Are you a native or heritage speaker or user of an Indigenous language of Ghana?

Are you interested in learning how you can use the Internet or digital media to promote Ghanaian languages in digital spaces?

Are you interested in developing a plan to further advance an idea for a project or campaign to make an impact for your language community?

If you answered “yes” to all these three questions, then we would like to invite you to apply to take part in a one-day workshop “Strengthening your language on the Internet through digital activism” organized by Rising Voices in partnership with the Ghanaian Languages Wikimedia Community, which includes the Gurene Wikimedia Community, Moore Wikimedian Community, Ghanaian Pidgin Wikimedians Community, Dagbani Wikimedians User Group, Fante Wikimedians Community, Dagaare Wikimedia Community, Kusaal Wikipedia Community, Wikimedians of Twi Language User Group, Ga Wikimedia Community, Nzema Wikimedia Community, Ewe Wikimedians Community, and Art+Feminism.

This workshop is one of the activities of the 2nd Wikimedia Ghanaian languages Meet-up.

Please read through the following information, then apply below at the bottom of this page.

Dates and times:

Session – Friday, July 19th July 26 (please note new date) from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Location - Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association Hotel, Tamale, Ghana

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Within the framework of the upcoming International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032, Rising Voices has partnered with UNESCO to develop a digital activism toolkit called “Digital Initiatives for Indigenous Languages” designed for speakers of Indigenous, minority, and low-resourced languages who want to make an impact by promoting their languages in digital spaces. Low-resourced languages is a term often used for languages for which fewer online resources or content exist.

The toolkit resource intends to serve as a roadmap for speakers and other users who are currently engaged in or who want to start working to promote and strengthen their language, whether in cyberspace or by using digital media and technologies.

Developed in close collaboration with digital activists from around the world, and allied partners, the resource draws upon years of experience and best practices by these networks of language digital activists eager to share their knowledge with other communities. Organized according to “Key Approaches” that contribute to the strategic goal of language reclamation and revitalization, the resource provides innovative examples of digital activism along with reflections on how to match activities with intended impact.

You should apply for this workshop if you:

• Are a native or heritage speaker of an Indigenous language of Ghana.
• Either are already involved with your own digital project or campaign OR you have a strong idea for a digital project or campaign and need help to further develop the idea
• Can commit to attending the entire session (see date and time above), and complete all learning tasks in between sessions
• Preferably live in or around Tamale, Ghana and can arrive to the venue on their own. (Unfortunately we cannot provide any travel assistance to attendees).

What to expect:

• One in-person session including breakout groups and discussion sessions
• Access to and interactions with a peer facilitator who will also apply their experiences during the workshop/course
• The opportunity to meet other like-minded people interested in digital activism from your area, and to strengthen ties.

You will learn how to:

• Better understand how digital activism fits into broader strategies (human rights, language revitalization) and in relation to your unique local context
• Articulate the intended change or impact you would like to influence
• Identify strategies and tactics that best fit the change you would like to see
• Locate ways to develop skills and explore examples that may match your proposed project
• Create a plan based on a chosen tactic or strategy, identifying concrete steps to expand skills or knowledge.

NOTE: all the sessions in the training will be held in English.

How to apply:

Complete the following application form below. The deadline is July 5, 2024.

Selected participants will be notified by July 9, 2024

There is no cost to attend for accepted participants. Each participant who completes the course will receive a certificate.

Facilitator:

Apply here!