItthepotential to otherandyouth theprofile greatly theofcanraise turn in sharedbe can (for a minimalmaterials cost)these with internationaltechnologies audiences.2.0 Web This Using als. are training, and producing capableof originalinnovativeand materi-video tools to access given if communities, ogy mayholdforAboriginalpeoples. nologiesbreadththeapplicationsand of technol- Web2.0 help to increase both the widespread adoption of such tech- promote that meaningful ICT conditions and Web 2.0 environmental interactions. This sociocultural may key identify change is needed. In particular, research needs to target and inal groups can engage similar Web 2.0 initiatives for positive related to rural connectivity provision. Australia. Perhaps it will also Aboriginal influence remote longer-term of decisionsunderstanding better a generating and Web2.0interactions.” conditionsthat promote meaningful ICT keysociocultural environmental “Researchneeds totarget andidentify Further community-based research on how other Aborig- The 38 Paisley. Development.’ In (eds) D. Richardson and L. Norrish, P. (1998) ‘Radio and Video for USA: University of Minnesota Press Tradition, media, and technological horizons Michaels, E.(1994) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the The First Mile of Connectivity. Bad AboriginalArt: Rome: . THEME SECTION 79 recount how the process of writes about the use of ‘simple tools for smart GIACOMO RAMBALDI GIACOMO explores the lessons learnt from the information explores the lessons learnt from the and ANJA BARTH ANJA ETHAN ZUCKERMAN ETHAN relevance, meaning and context, and the emergence of trusted, expert online editors and aggregators. Lastly, a building to contributed has conference Web2forDev the organising community of practice. The authors reflect on the successes and challenges collaborative online create to tools ICT other and 2.0 Web adopting of spaces for the conference organisers. In addition, the authors draw on results from two conference surveys to assess what impact the conference has had on both the participants and their ways of working and in practice. of community Web2forDev new a maintain and form to helping strategic implementation. Yet key issues remain: access, connectivity, access, remain: issues key Yet implementation. strategic Esterhuysen argues the need to capacity-building, literacy and language. these technologies in our holistically appropriate, adapt and integrate technology. and information people, with work Next, people’. Zuckerman examines how we can appropriate these tools for development purposes, and also how ‘using the appropriate tools, for the right job at the right time, is something that we all have to understand.’ He describes how grassroots activists have been leading innovators in the mobile the how explores and tools 2.0 Web of appropriation and use connectivity. and access of issues overcome to helping is revolution phone for content online filtering of importance the discusses he Lastly, experiences of using information communication technologies for experiences of using information communication of the strategies, issues and development. The authors discuss some development into technologies 2.0 Web integrating to related challenges tools for appropriate purposes. approaches – and of using appropriate ESTERHUYSEN ANRIETTE (ICT4D) paradigm shift to communication technologies for development thinking development into ICTs mainstream to helped ICT4D Web2forDev. in the developing world. and highlight issues of access and connectivity narrow a and hype technology by driven mostly was ICT4D However, a have tools 2.0 Web contrast, In tools. the use we how to approach networking rather than stronger focus on social and decentralised Part IV: Theory and Theory IV: Part practice reflection on of the lessons learnt from previous The articles in Part IV reflect on some Theme section Theme 80 THEME SECTION by ANRIETTE ESTERHUYSEN www.sdnp.undp.org. www.apc.org/en/about/history. create a more just world. To read more about the history of thatAPC seewants everyone to have access to the Internet to improve their lives and ICT4D protagonists.ICT4D Mostly, own theirwererooted inthey in developing countries, but did not see themselves as being information,workingwith documentation technology and 3 2 1 to Web 2.0 and back againCircling thepoint:fromICT4D development (ICT4D) and Web 2.0 for development for 2.0 Web (Web2forDev). and (ICT4D) development betweeninformation communicationand technologiesrelationship for the explore to want I point’ the ‘circling By Introduction use the term ICT4D. term the use in developing countries with their first email access – did not which,in partnership with the APC, provided many people Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) – and overviewarticle,p.8(thisissue). rights, development and peace. and development rights, human environment, the for communications global computer supporting network a as ourselves described we 1990,exist.Bynotdid term1980s,late the the systems in network started using online information-sharing and email When the Association for Progressive Communication (APC) 11 For a definition of the terms Web 2.0 and Web2forDev, see glossary, p.123-124 The SDNP closed several years ago. For more information see: Founded in 1990, APC is an international network and non-profit organisation 1 The term ICT4D is actually relatively new. relatively actually is ICT4D term The 3 People and institutions were activelywereinstitutions and People 2 Even the United Nations United the Even www.g8.utoronto.ca/summit/2001genoa/dotforce1.html See: benefit all of the world's people, especially the poorest and most marginalised.countries. Its purpose was to identify ways in which the digital revolutionnot-for-profit could and international organisations from developed and developingOkinawa Summit in July 2000, consisted of governments, private sector entities, understanding offarmingandlibraries information. Management Resource Kit) was conceived and developed byFood people and Agriculturalwith both an Organisation's (FAO) IMARK initiativewere active (Information in ICT4D as early as the 1970s. See http://tinyurl.com/dgmgwr.HURIDCOS www.huridocs.org. The IDRC (International Development Research Centre) 6 5 4 also on the challenges and weaknesses inherent in ICT4D. development, we should reflect not just on the successes, but pation with the role of ICT in development. Information Society (WSIS), demonstrated this new preoccu- on TaskSummitWorldICT National the United andForce, Nation’stheExperts,UnitedForce,the of PanelLevel High Task Opportunity Digital the as such initiatives High-level coincided with the idea that ICTs could transform the world. markets expand to drive a and reform policy privatisation, theheight ofthetelecommunications boom. Liberalisation, The term ICT4D became more common in the late 1990s at The flaw of the technology hype or sustainability, women’senvironmental rights. health, it be sectors, E.g. early ICT adopters included Satellife/Healthnet www.healthnet.org and www.unicttf.org/index.asp The Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOT Force), created at the G8 Kyushu- Digital OpportunitiesforAll:Meetingthe Challenge PerhapsthemainflawICT4Dof wasthefrequent tech- As we consider Web2forDev, or the ‘participatory’ web for 4 , May2001.Onlineat: 5 6 81

11 THEME SECTION Circling the point: from ICT4D to Web 2.0 and back again back and 2.0 Web to ICT4D from point: the Circling Debates on Debates concerns Internet raised content important The difference is fundamental. In the developed world, a world, developed the In fundamental. is difference The In contrast, at the same time in the developed world, ICT4D paradigm also created awareness of the need for capacity and skills needed in the use, management and production of ICTs. At a macro-level, governmentsfunda- were address to in to poverty strategies. reduction At required include ICTs expected were initiatives ICT4D level, project participa- community sustainability ownership, local as such ensuring issues mental capacity, institutional local building tion, implementation. project their in learning integrating and The benefits of the ICT4D paradigm ICT4D the of benefits The lack the put ICT4D outcomes. positive many also were There world developing the in infrastructure and access Internet of to forced were donors Development agenda. on the clearly accept that a huge and gap growing existed – and that, if it not could addressed, deepen the and exclusions existing divi- These have-nots. and and haves the between rich divides sharp between only not gaps entrenched and created sions to access from benefited who those between also but poor, new technologies and those who did or could not. been had that issue an – diversity linguistic and cultural around neglected in most In discourse. development addition, the norm. These are everyday activities for many people with Inter- with of part the are downloads people and video music Now, many followed. for activities everyday are These norm. people for But work. at ICTs using as common as access, net in the world, developing with slow and expensive Internet connections, these activitiesnorm. cultural remainthe of part unfeasible. yet not are In these many communities their on technology new explored has generation new whole and developer 2.0 Web the creating and driving terms, own user base. As we move in forward the into transition Web 2.0 for development, we must not repeat the error of the technology. appropriating to approach narrow were often introduced with limited funding and funding with resources, limited often introduced were People support. and infrastructure ICT to access minimal with demonstrate, to expected were initiatives these implementing many In poverty. alleviate would ICTs how time, short very in developing country organisations, when email private was of intro- instead addresses email shared had people duced, upon. frowned was purposes personal for email Using ones. work. for ‘development’ strictly were for development ICTs School networking initiatives took special precautions to games. computer playing from scholars prevent using way, different very a in ICTs appropriating were people stock or checking games, computer playing email, personal portfolios. Online dating, gambling and shopping soon weaknesses inherent in ICT4D.” in inherent weaknesses should reflect not just on the successes, the on just not reflect should and challenges the on also but “As we consider Web2forDev, or the or Web2forDev, consider we “As we development, for web ‘participatory’ Another disadvantageThis building. capacity and with development ICT4D project wasto aapproach short-sightedProjects ICTs. of appropriation sustainable encourage not did national telecommunications monopolies – even after privati- after even – monopolies telecommunications national clear. less even things made – sation again back and play to work from ICTs: Appropriating transparency. A weakness in the ICT4D paradigm became an became paradigm ICT4D the in weakness A transparency. The government. and business between relationship unclear control and to own continued governments many that fact sector investment into building essentialand infrastructure. PPPs in However, the ICT accountability sector were often short-sighted, ensure to procedures necessary the lacking development. We still need to find ways to address both state both and (PPPs) new ways of of the thinking of role the in state address to ways find to need still We development. weakness in developing countries and channelling private easily heard, as those suggesting quick and cheap solutions. cheap and quick suggesting those as heard, easily Unclear transparency and accountability partnerships private public was paradigm ICT4D the of Part protagonists at international and local levels who understood who levels local and international at protagonists to approaches holistic more for advocated and as not development and glamorous, less be to tended voices their But ICTs. the people doing the thinking, planning and implementation and planning thinking, the doing links people or the expertise, technology their for selected were ICT4D ICT4D of were There industry. IT assertive and dynamic very a to ICT4D paradigm put too much emphasis on technolo- new emphasis much too put paradigm ICT4D tools other with integrate to need the on little too and gies, Also, and practice. theory development and with and skills, needed to disseminate, manage In and produce information ICTs. with exclusive mutually are these of None effectively. fact they should be closely integrated. But somehow the rights, education and training, institutional capacity, etc.). In etc.). capacity, institutional training, and education rights, in the to need more invest it obscured itself, the ICT sector – infrastructure communications and information skills traditional human the and – media community and libraries as such ICTs enabled ‘leapfrogging’ over development obstacles. This obstacles. development over (e.g. ‘leapfrogging’ enabled fundamentals ICTs development from attention diverted often human and freedoms basic ensuring governance, improving nology-driven hype. It created a misleading expectation that expectation misleading a created It hype. nology-driven 11 82

THEME SECTION AnrietteEsterhuysen and skills to effectively integrate ICTs in ways that contribute and local development organisations often lack the capacity have failed to address for decades. problems which governmentsthe solving and are telephony, international mobile in organisationsparticularly services, market-ledthat–taken care expansionofproducts of and and technology and communications infrastructure)telephony,to (accessbasics the thatassumption hasan also is been andthey are at risk making the same mistakes again. There only just beginning to see ICTs as relevant to development – cies, particularly non-governmental organisations (NGOs), arepositive developments. Yet equally, many aredevelopmentThese produced. being are computers efficient energy agen- ogyprovides workable solutions to ICT energy needs. More Internet.Fuelcell technologies andimproved solar technol- the with interact to used be can handsets phone Mobile gap. infrastructure the addressing for opportunities and significantimprovementsmanybeen agencies.Therehave own right? This view seems to be held by many developmentpriorityitsain ICT4Dasthinklonger of toneedno we Do Is thehypearoundICT4Dover? a kinda ofvictory. grating ICT4D into ‘traditional’ or mainstream development. ICT focused projects – and the emphasis has shifted to inte- as a sector in its own right. There is less financial support for Development funding has moved on from focusing on ICT4D Do westillneedICT4D? money transfer initiative in Kenya. in initiative transfer money basedphonemobile a Kenya, in Mpesacommunities,e.g. low-income from demand – generate and – to respond mouslycreative indeveloping new products and services to medium enterprises (SMEs) to multinationals are being enor- access to infrastructure – and capacity – for many people. development is still rare, and limited by the lack of affordablement. But a truly integrated and inclusive approach to ICTs incomputertechnology, Internet access, andwebsite develop- talorganisations no longer have to persuade donors to fund no longer question that ICTs can add value. Non-governmen-workinginhealth, agriculture, governance andtransparency intodeveloping country infrastructure development. People agencies now recognise the importance of incorporating ICTs a crosscutting issue rather than a topic in its own right. other areas, rather than having a special focus on it, in other words treating it as 8 7 Mpesa: www.safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=228 Mainstreaming is often used to describe a process of integrating an issue into The ‘mainstreaming’ of ICTs in development can be seen as Businesses in developing countries, from small and small from countries, developing in Businesses 7 Thehype might beover, butdevelopment 8 Yetgovernments both 10 9 blogs. discussionsthatwereverymuchlike text-based versions of allowed people from all over the world toboards’ ‘bulletin or newsgroups’participate ‘ of thousands era in online ICTssince thetechnologies were introduced. Inthepre-web definitely not new. People have been networking Ithinksocially both views withare true. For example, social networking is Some perceive Web 2.0 as a new phenomenon,What can othersWeb 2.0 dofor developmentnot. offer? nologies. The problems produced by technology-driven by produced problems The nologies. tech- of use innovative and sustainableensure to capacity local build to fail and assessment, impact and perspective developmental longer-term a lack which projects ICT is and third party hardware and software companies. The resultsustainableto development, relying instead consultants,on preceded the Web2forDev conferencethat participant group commented: discussion online One access. and ing countries will remain on the edgeuniversities, of knowledge businesses, governmentgeneration and the media, develop- band divide. Without broadband access in key institutionsformany people. like A new digital divide is growing: the broad- Internethave enormous potential, but costs are still too high able, reliable Internet access. Mobile telephonyment challengesand the remain.mobile Many people still do mainstreamednot haveout of existence. afford-Basic infrastructure develop- grounded ICT4D practitioners. approachesholistic tocapacity, socialand change andknowledge development –specialised and reliable,develop to approachesICT4Dspecialremain.focusona stillneed We developmenttheory andpractice.” withother tools andskills, andwith andtoolittle onthe need tointegrate muchemphasis onnew technologies, “SomehowtheICT4D paradigm puttoo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USENET ipant inthisyoucan’thelpbutfeelasenseoffatigue. race in which there is no finishing line. If you are a partic- toolbox with new knowledge emerges. It is like running a new a Web, WorldWide and Internet the of basics the As soon as a few rural communities begin to understand For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). Like gender mainstreaming, the risk is that ICT4D could be 9 10 APC hosted hundreds of these ‘conferences’ during 83

11 THEME SECTION Photo: BlueLink Photo: It also gives us better content collation and infor- and collation content better us gives also It 13 Circling the point: from ICT4D to Web 2.0 and back again back and 2.0 Web to ICT4D from point: the Circling Blogs and easy-to-use content management systems management content easy-to-use and Blogs 14 Web 2.0 goes much further than the traditional web in the traditional than further much 2.0 goes Web See glossary, p.123, also Tagging, p.117 (this issue). (this p.117 Tagging, also p.123, glossary, See issue). (this p.115 RSS, also p.122, glossary, See 13 14 new plain language tools for classification (tagging) and searching. creators of content. It gives people working in development in working people gives It content. of creators Develop- an opportunity. and communications information to and expensive to is It find. hard is content ment difficult It way. interactive an in it do to us help can 2.0 Web create. allows and journalists, existing for opportunities new creates makes it fast and easy for anyone with access to create online create to access with anyone for easy and fast it makes contentis in multiplecontent mediums,copying includingand audio sharing and of video. top-down proliferation the restrictive, Moreover, to challenge powerful more far a proving open by lobbying of years than regimes property intellectual produce. to able been have activists content removing the barriers between producers, consumers and mation aggregation tools such as RSS (Really Simple Syndica- Simple (Really RSS as such tools aggregation mation tions). This Bulgarian environmental campaign in 2006 was waged offline. and on 11 They can add an 12 Recent trends have introduced fundamental differences in differences fundamental introduced have trends Recent The Association for Progressive Communications and the networking of global of networking the and Communications Progressive for Association The YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share and view upload, can users where website sharing video a is YouTube Clement, APC 2000. See: www.apc.org/about/history/apc-at-1992-earth-summit See: 2000. APC Clement, civil society: APC at the 1992 Earth Summit, by Rory O’Brien and Andrew and O’Brien Rory by Summit, Earth 1992 the at APC society: civil video clips. Like YouTube, Flickr is a free to use image and video hosting website hosting video and image use to free a is Flickr YouTube, Like www.youtube.com. clips. and video www.flickr.com See platform. community www.facebook.com. online See and website. networking social free-to-access a is Facebook 12 11 the 1990s.before Many both served as world spacesthe for collaborativeover all work from environmentalists among Janeiro. de Rio in Summit Earth 1992 the after and people deal with the proliferation of online content. It gives us gives It content. online of proliferation the with deal people driven trend in platforms, tools and approaches that strength- that approaches and tools platforms, in trend driven of some to responds It networking. online of power the ens the problems of the online universe. In itparticular, helps element of fun to how we network ‘for development’. The development’. ‘for of fun to we how network element but it also can user- can be alienating, a curve learning as technology 2.0 Web describe would I creativity. new encourage how people interact how with people interact the web. New social friv- networking seem might Facebook and Flickr YouTube, like platforms olous, but they generate excitement. 11 84

THEME SECTION AnrietteEsterhuysen who Internet,usersareshapingfuturethethenment’.theIfof develop- for web ‘participatory the of value the in believe That Web 2.0 is user-driven is significant for those of us who accessible? Can Web 2.0 tools make the Internet more open source software (FOSS). sharing and has strong links with the movement for free and for the emergence of citizen journalists. It builds a culture of to influence Internet development? thedeveloping worldwhoare active andengaged enough opedcountries. Isit possible tocreate bodya ofusers from fromdevel-areusersInternetmajority matters.of The live Web 2.0, so is a stable and permanent Internet connection. 15 (this issue). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open_source_software also glossary,and improve p.122 its design by making its source code available. See e.g. FOSS is software which is licensed to grant rights to its users to study, change, If sharingIf information fundamentalais characteristic of those users are, what language 15 they use, and producers and the disseminators. sites like YouTube, they are both the training. Uploading the videos to for humanrightseducationand images and sound and share them how to create short clips with Women with stories to tell learn where they playing together online. We must not lose this concept when information networks. wider with communities rural connects effectively casting mation.excellentAn example arefarmer blogswhere pod- cultures where text is not an obvious means of storing infor- in medium information-sharing effective an becomes also peopleliteratearearevisuallynotwhowhoor impaired. It with it share and content manage to us helps It workers. development for potential huge with video, and sound, est opportunity lies in how Web 2.0 integrates text, images, reduce limited and expensive online time. Perhaps the great- much-needed broadband. Used effectively,for demand driving and connectivity limited Web of use 2.0better tools for can opportunity an as 2.0 Web views APC countries. ing usingWeb2.0 toolsdevelopment in work,develop-and in People often see the lack of broadband access as a barrier to 17 16 web2fordev.net/2007/09/24/sharing-farmers-knowledge-through-audioblog/ See e.g. ‘Sharing farmers’ knowledge throughFor audioblog.’a definition Online: of ‘’ http://blog. see glossary, p.122 (this issue). Ultimately, Web2.0 is about people working, sharing and 16 17

Photo: Women’sNet 85

11 THEME SECTION Photo: Fantsuam Foundation Fantsuam Photo: Circling the point: from ICT4D to Web 2.0 and back again back and 2.0 Web to ICT4D from point: the Circling Trusting becomes easier Trusting if you are organised and have or abuse of information, negotiating what informationshould be private or public, and understandingconsult when deciding. who to Appropriating the tools for ourselves There is also a business backend a to Web 2.0. have It to is not just people allow to platforms creating people altruistic good time on the Internet. It involves buyingmoney, and Web 2.0: Challenges and lessons learnt lessons and Challenges 2.0: Web Learn to share but understand risks Web implementing in consider to challenges many are There create To challenge. major a is Sharing requires development. for It 2.0 talking. just than more requires sharing of culture a a different approach to policy-making and informationaccess, and a others re-affirmation of trust legitimacy of to global us public requires also It commons. the of and goods work. our of products the and ideas our with for networking social approach to have We defences. good skills good building and through information development awareness of how to protect privacy and communicate as the communities that ensure must We as possible. securely we work with understand the risks of networking online, distortion, the for potential the to security and privacy from Children at this rural Nigerian rural this at Children basics computer learn centre It’s games. playing by unlikely that their Internet connection is stable enough yet. 2.0 Web use to them for and Facebook people and Facebook 19 Orkut 18 Development is happening, but not everywhere or as See: www.myspace.com/ See: http:/www.orkut.com See: 18 19 we use Web 2.0 tools for development. On social network- social On development. for tools 2.0 Web use we Myspace, like ing platforms community – or as an individual. Web 2.0 is the perfect platform for mediating and negotiat- and mediating for platform perfect the is 2.0 Web chal- development to response multi-layered diverse, this ing to website one on collaborating from move can You lenges. a as institution, an as speak can You another. on protesting countries, relying on foreign aid and governments is not the not is governments and aid foreign on relying countries, Increas- roles. critical play these if even strategy, reliable most communitiesingly, are creating their own local solutions. selves and create their own content. content. own their create and selves much as many of us would like. For people in developing hold governments and development institutions to account. to institutions development and increases governments It hold holistically. more learn and network to us allows It options for marginalised communities to speak for them- ment ment and work could be of key the to potential unlocking Web 2.0 for development. Web 2.0 makes it possible to share development information and knowledge in more It ways. also us gives accessible the to tools out speak and share information about their ideas, work, music, and rela- music, work, ideas, their about information share tionships, alongside discussing politics and in participating entertain- political, personal, the of mix This activism. online 11 86

