Screenshot of the Network Basics modules of the Wireless for Communities (W4C) course [1]. Used under a CC BY-NC-ND Creative Commons license.
Rising Voices note: Our biweekly newsletter provides a summary of our recent blog posts about all aspects of digital inclusion including access and adoption of digital tools, as well as different ways and opportunities for communities to fully participate online. Read here [2] for previous editions of this newsletter.
For nearly a decade, the Internet Society has devoted themselves to bridging the last mile in Internet connectivity for underserved communities. Now, in facilitating their vision of an Internet for everyone, they have joined forces with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [3] (IEEE), Digital Empowerment Foundation [4] (DEF), and Nepal Wireless Project [5] (NWP) to bring online the learning materials used in the Wireless for Communities (W4C) initiative. Special focus is provided to the technical aspects such as radio physics and network topology.
These 12 modules listed here [1] cover the basics of networking and are intended to promote grassroots expertise by empowering community members in building their own networks as well as passing along the knowledge. It is the Internet Society and its partners’ hope that, by making these materials more accessible, they can scale up the impact of the W4C programme.
Please contact the Internet Society at learning@isoc.org [6] if you are interested in helping them disseminate the entire W4C course.
MORE FROM THE RISING VOICES BLOG
In celebration of the International Year of Indigenous languages 2019 (#IYIL19 [7]), Rising Voices has joined forces with our partners in organizing four rotating Twitter campaigns to highlight the work of indigenous language activists from across the world. If you are curious about the current status of indigenous languages worldwide as well as what’s involved in their revitalization and/or promotion, please do follow our campaigns on Twitter! And if you wish to learn more about our recent hosts, you would definitely want to check their profile posts as follows:
@ActLenguas [8] (Latin America)
- Donají Marcial Cruz [9] [es] on Diidxazá, a Zapotec language spoken in Juchitán, Oaxaca, Mexico
- Julián Roca [10] [es] on Quechua, an indigenous language spoken primarily in the Peruvian Andes as well as a few other countries along the Andes Mountains
@AsiaLangsOnline [11] (Asia)
- Kaisanan Ahuan [12] on the Taokas people, an indigenous group in Taiwan, along with their language as well as issues concerning this community
Some other stories we would love to share with you, in regards to indigenous languages, include: a language that sets people free [13], the immense collaboration behind one set of trilingual dictionaries covering 21 indigenous languages [14], as well as why it matters to preserve endangered languages [15]. And for those who are looking for a practical guide as to how to bring your indigenous languages online, you might want to check out this post [16] for a newly released resource by Translation Commons.
In addition, as part of our Reframed Stories [17] initiative, a member of the Mixtec community is questioning whether their community has been properly represented in the media [18]; and a Bolivian chola, who refuses to shy away from her heritage, is transcending the stereotypes imposed on her [19].
Additionally, we would also like to bring your attention to another issue that many indigenous communities are experiencing as well as how a newly launched initiative is helping tackle the issue in Mexico [20]. And, in India, one of our colleagues is looking into issues that may arise from the adoption of digital identity programs across the board [21].
FUNDING
Working on independent films centering around social justice, empowerment, and/or cultural exchange? Please consider taking advantage of the Filmmakers Without Borders’ filmmaking grants if you are looking for funds in supporting your projects (details here [22]). Application due: January 1, 2020 (Spring Cycle)
Working on short documentaries intended to engage viewers in humanities? The US National Endowment for the Humanities is looking to fund your projects. Please see here [23] for application details and instructions. Application due: January 8, 2020
TRAININGS
The Reuters Trainee Programme 2020 is now open for applications. Please see here [24] for programme and application details. Application due: December 15, 2019 at midday (UK time) / Location: London, United Kingdom
CALLS FOR PARTICIPATION
On December 11, the Global Voices Sub-Saharan Africa team hosted a Twitter chat for a discussion on Politics and Digital Rights in Africa, anchored by GV’s sub-Saharan and North African contributors. Please visit @gvssafrica [25] to review the discussion or the hashtag #WritingTowardFreedom [26].
The Internet Freedom Festival (IFF) is calling for proposals to bring more community voices into their upcoming event. There is no designated themes for the year. It’s a new experiment and IFF would like to have you join them in the process. Please see here [27] for details. The submission deadline has been extended to December 22, 2019
The re:publica 20 Conference will be taking place in Berlin next May for the net community and stakeholders to put their heads together on what a digital-sustainable transformation of our society really means. And they want to hear from you as well! Please see here [28] for details. Submission due: December 15, 2019 at 23:59 (CET)
ADDITIONAL READINGS, LISTENINGS, and VIEWINGS
- “It’s Your Journey”: Native Innovation in Video Games [29] via Folklife
- Indigenous Connectivity Summit, Part 1: Connectivity for Community Strength [30] via Next Century Cities
- Indigenous Connectivity Summit, Part 2: Building the Internet Together [31] via Next Century Cities
- Activismo de lenguas para el futuro de la humanidad [32] [es] via Activismo Lenguas
- Pueblos indígenas y apropiaciones tecnológicas contemporáneas [33] [es] as presented by Elena Nava [34] via YouTube
- Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Facebook Live Q&A, Part 1 [35] & Part 2 [36], as shared by Anishinabek Nation [37] via YouTube
- Can syllabic keyboards help save Indigenous languages? [38] via TVO
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