Stories from May, 2012
Ecuador: Day 2 of Conectándonos Ecuador
The second day of Conectándonos Ecuador was an opportunity for participants to hone their skills in various subjects, including blogging, covering events in real time, creating an audio podcast, and more. They were also placed into groups according to their interests and were instructed to create an online project using their newly acquired skills in citizen media. Here is a short summary of the second day of Conectándonos Ecuador.
Ecuador: Day 1 of Conectándonos Ecuador
Following the success of Conectándonos Bolivia, Rising Voices teamed with the Technical University of Loja (UTPL for its initials in Spanish) to replicate the gathering in Ecuador. Thirty-four participants representing a variety of Ecuadorian provinces arrived in Loja on May 24. Although they had different interests, participants arrived ready to learn and to connect with others who are using citizen media in their local communities.
For an Ecuadorian Digital Space with Greater Participation
Rising Voices recently organized a three-gathering in Loja, Ecuador on May 24-26, 2012. The focus of the gathering “Conectándonos” (Connecting) is to provide support and training to 35 participants from underrepresented communities and those working closely with these groups to examine how they can play a role in ensuring that the Ecuadorian digital space is more inclusive with greater participation by all.
Featured Guide: Social Advocacy Toolkit For Activists And Non-Profits
In the recently concluded Google Internet at Liberty 2012 conference Socialbrite.org has launched a toolkit featuring eleven guides on social and political advocacy. These guides are aimed to be a good starting point for activists, change agents and political reformers and help them learn tactics for effective campaigns. It also enables them to use different monitoring and metrics tools, platforms and other resources.
Featured Tools: Mobile In A Box
With the proliferation of mobile phone in marginal and underrepresented communities it is important for citizen journalists and activists to learn the usability and tactics of this widely available technology. Mobiles in-a-box from the Tactical Technology Collective is a collection of tools and guides designed to help advocacy and activist organizations use mobile technology in their work.
Witness: Learning To Use Videos For Change
WITNESS empowers people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice using user generated videos. It has trained individuals from more than 80 countries through hands-on workshops. To expand its reach WITNESS has launched its comprehensive training curriculum on human rights advocacy through video, which is available for download for free.
Speak Out Tunisia: Training Citizen Journalists For A Free And Fair Press
Speak Out Tunisia is a citizen journalism training project that has taught a diverse group of Tunisian citizens about digital media and online journalism. After the Tunisian revolution, Speak Out Tunisia seeks to return the power of a free and fair press to the Tunisian people. Anne Medley, in association with Le PaCTE Tunisien, taught the beginners group of citizen journalists in the southern town of Kebili and an advanced group in Tunis.
India: Awaaz.De – Giving Voice To Marginal And Disadvantaged Communities
Awaaz.de is an innovative software program (voice-XML based Interactive Voice Response system) that allows development organizations to connect with rural and marginalized communities by providing on-demand, many-to-many information access through mobile phones. People can access Awaaz.De applications by dialing regular phone numbers to work with voice contents through automated voice interfaces.