THEME SECTION AnrietteEsterhuysen Fax: +27117261692 Tel. +27 11 726 1692 Website: www.apc.org Email: [email protected] South Africa Melville 2109 Box 29755 (APC) Association for Progressive Communication Executive Director Anriette Esterhuysen CONTACT DETAILS or communityblogs. heard online. One way of addressing this is to create group, fantasticwork, butare verycautious makingof their voices AfricaWomen,ICTs.usetrainwerewomen towe doThey APC called programme a have We blogging. of shy be to thisapproach effectively. Yet people working NGOsintend Journalists are excellent atcommunities. thator andorganisations Africanof representatives bloggers as than are using individuals,ratherasappropriate web to the how learning by others. content becomes the key to accessing usefulown their contentCreating them. to created access unrestricted relatively withtoolsthe use to how learnonly willPeoplework. not access would not benefit poor people. Withthat Webor 2.0– this tools willcreating investingcontent’,‘usefulwithoutfirstinInternet the to access legitimate have could you ICT4D approach, the idea that you needed skills first, before narrowmistakesthesameearlytheof make not entlyand differ- think to need we development, capacity Regarding Developing capacity their development. that are readily available. We should use them and influence take sourceopentoolsplatformstheseonto runcharge.of Many need We trends. these of conscious be to need selling.To appropriate theseplatforms fordevelopment we creatorsofcontent.” betweenproducers, consumers and traditionalweb inremoving the barriers “Web2.0 goes much further than the A challenge for many people in developingpeoplechallengeinmanycountries forAis article from the original video file. Columbia Okanagan,fortranscribingthis to thank Allisha Luther, University of British 2007. Theauthorandguesteditorswouldlike the Web2forDev conference, 25th September Anriette Esterhuysen’s keynote speech made at This articleisaneditedtranscriptionof NOTES 2001. 20 19 p.119 (thisissue). storing, sharing,anddiscoveringwebbookmarks. SeealsoSocialbookmarking, on Delicious. bookmarked by more Spanish than English speaking readers for English speakers. For example, the APC website has been Linguisticdiversity is another challenge. Web 2.0 is not only Language andculture menandwomen listen.’ development:for ‘Foolstalk.Cowards aresilent. wiseOnly that I think is relevant to how we should approach Web 2.0 out, but also to share, listen and learn. I will end with lenging a fundamentalquote social inequalities if we use it to speak immensely powerful platform for developmentan be and forcan chal-2.0 Web with technology. and work information our in people, approaches integrated holistic, using on and level local the at ownership and capacity building remain to need We focused sustainableon socialchange development;and ICT4D. on of challenges the from ent The challenge of using Web 2.0 for development is no differ- Conclusion much aswecanontheparticipatoryweb. comein many forms. Online communities can become part institutions Social are institutions. social society functioning any healthy, in coherence cultural sustain can What technology. Culture is influenced by war, migration, poverty. perhaps culture changes and evolves even independently of challenge.But a cultureexistingisWorkingbarriers within about whether culture influences how ICT4D is implemented. create linguistic diversity for these platforms. Web 2.0 or not. using are we whether makers, policy influencing and tors findingsame,innova-thedoingare others who withtions Development is about fighting daily battles, making connec- of the fabric of strong, inclusive societies. The power is in us. The Shadow of the Wind (Spanish: Delicious (www.delicious.com) is a social bookmarking web service for Someone at the Web2forDevSomeonetheat conference pointraiseda 19 Let us not make assumptions that we cannot 20 Letnotusquiet,be andlisten as La sombradelviento ) byCarlosRuizZafón,

THEME SECTION 87 1 They did They 3

Bottom right: Global Voices Forum, New Deli, 2006. Deli, New Forum, Voices Global right: Bottom

4 12 For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. See also Kreutz, p.28 and p.28 Kreutz, also See p.121. glossary, see ‘blog’, of definition a For their and blogs all encompassing term collective a is ‘Blogosphere’ Tanzania. Arusha, Chapter,’ Next The ‘Africa: 2007 June 4th–7th Held Jordan. Bottom left: Tanzania, the TED African conference. Over a Over conference. African TED the Tanzania, left: Bottom Jordan. hundred bloggers came to this very elite technology conference held in Tanzania. Arusha, a lot of the frontline reporting when the hotels were bombed in Top left: the first Cambodian bloggers conference, Phnom Penh, July Penh, Phnom conference, bloggers Cambodian first the left: Top talk to together got They cloggers. the themselves call They 2007. Jordanian right: Top blogging. Cambodian forward bring to how about world. the in vibrant most the of one bloggers, This conference brought together bloggers from all around the world. the around all from bloggers together brought conference This Box 1: Four sets of bloggers from around the world the around from bloggers of sets Four 1: Box 2 3 4 Blogging p.106 (this issue). issue). (this p.106 Blogging also See interconnections. This phenomenon has so many This phenomenon 1

We often forget is that this is actually relatively old tech- old relatively actually is this that is forget often We Email actually preceded the Internet. In at 1965 Massa- the Internet. preceded actually Email For a definition of Web 2.0, see glossary, p.123 and overview, p.8 (this issue). (this p.8 overview, and p.123 glossary, see 2.0, Web of definition a For I know very little about agriculture or food – but I know do – but food or agriculture about little very I know a bit 2.0. Web about little Introduction by ETHAN ZUCKERMAN ETHAN by not about the tools, it’s about the people. We are experienc- are We people. the about it’s tools, the about not enormous phenomenon, and that is nearly eight years old. nology and is ideas. Most Internet technology over twenty it’s Because now? it about talking we are why So old. years Internet traffic Internet was traffic email. The World Wide Web started in 1990. Web blogs (blogs) are over ten years old. Wikis are an becoming is Wikipedia 1995. from that, than older even email backemail 1971, by andand Internet, the forthhad we 1969 By becausecomputer. they shared thebetween computers – samewithin nine months the majority of over the Internet they will do so. so. do will they Internet the over sending were people (MIT), Technology of Institute chusetts about it. The one I usually use is the read-write web. Essen- web. read-write the is use usually I one The it. about tially, the Internet began as a way communi- human into turned it of sharing quickly, very But resources. computer If to cation. you communicate the give people opportunity names, manifestations, and different ways to talk and think and talk to ways different and manifestations, names,

simple tools for smart people simple tools Web 2.0 tools for development: for tools 2.0 Web 1 12 88

THEME SECTION EthanZuckerman are talking about. participate in many of the high bandwidth activities that we to difficult very it make that problems infrastructure basic engaged fashion. And lots of the world is still suffering from needelectricity tobeonline sustained,ina meaningful and Youconnection. Internet good a have not does it that are illustrates the challenge. If somewhere is not lit up the odds development. It is NASA’s view of the earth at night. It really InformationCommunicationusesand Technology for(ICT) we cannot makethisassumption. world developing the in But it. access can someone Americayoucan assume that ifyouput information online online. But this is very different from place to place. In North people percentageof small a expect now can you nationsdeveloping most in critically, And online. people billion togetherthesameinplace. Currently, there arewell overa people bring to capacity amazing an have tools 2.0 Web Issues ofaccessandconnectivity with thesetools. ing a seismic shift – it’s about who can be brought together The image on the next page shows the fibre optic cables Theimage above should be mandatory for anyone who good Internetconnection. odds are that it does not have a If somewhere is not lit up the NASA’s view of the earth at night. the Sat Threecable.Sat the connecting the world. There is a single cable in West Africa, Radio forJustice(seeBox1). the Internet. We need to think about projects like Interactive read-writemedia,thinkhavetobeyondwe laptopthe and thinkgame.whenweaboutSoparticipatory media,about of penetration of technology that changes all the rules of the mated80-90% of people have access to one. This is a level handsets worldwide. Even in less developed countries an Weesti- are now rapidly heading towards 3 billion mobile phone The mobile phone revolution we have seen in information technology so far. phone.And the mobile is the most amazing mobile revolution the that like devices, smaller much about is it widths: band- high or laptops, about not is it these, like places In large parts of the world withoutare there high But connectivity. bandwidthInternet inexpensive and atgood this point. Where these cables are is where you have the chance to get world.’ Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT-3/WASC_(cable_system)provides the only optical fibre link between West Africa and the remainderconnections of theto several West African countries along the route. SAT-3/WASCcommunications cablelinkingPortugaland SpaintoSouthAfrica,with 5 ‘SAT-3/WASC or South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable 5 There is no cable at all in east Africa.east in all atcable no Thereis is asubmarine 89

12 THEME SECTION It gives people – particularly women – 8 Web 2.0 tools for development: simple tools for smart people smart for tools simple development: for tools 2.0 Web United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) this radio programme does. programme radio this Interactive Radio for Justice has been taking place in the eastern mobile and radio fascinating a is This Congo. of Republic Democratic to villages Congolese in people for opportunity an is It project. phone ‘Hi, pointed. very be can questions these and leaders, of questions ask them. feed to have I say they home, my in living soldiers ten are there question dangerous a is this guess might You them?’ feed to have I Do charge, in forces Nations United the ask to want might you but ask, to or the defence minister and the minister of justice – and that is what the opportunity to send questions via mobile phone text messages to radio. the over them answer them have and people, powerful very to radios, AM around parties listening organise women of Groups for culture the be to going is this think I answers. those understand Web some as sophisticated as not is It in. work we that countries many it and – participatory and forth and back is it But technologies. 2.0 reach. to trying is it people the for technology right the uses Box 1: Interactive Radio for Justice for Radio Interactive 1: Box 8 6 7 Mobile phones are also being used in election monitor- in used election being also are phones Mobile Another example of election monitoring is the Ushahidi project – see Okolloh see – project Ushahidi the is monitoring election of example Another text short receiving and sending for used (SMS): Service Messaging Short prevented from voting and that if the police did not show up show not did police the if that and voting from prevented to to people then it vote, enable accountability. was public Internet. the and radio SMS, used model This station, you could make a mobile phone call. You didn’t call didn’t You call. phone mobile a make could you station, the government or the police. calledYou the local radio station. They would broadcast that people were being Ghana’s prosperity. One of the reasons for this was election was this for reasons the of One prosperity. Ghana’s theory The radios. FM and phones mobile using monitoring, polling a at voting from you preventing was someone if was, ing. This is incredibly powerful. In 2000, Ghana had a remark- a had Ghana 2000, In powerful. incredibly is This ing. of It transfer able power election. was peaceful a relatively from one political party to It another. has really increased 6 7 (this issue). messages via mobile phones. 12 90

THEME SECTION EthanZuckerman need it. IVM allows people to retrieve information as and when they We can use FM radio, but that is still a broadcast technology. more appropriate to talk to them than it is to give them text. people,manyreallyForate.to access information,this is it based web – and also SMS – only works well if you are liter- text-becauseimportant so is delivered.Thisaudio the get nition software, or work your way through an audio menu meabout to medical information.’ You either use voice recog- phonea system andsay, ‘Tell meabout crop prices,’ or‘Tell normally get it on a website. The idea is that you can go into your phone. It is not written in text, the same way you wouldto build phone systems that provide audio information over information. the health and microfinance sectors. See http://voxiva.com for more ‘Are you going to participate in the next ‘stay away’?’ mobilephones. So Kubatana is asking people, for example: essayarerathersmall. manypeopleZimbabwe Butin have chances of going to a cyber café and writing a long political that most Zimbabweans are trying very hard to stay alive. The 11 10 9 is a project in Zimbabwe, called Kubatana. called Zimbabwe, in project a is Andformost people, those tools are mobile phones. There Ifyou give people the tools, they can feed you information. Learning fromtheactivists Interactive Voice Response. It has great potential. Onetheofmostinteresting newtechnologies calledis IVR: Using telephonestoaccessinformation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe_Congress_of_Trade_Unions government to address the economic meltdown. See www.zctu.co.zw and Trade Unions (ZCTU) where people are urged to ‘stay away’ from work to press community forZimbabweanactivists. not able to do. For example, the Egyptian Kefaya movement technology because they need things that the technology is the possiblewith is what oflimits the push whothose are with human rights is that activists are ‘lead users’. Lead users understand. I recommend learning from these activists. rightjobtheatright time,something is thatallwehave to the for tools, appropriate the using And SMS. is it weans, is the best way for me to access this information. Forandthe Internet isthe output.Zimbab- AsWesterner,a the Internet the information from the people first. The mobile is the input thewiderworld. Buttheyusethemobile phonescollect to withbutreach –tothem waybest the notbecause isthat Zimbabweans,withnotInternetconnecttheusetothen – A good example is Voxiva, a company which has developed IVR solutions for A ‘Stay away’ is a day of protest organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of www.kubatana.net: The NGO Network Alliance Project – an online Somethingreallyinteresting Web2.0aboutworkingin 10 They realised They 9 It is a way 11 They sitting at home in front of a high bandwidth connection acts someoneandcall, phone a makeTheyphotos.digital and online instant relay chat services (IRC, or instant messaging), SMS,reportusingfieldthe newsrooms. inasPeople blogs they run a blogging website together.websiteblogging a run they started blogging from prison. Alaa is married to Manal,Alaa and But all. at it of coverage media no was There 2006. Egypt,protestinarrested peoplea during800 of one was blogs. what you are doing, you can become the local press by using media all over the world. So if the local press will not report suddenly becomes the source for mainstream television and their voices heard in the Egyptian press. This newsroom then activities in Egypt, because otherwise it other is and very difficultactivities, their to on get reporting newsroom, the as nicate. is finding fascinating ways to use Web 2.0 tools to commu- were television reporters surrounding the court. there released finally was he When coverage. news tional movementprison.tryandgethimoutofto had interna- It in prison, he was watched by the entire world, resulting in a online.themwouldputsheDespiteand spending days 60 prison, he wrote long blog posts, passed them out to Manal, Alaa has used Twitter. fourhours,howthisispleaseme.’Andlookfor comeand say is, ‘I’m being taken to this police station, if I’m not out in activists, who, like Alaa, may end up in prison. So what you presentation’.isn’tItreally a richdiscourse. greatis for it But giving FAO at ‘I’m like, things say to it use Twitter use everyone who is followingto out goes you. It SMS. And via many or ofcomputer a the from peopleeither online who write a message of up to 140 characters long, and upload it 14 13 12 information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefaya andhttp://kefaya.org/index.htm Egypt’s political spectrum to oppose President Hosni Mubarak’sMovement presidency. for Change, a grassroots See coalition which draws it support from across assumption.“ cannotmakethisweworld accessdevelopingit.canthe in But informationputyou onlineif someone North“In assumethatcanAmericayou Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service. See p.108www.manalaa.net for more Kefaya (Egyptian Arabic for ‘Enough!’) is the unofficial moniker of the Egyptian This became very important for Alaa Abd El Fattah, who Another interesting Web 2.0 tool is Twitter. is tool 2.0 Web interesting Another 12 One of the ways they have done this is by using by is this done have they ways the of One 13 While Alaa was in was Alaa While 14 Youcan 91

12 THEME SECTION Ethan Zuckerman Ethan 16 Web 2.0 tools for development: simple tools for smart people smart for tools simple development: for tools 2.0 Web There are two serious points to this. For activists, there is there activists, For this. to points serious two are There Like YouTube, Flickr is a free to use image and video hosting website and website hosting video and image use to free a is Flickr YouTube, Like online community platform, where users can upload, view and share images and images share and view upload, can users where platform, community online www.flickr.com. See clips. video 16 really good idea. Flickr has thousands of people working on working people of thousands has Flickr idea. good really create Why websites. photo-storing better and better making exist already that tools the Use development? for own your these using when But the problem for own your purposes. else. someone of trust the in data your put you that is tools a great benefit in using these tools. Because so many people many so Because tools. these using in benefit great a want to use them for boring purposes, authorities do not using worth is it think I So them. to access prohibit to want using than rather ban to cost social a have which tools these some- is thing second The yourself. created have you tool a development. for ICT about years over learnt have we thing Getting someone else to pay your development costs is a certain sensitive texts. Web 2.0 tools: 2.0 Web 'Cute cats' activism. versus Flickr Flickr allows me to put funny 15 YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share and view upload, can users where website sharing video a is YouTube YouTube may be about showing you fun videos of cute cats cute of videos fun you showing about be may YouTube shows and Zimbabwe, of out videos get us lets also it but – you a trade union protest. of cats, and put captions on photos of cute cats, and show and cats, cute of photos on captions put and cats, of them all over the world. These tools were crafted for the most boring, silly purposes. But they get repurposed. So websites, home pages and online commerce and so on. Web on. so and commerce online and pages home websites, you’ with share can ‘I the 2.0, Web origins. different has 2.0 photographs cute you show can I that so invented was web, The ‘cute cat’ theory: repurposing Web 2.0 tools 2.0 Web repurposing theory: cat’ ‘cute The the it I call article. this of aspect theoretical main the is This ‘cute cat theory’ of Web 2.0. Web 1.0 was about static a great way to get around the Chinese firewall which blocks which firewall Chinese the around get to way great a captions on photos of my cats to share with you, but it is also is it but you, with share to cats my of photos on captions video clips. See www.youtube.com. www.youtube.com. See clips. video 15 12 92

THEME SECTION EthanZuckerman formed ideas and gettingformedideasandfeedbackthem,‘Hey, on folksin half- my express to way a was it me, For for. writing are youneed to figure out is why you are writing and who you paper, a press release, a newspaper, or a personalThis leads mediary. to blogging. Blogs Whatare as generic as a piece of Blogging: the ecosystem of links approach themselves. you a message, write a post, share their voice, and articulate nearly as interesting as someone actually being able to send someonesimply says, ‘Oh, this isimportant tome’, itis not ment. We are looking for people to put content out engage- there. for looking If are We participation. for looking are ‘join my cause’, people will join. But what does it mean? We also very popular. If all you have to do is click a buttonFacebook.E-petitionsareon causesrecruiting for is sectorsaying non-profit the in trendy very become has that Something you actuallygoingtogetoutofit? wewant to reach. They also need to be effective. What are few people with extremely high bandwidth – not the people usingvirtualenvironments. theyareButonlyusefulveryto about who you want to reach and how. A lot of people are think to need you you, for best are tools Towhich decide Which tools for which purposes? you can build these from scratch. sary.thesesystems,oflot therea literallyfor Butis way no very securely and to encrypt your own information if neces- anybodyto importantelse.isItcommunicate able to be to make copies. There is also data that we never want becarefulto about entrustit, about how welicense our data. Always on them. arethousands hundredsor thousand ofpeople of working anything you can build yourself. This is mainly than because powerful more there lot a are they ways many in because structure. But people are learning to use these collectivenaturalaisIt concern thatwantwetools owntoour own infra- prohibitaccess tothem.” purposes,authorities donot want to peoplewant touse them forboring usingthese tools. Because somany “Foractivists, there greatisa benefit in You also have to ask: what are your users putting into it? Web 2.0 forces us to become more trusting. But we can places. And blogs get linked to a degree that almost nothing Google looks for websites that are linked to lots of different tive thingsyoucando. peoplethat linkso to you and you participating link toAnd them is one ofparticipate. mostto effec-how out figure Youpeopleothertoo.to link to haveto is linkedtoget to havetolook atwho issearching for you. And the best way you Google, like enginessearch recognised by be to want blogging formallyinformally,are or ecosystemtheyou takeapproach. you If Whether blogging. be should sations must beknowledgeable’. he important, be must he him, at pointed people of sand to me, and Google sees this and says, ‘Wow, there’s a thou- my little blog there are thousands of people who are linking think‘Ithis reallyis stupid’. Welink allthetime. onAnd so currency. We link as a way of saying ‘I’m interested in this’ or else getslinked. participate in it?’ The answer is yes. Wikipedia is a culture of cost of entry. People worry, ‘Can I edit Wikipedia?’ or ‘Can I working on it, but you can be people one of of themthousands of at hundreds a very,with project veryenormous low an is It world. the in website popular most ninth the now is Wikipedia Wikipedia. be to going is match one number the magic of links. of magic the mostknowledgeable personZimbabwe.on because isIt of website, you will find my website. This is not because I’m the ‘Harare’ you won’t findand travel ‘holiday’ guides for or asearch ministryand of online tourism go you If Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe last year and wrote some fairly harsh posts about this ishowweengageinacademicconversation. at department my In Harvard,you would have to blog for powerful. the simple reason that very be can that field, way of sharing academic ideas with people working in your my community: help me think this through’. If you blog as a Wikipedia. understand and use to is organisation non-governmental However,the single biggest thing you can probably doasa Linking to Wikipedia 18 17 and encyclopaedia.See: en.wikipedia.org ‘Wikipedia’ is a combination of the words multilingual, web-based, free-content encyclopaedia project. The name another placeisoftensimplycalledto‘link’. See:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperlink document or websites to another place or other websites. To insert a hyperlink to Wikipedia is a free online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. It is a In computing, a hyperlink is a reference, link, or navigation element in a Thisis the reason to blog. And this is the reason organi- our are links where ecosystem digital a in exist Blogs The other powerful thing about blogging is links. I was in 18 If you search Google for ‘food security’, the security’, ‘food for Google search you If 17 Search engines like Google love links. love Google likeengines Search wiki (a typeofcollaborativewebsite) 93

12 THEME SECTION It It is – not we high-tech use tools, free 22 Web 2.0 tools for development: simple tools for smart people smart for tools simple development: for tools 2.0 Web For example, you can use ‘malaria’ as a filter. Buzz 21 See: http://buzzm.worldbank.org issue). (this p.122 glossary, see ‘Podcast’ of definition a For 21 22 buzz monitoring looks at over a thousand development blogs development thousand a over at looks monitoring buzz of top on filter own your put you lets then and websites and it. the developing world and presents it to people in a way that way a in people to it presents and world developing the is for useful them. Filtering and translation about and not is Filtering it that is filtering about thing important most The information filter really the it tools, is To the about people. meaningfully, people have to do it. If you hand 100 blog search malaria?’ about a are ones to and say a ‘Which posts person on relying by than information better far get will you takes which is a project Voices Global example, For engine. over all from – or videos, blogs, e.g. – media citizen Monitor then retrieves links to the most relevant content. relevant most the to links retrieves then Monitor such as the free Google email service and other mailing lists. mailing other and service email Google free the as such Butenor- it an works – becauseit about 120 translate people and work on content it. They interesting most the select mous task. Speaking English on the Internet is no longer Filtering 19 The single biggest thing you can The single biggest thing non- a as do probably to is organisation governmental Wikipedia. understand and use ‘food for Google search you If match one number the security’, Wikipedia. be to going is It votes and ranks what is the most the is what ranks and votes It 20 Global Voices Online is an international network of bloggers and citizen and bloggers of network international an is Online Voices Global www.muti.co.za See interesting and important content online. For your work, this work, your For online. content important and interesting called project Bank World A helpful. very be to out turn may Filtering: accessing relevant information online information relevant accessing Filtering: The last thing I want to talk about is filtering. I was intro- Voices. Global of context the in filtering to duced information respectfully and respect the culture. Learn how Learn culture. the respect and respectfully information most the literally is Wikipedia to Linking works. culture that do. can you thing effective sharing information. But you have to be believable and share and believable be to have you But information. sharing looks at African voices. African at looks filter those voices to a meaningful size? One way is by getting by is way One size? meaningful a to voices those filter to important is what is ‘This saying: and groups in together just that project African a South Muti, is example One me’. is something important that we forget about. There are close are There about. forget we that important something is to 100 million people creating content online. When 100 you do how So listen. to hard really is it talk, people million journalists that follow, report, and summarise what is going on in the in on going is what summarise and report, follow, that journalists http://globalvoicesonline.org See: world. the of corner every in blogosphere 19 20 12 94

THEME SECTION EthanZuckerman speaking toaparticulartopicorsetofissues. voices the voices, pertinent interesting, most the for Look the harshest or most outrageous voices. So you need doesfiltering. is amplify people’s voices. Youupand speak largewilltoa group ofpeople. oftenAllWeb 2.0really find that they are always been possible for ill-informed, bigoted people totools standis that anybody who can get online can use them. It has extremelyis threatening. interestingWhatsois aboutthese letting everybody speak to a potentially global andonline challenges. audience Letting people speak freely is threatening. And solve alone. to us for impossible almost otherwise are that tasks these solve to people ofthousands hundreds,or dozens, up line If anything is important about Web 2.0, it is finding ways to we also rely takes on theit bloggersus who For create that originalcontent. content.hundredsthe of people to do this, and really thousands becausecontextualise to have you audience, and translate so people can understand them.theissues andselect stories Thenthat will make sense widertoa agriculture in the developing world, you have to think about mostwork.example,theForareyouinteresteddo ifwe in Most importantly, you have to add context. And this is where Filtering for meaningful content Chinese. You have to translate.and Japanese in blogging people more are There online. enough.Theremorearenon-English English thanspeakers Website: http://ethanzuckerman.com Email: [email protected] Ethan Zuckerman. CONTACT DETAILS UsingWeb2.0tools for development doespresent risks Web2forDev conference, 27th September 2007. Zuckerman’s keynote speech made at the This articleisaneditedtranscriptionofEthan NOTES about information niches and wider niches is reallyimpor-isniches widerinformation and aboutniches question the But communities. private within friends, and vast majority of people use these tools The you.to tospeaking be speakto want everwould whofraction to their family people creating content online, there are probably only a something.tiny This is just the start. Out of the hundred million one who is connected on the web is going to be producing Thisnew Web 2.0 movement means that eventually, every- Conclusion peoplethetools bring together.” “It’snotabout thetools it’s– about the bring together. tion ofsubjectexperts. really well informed are simply going to have the best collec- online subject experts as – and emerging those are ofwho us people who is are It going beings. to be human in faith but to the editors and aggregators. get very good at, is not so much listening to individual arevoices, the experts in those spaces? What I think we will have to out who I want to listen to and who I want to believe. Who blogs, but occasionally I read other types. And AfricandevelopmentaboutIand lot a blogosphere.haveknow I to figure tant. Many of us get very deep in one particular corner of the It’saboutnotit’stoolsthe– aboutpeoplethe toolsthe aboutofsimpleislottoolssmartIt forpeople.havea I

95 THEME SECTION 13 The 450 respondents prioritised which Web 2.0 tools they tools 2.0 Web which prioritised respondents 450 The Here, we explore some of the Web 2.0 tools we used to used we tools 2.0 Web the of some explore we Here, In Centre for April and Agricultural 2006 the Technical A Community of Practice (CoP) is made out of people who A Community of Practice (CoP) is made out of people problems common to exposure by basis voluntary a on Bond • purpose of sense common a Share • language and practices common Use • knowledge of store a themselves Embody • systems value and beliefs similar Hold • other each from learn and knowledge share directly, Collaborate • (2002) Wenger Source: Box 1: What is a community of practice? of community a is What 1: Box organise a conference to focus on the use of Web 2.0 appli- 2.0 Web of use the on focus to conference a well organise was proposal The development. of context the in cations covered be to topics the define better to order in so received, by the event a administered and designed CTA which conference, Web2forDev would later (English bilingual and becomeonline French) survey among people the(ICT4D). development 2007for ICT on globe the across working organise the conference, the challenges the organisers faced organisers the challenges the conference, the organise in supporting such a process – and ways forward towards forming a more committed, interlinkedcommunity of practice (see Box 1). and dedicated in forces join to participants invited (CTA) Cooperation Rural organising one of its yearly Information Communication to proposed CTA meetings. Observatory (ICT) Technologies . The However, the 1 2

Web2forDev 2007 went far a Web2forDev beyond solely organising This article recounts the development of the Web2forDev the of development the recounts article This For a definition of Web 2.0, see glossary, p.123 (this issue). (this p.123 glossary, see 2.0, Web of definition a For 2007. March in introduced publicly only was Web2forDev acronym The collaborate and share resources online. Coined in 2004, the term Web 2.0 is often used to describe to used often is 2.0 Web term the 2004, in Coined applications and tools web cost low or free of emergence the or information publish and create we way the enhance that Introduction

a community of practice a community The Web2forDev story: towards story: Web2forDev The innovative technologies within diverse institutions. conference. Many online collaborative spaces were created were spaces collaborative Many online conference. story Web2forDev the Therefore beforehand. activated and learning steep a of story the is It event. one just than more is curve faced by collaborating organisations in dealing with isations isations keen to power harness the collaborative increased applications. and technologies cost low new the by promised community coalesced from likeminded development organ- development likeminded from coalesced community community, which led to the successful conference in 2007 in conference successful the to led which community, Web2forDev: ParticipatoryWeb for Development 1 2 the sectors of agriculture, rural development and natural management. resource Web2forDev 2007 to conference used was be the could first 2.0 international Web how on specifically focusing event in operating actors, development Southern of advantage the by ANJA by BARTH and GIACOMO RAMBALDI 13 96

THEME SECTION AnjaBarth and Giacomo Rambaldi Centre (WUR). Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Euforic and Wageningen University and Research(IFAD), Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR),British Columbia Okanagan, International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentSecretariat), Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Universitythe Secretariat of of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and(ACP Development (IICD), FAO, German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), 4 3 Figure 2). tives from the 12 participating organisations (for location see steeringA committee (SC) was formed including representa- • online information retrieval and access. • appropriate technologies for online publishing; and • shared virtual spaces, remote collaboration and knowledge-the conference programme: about.The three main topics of interest were later added to considered relevant for their work and wanted to learn more to include the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Organisation Agriculture and Food the include to Figure 1: Timeline of tools used to organise the Web2forDev conference The organisations involved were: CTA, International Institute for CommunicationFAO later hosted the Web2forDev conference in Rome. sharing; InOctober 2006 the initial group of organisers expanded 4 3 • enable the audience to share opinions and experiences; and efficient an in information conference • disseminate spaces were created to: among the network members and the organisers. All online collaboration and communication among the organisers and community.Thesesupportedenabled andWeb2forDev effective remote growing the nurture and develop to place A number of Web 2.0 applications (see Figure 1) were put in Involvement of the Web2forDev community join. listswere open and other interested individuals were free to firstsurvey usingdedicated electronic discussion lists. These new a onlineinvolve community consistedand of interested respondents to establish the to Web2forDev community ahead of the conference.platforms The initial exchange The organisersusedseveralinformationchannelsand The ‘participatory web’ at work timely way; 97

13 THEME SECTION Through- 9 It provided a broad audience with current infor- current with audience broad a provided It 8 The Web2forDev story: towards a community of practice of community a towards story: Web2forDev The Other exchange platforms included the Web2forDev blog Web2forDev the included platforms exchange Other All these Web2forDev spaces featured on the conference the on featured spaces Web2forDev these All See http://blog.web2fordev.net. For a definition of ‘blog’, see glossary, p.121. glossary, see ‘blog’, of definition a For http://blog.web2fordev.net. See p.124. glossary, see ‘wiki’, of definition a For http://wiki.web2fordev.net. See 8 9 steadily since then. DGroups email lists were initially used to used initially were lists email DGroups then. since steadily disseminate news about the conference. Afterwards, they became a platform for members to discuss and exchange information. Web2forDev-related was estab- blog The conference wiki. and the Web2forDev to prior and the stories during to Web2forDev lished share conference. themes for the conference’s open space sessions. space open conference’s the for themes mation and offered the opportunity for direct feedback. The feedback. direct for opportunity the offered and mation jointly elaborate to participants with used primarily was wiki See also Blogging p.106 (this issue). issue). (this p.110 Wikis also See out the conference the participants could also use the wiki to wiki the use also could participants the conference the out experiment and get support if needed. Members Members have increased 7 At the time of writing, Deli- 5 6 To brandTo the Web2forDev ‘concept’, the organisers Two electronic discussion groups (DGoups) in English and English in (DGoups) groups discussion electronic Two Web2forDev community members. members. community Web2forDev can be used for development; and DGroups is an online platform offering tools and services for groups and groups for services and tools offering platform online an is DGroups For a definition of ‘tag’ see glossary, p.123. See also Tagging p.117 (this issue). (this p.117 Tagging also See p.123. glossary, see ‘tag’ of definition a For Delicious is a social bookmarking web service for storing, sharing, and discovering Figure 2: Location of partner organisations partner of Location 2: Figure agreed to earmark online resources relevant to the topic with the tag ‘Web2forDev’. • facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges and networking among and networking exchanges peer-to-peer facilitate • • provide newcomers with examples of how Web 2.0 tools 2.0 Web of how examples with newcomers provide • French French began in February 2007. Web2forDev. cious accounts for close to 1000 items tagged as web2fordev and p.119 (this issue) for a short guide to social bookmarking. social to guide short a for issue) (this p.119 and web2fordev www.dgroups.org. See: development. international in French and interested communities www.dgroups.org/groups/web2fordev [web2fordev] English www.dgroups.org/groups/web2pourdev [web2pourdev] web bookmarks. See: www.delicious.com. See also www.delicious.com/tag/ also See www.delicious.com. See: bookmarks. web 7 5 6 13 98

THEME SECTION AnjaBarth and Giacomo Rambaldi images from Flickr and links to discussion groups. 13 12 11 10 Remote collaborationamongorganisers website. cious). other Web 2.0 tools (e.g. RSS feeds from the blog and Deli- included website registration.The for apply to and spaces RSS feedsp.115andSocialbookmarking, p.119(thisissue). Figure 3: Outcome of the conference other people located at differentpeoplelocatedgeographicalotherat locations Collaborative technologies enable people to interact with See www.flickr.com. See www.youtube.com. For definitions of RSS and social bookmarking see glossary, p.121, and also See: http://2007.web2fordev.net 11 10 There were also featured videos from YouTube, from videos featured also were There This was the main gateway to access collaborative 12 13 voice communications over the Internet (Voice over Inter- over (Voice Internet the over communications voice SC all to these remotely. accessible re-upload and modify made access, then could who were members, documents Conference- related service. file-sharing online an SharePoint, orative private work space was established using Microsoft set upforthecommitteeanditssubcommittees.Acollab- were DGroups groups. discussion electronic dedicated via 2.0 toolstoovercome thisconstraint. nents. So the steering committee (SC) relied heavily on Web more effectively. groupefficientlymorewithinandacases,many inand, For remote discussions most SC members used free used members SC most discussions remote For messages regularlyexchanged committee steering The The organising partners were located across three conti- (Source: Wikipedia). 99

13 THEME SECTION Photo: Anja Barth Anja Photo: At At that time, the limitation encountered 16 The Web2forDev story: towards a community of practice of community a towards story: Web2forDev The Additionally, some proprietary file formats could not run not could formats file proprietary some Additionally, See: www.presentations2go.eu See: Media team members at members team Media writing conference the Web2forDev/ the for Web2pourDev blog. conference 16 used to show both a live video of a presenter and their pres- their and presenter a of video live a both show to used pres- streaming a as these render and concurrently entation entation online. Keeping up-to-date with the rapidly evolving Web 2.0 Web evolving rapidly the with up-to-date Keeping landscape was Priorchallenge toThe theuse. conference,for proposed Web 2.0ones toolsnew and were frequentlyupgraded to keep track of we So such we a environment. fast-changing before useful be could tools which understand to needed adopting proposed them. Here, we were constrained by a members SC All explore. to hesitancy some and time of lack inno- for proposals and ideas of overload an with deal to had adopting about apprehensive were People adoptions. vative in felt was This tools. untested time) and (at that unknown the ‘body and spirit’ of email exchanges. on open source applications and this caused concern and technology innovative an was example One work. additional use of specific applications (e.g. wiki, blog, desktop sharing, desktop blog, wiki, (e.g. applications specific of use Share- DGroups, were tools commonly-used most The etc). MostPoint peopleand were VoIP. familiar with DGroups. SC all (almost) by used application main the was SharePoint pivotal was Skype remotely. documents on work to members applications Other conferencing. in remote to participating These ‘optional’. as considered were wiki the and blogs like person- more were who members SC few the by used were Web about opinions and information sharing in engaged ally 2.0 for development. Internet Explorer 5.5 and a Windows Media Player 9.0 to play to consisted in the 9.0 fact that the technology Player required at least Media Windows a and 5.5 Explorer Internet features. full the Remote conferencing was conferencing Remote 14 esktop of the meeting convener on 15 As a result, adopting the tools was uneven and occurred and uneven was tools the adopting result, a As Everyone involved had to be open to innovation, to simultaneously on monitors in different countries; and countries; different in monitors on simultaneously wiki. open an via programme conference For a definition of ‘VoIP’, see glossary, p.123 (this issue). For more information more For issue). (this p.123 glossary, see ‘VoIP’, of definition a For www.unyte.net website: Unyte Sametime Lotus the visit information more For technologies within diverse institutions.” diverse within technologies learning curve faced by collaborating by faced curve learning innovative with dealing in organisations “The Web2forDev story is more than just than more is story Web2forDev “The steep a of story the is It event. one Skype. a selection only used SC members Some times. at different the coordinated groups smaller while of the available tools general. So partners needed to be ready to negotiate permis- negotiate to ready be to needed partners So general. sions with their IT colleagues. For example, some steering of use the allow not did organisations members’ committee posed a real challenge for the responsible Information Tech- Information responsible the for challenge real a posed nology (IT) departments, especially in larger organisations, who were sceptical and concerned about IT security in change their working habits – and have an eagerness to explore and learn. several However, Web 2.0 applications • viewed, • discussed and modified documents displayed the of sections developing on collaborate to people invited • participating organisations. We We organisations. participating workspaces; remote of use made • conferencing; PC2PC did • In 2006 when the organisers initiated the various activities, various the initiated organisers the when In 2006 old and there- two years 2.0 was only of Web the concept – new – facets to of in some the its complex relatively fore become themselves adopters of innovation. become themselves adopters of innovation. Different working styles and attitudes The process of organising the conference and animating the animating and conference the organising of process The Web2forDev community was challenging. Those involved and environments to fast-changing adapt to and had learn Challenges in the process the in Challenges net Protocol or VoIP) like Skype. like VoIP) or Protocol net supported by desktop-sharing software, which simultane- ously displays the d computer screens and/or projectors at the partner organisa- partner the at projectors and/or screens computer tions. on Skype visit: www.skype.com www.skype.com visit: Skype on 14 15 13 100

THEME SECTION AnjaBarth and Giacomo Rambaldi • the BROSDI project in Uganda where farmers started exper- and empoweringonlineapplications. interactive,innovativehighly to phonesmobile and emails nologies (ICTs) such as radio, television, landline telephones, Theyrangedfrom classic information communication tech- ingof the meaning of ‘participatory web for development’. issue).These presentations reflected the varied understand- this Zuckerman, also and Esterhuysen (see Voices Global of ZuckermannEthan and APC of EsterhuysenAnriette as the advantage of Southern development actors. to actively work and share ideas on how to apply Web 2.0 to market place. We allocated plenty of time for the participantsa discussions,plenaryincubatorspaces,sessionsandopen and collaborations. The programme combined presentations, The conference aimed to create innovation, new partnershipsThe conference dynamics makers andenablers. application and system providers, software developers,trainers, researchers, experts, policycommunication and mation Latin America and attended.Europe ParticipantsAfrica, includedmainly ICTfrom specialists, countries infor-40 over ested in Web 2.0 for development. Around 300 people from The conference brought together a broad community inter- The participants demonstrations. participants where less familiarday’ Web taster 2.0 tools2.0 were‘Web given hands-onone-day a by preceded the was with climax Italy. FAORome,headquartersthe conferencein itselfThe a reached story Web2forDevconference 25th–27thon September 2007at Web2forDev The The Web2forDev conference adoptersofinnovation.” environmentsandbecome themselves andadapt tofast-changing challenging. Thoseinvolved hadto learn Web2forDevcommunity was conferenceandanimating the “Theprocess oforganising the imenting with web-based tools and mobile telephonyto mobileand web-basedtoolswith imenting Interesting case studies included: Plenary sessions included several keynote speakers, such ment and community empowerment. The two key chal- key two The empowerment. community and ment opportunitiesruraldevelop-challengesinandWeb2.0 for online. – videoed and uploaded onto the Internet for others to watch without face-to-faceinteractions. cyberspace in working when confidence and trust build relationshipshumandevelop weto discussionshowabout lenges were connectivity and bandwidth. But there were also • how Google mash-ups were used to combine diverse infor- • an overview on copyright issues when publishing online publishing when issues copyright on overview • an is blogging video where Ghana in experience GINKS • the use ofthem. tools should serve and to discover how people can make ismost bestimportant to listen to the needs of those whom the people agreed that Web2forDev generally participants Nevertheless, countries. developing adopting Web 2.0 tools across institutions and particularly and inpromoting in interest of lot a created conference The Outcome andfollowupactivities to close return 102,000 hits. would ‘Web2forDev’ for engine search Google the using search Internet an running conference, Video. Blogging peaked during the event. JustGoogle ahead of and the BlipTV YouTube, on posted were Interviews using different media, including the Web2forDev blog. Web2forDev the including media, different using pantsconducted interviews and wrote reports onthe event large boards called Democracy Walls which were then were sessions. plenary during which analysed Walls Democracy called boards large 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 See: www.presentations2go.eu URL: http://tinyurl.com/saunby conference See: http://saunby.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html Short www.brosdi.or.ug magi andNakirya,thisissue); improveknowledgeKara-planningsharingalsoand(see seasonal weather forecasts. modellingclimateexperimentsdatasetsavailableforand withcombined be could maps Google how e.g.mation, project; togetherwiththepresentation theCreativeof Commons used toexchangeinformation(seealsoDeh,thisissue); See: http://blog.web2fordev.net See: By RAI TV and via the conference website using Presentations2Go technology. ‘Climate Change Mashups,’ presented by Michael Saunby at the Web2forDevSee: http://creativecommons.org Ghana Information and Knowledge Sharing Network (GINKS): www.ginks.org Busoga Rural Open Source and Development Initiative (BROSDI): During panel discussions experts examined issues such as Allplenary and several parallel sessions were webcasted PLA .Both participants and presenters emphasised that it 21 58 Tips for Trainers article about Democracy Walls. Participantswroterecorded and theirfeedback on 19 and is not about the tools but about the 20 17 22 Journalists and partici- and Journalists 18 23 13 THEME SECTION 101 Web 2.0 tools are a consol- a are tools 2.0 Web They are also covered in the in covered also are They 31 30 A recent workshop in Uganda in workshop recent A A definition of Web2forDev has Web2forDev of definition A 32 Members of the Web2forDev 33 34 29 There is also the new Web2forDev Development Web2forDev new the also is There The Web2forDev story: towards a community of practice of community a towards story: Web2forDev The 35 35 The concept Web2forDev is under consolidation. The IICD has been supporting a series of seminars with prac- with seminars of series a supporting been has IICD For APC, Web 2.0 technology is the focus of many proj- many of focus the is technology 2.0 Web APC, For The Information Communication Knowl- Technologies See: http://ictkm.cgiar.org/Web2forDev_Participatory.pdf See: www.kstoolkit.org/KS+Workshops See: www.kstoolkit.org See: See: http://ticbolivia.net www.colostate.edu/Orgs/IISD See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web2fordev See: is where material on one website is made available to multiple to available made is website one on material where is syndication Web “Both participants and presenters and participants “Both to important most is it that emphasised the whom those of needs the to listen how discover to and serve should tools them.” of use best make can people other websites via RSS feeds. See glossary, p.124 and also RSS feeds, p.115 (this issue) (this p.115 feeds, RSS also and p.124 glossary, See feeds. RSS via websites other 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 idated topic of the Knowledge Sharingprogramme. the by Workshopsorganised co- been jointly elaboratedWikipedia. and has been entered on focused on how to integrate Web 2.0 applications and serv- and applications 2.0 Web integrate to how on focused ices in the work of ICT4D trainers. University of Colorado for instance is offering courses on development. for 2.0 Web aired on 38 TV stations in currentlyAfrica in June available 2008 and on syndicated and subtitles) multilingual is (with Dotsub.com online on Googlea numberVideo of websites.and on tical hands-on training for partner organisations in Zambia, in organisations partner for training hands-on tical Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Bolivia Ecuador, (e.g. Radio La and Research for Association Zambia CIDOB, Ecuador, Luna, Development, and Bolivia). late the subtitles of the documentary in many languages, message. the of outreach potential the increasing ects in policy advocacy, research, capacity building APC also content development. uses some Web 2.0 appli- and management. and communication internal for cations edge Management (ICT-KM) Programmepresentation) a and ofarticle (an brief theWeb2forDev a released CGIAR to conference the attended had who staff the encourage to centres. their in seminars give community have volunteered their time and have skills community volunteered to trans- Gateway. This is a new initiative which aims to act as a start- a as act to aims which initiative new a is This Gateway. Knowledge Sharing Toolkit. Sharing Knowledge This is a 27 ICT update 26 The documentary was The documentary 28 Participants gather during a during gather Participants plenary question and answer being is session The session. webcasted – videoed and uploaded onto the Internet online. watch to others for CTA and GTZ both organised aware- organised both GTZ and CTA FAO continues to facilitate discussions facilitate to continues FAO 24 25 In addition, CTA has launched newsfordev. A number of initiatives have followed the event. Among event. the followed have initiatives of number A The organisers administered an online end-of-conference online an administered organisers The APC and FAO are working together to develop an IMARK an develop to together working are FAO and APC See: www.e-agriculture.org/ www.e-agriculture.org/ See: www.newsfordev.org/ See: See: http://tinyurl.com/56gumk and http://tinyurl.com/5nm9el The Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK) is a partnership-based e- See: http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/(issue)/39 partnership-based a is (IMARK) Kit Resource Management Information The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Regional Universi- Regional and (COL) Learning of Commonwealth (RUFORUM). Agriculture in Building Capacity for Forum ties with CTA, Euforic and ACP Secretariat); Secretariat); ACP and Euforic CTA, with Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC); and (IPACC); Committee Co-ordinating Africa of Peoples learning initiative to train individuals and support institutions and networks in the in networks and institutions support and individuals train to initiative learning www.imarkgroup.org See: information. agricultural of management effective 26 27 28 24 25 others, CTA has produced a special issue of the event and to seek guidance on what future Web2forDev future what on guidance seek to and event the support. and promote in, invest could we initiatives related survey to get feedback on the event and related activities as activities related and event the on (Septem- feedback get to later survey year One directions. future on guidance as well of impact the assess to done was survey another 2008) ber dealing with Web 2.0. Web with dealing self-instructional training materials package on 2.0 Web package to materials training self-instructional 2009. in released be • researchers • and educators (in partnership with CTA, • Indigenous Peoples (in partnership with CTA and Indigenous and CTA with partnership (in Peoples Indigenous • Web2forDev-related trainings have addressed diverse audi- diverse have addressed trainings Web2forDev-related ences, including: policy • makers (ACP embassies in Brussels in partnership ness-raising workshops within their organisations. Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). around e-agriculture as a follow-up action to the 2005 World 2005 the to action follow-up a as e-agriculture around Technologies – 2.0 Web in Africa’. Technologies CTA also jointly produced with CTA People TV an eight-minute applications 2.0 on Web French) and (English documentary used in the African context, called ‘Agriculture and New customisable covering development issues. development covering aggregator news customisable 13 102

THEME SECTION AnjaBarth and Giacomo Rambaldi 37 36 http://tinyurl.com/656qyn had a positive impact on their professionaltheir onlives.positiveimpact a had One year later, participants reported that the conference has Impact of the conference context ofdevelopmentwork. ing point for Web 2.0 learning and sharing experience in the (see Figures 4, 5 and 6). Their comments include: work daily their in gained contacts and knowledge of use follow-up activities. They have been able to and make successfuldiscussion further for interest their underlined dents Figure 4: Improvement in the performance of work [to myorganisation]ininvestigating thesenewtools. evidence to back up the recommendations I put forward and confidence the me gave conference the Attending productivity and efficiency. applications2.0Webwithout compromisingductionof We are now able to reduce the cost of ICT with the intro- The results of the survey (119 respondents) are available here: See: www.web2fordev.net 36 37 Respon- lenges which remain: • increasedparticipationadult-centredyouthwithin devel- • using tagging to help structure and share interesting infor- • conductingjointevaluationa exercise involving about40 • creatinga wiki to share ideas, minutes, documents within access to colleagues allow to platforms e-learning • using •distance blogsusinginwikisandtraining information on ment. Examplesinclude: develop-ofcontext theapplications 2.0inWeb used they using Web 2.0 tools in our organisation may be difficult. so bandwidth with problem a have we moment the At opment initiatives. mation; and participants; teams; online educationalmaterials; management; However,respondents alsoidentified severalmainchal- how on examples concreteprovided also Respondents 13 THEME SECTION 103 Although there have there Although 38 38 39 The Web2forDev story: towards a community of practice of community a towards story: Web2forDev The LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals: www.linkedin.com professionals: for site networking social a is LinkedIn www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4492058025 pages: Web2forDev See: 38 39 The way forward way The At present the Web2forDev community gathers mainly around the two discussion electronic DGroups and shared and Facebook. on spaces LinkedIn hesitant about investing staff time staff to about and investing hesitant explore invest in Web 2.0 innovation. The September 2008 survey respon- dents identified several key issues to be addressed in the future. People involved in practicingto: need and/orWeb2forDev promoting been a variety of Web2forDev activities before, during and during before, activities been a of Web2forDev variety general a was there respondents the among event, the after feeling that performance, increased from could benefit activities Web2forDev-related outreachsharing and and addedimpact coordination. ofIssues remainlanguage, aroundlimited bandwidthremain andInstitutions receivingSouth. the guidance for ontools appropriate choosing to integratetoWeb2forDev ideaofthe intotheir daily work. The principle challenge for Web2forDev identified at cultural and intellectual property right issues. There have been several intellectual property right issues right property intellectual several been have There be could materials what of evaluation for need real a and accessed openly and which were not appropriate for ties that contribute to the main mission of the organisa- the of mission main the to contribute that ties tion. We have too little time for the creation of useful and valuable content and uptake has These been tools low. are generally seen as 'add-on' activities, not core activi- of available systems. is a limi- big languages in native of applications lack The English. speaks everybody not because tation, The challenge was to find our way through the plethora the through way our to find was challenge The Figure 5: Fields to put acquired knowledge into practice into knowledge acquired put to Fields 5: Figure width – especially in the developing world. For organisa- difficult is it South the and North the both in working tions enormousthechooseapplicationsnumberfrom toof and theconference remainstheissuebesufficienttoof band- 13 104

THEME SECTION AnjaBarth and Giacomo Rambaldi • Carefully monitor Web2forDev initiatives, which should which initiatives, Web2forDev monitor Carefully • inte- to capacity increase and awareness raise • Further experience- and information- improve • Substantially [email protected]. Email: [email protected] Senior Programme Coordinator, CTA Giacomo Rambaldi [email protected] Email: [email protected] Junior Professional Officer, ACP-EU (CTA) Anja Barth CONTACT DETAILS mobiletelephony.” areappropriate forlow bandwidths and developandpromote Web2.0tools that and/orpromoting Web2forDevneed to “Thoseofusinvolved inpracticing also befollowedbyimpactassessments.Resulting information portals. existing into applications 2.0 Web grate sharing. Website: www.cta.int The Netherlands. Wageningen Cooperation (CTA) Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural are interested in adopting and promoting the innovative the promoting and adopting in interested are who those of reach within are They place. in are practice of community Web2forDev cohesive more and stronger of international development. of international support in practices and tools 2.0 Webappropriate of use ony. that are appropriate for low bandwidths and mobile teleph- tools 2.0 Webpromote and develop to need Web2forDev the in South. Those of us involved in practicing importantly, and/or promoting more and – arena development the applications and implement a ‘Web2forDev’ culture across identified was encouraging organisations to adopt Web 2.0 40 trainers, p.105(thisissue). as guidanceforfuture initiatives. serve and debate online the into feed should outcomes See also Samii, p.44, Karamagi and Nakirya, p.59, Okolloh, p.65 and Tips for Nonetheless, the building blocks for developing a developing for blocks building the Nonetheless, However, the greatest challenge that most practitioners 40 School Press: USA to ManagingKnowledge Cultivating CommunitiesofPractice:aGuide Wenger, E., McDermott, R., Snyder, W. (2002). Democracy Walls.’ Rambaldi, G. (2008). ‘Tips for trainers: REFERENCES PLA 58, IIED,London,UK . Harvard Business Tips for trainers

CONTACT DETAILS TIPS FOR TRAINERS Holly Ashley Web 2.0 tools: Participatory Learning and Action series International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Email: [email protected] a series of short Luigi Assom Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) Email: [email protected] introductions

Jon Corbett There are vast numbers of Web 2.0 tools, applications, platforms, and University of British Columbia Okanagan Email: [email protected] services available. Many of them are free or low-cost and easy-to-use. In this issue, we present a series of short introductory guides to a selection of Ben Garside commonly-used Web 2.0 tools: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Email: [email protected] • Blogging • Micro-blogging and Twitter Dave Jones Independent media consultant • Wikis Email: [email protected] • Online social networking • RSS feeds Christian Kreutz CrissCrossed Consulting • Tagging Email: [email protected] • Social bookmarking • Glossary of Web 2.0 terms Duncan Macqueen International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Each introductory guide provides a brief description of the tool and how it Email: [email protected] can be used for development purposes, along with links to further Kevin Painting information and where applications can be downloaded online.1 We hope Technical Centre for Agricultural and that you find these short introductions useful and welcome feedback from Rural Cooperation (CTA) our readers. Email: [email protected]

Giacomo Rambaldi Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) Email: [email protected]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The introduction to wikis includes some tips from the Kabissa Space for Change in Africa Web 2.0 in African Civil Society wiki. The content of the Kabissa wiki is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. See: http://wiki.kabissa.org/ web_2.0/start

1 For more information about the examples of development websites listed in the guides, see e-participation, p.130 (this issue).

105 106 TIPS FOR TRAINERS Tipsfor trainers Blogging development blog Tips on how to create and maintain a dynamic and popular in discussion. comment ontheirpostsandengage • Blogauthorscanallowothers to are free-to-use. web space.Mostbloggingplatforms blog software to run on their own existing blogplatform,ordownload • Userscansetupablogonan current relevance. oldest posts–thisgivesthemasense • Blogsstartwiththenewestnot video clipsandaudiofiles. multiple mediasuchastext,photos, and other resources. Blogs can include of written commentary, news, events, • Blogscontainentriescalled‘posts’ groups or organisations. individual, butcanalsobedoneby • Ablogisusuallymaintainedbyan space. website – or the funds to rent web technical expertiseneededtosetupa content onawebpage,withoutthe allowing peopletopublishtheirown which the Internet was used, by • Blogsradicallychangedthewayin on anytopic. you can easily and freely create a blog • Providing you have Internet access, content toablog. • Bloggingmeanstomaintainoradd interface. administered via a simple web-based an easywaytopublishcontent, a website like an online journal. It is • Ablog(shortfor‘web’and‘log’)is What are blogs? 2 1 to tag posts with multiple keywords. • Manyblogsplatformsallowauthors bandwidth bloggers. be more appropriate for low Internet or a mobile phone. They may send and receive short posts via the • Micro-blogging tools allow you to other blogsbytopic. bloggers and topical trends and find track the interconnections between • Using blog search engines, you can collection ofconnectedcommunities). connected community(orasa that blogsexisttogetherasa interconnections. It is the perception encompassing allblogsandtheir • The blogosphere is a collective term with more links. engines likeGoogleprioritisewebsites to by a lot of other blogs. Search • If a blog is popular, it will be linked pathways new onlinenetworksandinformation • link to other related blogs to form conversations online • allowustoparticipateinongoing debate and/ormobiliseaction • helptoinform,triggerandfoster • can be used for raising awareness • encourageotherstoparticipate • can regularly disseminate information Blogs… Why blog for development? See also Micro-blogging, p.108 (this issue).See also Tagging, p.117 (this issue). 2 1 away. want tostartyourownblogright commenting onthemifyoudonot • Checksimilarblogs.Startby audience inmind. • Chooseatopicandhavean Some tipsonhowtostartablog have updatedyour blogsothatthe features to notify them when you Technorati. Also use their '' register your blog with engines like engines andwebsites,youshould for blogs. Just as with normal search • There are specialised search engines the originalpost. particular post has had underneath other blogswilllistallthetrackbacksa helps buildcommunityandoften have referred to them on your blog. It automatically notifythemthatyou '' or'ping'functionto another blog,usethe'linkback', • When you reference or link to blogs, make sure you link to them. information. If you refer to other where readers can find more • Provide links in your blogs posts to to existingdiscussions. • Useyourblogtohighlightandadd to yourfavouriteblogs. • Becomepartofanetworkbylinking any commentsandfeedback. • Add content regularly and answer eventually moderatecomments). You will need to lead discussions (and • Staywellinformedandup-to-date. to over-generalise. interesting and useful content. Try not • Stay focused. Write consistent, (writing), whichsuitsyou. • Developyourownstyleofblogging your voice heard or publicise an issue • are an easy and cheap way to get learning reflection and can help to digest opinion, a good process of self • can be an expression of personal TIPS FOR TRAINERS 107 5 6 Tips for trainers for Tips Full URL: http://dotsub.com/view/dc75c2e2-ef81- Full URL: http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/ URL: Full projects/guide-blog-for-a-cause 5 6 4851-8353-a877aac9fe3c between bloggers: • http://technorati.com • http://blogs.google.com www.blogscope.net • www.blogpulse.com • www.icerocket.com • See e-participation for more for e-participation See information about the websites listed (p. x, this issue). language subtitles on Dotsub.com: www.commoncraft.com/blogs • • http://tinyurl.com/dotsubblogs Examples of development blogs http://afrigator.com Afrigator: • • Alive in Baghdad: http://aliveinbaghdad.org www.crisscrossed.net Crisscrossed: • • Ghana GINKS blogspotters: www.ginks.blogspot.com Voices: Global • http://globalvoicesonline.org • iCollaborate: www.icollaborate.blogspot.com • Indian Kisan blog: http://kisan.wordpress.com www.kabissa.org/blog Kabissa: • • Roxanna Samii: www.rsamii.blogspot.com Borders: Without Reporters • www.rsfblog.org Africa: of Voices • http://voicesofafrica.africanews.com blog: conference Web2forDev • http://blog.web2fordev.net Tips on blogging on Tips • http://blogsessive.com • http://tinyurl.com/globalvoicesblog English Plain in Blogs Video: Portuguese German, French, in Also and Spanish. Also with multiple Global Voices is a community of more than more of community a is Voices Global bring to together work who bloggers 200 and blogs from reports and translations you on emphasis with everywhere, media citizen in heard ordinarily not are that voices media. mainstream international trusted by others. Get to know who is using them. • Always tag your posts. Use popular others that so keywords relevant and your find and them for search can easily. more content providing they are properly cited – cited properly are they providing first. check to remember always or popular are blogs which Explore • Find other blogs by keyword, topic or topic keyword, by blogs other Find interconnections the track and trend • www.blogger.com • www.livejournal.com • www.typepad.com • www.wordpress.com • www.xanga.com • software Blogging own your on host and download To web space: www.wordpress.org • www.moveabletype.org • Blog search engines Where to get started get to Where low-cost, or free several are There Here websites. blogging easy-to-use examples. some are Blogging websites This means that others 3 4 Syndication is where material on one website is See also RSS feeds, p.115 (this issue). website one on material where is Syndication websites (e.g. headlines) on your own feeds. RSS relevant importing by blog published on your blog. automatically to wish also may You • and blogs other from content feature blog on their own websites and your receive automatically can readers updates when new material is can easily feature headlines from your from headlines feature easily can made available to multiple other websites. See also issue). (this p.124 glossary, • Low bandwidth limits access to blogs with photos, audio and video. references as used be can Blogs • sources. • Clearly distinguish between opinions and facts. • Writing regular posts keeps your keeps posts regular Writing • interesting. and dynamic blog • Always quote your information • Writing takes time and patience. Do patience. and time takes Writing • of effort the underestimate not blogging. Keep in mind… in Keep • Allow your blog to be syndicated via RSS feeds. blog search engine will index the index will engine search blog content of your new post. 3 4 108 TIPS FOR TRAINERS Tipsfor trainers Tips on using micro-blogging tool Twitter for development and Twitter Micro-blogging relevant messages easier. keyword tag, to make searching for a word is used to denote that it is a • Putting a hash symbol # in front of their updates. enable themtosendwebpage linksin shortening services like Tinyurl.com to characters long,peopleuseURL- • Sinceupdatescanonlybe140 interest. breaking news or particular topics of very usefulforsharingandmonitoring updates, meaningthatitcanalsobe well as subscribe to other user’s updates in real time for keywords, as • Users can search everyone else’s in touchoverdistances. situation monitoringandforkeeping coordination and campaigning, ground citizen journalism, protest a verypowerfultoolforon-the- submit updatesviaSMSitcanalsobe • Since Twitter allows people to them (i.e.subscribedtothem). Twitter member who is ‘following’ page andbevisibletoanyother • Updates will appear on their Twitter the Internet. phone oracomputerconnectedto ‘tweets’) viaSMSontheirmobile 140 charactertextupdates(knownas known services.Userscansendshort • Twitter.com is one of the best very shorttextupdates. blogging where users mostly publish • Micro-blogging is a form of What is micro-blogging? minutes. reaching thousands of people in send themessagesopotentially encourages others to ‘re-tweet’ or re- • Using the letters ‘RT’ in a message ‘@username’ within their messages. to aparticularuserbyusing conversation or direct their messages • Userscanalsomaintaina Twitter member who is ‘following’ them. Twitter page and are visible to any other Updates will appear on the Web2forDev The Web2forDev web portal now uses Twitter. have takenontheirmobilephone Twitpic.com to send a photograph they Twitter. People can use services like other services are integrating with • Many other Web 2.0 websites and Rsstotwitter.com. such as Twitterfeed.com or with anRSSfeedbyusingservices • Users can also feed Twitter itself on otherwebsites. stream of messages to be displayed searches for keywords, enabling the user’s updates, or of the results of • Twitter also provides RSS feeds of manage multiple blogging, micro- accounts easierandenableusersto make managing multiple Twitter third party applications designed to • There are a growing number of showing theURLofphotograph. update to their Twitter account Twitpic will also automatically send an which will appear on their Twitpic page. TIPS FOR TRAINERS 109 4 3 Tips for trainers for Tips Full URL: www.web2fordev.net/component/content/ URL: Full www.digiactive.org/wp- URL: Full Other similar micro-blogging tools micro-blogging similar Other • Identi.ca: http://identi.ca www.yammer.com Yammer: • Resources article Web2fordev.net of characters 140 ‘Micro-blogging: gossip or added value for development organisations?’ http://tinyurl.com/twitterfordev • for Twitter to Guide DigiActive Activism (PDF) • http://tinyurl.com/digiactive-twitter article/1-latest-news/68-micro-blogging content/uploads/digiactive_twitter_guide_v1-0.pdf 3 4 2 Full URL: http://dotsub.com/view/665bd0d5-a9f4- • Global Voices: Global • http://twitter.com/globalvoices • Kabissa: http://twitter.com/kabissa • MobileActive: http://twitter.com/mobileactive Also in French, German, French, in Also Portuguese and Spanish. Also with multiple language subtitles at Dotsub.com: www.commoncraft.com/twitter • • http://tinyurl.com/dotsubtwitter Video: Twitter in Plain English English Plain in Twitter Video: 4a07-9d9e-b31ba926ca78 2 1 For more information about Ushahidi and Ushahidi about information more For FrontlineSMS see Okolloh, p.65 (this issue). (this p.65 Okolloh, see FrontlineSMS 1 • Web2forDev on Twitter: on Web2forDev • http://twitter.com/web2fordev Examples of development of Examples Twitter using organisations implementations like Ushahidi.com. started get to Where through phone-based SMS and SMS phone-based through like software messaging bulk through and FrontlineSMS.com blogging and messaging platforms. blogging and messaging Twitter which in ways the of Many • implemented can be used can be Tips for trainers

Some tips on creating a wiki • Visit other wikis to get a feel for how Wikis they work and what they do. • You can either sign up to a free-to-use wiki platform via one of the many wiki providers – or download the software to Tips on online collaboration using wikis run on your own web space. • List your known requirements and preferences in detail before selecting a wiki platform. Can it expand to meet TIPS FOR TRAINERS FOR TIPS future needs? Can you migrate from What are wikis? easier to edit content online.2 one wiki platform to another later on? • Wikis are online collaborative • Most wikis also enable users to • Try to choose an open source wiki workspaces.1 upload e.g. documents and photos. platform so that if your partners wish • A wiki is a simple, text-based web • Wikis are also particularly good for to start their own wiki, it will be freely page or collection of web pages developing complex documentation. available for them to use.3 4 where teams of people can work • Many individuals also use wikis much • Plan and organise how you want to together online from different physical like an online personal notebook, to structure your content. A well-devised locations. store and develop ideas. structure will be important as your wiki • Wikis are like very basic websites in grows. Remember you can also modify style and structure. They are designed Why use a wiki for development? the structure as the project expands. to be read and edited using a web Wikis can be used to… • Include a table of contents on each browser. • quickly and informally share, develop page for ease of navigation. • Unlike conventional websites, wikis and organise ideas and information • Regularly check internal wiki links and enable anyone who has access to together online external web links to ensure they are write, edit, discuss and comment on • foster participatory and collaborative still active. the wiki content, including each working online from individuals, • One useful feature about working on other's contributions. Users can project teams, community groups and a wiki is the ability to create pages that constantly modify and organise the organisations to international networks should exist, even if you do not have content. and the general public the content or the information to fill • Wikis can be made public or private. • collate resources from project them yet. This encourages others to Administrators can choose who can information and meeting minutes to add the missing content and create access a wiki and specific sections trip reports and photos relevant pages. within it and define users’ rights. • create and edit content from sharing • When creating a new wiki page, • All wiki page versions are kept, from ideas, developing projects, and writing think about where you want this page when a wiki page is first created. documents to developing online to be linked from. Then edit those Collaborators can monitor and training manuals pages to include a link to your new compare recent and past changes and • enable project partners to contribute page. revert to older versions if needed. and provide a workspace for them to • Give new pages sensible names. Do • Wikis will also show which user has adapt content to local conditions not use abbreviations but ensure the edited the content. • find agreement and/or consensus • Wikis separate formatting from among users 3 Open source software (OSS) is usually computer content, so people can work on • easily create simple community or software where the source code and certain other rights are in the public domain. See glossary, p.122 improving content without concern project websites and jointly develop (this issue). for layout. Most wikis offer a content on them 4 Choose one that is distributed e.g. under a GNU General Public or Creative Commons License (which WYSIWYG editor, which makes it 2 WYSIWYG or ‘What You See is What You Get’ is enhances free use and development) and is a computing term to describe a system in which supported by an active wiki community (who will be able to provide advice and support). See e.g. 1 content displayed during editing appears very Wiki is Hawaiian for ‘very quick’. similar to the final output. www.creativecommons.org

110 Tips for trainers

Wikipedia is a free online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. Wikipedia is multilingual and is now the ninth most popular website in the world. Where to get started TIPS FOR TRAINERS There are many free, easy-to-use wiki platforms. Here are some examples.

Free or very low-cost wiki platforms • http://pbworks.com (formerly PBwiki) • www.wikispaces.com • www.wikidot.com

Downloadable wiki platforms To run on your web space: • www.dokuwiki.org • www.mediawiki.org • www.tikiwiki.org name is short and descriptive. • Usually for best results, a disciplined • www.atlassian.com/software/ • For larger or more formal projects, workflow is needed with good confluence wikis require constant maintenance. communication among all With multiple people contributing to a collaborators. For more tips on using wikis wiki there will be many works in • http://tinyurl.com/wiki-tips5 progress. Budget for and appoint a Keep in mind… coordinator to maintain the wiki, • Choosing whether or not to create Compare available wiki platforms ensure consistency and keep things in and use a wiki should be a • www.wikimatrix.org good order (style and formatting, collaborative process. Who is the navigation etc.). intended community of users? Who Video: Wikis in Plain English • Set aside time to agree on shared can participate and who cannot? Is a Also in French, German, Portuguese editorial guidelines on how to use the wiki the most appropriate platform? and Spanish. Also with multiple wiki – and then follow them • While wikis can be very informal, you language subtitles at Dotsub.com: consistently. still need to write clearly. Avoid the use • www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis- • Make sure the guidelines are easy-to- of slang terms which others may not plain-english follow and provide training if necessary. be familiar with. • http://tinyurl.com/dotsub-wiki Users need to know how your wiki • As with all online publishing tools, works before editing and contributing always quote your information sources Examples of wikis used in development to it. and provide links where available. • Agropedia: http://agropedia.iitk.ac.in • Include a practice page (known as a Clearly distinguish between opinions • Appropedia: ‘sandbox’), which allows people to and facts. http://www.appropedia.org experiment. It helps encourage people • If converting existing materials to a • Kabissa Space for change in Africa to familiarise themselves with how the wiki format you may need to revise wiki: http://wiki.kabissa.org wiki works. some materials to best suit the change • Web2forDev wiki: • Before opening up your wiki to a in publishing medium e.g. a training http://wiki.web2fordev.net larger group of participants ask a few manual. • Wiki Advocacy: people for comments and feedback. • Wikis are based on collaboration and http://wikiadvocacy.org Making universal changes to an can be used to encourage debate. • Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org extensive, existing wiki is harder than However, they are not necessarily the doing so at the start. best place for finding consensus See e-participation for more • Decide who will have access and amongst dissenting voices. A mailing information about the websites listed contribute to what (and when). You list or face-to-face meetings may be (p.130, this issue). may want to open up access to others more appropriate for these types of 5 Full URL: www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2006/ gradually as your wiki develops. discussions. 07/07/what-is-a-wiki.html

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relationships with them (e.g. via LinkedIn) Online social • keep up-to-date about work carried out by your peers

networking Comparing different types of social networking platforms and websites Tips on using online social networks for development • For most people who are interested in using online social networks, joining TIPS FOR TRAINERS FOR TIPS and contributing to an existing What are online social networks? • These services are designed to be network is sufficient. However, if you • Online social networks are a new straightforward to use, from signing are thinking of creating an online generation of online community up and logging on, creating a profile social network, you may want to start platforms which are similar to and inviting people to access it, a new group on an existing website or websites but offer specific interactive through to interacting with friends, create an independent one. features and tools. colleagues, partners, and even people • Existing social networking websites • An online social network brings you have never met. often allow users to create new people together and enables them to groups within them. They are often find others who share common Why use online social networks more appropriate for less sophisticated interests or activities and who are for development? forms of networking, which focus interested in learning more about Online social networks can be used more on promoting topics, issues or each other and what they do. to… events within a more public sphere. • They enable users to establish and • target, create or enhance networks • Such websites work well for basic make visible relationships, discuss or communities of practice networking tasks but often the topics of interest, access material, find • foster and enhance participation infrastructure is not available for more contacts and encourage the growth of and collaboration and promote a collaborative working. Examples networks of people. sense of membership and solidarity would be Facebook or LinkedIn (which • Membership can be restricted or within these networks has a more professional focus open. • interact with particular audiences compared to Facebook). • You can start a new ‘group’ of e.g. civil society groups, policy makers, • Social networking platforms like Ning people with similar interests on an private sector allow you to create your own existing social networking website or • facilitate better linkages between customisable online social network. create your own using free-to-use groups, for example partners, service They contain a package of useful platforms. providers and decision makers features, such as online forums, groups, • Social networks can range from • easily share and access information – blogs, and video and photo libraries. As friends and family, small dedicated from event announcements, work you have control over the appearance communities of practice or interest, opportunities and reports to practical of your website it allows for a more professional networks, to networks manuals, photos and videos professional online presence. with global membership. • enable greater information-sharing • The third option is to download • Most online social network services and support dialogue on key issues software to run on your own web provide a variety of ways for users to within the network server, but this requires more technical interact, such as messaging and • build capacity by providing expertise and resources. instant messaging, membership information and resources on • Running your own social networking profiles (sometimes including particular topics platform on your own web server curriculum vitae), online discussion • learn about the professional provides far more security for your forums, blogs, photo- and video- background of people sharing your data and your users since you are in sharing, and other digital resources. interests and establish professional control of every part of the service.

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• Free open source content your safety and security – or that of clearly defined audience. This helps to TIPS FOR TRAINERS management systems (CMS) such as other people. create a genuinely interested and Drupal or Joomla can be used to • Consider who you will be active membership with useful create more customisable online social networking with – and who will see experience to share. networks. They offer a wider range of your profile. Social networks can be • Decide whether to create an tools and applications, enabling you to used for ‘professional’ or ‘social’ independent online social networking customise your social networking purposes. Some are a combination of website or a new group within an website even further. the two – however, some people use existing one. • Elgg is another free open source different profiles to separate their • If creating one, determine what platform which is designed specifically professional and personal identities. features your website should contain. for social networking websites. It is • If in doubt, keep your profile • Develop a framework. Begin by mostly used in the educational sphere, information private or restricted. Think uploading a few useful reports, where it has been used to power social about whether to use your real name example blog posts, discussion topics, networks for various institutions and or a pseudonym when you sign up. photos and videos to stimulate communities, such as Eduspaces.net • Always consider others when interest. with over 20,000 members. It is also uploading content. Get permission • Once you have set up your group or the platform that the new before uploading e.g. someone else’s website, invite potential members to Unionbook.org website has used.1 work, culturally sensitive information join. • Buddypress is a newly-updated suite or photos of other people. • All new members should receive a of plug-ins which turns Wordpress MU • Consider the tradeoff between welcome message. Encourage them (a popular multi-user blog platform) making information publicly available to invite others who might find the into a fully-featured social networking and who may use it and for what website useful. platform. purposes.2 • Send members regular, short email • Is the material you want to add digests to inform them of recent Some tips on joining an online appropriate? Remember to check and updates. social network adhere to any editorial policies before • Encourage repeat visits and new • Typical examples of social networking adding content. members. Keep the content fresh with sites are LinkedIn and Facebook as well • Be clear about who owns the links to new information e.g. reports, as photo- and video-sharing websites information that you enter on your manuals, announcements, resources, like Flickr and YouTube. profile or that you upload. Always discussions, blog posts, photos and • Look for relevant communities. check the terms of service before videos. Subscribe to a social network whose joining an online network – some • If you are creating an online social members share your interests. service providers retain the right to use networking website for an existing • Popular social networking websites your material without your network, ensure that important vary from country to country. For permission.3 Find out what rights the content from the network is example Orkut.com is popular in India service provider has in terms of using published, e.g. interesting news and Brazil, Hi5.com in South America, your data and what rights you have to features, workshop reports, country and Friendster.com in the Philippines. recall/delete your data. developments etc. • Keep content relevant, informed Keep in mind… Some tips on creating an online and up-to-date, especially if you want social network to lead discussions. When joining an online social • Be clear about the purpose for your • If your website includes forums or network social network and ensure you have a blogs, help start interesting • Stay safe: never upload personal discussions and encourage active 2 For further discussion, see Overview, p.8 (this issue). information that may compromise 3 For example, Facebook and YouTube retain the rights debate. Use thoughtful discussion to use any information uploaded by members. In topics and summaries to which addition, some websites such as Facebook may retain a participants can respond. 1 See www.ericlee.info/2009/02/unionbook_launched. permanent archive of all material uploaded – even after html deleted by the member from their own profile page. • Encourage members to take a

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Research and Media Network is an online social network built using Ning that brings people together to improve communication of research findings. proactive role in contributing to the network – uploading material, notifying people of forthcoming events, writing event reports or messaging other members – this participation will provide wider exposure to member’s ideas and materials, as well as generate new content for the website. • You may want to stipulate that key TIPS FOR TRAINERS FOR TIPS members share materials – participation is critical to broadening future contributions. • Remember to offer guidance in the form of a help page and a Frequently Deleting or rejecting unwanted Review of various popular social Asked Questions (FAQ) page on how content should, wherever possible, networking platforms similar to Ning: to use and contribute to the website. always be mutually agreed between • http://tinyurl.com/tcrunchsn4 • Consider running a blog covering the the moderator and the contributor. development of your social network • Keep an email contact list for the Privacy and security issues website, describing new features and members of your social networking For further discussions on issues gathering feedback from users. website in a different location to the related to social networks, terms of server that is hosting the website. Should service, privacy and intellectual Keep in mind… anything go wrong with your social property rights see Ashley et al., p.x networking website (e.g. if your account (this issue) and also e.g.: When creating an online social is closed or a company goes out of • http://tinyurl.com/bbcfbook network… business and ceases service etc.) you will • http://tinyurl.com/ericlee-faceb • Social networking websites may not still be able to contact your members. • http://tinyurl.com/wikipfbook be appropriate for your target • http://tinyurl.com/wikipmsp audience. Other, more accessible Where to get started • http://tinyurl.com/digiactivefb5 communication platforms (such as There are several free or low-cost email discussion lists, DGroups.org or platforms to choose from – either as a Examples of social networking regular face-to-face meetings) may be new member of an existing network websites for development more appropriate. or to create your own. Here are some • Africa ICT Network: • Remember that managing online examples. http://ictafrica.ning.com social networking websites takes energy • Forest Connect: and time. Allow at least one hour per Social networking platforms http://forestconnect.ning.com day. Larger, more active networks may • www.linkedin.com • i-genius: http://i-genius.org/home require longer daily maintenance. • www.facebook.com • OneWorld TV: Remember to budget for the time. • www.meetup.com http://tv.oneworld.net • Avoid members adding inappropriate • www.ning.com • Research and Media Network: material to your website with clear • www.buddypress.org http://researchandmedia.ning.com editorial guidelines or moderation. Use • www.elgg.org • Web 2.0 Mapping and Social polite, private messages explaining • http://drupal.org Networks Group: why such material is inappropriate. • www.joomla.org www.meetup.com/webmapsocial

4 Full URL: www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/24/9- ways-to-build-your-own-social-network 5 To see the full URLs for these websites, see e- participation, p.130 (this issue).

114 TIPS FOR TRAINERS 115 6 5 Tips for trainers for Tips 4 For further discussion and critical reflection on the on reflection critical and discussion further For Tagging, also p.119; bookmarking, Social See can which applications portable mini are Widgets 4 5 6 use of filtering see Ethan Zuckerman, p.87, (this issue). p.117 (this issue) additional provide to website a to added easily be also can Widgets content. dynamic and functionality functionalities. new create to combined be • There are various websites that allow that websites various are There • • When subscribing to RSS feeds, blogs, websites, searching time spend social networks and social relevant find to websites bookmarking information. of sources trusted and as such readers feed online Some • Bloglines allow you to see other users’ RSS subscriptions – it is useful to see also are field your in others what online. reading • If bandwidth is an issue in your reader feed a download community, application and install it on your to you enable will which computer, offline. feeds RSS your read with frequency the choose can Users • RSS checks reader feed their which feeds for new information. Decide receive to want you often how updates. • Personal start-pages such as Pageflakes, iGoogle and Netvibes customise and create to you allow your own web page, integrating multiple RSS feeds and other social networking applications and widgets. • improve information-sharing, improve • especially with the combined use of tags, social bookmarks and RSS feeds Some tips on using RSS feeds incorporate content from your website your from content incorporate by • add value to websites relevant incorporating automatically websites other from information received content of level the keep • relevant and targeted manageable, that forget don’t – filters using problem real a is overload information for many web users 3 Other syndication icons include or XML. developers as they can incorporate their on feeds RSS external display and RSS own their share and website feeds with other websites. icon RSS The • page web a on shows visitors they can subscribe to an RSS feed by clicking on it or by the from link the pasting and copying reader. feed their into icon RSS • Some feed reader applications will applications reader feed Some • download the content onto your viewing. offline enable and computer with popular are feeds RSS • powerful a are they as publishers can and tool outreach and marketing many by automatically produced be website platforms and blogs etc. web with too popular are feeds RSS • either using filters – to increase to – filters using either to – mash-ups through or – relevance information, of sources combine adding value to the original content. for feeds RSS use Why development? … can you feeds RSS With accessibility and visibility the improve • of development content online news, organisation, your promote • allowing by ideas or project campaign, other websites to automatically • Content from multiple RSS feeds RSS multiple from Content • i.e. place one into aggregated be can a new RSS feed, a web page or a feed manipulated be also can They reader. 3 They have become very

1 2

Atom is another data format used in syndication. Syndication is where material on one website is website one on material where is Syndication different RSS feeds. A feed reader can reader feed A feeds. RSS different either be an online website/service or on installed application software a computer. your and social bookmarking websites. (or ‘reader’ feed a use can Users • view and to subscribe to ‘aggregator’) of the websites in turn. Feeds could Feeds turn. in websites the of websites, enabled RSS from come news websites, blogs, social networks content from any number of websites of number any from content directly delivered are updates because to them without the need to visit each feeds to read them, or RSS feeds can feeds RSS or them, read to feeds be incorporated into other websites. for users with popular are feeds RSS • keeping track of news and new publications, press releases, or even or releases, press publications, programmes. television or radio • Individuals can subscribe to RSS multimedia content. An RSS feed could contain the latest news stories, latest the reports, weather • Each RSS feed is comprised of one item Each ‘items’. feed more or consists of a URL, text and (optionally) popular with publishers and users alike owing to the ease and simplicity use. and production their of • RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a data format used for syndicating web content in the form of RSS or web ‘feeds’. What are RSS feeds? RSS are What 1 2 made available to multiple other websites. See also issue). (this p.124 glossary, content – and how to filter it for relevance for it filter to how and – content Tips on using RSS feeds to access and share development online development share and access to feeds RSS using on Tips RSS feeds 116 TIPS FOR TRAINERS Tipsfor trainers feeds onyourphone. Internet, you can access your RSS • Ifyourmobilephonecanaccess the Feedmarklet. tool to create RSS feeds is be used in this way. Another simple bookmarking websiteDeliciouscan website isnotRSSenabled.Social content onyourwebsiteif create your own RSS feed of new pages. Thiscouldthenbeusedto manually bookmarkingspecificweb website eitherautomaticallyorby an RSS feed of content from any • Some websites allow you to create reader or displayed on other websites. then besubscribedtousingafeed producing a new RSS feed which can relevance of the content and of RSS feeds – improving the (aggregate) and/or filter the content you tomanipulate,combine Pacific countries. in African, Caribbean, and development practitioners news with agricultural feeds and email to share NewsforDev.org uses RSS available. Here are some examples. There are many feed readers Where to get started for details). filter newcontentonline(seebelow Online is project where people also value. For example, Global Voices into otherlanguagesaddadditional expert commentaryandtranslate meaningful contexts,whichhave portals thatputnewsinto incredibly useful. However, web and well-filtered multiple sources are • RSS feeds from trusted websites Keep in mind… Rsstotwitter.com. Twitterfeed.com or service Twitter.com an RSS feed via • You can send micro-blogging 7 (this issue). characters in length. See also Micro-blogging, p.108 Content received via Twitter is only up to 140 7 4bc8-a511-bb0a1ee95e12 9 8 NetNewsWire (for Mac) • www.newsgator.com/Individuals/ • www.newsfirerss.com (for Mac) FeedDemon (Win) • www.newsgator.com/Individuals/ Downloadable feedreaders • http://feedshow.com newsGatoronline • www.newsgator.com/individuals/ • www.google.com/reader • www.bloglines.com Web-based feed readers • NewsForDev: www.newsfordev.org • IIED: www.iied.org/rss-feeds http://globalvoicesonline.org/feeds • Global Voices Online: http://blog.afrigator.com/about • Afrigator: using RSS Examples ofdevelopmentwebsites • http://tinyurl.com/dotsubrss english • www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_ language subtitlesonDotsub.com: and Spanish.Alsowithmultiple Also in French, German, Portuguese Video: RSS in Plain English • http://tinyurl.com/rssbbc Very basic guide to RSS from BBC • www.feedmarklet.com • www.zaptxt.com • http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes • www.filtermyrss.com • www.feedsifter.com • www.feedrinse.com RSS feed filters, mashers and editors feed reader functionality. Firefox or Opera also include basic Note: several web browsers e.g. Full URL:http://dotsub.com/view/69aa48a4-a95f- Full URL:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3223484.stm 8 9 TIPS FOR TRAINERS 117 Tips for trainers for Tips 6 For example, during the Web2forDev conference, Web2forDev the during example, For 6 participants were encouraged to use the tag the use to encouraged were participants content uploaded any describe to ‘Web2forDev’ photos. and posts blog e.g. event, the to related identify material from that event that from material identify or photos write-ups, reports, as (such blog posts). (e.g. a development folksonomy). Some tips on using tags tag always possible, Where • information or data that you upload blog presentations, online e.g. online reports. and videos photos, posts, • See what tags other people in your For content. similar for using are field example, social bookmarking websites list popular tags chosen by describe to users Internet other have they resources online bookmarked. • Assign multiple tags to a piece of content. Include the most important year What report? a it Is keywords: was it published? Is it about an event? Which organisations? Which countries? Which topics? an is tags unique Creating • differentiating of way important content. This can be particularly where events/conferences for useful organisers encourage participants to to tag unique pre-specified a use Why use tags for development? for tags use Why to… used be can Tags share and find structure, organise, • development content for possibilities more up open • sharing and collaboration, making it online interesting share to easier content on particular themes with others information-sharing, improve • especially with the combined use of tags, social bookmarks and RSS feeds popular of collections create • development tags used by others 4 This is 3 5 2 See also RSS feeds, p.115, this issue. more or two from data combining is mash-up A Internet bookmarks (or ‘Favourites’) are stored web stored are ‘Favourites’) (or bookmarks Internet See glossary on p.121 for a definition of folksonomies. content to be syndicated to other reader. feed a via read or websites also especially useful for content has it where tagged be cannot which been uploaded. will tagging support that Websites • often allow an RSS feed to be generated for a particular tag or set of tags. This RSS feed enables tagged • Geotags are tags that give a give that tags are Geotags • geographic location for a piece of content (e.g. a photograph) often using longitude and latitude information. Flickr allows photographs to be geotagged and is important increasingly becoming especially for use in mash-ups. • Social bookmarking websites like Delicious allow users to add their own help to bookmarks Internet to tags them. remember and organise tags is often referred to as a as to referred often is tags ‘folksonomy’. • Tagging is particularly important for important particularly is Tagging • media such as photo, video and audio, which unlike text does not other content word-searchable have than a title or short description. • The practice of ‘social tagging’ to quickly is others with resources share A 2.0. Web of staple a becoming user-generated online of collection external online sources. See glossary, p.122 (this issue). (this p.122 glossary, See sources. online external page locations (URLs) that can be retrieved. See Social See retrieved. be can that (URLs) locations page bookmarking, p.119 (this issue). 5 2 3 4

It is a 1

Metadata is a form of data assigned to any piece Tagging • Most blogs and social networking websites allow users the option to tag and Ning Flickr, e.g. content their Technorati. that are used most often are shown in shown are often most used are that different and/or sizes font larger colours. • A ‘tag cloud’ or ‘word cloud’ is a is cloud’ ‘word or cloud’ ‘tag A • visual list of tags that have been used on a website or blog etc. The tags categories of tags for users to choose own their create also can users from, keywords. or tags that is personally meaningful. the to according chosen are Tags • user. the of preferences personal existing provide websites some While tagged with that keyword. that with tagged organise to easier it makes Tagging • and describe information in a manner keyword. keyword. hyperlinks, usually also are Tags • which if clicked, will show all content • Tags describe and categorise content categorise and describe Tags • and allow it to be found again by that using Internet the searching a user can assign to online content, such as documents, blogs, photos and videos. one-word descriptor or keyword that keyword or descriptor one-word • Tagging is the process of assigning of process the is Tagging • tags. or keywords with content online • A tag is a form of metadata. What is tagging? is What 1 of data, which allows it to be retrieved. See glossary, See retrieved. be to it allows which data, of p.122 (this issue). Tips on using tags and tagging for development Tips on using tags and tagging for development Tips for trainers

The cover image of this special issue represents some of the more widely-used keywords or ‘tags’ associated with Web2forDev.

Keep in mind… • Some keywords can have several meanings. For example, ‘orange’ can refer to the colour, the fruit or the telecommunication brand. • Be consistent in the way you use tags to identify content related to a particular topic. This enables yourself and others to find information more easily. TIPS FOR TRAINERS FOR TIPS • If you want a community of users to use tags e.g. members of an online social network, provide easy-to-follow guidelines on how to create and use tags as well as a list of popular or specific tags that are used in the specific area of interest. • If you are creating tags for a specific topic, event, website or online group to use, decide on your unique tags in advance – and make sure people • http://technorati.com (for blogs) website see e.g.: know what they are. This will prevent • www.youtube.com (for videos) • www.web2fordev.net the need to retag numerous • www.slideshare.net (for presentations) • https://twitter.com/web2fordev documents later on and ensure that related content can be found more To see an example of how content Create graphical tag (or ‘word’) easily by others. tagged with a particular keyword clouds for any text, feed or Delicious (web2fordev) is displayed in Delicious, user’s tags: Where to get started see e.g.: • www.wordle.net • http://delicious.com/tag/web2for Some common examples of websites dev Video: Introductions to tagging and using tags folksonomies • www.flickr.com (for photos) To see how content tagged with • http://k12onlineconference.org/? • www.delicious.com (for bookmarks) ‘web2fordev’ is syndicated on a p=273

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Some tips on using social TIPS FOR TRAINERS bookmarks Social bookmarking • Social bookmarking websites often have downloadable add-ons (or ‘extensions’) available for your web browser to make it easier to Tips on using social bookmarks for development bookmark web pages and content with one mouse click. • If your website is not able to produce RSS feeds, you can create your own by bookmarking and What is social bookmarking? most common tags that have been tagging your new content in • Social bookmarking allows users to used to classify a particular web page. Delicious. This allows you to manually tag and save links to web pages and • Tagging is a key element of social create and add new items to a new online documents in the form of bookmarking. Users can search for RSS feed of the content tagged with a bookmarks that they want to bookmarks using one or more tags.1 specific keyword. The RSS feed could remember and/or share. • Many social bookmarking websites then be displayed on your website • Social bookmarking websites have provide RSS feeds for lists of and would also be available for others evolved from free online bookmark bookmarks created by users or tagged to use. websites, which simply allowed you to with particular keywords. This allows • In the same way, you can use store your web page bookmarks (or subscribers to see new bookmarks as Delicious to create and manually add ‘favourites’) online so you could access they are tagged, saved and shared by items to new RSS feeds highlighting them from any computer connected to other users and for RSS feeds to be content from any website. Used the Internet. incorporated on other websites.2 strategically, this is a way of classifying • Social bookmarking websites now • Some social bookmarking websites and then promoting content by allow users to tag, organise, search allow features such as adding notes or making it available for syndication to and share their own and other people’s commenting on bookmarks, rating other websites and viewing in feed bookmarks, often producing RSS feeds bookmarks, and saving copies of the readers.3 and sometimes allowing comments content being bookmarked. and discussion of particular Keep in mind… bookmarks. Why use social bookmarks for • When tagging bookmarks, some • People increasingly use social development? keywords can have several meanings. bookmarking to organise, share and Social bookmarks can be used to… For example, ‘orange’ can refer to the promote content. • organise, structure and share colour, the fruit or the • Social bookmarks are saved on a development content with others telecommunications brand. remote web server, not on your • follow what websites and • Just because you create a bookmark computer, so can be accessed from documents other people in your field for a web page or online document, it anywhere with an Internet connection. are reading does not mean that page or • Most commonly, bookmarks can be • enable others to find information on document will always be there. either public or private, but it is the particular themes more easily Content on the Internet can be ability to share with others that builds • create collections of popular moved or removed without warning. collaborative value. bookmarks related to development It is a good idea to save a copy of any • Users can view other users’ and share these lists with other users important information you want to bookmarks chronologically and also • share information in a more keep. see how popular different bookmarks powerful way by combining the use of 3 are i.e. how many times particular web social bookmarks, tags and RSS feeds For example, http://forestconnect.ning.com uses Delicious to create a list of documents already pages or documents have been available online as well as website links, and then 1 bookmarked by others, as well as the See also Tagging, p.117 (this issue). uses the RSS feed from Delicious to display the list 2 See also RSS feeds, p.115 (this issue). of documents and links on their Ning website.

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An example of how bookmarked content tagged with ‘web2fordev’ is displayed in Delicious. TIPS FOR TRAINERS FOR TIPS

Where to get started • Digg: http://digg.com An example of how content tagged There are several social bookmarking • Diigo: www.diigo.com with a particular keyword (e.g. websites that you can join. Here are • Muti: www.muti.co.za web2fordev) is displayed in Delicious: some examples. • Stumbleupon: • http://delicious.com/tag/ www.stumbleupon.com web2fordev Social bookmarking websites • Delicious: www.delicious.com Review of top ten social An example of how this content can • Technorati: http://technorati.com bookmarking websites: be syndicated on a website: • Google Bookmarks: http://tinyurl.com/bookmarks- • www.web2fordev.net www.google.com/bookmarks review4 • https://twitter.com/web2fordev

4 Full URL: http://websearch.about.com/od/best websites/tp/freebookmarks.htm

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on the user's computer. Many TIPS FOR TRAINERS external applications exist for Glossary of managing bookmarks online (see Social bookmarks). Web 2.0 terms Content Management System (CMS) This glossary lists most of the commonly-used terms describing Web 2.0 A server-based software used to 1 tools that are found in this special issue of PLA. Please note that the publish, edit and control the glossary is not an exhaustive list and does not include more technical workflow of content in a website. It computing terms. integrates many functions that enhance web services and their Aggregator (see also RSS feeds) an important part of blogging. Most interfaces can be freely customised. An aggregator (or ‘news aggregator’ blogs are primarily textual although For example, web portals are or ‘feed reader’) is a piece of some focus on photographs structured using CMS. software or online service that (), videos (vlogs), or audio receives and displays multiple web files (audio blogs or Podcasts) and are Crowdsourcing feeds of syndicated web content part of a wider network of social Crowdsourcing means to outsource a such as news headlines or blog media. To ‘blog’ or to be a ‘blogger’ task to a crowd of undefined, posts. An aggregator could be a means to maintain or add content to generally large group of people. website displaying the latest a blog. Commonly used in Web 2.0 projects headlines from multiple other news such as citizen journalism where the websites or a feed reader application Blogosphere input of individuals is solicited. For that a user downloads to run on Blogosphere is a collective term example, Okolloh (this issue) describes their computer to enable them to encompassing all blogs and their the use of crowdsourcing to gather subscribe to, and view, RSS feeds of interconnections. It is the perception and distribute citizen reports. the latest content from multiple that blogs exist together as a websites without having to visit each connected community (or as a Feeds (see RSS feeds) website in turn. collection of connected communities) or as a social network.2 Feed reader (see Aggregator) Audio blog (see Blog and Podcast) Bookmarks (see also Social Folksonomy (see also Tags) Blog bookmarks) The term ‘folksonomy’ (combining the A blog (short for ‘web’ and ‘log’) is a Internet bookmarks are stored web words ‘folk’ and ‘taxonomy’) refers to website, usually maintained by an page locations (URLs) that can be a collection of online user-generated individual. Blogs contain regular retrieved. As a feature of all modern tags. Folksonomies are created commentary, descriptions of events, Internet web browsers, their primary collaboratively when people create or other material such as photos, purpose is to easily catalogue and and use tags to annotate and audio files or videos. Blogs often access web pages that a user has categorise content such as blog posts, provide commentary or news on a visited and chosen to save. Saved photographs, web links and other particular subject, such as food, links are also sometimes called web content. This bottom-up politics, or local news. Some function ‘favourites’. Bookmarks are normally classification system has emerged as more personal online diaries. A visible in a browser menu and stored from social tagging, also known as typical blog combines text, images, collaborative tagging, social 1 and links to other blogs, web pages, Throughout this special issue, we make reference classification, and social indexing.3 to Web 2.0 ‘tools’, which includes applications, and other media related to its topic. platforms and services. See our definition of Web 2.0 The ability for readers to leave tools in this glossary. 2 Source: Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ comments in an interactive format is Blogosphere 3 Adapted from: Wikipedia.

121 122 TIPS FOR TRAINERS Tipsfor trainers Aggregator News aggregator clips. be text,photosorveryshortvideo Internet. Micro-blogging updates can or instantmessagingaswellviathe including SMStextmessaging,email submitted viaavarietyofmeans publish veryshortposts,commonly A form of blogging where users Micro-blogging metadata. picture or file. Tags are a form of information aboutthesizeofa webpage describingthecontent,to from keywords in the html of a Metadata isdataaboutotherdata, Metadata publishers of the content sources. necessarily intended)bytheoriginal or service that was not provided (or sources to produce a new set of data that actuallycombinesonlinedata A more advanced mash-up is one feeds, such as text, pictures or videos. different content from multiple RSS creating a webpage that pulls in its simplest,amash-upcouldbejust external online sources together. At combining data from one or more A mash-up is aggregating or Mash-up through mash-ups. used to create visual maps of data posts or RSS feeds. It is increasingly photographs, video,websites,blog to variousmediasuchas geographical identificationmetadata Geotagging is the process of adding Geotagging Software (FOSS) Free Open Source Software (see ) Open Source ) (see open_source_software 5 4 distributed via the Internet. A Podcast digital mediafilesautomatically A Podcastisaseriesofaudioorvideo Podcast networking applicationsandwidgets. multiple RSSfeedsandothersocial customised webpage,integrating that allow users to create their own Personal start-pages are web pages Personalised start-page PC2PC to asFOSS). (for this reason, they are often referred manner. OSS are typically free-to-use developed inapublic,collaborative unmodified form.Itisveryoften redistribute it in modified or improve the software, and to permits userstouse,change,and the Open Source Definition. This such asthepublicdomain)thatmeets copyright license(orarrangement code ismadeavailableundera which the human-readable source defined as computer software for Open source software (OSS) can be Open source software (OSS) Social networking Online socialnetworking A post (or posting) refers to content Post syndicated. to themethodbywhichitis either totheseriesofcontentitselfor term broadcast, Podcast can refer content isaddedviaafeed.Likethe downloaded automaticallywhennew be syndicated,subscribedtoand digital mediaformatsbyitsabilityto is distinguished from most other Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_ (see 5 4 VoIP ) ) (see blogs is referred to as a post. Typically, commentary written on that is uploaded to the Internet. could containthelatestnewsstories, multimedia content.AnRSSfeed consists ofaURL,textand(optionally) one or more feed ‘items’. Each item reader. Each RSS feed is comprised of individuals tosubscribeviaafeed available tootherwebsitesorfor for websyndicationtomakecontent RSS isawebfeeddataformatused RSS feed communicate and collaboratewhile or webservicethatallowspeople to is a type of software Social software classified byotherusers. topic, as they are noted, tagged and aware of new resources for a given This allowssubscriberstobecome based on tags, or a particular user. allow userstosubscribewebfeeds many socialbookmarkingservices is a continuously evolving process, classification and ranking of resources of folksonomytechniques.Sincethe and search links through the practice popular way to store, classify, share Social bookmarking websites are a service to share Internet bookmarks. Social bookmarkingisaweb-based Social bookmarks Messaging Service,orSMS. telephone isknownasShort Sending atextmessageviamobile Mobile phonetextmessagingservice. Short MessagingService(SMS) similar contentsyndicationformat. Really SimpleSyndication.‘Atom’isa defined asRichSiteSummaryor radio or television programmes. RSS is publications, press releases, or even weather reports, the latest (see also ) TIPS FOR TRAINERS 123 Tips for trainers for Tips They make the discovery of new The term Web 2.0 was first used first was 2.0 Web term The web, the of phase first the With portable than ever and easier to remix, to easier and ever than portable different a in reuse or together mash user- this utilise tools 2.0 Web context. generated content and the economy effect multiplier scale/network of connections valuable draw to created content. and users related between communities, hosted services, and applications. These include applications such as social networking websites, video- and photo-sharing websites, wikis and blogs. by Eric Knorr in December 2003 and became notable after the first O'Reilly 2004. in conference 2.0 Web Media Although the term suggests a new it Web, Wide World the of version any to update an to refer not does technical specifications, but to changes and developers software ways the in end-users utilise the web. read only could people most 2.0 Web New online. information technologies now make it possible for and edit to e.g. users Internet most websites on content own their create that incorporate these technologies. They allow non-web designers to put their own content (writing, audio, video, etc.) online easier than ever more content make They before. Web 2.0 Web a to refers 2.0 Web term The web of generation second perceived development and design that secure communication, facilitates information-sharing, cooperation and Wide World the on collaboration the as to referred Sometimes Web. 2.0 Web web, write’ and ‘read concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based example of a VoIP service. See: service. VoIP a of example www.skype.com ) ) Tag ) Blogs Tag (see also (see (see also calls’ from one computer to another to computer one from calls’ one is Skype PC2PC). as to (referred as Wikipedia or YouTube.com. On YouTube.com. or Wikipedia as user-generated websites, these content is everything: without the content. no is there users Vlogs A form of blog that contains video content. (VoIP) Protocol Internet over Voice low-cost or free are services VoIP online platforms which enable you to ‘phone conference or individual make you are referencing them on your on them referencing are you own blog. content User-generated The concept of enabling a community of users – not just individual authors – website, a on content the create to there, already is what to contribute accuracy, its determining by it govern ensure and relevance and usefulness, as updated is resource the that is content User-generated needed. such resources information by typified groups of user-generated tags or tags user-generated of groups website content. A tag cloud links together a collection of other tags popular More tags. associated sizes font larger using shown are colours. different and/or Tagging Trackback A trackback (or linkback) function on a blog is to notify another blog that Tag cloud cloud Tag a is cloud’ ‘word or cloud’ ‘tag A showing keywords or tags of list visual association of keywords (metadata) to (metadata) keywords of association that makes it the file or document Internet- an during locate to easier content. related for search based ) Web syndication Web Personalised Start- Personalised (see (see ) (taxonomy). A collection of online referred often is tags user-generated the is Tagging folksonomy. a as to informally and personally by the the of consumer the or author/creator item – i.e. not as part of some formally-defined classification scheme item. Typically, a piece of content will content of piece a Typically, item. associated tag one than more have chosen mostly are Tags it. with associated with a piece of online article, picture, a (like content website, or video clip) to describe the Tags term or keyword (relevant) a is tag A Start-page page Syndication networking websites make the visible. people between relationships and who are interested in exploring in interested are who and learning and others of interests the Social peers. their about more network service brings together interests, common share who people such as photography or a social issue networking, which are similar to similar are which networking, interactive specific offer but websites social A processes. and features people who share interests and/or interests share who people new a are networks Social activities. generation of online community tools Internet-based to devoted Social networking Online social networking tools focus on building online communities of communities’ to describe the social result. claim they that structures advocates of using these tools believe advocates of using these community, actual create these that and have adopted the term ‘online using the application. Email, blogs, using the application. all are messaging instant even and Many software. social of examples 124 TIPS FOR TRAINERS Tipsfor trainers we are referring to as Web 2.0 tools. tools, methodsandtechnologiesthat to cover all the different applications, tool. We generally use the term ‘tools’ depending ontheactualuseof been more appropriate to use technology or approach might have terms webapplication,method, mentioned inthisspecialissue,the wikis, andblogs. websites, video-sharing tools includesocialnetworking information. Examples of Web 2.0 ways we create, share, and publish Web 2.0). These can enhance the referred to as the participatory web or applications andservices(often free or low cost interactive web based. There are dozens of emerging also for applications that are web- computer software application and Tool is used here as shorthand for a Web 2.0 tools access, store and recall. information that any of us are able to exponentially increase the amount of than ever before. content more automated and relevant Wherever web tools are They havethepotentialto one websiteismadeavailableto Web syndication is where material on Web syndication Web log Web feed perspectives. development information,ideasand moderating andmediating combining, aggregating, generating, Web2forDev is about integrating, content released by others. information and redistribute pieces of material, decideonlevelsofaccessto produce and publish their own connect tootherstakeholders, development actors can relate and development. Itisabouthow about theactiveuseofthesetoolsin Web2forDev is that Web2forDev is between Web 2.0 tools and development. Thedistinction production of content for information-sharing andcollaborative services to intentionally improve short –isawayofemployingweb development – or Web2forDev for Participatory Web 2.0 for Web2forDev (see (see Blog RSS feed ) ) subscribers (usingRSSorwebfeeds). multiple otherwebsitesorindividual libraries ofwidgetsfortheirusersto personalised start pages provide social networkingwebsitesand functionalities. Manyblogplatforms, combined to create new content. Widgets can also be additional functionalityanddynamic added to a website to provide applications whichcanbeeasily Widgets are mini portable Widgets such as Wikipedia. specific wikisites,e.g.encyclopaedias of suchawebsite,ortocertain engine) thatfacilitatestheoperation collaborative software itself (wiki The term wiki also can refer to the tool formasscollaborativeauthoring. operation makes a wiki an effective This easeofinteractionand linking amonganynumberofpages. change content.Italsoallowsfor allows users to add, remove, edit and workspace. Awikiisawebsitethat A wikiisanonlinecollaborative Wiki pick and choose from. IN TOUCH 125 Duncan Green From Poverty to Poverty From Power citizens active How states effective and the change can world G Amartya by Foreword Sen eas: politics, markets, and Why effective states? History has History states? effective Why Active citizenship is a combination guarantee can states Effective security and the rule of law, and can and law, of rule the and security effective an implement and design economic inclusive ensure to strategy known often states, Effective growth. as ‘developmental states’, must be accountable to citizens and able to guarantee their rights. vulnerability. In each case it finds that finds it case each In vulnerability. best are inequality tackle to efforts of combination a through achieved states. effective and citizens active of rights and obligations that link individuals to the state, including paying taxes, obeying laws, and political, of range full the exercising civil, and social rights. Active citizens quality the improve to rights these use through life, civic or political of involvement in the formal economy or of sort the through or politics, formal collective action that historically has to groups excluded and poor allowed those For heard. voices their make who do not enjoy full rights of citizenship, such as migrants or (in step first the women, cultures) some is often to organise to assert those rights. This book explores efforts to grapple to efforts explores book This three in poverty and inequality with key ar Oxfam International, 2008 International, Oxfam ISBN 978-0-85598-593-6 Book reviews Book , in touch in . Do you . Perhaps you have . Do you know of any Electronic information Electronic conferences electronic any of know which Internet the on pages or on information provide or exchange participatory methodologies? methodologies? Are you a trainer a you Are methodologies? key any of aware you Are yourself? training materials that you would trainers? other with share to like Publications key publications on participatory methodologies and their use? Have you (or has your organisation) or reports, books, any produced videos that you would like other about? know to readers Other information ideas about other types of information that would be useful for know. us let please so, If section. this Fax: + 44 20 7388 2826; Email: [email protected] • • to: responses your send Please Action and Learning Participatory London Street, Endsleigh 3 IIED, WC1H ODD, UK. • . . Do you have links with . Do you know of any Participatory Learning and Learning Participatory audience, to put you, as a Training forthcoming training events or courses in participatory material/library? a forum for sharing experiences? Please tell us about the details contact provide and network readers. other for learning? If so, what does this does what so, If learning? training? – provide network resource newsletters? recognised local, national or national local, recognised for networks international practitioners of participatory Networks • Your help is vital in keeping us all in all us keeping in vital is help Your touch about: • reader, in touch with other readers. other with touch in reader, key a be to section this want We on information up-to-date of source training, publications, and networks. create a more participatory resource participatory more a create for the Action Welcome to the In Touch section of section Touch In the to Welcome Action and Learning Participatory to hope we pages these Through Book reviews

shown that no country has Participatory Livestock prospered without a state than can Development: An Emergency actively manage the development Introduction Guidelines and process. The transformations of G Azmal Hussain Standards (LEGS) countries such as South Korea, Santap Sanhari Mishra G Practical Action IN TOUCH IN Taiwan, Botswana, or Mauritius have ISBN: 81-314-0799-3 Publishing, 2009 been led by states that ensure health The Icfai University ISBN 978-1-85539- and education for all, and which Press, 2008 679-3 actively promote and manage the process of economic growth. The A participatory approach to The Livestock Emergency Guidelines road to development lies through development has emerged mainly and Standards (LEGS) are a set of the state. because of the recognition of the international guidelines and standards Why active citizenship? People limitations of the conventional for the design, implementation and working together to determine the approach. The major limitation of assessment of livestock interventions course of their own lives, fighting for the conventional approach is that it to assist people affected by rights and justice in their own does not necessarily hold all the humanitarian crises. They provide societies, are critical in holding stakeholders accountable. guidance on the identification of states, private companies, and others Participatory approach involves local appropriate livestock responses, to account. Active citizenship has people, development agencies, and followed by detailed information on a inherent merits: people living in policy makers, deciding together number of interventions, namely: poverty must have a voice in how progress should be measured, destocking, veterinary services, the deciding their own destiny, rather and how results are acted upon. It provision of feed, the provision of than be treated as passive recipients can reveal valuable lessons and water, livestock shelter and of welfare or government action. improve accountability. The settlement, and restocking. LEGS is a This book argues that active incorporation of “local knowledge” multi-agency initiative supported by a citizenship and effective states are in development projects is now number of donors and based on compatible, as well as desirable. The commonplace and this has been consultation and contributions from a challenge is to combine them as made possible only through the broad range of individuals and early as possible in a country’s introduction of participatory agencies from around the world. development. However, the development modules. The post-publication activities are relationship between the two is This book focuses on how as follows: complex. They march to different participatory development is • Development of training materials rhythms, the steady grind of state attracting interest from many based on LEGS; machineries contrasting with the quarters by offering new ways of • Recruitment of a team of ‘consultant ebb and flow of civil society assessing and learning from changes trainers’ to carry out Training of activism. In many cases, long-term that are more inclusive, and more in Trainers courses based on LEGS; development requires an element of tune with the views and aspirations • Implementation of the training in 12 deferred gratification, requiring of those directly affected. It provides regions across the world; businesses to reinvest rather than an opportunity for development • Translation of LEGS into French and skim off profits, rich people to organisations to focus better on other languages (to be made available accept redistribution of wealth and their ultimate goal of improving as soft copies for download from the income for the sake of national people’s lives. website) stability and growth, and poor I Price: US$ 17 (PB) (Overseas Orders) • Application to the Sphere Project for people to limit demands for the INR 425 (Special Indian price) ‘companion module’ status (see: improved wages and social spending Available from The Icfai University Press. www.sphere.org); that they so desperately need. www.icfaipress.org Email • Maintenance of a technical support I Available from Oxfam Publications. [email protected] capacity. www.oxfam.org.uk/publications If you are interested in hosting a

126 Book reviews

training in your country, please purpose is to provide insights and dependent on fuel imports, national IN TOUCH contact the LEGS Coordinator: lessons for academics and practitioners oil production could make a long-term [email protected]. involved in CBNRM in many contexts. contribution to poverty alleviation. But I Available to purchase in hard copy from I Available from Earthscan: for sustainable development to occur, Practical Action at http://developmentbookshop. www.earthscan.co.uk participatory governance must ensure com/product_info.php?products_id=1534 that people are involved in the and available to download for free in pdf Village voice: decision-making processes affecting format from the newly updated LEGS towards inclusive their lives. This paper first analyses the website: www.livestock-emergency.net information adequacy of the existing legal technologies framework on access to information Partnerships for G IIED Briefing Paper and participation. On the basis of Empowerment. Ben Garside interviews and focus group studies it Participatory IIED, 2009 further examines the main practical Research for barriers to better public participation. Community-based A decade ago it was dubbed the The author finds that in practice, Natural Resource ‘digital divide’. Now, the gap in public participation is subject to Management information and communications several financial, technical and political G Edited by Carl technologies (ICTs) between North and constraints. The culture of secrecy Wilmsen, William Elmendorf, Larry Fisher, South is slowly shrinking. The within government bodies, weak civil Jacquelyn Ross, Brinda Sarathy and Gail Wells developing world accounts for two- society structures as well as the politics Earthscan, 2008 thirds of total mobile phone of patronage remain substantive ISBN 9781844075638 subscriptions, and Africa has the challenges for the fair and equitable world’s fastest growing mobile phone management of natural resources in Participatory research has emerged as market. By gaining a toehold in Uganda. an approach to producing knowledge affordable ICTs, the poor can access I Downloadable at www.iied.org/pubs/ that is sufficiently grounded in local the knowledge and services they need display.php?o=14574IIED needs and realities to support to boost their livelihoods. But to be community-based natural resource sustainable, technologies need to Legal tools for citizen management (CBNRM), and it is factor in social realities. These include empowerment: touted as crucial to the sustainable how people already share knowledge, Increasing local management of forests and other and adapt to introduced technologies. participation and natural resources. Participatory approaches that keep benefit in Mali’s This book analyses the current development concerns at their core mining sector state of the art of participatory and people as their central focus are G Amadou Keita, research in CBNRM. Its chapters and key. Moussa Djire, with Kadari Traoré, Kader case studies examine recent I Downloadable at www.iied.org/pubs/ Traoré, Djibonding Dembelé, Arouna experiences in collaborative forest display.php?o=17051IIED Dembelé, Mamadou Samassekou, and management, harvesting impacts on Moussa Doumbo forest shrubs, watershed restoration in Public Participation IIED, 2008 Native American communities, civic and Oil Exploitation ISBN 978-1-84369-713-8 environmentalism in an urban in Uganda neighbourhood and other topics. G Gatekeeper 138 Mali’s mining sector has grown greatly Although the main geographic focus Christoph Schwarte since the early 1990s, and is now the of the book is the United States, the IIED, 2008 second largest source of export issues raised are synthesised and ISSN 1357-9258 income. But while the state receives discussed in the context of recent significant revenues, at the local level critiques of participatory research and In 2006 oil was discovered in Uganda. mining operations have been CBNRM worldwide. The book's With the country’s economy highly associated with loss of land rights and

127 Book reviews / Events & Training

environmental pollution. This study In recent years, many legal Organization of the UN, the identifies legal tools that can be used services organisations have International Institute for by local people to better secure their developed innovative ways for using Environment and Development, and land rights and to participate more legal processses to help the Faculty of Law of the University effectively in investment decisions and disadvantaged groups have more of Ghana jointly organised an IN TOUCH IN benefits. secure rights over their land. The international workshop to promote I Also available in French. Downloadable at approaches, tools and methods used an exchange of experience among www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=12554IIED vary widely across contexts – from practitioners. This report captures legal literacy training to paralegals the highlights of workshop Legal empowerment programmes; from participatory discussions. in practice. Using methodologies to helping local I www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o= legal tools to secure groups register their lands or 12552IIED land rights in Africa negotiate with government or the G edited by Lorenzo private sector, through to legal To subscribe to IIED e-newsletters Cotula, and Paul Mathieu representation and strategic use of (e-news and new publications), FAO and IIED, 2008 public interest litigation. In 2008, please email [email protected] ISBN 978-1-84369-703-9 the Food and Agriculture or visit www.iied.org

theoretical understanding of Website: www.theworkshop.in Events and participatory approaches and tools as Praxis website: www.praxisindia.org well as the opportunity to apply them training in the field. The ten days include Participatory Appraisal Workshop The Workshop 09 - 13th general and specific module based G 7-11 September 2009, the University of International Commune on theory, three days in various rural, Edinburgh, School of GeoSciences, Institute of Participatory Development peri-urban and urban field settings, as Atmospheric and Environmental Science G 30 September-9 October 2009 appropriate to the module content, Kerala Institute of Local Administration and finally a sharing, reflection and An intensive five day workshop (KILA) Campus, Thrissur, Kerala, India feedback session. organised by the Office of Lifelong The following training modules Learning, concentrating on the practical will be included: applications of PA and including a • Child Participation: Methodology placement at the end of the week to put and Good Practice the skills learned into practice. Previous The Workshop is an annual event • Community-led Local Level Planning placements have taken place with the where development workers, policy • Community-led Monitoring and Bilston Wood Community Project and makers and proactive individuals Evaluation the Woodland Trust Scotland. come together from across the world • Community-led Poverty The cost of the workshop is £575 to share information, experiences and Assessments (volunteer rate £375 by special keep themselves abreast of the latest • Participatory Methods and application) which includes all tuition in the field of participatory Approaches costs, in-course transportation, development. • Participatory Theatre documentation, refreshments and a This is the 13th Workshop • Public Accountability: Approaches sandwich lunch on four days. organised by Praxis – Institute for and Challenges Registration deadline: 10 August 2009 Participatory Practices as part of its • Training of Trainers I Full information can be found on the efforts to promote participation in all Fees: INR 25, 000 for Indian participants website at www.lifelong.ed.ac.uk/cpd/ forms of human development. Euro 1,400 for International participants courses/geosciences where you can Workshop 09 is a residential 10- I For more details and/or to apply: download the registration form and course day workshop and provides both a Email: [email protected] flier and also book online.

128 Events & Training

Environmental Consensus & Conflict sandwich lunch on four days during theories, ethics, applications, and IN TOUCH Resolution the course. Registration deadline: 4 methods of community-based G 1-3 September 2009, the University of August 2009. mapping and its role in participatory Edinburgh, School of GeoSciences, Institute I Full information can be found on the learning and action as well as larger of Atmospheric and Environmental Science website at www.lifelong.ed.ac.uk/cpd/ processes of integrated community- courses/geosciences where you can based development. This course, This is an intensive 3-day workshop download the registration form and course while drawing on many of the recent which applies theory and consensus flier and also book online. case studies, academic writings, and building skills in a practical way and reports from the field, will be highly encourages participants to work in Community-based Mapping (on-line interactive and will emphasize the depth on their own case study course) sharing of experiences, ideas, and material. The scope and format of the G 28 August-2 October 2009, International insights from course participants. workshop has been developed in Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) This is an online course, organised response to positive feedback from at Colorado State University in a seminar format with weekly previous participants, who have been readings, presentations and attracted from government agencies, Mapping can be a powerful tool for assignments along with discussion business and NGOs. communities to use to better manage among participants. While participants The cost for this workshop is their resources, plan for the future, are not required to access the courses £450. A special discount rate of £350 record and utilise local knowledge, at specific times it will be necessary to is available for a limited number of raise awareness about areas of access the course at least two or more volunteers (a special application concern in their environmental and times each week to download should be made for the volunteer social landscape, and communicate assignments, post reactions, and give rate). The fee includes all tuition costs, their priorities and concerns to feedback to other course participants. in-course transportation, external agencies or government I For more information visit www.colostate. documentation, refreshments and a officials. This course will explore edu/Orgs/IISD/courses/Mapping.html

129 130 IN TOUCH docid=-2469769595078354835 1 between, peopleandorganisations experiences of,andbuildingbridges An onlinespaceforsharingthe Communication Initiative Network Dotsub for‘Commoncraft’). multiple language subtitles (search available onDotsub.comwith can bedownloadedforafee.Also Portuguese. Free to watch online – French, Spanish, German or English withtheoptiontowatchin tools and ideas. Presented in Plain to awideselectionofsocialmedia A series of short video introductions Common Craft: Social Media Pack communication technologies (ICTs). through the use of information and movements andindividualsin and supportorganisations,social organisations thataimstoempower A globalnetworkofcivilsociety Communications Association for Progressive with themedia. starting acampaignandengaging A campaigningmanualwhichcovers Manual Amnesty International Campaigning Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA). Technical Centre for Agricultural and in AfricabyPeopleTVandthe have been using Web 2.0 applications Educational videoonhowfarmers Web 2.0 in Africa Agriculture and New Technologies: e-participation www.comminit.com www.commoncraft.com/social-media-pack www.apc.org 2001/en www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ACT10/002/ http://tinyurl.com/ctaweb2inafrica Full URL:http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay? c=d84f51bb-0442-4f21-bd84-1a03e0d68cef social developmentandchange. communication foreconomicand engaged inorsupporting bulletin ICT Update: a current awareness and theUK. students andcommunitiesinGhana awareness, working with teachers, tools to promote development used videoandotherdigitalmediaas A development education project that The Fiankoma Project information ondevelopment. tools to share, access and assess repository, event listings, and search directories, an email digest, an online thematic dossiers,organisation including alerts, country profiles, web-based informationservices, Uses Internet applications to produce Euforic Development. with topics related to Web 2.0 for Electronic discussion group dealing Group DGroups: Web2ForDev Discussion 2 countries. Caribbean andPacific(ACP) rural developmentinAfrican, relevant to ICTs for agricultural and issue focusesonaspecifictheme technologies fordevelopment.Each about informationcommunication ICT Updateisabimonthlybulletin http://ictupdate.cta.int www.fiankoma.org www.euforic.org http://tinyurl.com/dgroupsweb2fordev Full URL: http://dgroups.org/Community.aspx? 2 4 3 (IICD) Communication and Development The International Institute for initiatives indevelopingcountries. understand theimpactofinformatics policy-makers andconsultantsto be usedbyICT4Dpractitioners, Presents a set of frameworks that can compendium of approaches Development Projects: a Impact Assessment of ICT for publications/wp/di/di_wp36.htm practitioners inACPcountries. with agriculturaldevelopment RSS and email to share information NewsforDev is a CTA project that uses professionals NewsForDev: News for development and canaddtagstobookmarks. Users bookmarkandvoteonURLs Africans or those interested in Africa. dedicated to content of interest to A socialbookmarkingwebsite Muti State University. Professor Michael Wesch, Kansas Educational video on Web 2.0 by The Machine is Us/ing Us development. specialises inICTasatoolfor IICD is a non-profit foundation that www.iicd.org http://tinyurl.com/ICT-SED http://NewsForDev.org www.muti.co.za http://tinyurl.com/machine-us Full URL: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g Full URL: www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/ 4 3 e-participation

Open Forum on Participatory Web2forDev 2007 International Digiactive IN TOUCH Geographic Information Systems Conference website http://tinyurl.com/digiactivefb and Technology http://2007.web2fordev.net Blog post by Gaurav Mishra: ‘The www.ppgis.net This website offers a collection of Perils of Facebook Activism: walled Supports community mapping for resources including recorded gardens, serial activists and hackers.’8 conservation, development, natural presentations by keynote speakers at resource management and customary the Web2forDev conference. Eric Lee blog property rights. http://tinyurl.com/ericlee-faceb Web2forDev Gateway Blog post by Eric Lee: ‘Bandwagons Personal Media Learning Center www.web2fordev.net and Buzzwords: Facebook and the www.ourmedia.org/learning-center A virtual meeting point for innovators Unions.’9 A rich educational resource for dealing with the use of Web 2.0 everything you wanted to know applications in development. Provides Global Voices Advocacy about user-created video, audio, and access to a number of related social http://tinyurl.com/gvbloganon other forms of citizens' media. networking spaces. Recommends Article by Ethan Zuckerman: websites dealing with Web 2.0 for ‘Anonymous Blogging with Social Bookmarking Sites Development. Wordpress & Tor.’10 http://tinyurl.com/bookmarks-review Review of the top ten social Web2forDev WebRing Wikipedia bookmarking websites.5 http://tinyurl.com/web2fordev-ring http://tinyurl.com/wikipfbook This is the hub of the ring of websites, http://tinyurl.com/wikipmsp The 59 smartest non-profit blogs and wikis sharing common Discussions related to social organisations online interests in collaborative online networking websites Facebook and www.squidoo.com/org20 applications used in the context of MySpace.11 12 These charities were chosen for their development work. This WebRing excellence in online storytelling and aims to facilitate access to relevant EXAMPLES OF ONLINE SOCIAL collaboration with their donors and Web2forDev information and peer-to- NETWORKS FOR DEVELOPMENT because of their use of Web 2.0 tools peer knowledge exchange.6 to engage their constituents far Africa ICT Network beyond asking them for donations. ARTICLES ON PRIVACY CONCERNS http://ictafrica.ning.com OVER WEB 2.O TOOLS A networking community for people Video for Agricultural and Rural who are professionally involved in the Development For further discussions on issues African ICT Industry. http://video.cta.int related to Web 2.0 and privacy, This video portal initiated by CTA in censorship, terms of service and Development CAFE 2004 is a collection of video clips and intellectual property rights see e.g.: www.thedevelopmentcafe.org films about ARD issues in ACP Development CAFE is an interactive countries. This portal shares BBC News online social network for experience/knowledge about using http://tinyurl.com/bbcfbook development professionals for people video for agricultural and rural News article: ‘Websites “keeping development. deleted photos”.’7 8 Full URL: www.digiactive.org/2009/04/17/the- perils-of-facebook-activism-walled-gardens-serial- activists-and-hackers 9 Full URL: www.ericlee.info/2007/11/bandwagons_ and_buzzwords_faceb.html 10 Full URL: http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/ projects/guide 6 Full URL: http://h.webring.com/hub?ring=web20 11 Full URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of fordevelop1 _Facebook 5 Full URL: http://websearch.about.com/od/best 7 Full URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/ 12 Full URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_ websites/tp/freebookmarks.htm 8060407.stm Myspace

131 e-participation

from all over the world to meet and reduction and international EXAMPLES OF DEVELOPMENT BLOGS interact and share information and development through the use of resources based on the development appropriate technology and the Afrigator sector. sharing of project information. http://afrigator.com Afrigator is a social media aggregator IN TOUCH IN The Environment Site Kabissa: Space for change in Africa and directory built especially for www.theenvironmentsite.org/forum http://wiki.kabissa.org African digital citizens who publish A social network for people interested An online wiki manual for African civil and consume content on the Web. in environmental issues. society organisations who want to learn more about integrating Web 2.0 Alive in Baghdad Forest Connect technology into their work. http://aliveinbaghdad.org http://forestconnect.ning.com A website and blog dedicated to A social network dedicated to Small Telecentres-Africa showing the conflict through the voices and Medium Forest Enterprises (SMFEs). www.share4dev.info/telecentres of Iraqis, with testimonies from individual A platform for sharing experiences Iraqis, footage of daily life in Iraq, and i-genius about telecentre activities in Africa. short news segments from Iraq. http://i-genius.org/home Includes a wiki which provides a Supports social change and helps collaborative space for sharing related Blogsessive members develop partnerships with experiences. http://blogsessive.com established organisations. A website which includes blogging Web2forDev on Wikipedia tips, Wordpress tools and plug-ins, OneWorldTV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web2fordev themes and answers to your blogging http://tv.oneworld.net Editable description and definition of related questions. Non-profit video-sharing network the Web2forDev concept on Wikipedia. aimed at people interested in BROSDI audio blog development, environment, etc. WikiAdvocacy http://audioblog.podbean.com http://wikiadvocacy.org The Busoga Rural Open Source and Research and Media Network WikiAdvocacy is a free, reader-built Development Initiative audio blog about http://researchandmedia.ning.com guide, as well as an online community effective local agricultural practice. A social network for people who for advocacy. communicate about sustainable Brussels Development Briefings development research. WikiEducator http://brusselsbriefings.net www.wikieducator.org This blog includes all the relevant Social Source Commons An online collaborative community documents about the regular http://socialsourcecommons.org project that focuses on the learning development briefing sessions in A useful website to find new for development agenda. Search for Brussels on key issues and challenges communications tools. Lists groups of Community Empowerment, a new for rural development in the context web-based tools from different and evolving section on the new of EU/ACP cooperation. people working in the non-profit WikiEducator website. sector, grouped into ‘toolboxes’ and CEDICT: Communication, Education ranked by popularity. Wikipedia and Development using ICT http://en.wikipedia.org http://cedict.blogspot.com EXAMPLES OF DEVELOPMENT WIKIS Wikipedia is a free online A blog about individual and community encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. development using new information Appropedia Wikipedia is multilingual and is now and communication technologies, www.appropedia.org the ninth most popular website in the especially e-learning, open educational This wiki explores collaborative world. Includes useful development resources, open source, Web 2.0, solutions in sustainability, poverty content. blogs, wikis, social networking, social

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bookmarking, semantic web and other topics of circumventing Internet filtering, Roxanna Samii blog IN TOUCH social software. anonymous blogging and effective use http://rsamii.blogspot.com of Internet-based tools in campaigns for This blog talks about development, CrissCrossed social and political change.13 knowledge management, change www.crisscrossed.net management, organisational CrissCrossed focuses on how social I collaborate, e-collaborate, we behaviour, ICTs, rural livelihoods, changes occur via communication, collaborate leadership, management and other online tools, their impact, potential www.icollaborate.blogspot.com related subject matters. and challenges in the context of This blog is run by the members of cultural diversity. Includes topics related the E-collaboration learning Web2fordev Blog to network learning and knowledge community who work in http://blog.web2fordev.net management for development. development organisations based in Developed during the Web2fordev 2007 the Netherlands. conference, this blog is an archive of CTA Brussels interesting debates and resources related http://brussels.cta.int ICT-KM Programme to Web 2.0 methods, approaches and This blog shares information on key http://ictkm.wordpress.com applications for development. ACP-EU programmes and events from The ICT-KM blog focuses on the Brussels relevant to agriculture and promotion and support of the use of Voices of Africa rural development in ACP countries. information and communications http://voicesofafrica.africanews.com Users can subscribe online to the technology (ICT) and knowledge An African blog, which aims to help weekly e-newsletter. management (KM). talented Africans build a career in media, using currently available Ghana GINKS storytelling blogs Indian Kisan Blog technologies that are not yet www.ginks.blogspot.com http://kisan.wordpress.com financially affordable in Africa. GINKS is a network of individuals and Discussions, data, figures and articles organisations that seeks to promote on issues related to food security in EXAMPLES OF ONLINE PLATFORMS ICT4D in Ghana. Includes a video blog India. USING MOBILE PHONES (vlog). Mashable Mobileactivism Global Voices http://mashable.com http://mobileactive.org http://globalvoicesonline.org Mashable is the world's largest blog A community of people and An international advocacy network. focused exclusively on Web 2.0 and organisations using mobile phones for Collates, translates and reports on Social Media news. social impact. blogs and citizen media everywhere, with an emphasis on voices that are Reporters Without Borders Ushahidi not ordinarily heard in international www.rsfblog.org www.ushahidi.com mainstream media. Brings together free speech activists Crowdsourcing citizen reporting tool and other Internet users who are that uses FrontLine.com SMS services Global Voices Advocacy: Blog for a concerned about what is happening to enable citizens to upload and Cause! in the world and provides a way to receive reports, breaking news etc. http://tinyurl.com/globalvoicesblog publish information that is censored Developed for humanitarian crisis A series of manuals focused on the in their own countries. situations.

13 Full URL: http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/ projects/guide-blog-for-a-cause

133 RCPLA Network

In this section, we update readers on activities of the Tel/Fax: +94 1 587361; Email: [email protected] Resource Centres for Participatory Learning and Action West Africa Region: Awa Faly Ba Mbow, IED-Afrique, BP Network (RCPLA) Network (www.rcpla.org) and its 5579 Dakar Fann, Senegal. Tel: +221 33 867 10 58; members. RCPLA is a diverse, international network of Fax: +221 33 867 10 59; Email: [email protected] national-level organisations, which brings together Website: www.iedafrique.org development practitioners from around the globe. It was European Region: Jane Stevens, Participation, Power and formally established in 1997 to promote the use of Social Change Group, Institute of Development Studies participatory approaches to development. The network is (IDS), University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE, UK. dedicated to capturing and disseminating development Tel: + 44 1273 678690; Fax: + 44 1273 21202; RCPLA NETWORK RCPLA perspectives from the South. For more information please Email: [email protected]; Website: contact the RCPLA Network Steering Group: www.ids.ac.uk/ids/particip RCPLA Coordination and North Africa & Middle East Region: Participatory Learning and Action Editorial Team, Ali Mokhtar, Near East Foundation – Middle East Region, International Institute for Environment and Development Center for Development Services (CDS), 4 Ahmed Pasha (IIED), 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD, UK. Tel: +44 Street, 10th Floor, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Tel: +20 2 795 207 388 2117; Fax: +44 207 388 2826; Email: 7558; Fax: +20 2 794 7278; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; Website: www.planotes.org [email protected]; Website: Latin America Region: Jordi Surkin, Grupo Nacional de www.neareast.org/main/cds/default.aspx Trabajo para la Participación, PO Box 3371, Santa Cruz, Asia Region: Tom Thomas, Director, Institute for Bolivia. Tel/Fax: +591 3 3376076; Email: [email protected]; Participatory Practices (Praxis), S-75 South Extension, Part II, Website: www.gntp.org New Delhi, India 110 049. Tel/Fax: +91 11 5164 2348 to 51; Eastern Africa Region: Eliud Wakwabubi, Participatory Email: [email protected]; www.praxisindia.org Methodologies Forum of Kenya (PAMFORK), Jabavu Road, Jayatissa Samaranayake, Institute for Participatory PCEA Jitegemea Flats, Flat No. D3, PO Box 2645, KNH Post Interaction in Development (IPID), 591 Havelock Road, Office, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel/Fax: +254 2 716609; Email: Colombo 06, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 1 555521; [email protected]

News from the RCPLA Network participation as an active process to know that PLA 57 entitled: Coordinator throughout the project cycle and Immersions: learning about poverty identify the challenges faced in face-to-face is now available online Deepening Participation for Social deepening the use of participatory in Arabic. Guest edited by Izzy Birch Change approaches. The case of the Young and Raffaella Catani (Praxis), with Although the concept of Women Leadership Program (YWLP) Robert Chambers, the theme for this participation has become a popular implemented in Egypt will serve as a special issue centres on experiences one in development activities, there successful model for deepening the of face-to-face learning, or is often a remarkable lack of an participatory approach for social immersions – opportunities for actively participatory process in the change. The publication will also development professionals to spend implementation of projects. include tips on how to monitor and a period of time living with and Deepening Participation for Social evaluate the process of learning from a poor family. See Change was identified by the RCPLA implementing the participatory www.rcpla.org/page. members as the theme for the year approach and will be followed by a php?pg=publications#arabic 2008-09. In this context the network training manual on adopting and The RCPLA website has been is planning a publication that aims to strategising this approach. updated; new publications and promote the effective adoption of resources are now available at the participatory approach. Participatory Learning and Action 57 www.rcpla.org This publication will present now available in Arabic To join the network, please conceptual reflections on Readers in the Middle East and North contact Ms Passinte Isaak, email: participation in development, analyse Africa will be particularly interested [email protected]

134 RCPLA NETWORK 135 , (Eyben, R. and Reclaiming Intergeneartional Building Responsive States: Citizen Applications are now open for the for open now are Applications Last autumn saw the publication Action and National Policy Change Women’s of Pathways the and published programme Empowerment Women’s Conceptualising Empowerment in International Development Agencies R.). Napier-Moore, working on a range of issues over many Amongst months. recent activities, colleagues have been facilitating a workshop in Mali approaches; rights-based on focusing session final and third the convening International (Big BINGO the of been have who group NGOs) social of agents as role their exploring impacts the researching and change; of the food, fuel and financial crisis people. poorest world’s the on of Robert Chambers’ new book, Inquiry Development in Revolutions published by Earthscan, which was launched at the Edinburgh Radical team the by published Also Fair. Book Bulletins IDS the were Feminism: Gender and Neoliberalism and A.) (Cornwall, Agency? Cultivating Transmissions: Citizenship The J.). (Moncrieffe, Centre Research Development published the IDS Focus Policy Briefing 05, News from the European Region: European the from News of Institute the at Group PPSC (IDS) Studies Development The Participation, Power and Social been has IDS at Group (PPSC) Change with Cooperation Housing and International (CHF) Foundation of Municipal the Bolivian Federation implementing a Associations that is the strengthen to project year five management and investment capacity more For Bolivia. in municipalities of www.gntp.org visit information . For more information more For . PLA GNTP is part of a new consortium This campaign will be rigorous project results. results. project rigorous Human Vulnerability and Adaptation and Vulnerability Human to Climate Change in the Madidi PRA project this In (Bolivia). landscape methods will be used to examine how impacts the feeling are communities of climate, the adaptation mechanisms they have developed, affect will change climate how and their well-being. This participatory a with combined be will research scientific analysis of climate change historical and predictions models, more produce to data, weather Region: Grupo Nacional de Nacional Grupo Region: Partipación la para Trabajo (GNTP) sustainable and environment GNTP’s on working is programme landscapes Conservation With projects. key two a running is it International conservation and knowledge on focuses that project management landscape conservation, sustainable economic development, They areas. other and comanagement analyse to project a starting also are News from the Latin America Latin the from News confront candidates of the 15th Lok 15th the of candidates confront Sabha elections with their manifesto. profiled were vulnerabilities and Issues using participatory video, GPS and satellite imageries, and participatory processes. research future a in fully more documented issue of www.praxisindia.org/kosi visit with the affected people for whom for people affected the with for the last the river has been flooding of the Kosi five decades. The people spoke and anger their expressed basin people’s A demands. their of manifesto was generated in the visited community each and process by the team came up with a plan to section. In Touch In Praxis initiated a boat journey boat a initiated Praxis The area between the between area The across the stretch of the Kosi river Kosi the of stretch the across between embankments to connect them by the then Prime Minister Mr. Minister Prime then the by them Jawahar Lal Nehru, which included and employment land, of provision houses. never been provided with any with provided been never of violation blatant in recourse, to made compensation of promises of the Kosi barrage in the early 1950s and subsequent submergence of the have area the of inhabitants villages, most glaring form of exclusion from exclusion of form glaring most basic services and development opportunities. Since the construction embankments of Kosi river comprises over 380 villages and houses nearly 12 lakh people, and it exemplifies the along the Kosi river an active voice in their own equitable and sustainable development. of Bihar and media representatives. media and Bihar of The overall aim was to give excluded, groups vulnerable and marginalised stretch of the Kosi river. The campaign The river. Kosi the of stretch was undertaken by a number of organisations society civil prominent a campaign in Purnia district, Bihar district, Purnia in campaign a state to connect with inhabitants of the Kosi basin along part of the Voices of the Kosi – pre-election Kosi A the of Voices Kosi the aroundf campaign people’s Basin coordinated Praxis 2009, April During October. For more details see Events see details more For October. the in Training and the Annual Praxis Commune on Participatory Development, to be held 9th to September 30th from Kerala in Workshop 09 Workshop – 09 Workshop for preparing is Praxis News from the Asia Region: Asia the from News for Institute – India Praxis Practices Participatory 136 RCPLA Network RCPLA NETWORK the needtotransformagricultural autonomous foodsystems Towards Food Sovereignty. Reclaiming multimedia bookinthemaking The latestchapterofanonline food andagriculturalresearch Democratising thegovernanceof (IIED) Environmentand Development InternationalInstitute for Newsfrom the European Region: [email protected] any oftheactivitiespleasecontact For more information on the MA or deepening theirknowledgeandskills. critically reflect on their practice while change activiststheopportunityto development workersandsocial course offers experienced October this year. This action learning Change whichwillcommencein Participation, PowerandSocial 2009 Masters Programme in focuses on and enhance learning and action knowledge producers and users to expand horizontalnetworksof research system. The second seeks to and running of a strengthened public other citizens in the actual governance a more central place to farmers and two pronged approach. The first gives and technocratic elites. He proposes a ahead ofthoseprivatecompanies which research serves local interests research priorities together, and in scientists andlocalpeoplesetstrategic working inwhichpolicymakers, knowledge andwaysofknowing.” the chapter is called “Transforming science. Authored by Michel Pimbert, knowledge systems and western and equivalencybetweenindigenous as wellnotionsofcognitivejustice conservation and natural resource use of knowledgeassociatedwith research. It also addresses the politics Pimbert proposes a new way of for people. by, with overview plus case studies from achieved. Thesefilmswillincludean worked on,andhowthiscanbe justice, and that such problems forest problems are related to social short videostoshowthatmanykey working with a filmmaker to prepare Learning Group As partofthe sustainable forestuseusingfilms Promoting practical, just and org/pubs/display.php?o=G02493 governance-learning-group resources/key-issues/forestry/forest- website: www.iied.org/natural- Learning Group is available on the IIED information on the Forest Governance completed byautumn2009.Further Asian countries. The films are due to be members inseveralotherAfricanand Forest Governance Learning Group as wellmaterialcontributedby Malawi, Ghana, Vietnam and Uganda, Download the chapter at www.iied. Forest Governance , IIED’s partners are can be 56 57 58 56 57 participatorylearningandaction58 participatorylearningandaction participatorylearningandaction participatorylearningandaction General issue Towardsempowered 57 Immersions: participation:stories 56 learning about 58 andreflections Come on board, poverty face-to-face goodcitizens! 57 We're here togive youavoicein a 56 58 deliberative democratic Look! process! some new people to 56 57 engage 58 with! 56 57 58 Deliberative what? 57 Couldn't you stop 56June 2007 December 2007 our crops being 58June 2008 © Kate Charlesworth washed awayagain? 56 57 58 order form The Participatory Learning and Action series has teamed up with IngentaConnect, a leading international online publisher. Recent and current issues are now available to purchase online. 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Guidelines for contributors involved in participatory approaches; now housed by the Institute of For a full set of guidelines, visit our • an assessment of the impacts of a Development Studies, UK. Practical website www.planotes.org or contact us participatory process; information and support on participation at the address below. • potentials and limitations of scaling up in development is also available from the and institutionalising participatory various members of the RCPLA Network. Types of material accepted approaches; and, This initiative is a global network of • Articles: max. 2500 words plus • potentials and limitations of resource centres for participatory illustrations – see below for guidelines. participatory policy-making processes. learning and action, which brings • Feedback: letters to the editor, or together 15 organisations from Africa, longer pieces (max. 1500 words) which Language and style Asia, South America, and Europe. The respond in more detail to articles. Please try to keep contributions clear and RCPLA Network is committed to • Tips for trainers: training exercises, tips accessible. Sentences should be short and information sharing and networking on on running workshops, reflections on simple. Avoid jargon, theoretical participatory approaches. behaviour and attitudes in training, terminology, and overly academic Each member is itself at the centre of etc., max. 1000 words. language. Explain any specialist terms a regional or national network. Members • In Touch: short pieces on forthcoming that you do use and spell out acronyms in share information about activities in their workshops and events, publications, full. respective countries, such as training and online resources. programmes, workshops and key events, We welcome accounts of recent Abstracts as well as providing PLA information experiences in the field (or in workshops) Please include a brief abstract with your focused on the particular fields in which and current thinking around article (circa. 150-200 words). they operate. participation, and particularly encourage More information, including regular contributions from practitioners in the References updates on RCPLA activities, can be found South. Articles should be co-authored by If references are mentioned, please in the In Touch section of Participatory all those engaged in the research, include details. Participatory Learning Learning and Action, or by visiting project, or programme. and Action is intended to be informal, www.rcpla.org, or contacting the network In an era in which participatory rather than academic, so references coordinator: Ali Mokhtar, CDS, Near East approaches have often been viewed as a should be kept to a minimum. Foundation, 4 Ahmed Pasha Street, 10th panacea to development problems or Floor, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Tel: +20 2 where acquiring funds for projects has Photographs and drawings 795 7558; Fax: +2 2 794 7278; Email: depended on the use of such These should have captions and the [email protected] methodologies, it is vital to pay name(s) of the author(s)/photographer attention to the quality of the methods clearly written on the back. If you are Participation at IDS and process of participation. Whilst we sending electronic files, please make sure Participatory approaches and will continue to publish experiences of that the photos/drawings are scanned at a methodologies are also a focus for the innovation in the field, we would like to high enough resolution for print (300 dpi) Participation, Power and Social Change emphasise the need to analyse the and include a short caption and credit(s). Group at the Institute of Development limitations as well as the successes of Studies, University of Sussex, UK. This participation. Participatory Learning and Format group of researchers and practitioners is Action is still a series whose focus is We accept handwritten articles but involved in sharing knowledge, in methodological, but it is important to please write legibly. Typed articles should strengthening capacity to support quality give more importance to issues of power be double-spaced. Please keep participatory approaches, and in in the process and to the impact of formatting as simple as possible. Avoid deepening understanding of participation, asking ourselves who sets embedded codes (e.g. footnotes/ participatory methods, principles, and the agenda for participatory practice. It endnotes, page justification, page ethics. It focuses on South-South sharing, is only with critical analysis that we can numbering). exchange visits, information exchange, further develop our thinking around action research projects, writing, and participatory learning and action. Submitting your contribution training. Services include a Participation We particularly favour articles which Contributions can be sent on paper or by Resource Centre (open weekdays) with contain one or more of the following email to: The Editors, Participatory an online database detailing materials elements: Learning and Action , IIED, 3 Endsleigh held. The Group also produces a • an innovative angle to the concepts of Street, London WC1 0DD, UK. newsletter and operates an email participatory approaches or their Fax: +44 20 7388 2826 distribution list. application; Email: [email protected] For further information please • critical reflections on the lessons learnt Website: www.planotes.org contact: Jane Stevens, IDS, University of from the author’s experiences; Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE, UK. • an attempt to develop new methods, Resource Centres for Participatory Learning Tel: +44 1273 678690 or innovative adaptations of existing and Action (RCPLA) Network Fax: +44 1273 621202 ones; Since June 2002, the IIED Resource Centre Email: [email protected] • consideration of the processes for Participatory Learning and Action has Website: www.ids.ac.uk 59 59 59

Web 2.0 tools and approaches are radically changing the ways we create, share, collaborate and publish digital information through the Internet. Participatory Web 2.0 for development – or Web2forDev for short – is a way of employing web services to intentionally improve information-sharing and online collaboration for development. Web 2.0 presents us with new 59 opportunities for change – as well as challenges – that we need to better understand and grasp. This special issue shares learning and reflections from practice and considers the ways forward for using Web 2.0 for development.

Participatory Learning and Action is the world’s leading informal journal on participatory approaches and methods. It draws on the expertise of guest editors to provide up-to-the minute accounts of the development and use of 59 participatory methods in specific fields. Since its first issue in 1987, Participatory Learning and Action has provided a forum for those engaged in participatory work – community workers, activists, and researchers – to share their experiences, conceptual reflections and methodological innovations with others, providing a genuine ‘voice from the field’. It is a vital resource for those working to enhance the participation of ordinary 59 people in local, regional, national, and international decision-making, in both South and North.

ISBN: 978-1-84369-716-9 ISSN: 1357-938X 59 Order no: 14563IIED

International Institute Technical Centre for Agricultural for Environment and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) and Development Postbus 380 3 Endsleigh Street 6700 AJ Wageningen London WC1H 0DD, UK The Netherlands 59 Tel: +44 20 7388 2117 Tel: +31 317 467100 Fax: +44 20 7388 2826 Fax: +31 317 460067 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.planotes.org Website: www.cta.int IIED website: www.iied.org 59