Report from 12th ICT4D Conference, March 18-21, 2024 in Accra, Ghana

By Paul Spiesberger (Chair ict4d.at)

ICT4D.at members show off their conference badges, from left to right: Jack, Tobias, Paul and Noah

Overall the conference is worth a visit to see yet another aspect of the ICT4D movement. The ICT4D conference is more an event from the private sector for the private sector and governments. Although some researchers were present, many of the exhibition booths and sessions were held by for-profit organisations. Everyone working in the ICT field as an engineer understands that ICTs need constant funding for software development and maintenance and there is nothing wrong with earning money while doing some good with ICTs. It is estimated that 70% of ICT4D projects fail and having a business model behind any ICT4D initiative can only be a plus if it successfully balances profits and benefits for its users. Unfortunately some sectors such as education or health can never be profitable if you do not discriminate the most marginalized. One challenge we saw was that this is yet another ICT4D event where only a subsection of the movement is represented. Others such as researchers, UN organisations, target groups (marginalized people) or engineers were mostly absent. This also applies to other conferences where for instance the private sector is absent and we do not know of any event or conference where all stakeholders are involved equally – please let us know if you do.

Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, opened the 12th ICT4D Conference. She emphasized Ghana’s leadership in digitalization while acknowledging the global connectivity gap and the need for digital inclusion for older generations. This timely conference coincided with a critical situation in Africa at the time, with multiple submarine cable cuts disrupting internet access across Sub-Saharan Africa. These challenges underline the importance of building sustainable, local digital infrastructure for long-term progress in Africa’s digital transformation.

What was rather troubling was the involvement of Microsoft and their keynote speech where they wrapped their business case into a shiny development aid gift wrapping paper. The Microsoft speaker started to explain that we are living in an overall changing world and the new big factor is artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that some countries are left behind and Microsoft wants to solve this problem. 10 million for Microsoft’s OpenAI to close the “digital divide” and “democratizing” AI by providing access to the people – where the problem starts. Once more the “digital divide” is misused and a 2 billion offline population is connected to a system where they will become customers rather than free citizens. Furthermore, why would you call connecting people to a product “democratizing” it? Microsoft will call all the shots and is owning the technology. Just as ever and today, they will not open their technologies for anyone but themselves and call acquiring more customers “democratizing”. Do not let you get fooled by the “Open” in their product’s name. OpenAI is not controlled, owned nor adaptable by the people. Only open source LLMs and open source software can live up to these high standards of a democratized technology and Microsoft/OpenAI defiantly do not.
In the second part he presented the true reason why they sponsored the event, their Digital Development Program (DDP):

“During UNGA78, we also unveiled Microsoft’s Digital Development Program (DDP). Our DDP program is a comprehensive platform that supports low- and middle-income countries who receive international development assistance. These countries, with 1.8 billion citizens, represent 23% of the world’s population. Participating countries will benefit from pro bono digital advisory, affordable cloud solutions, skilling, and capacity building tools to help governments modernize their infrastructure and provide critical services. Cape Verde, Angola, and Ethiopia are among the first countries leading the way in harnessing the potential of this program and to have a real impact towards a more equitable and inclusive digital economy.”

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/nonprofit-community-blog/unlocking-the-power-of-ai-and-digital-innovation-reflections/ba-p/3963203

In short, they will grant governments of low- and middle-income countries 35% discount on Microsoft products until 2030. Full price from 2030 onwards of course. Not only is this just plain business and has not much to do with development, it also has the following consequences:

  1. Governments of low- and middle-income countries will be completely depended on a foreign software company and lose their sovereignty
  2. In the future all software related expenditures of governments will go outside their economies to the pockets of an US based company
  3. No local software industries will evolve as it will be impossible to compete with the 35% discount – Microsoft plans here on the long run to destroy all local competitors
  4. The US government will further expand its soft power and will control foreign national infrastructure to surveil internal communication of other governments
  5. Digital colonialism continues and this is just another prime example

Author: Paul & Jack

Promoted Material and updated Documents

During the conference two documents were promoted:

Principles for Digital Development

The Principles for Digital Development got updated and republished:

“The Principles for Digital Development serve as a compass for those working to promote sustainable and inclusive development in today’s complex digital landscape. Using these Principles as a starting point, policymakers, practitioners, and technologists will be better equipped to ensure that all people can benefit from digital initiatives and from the broader digital society.”

Digital Development Guidebook

The Digital Development Guidebook was presented and discussed. Overall a good guidebook and definitely worth reading and discussing. The checklists seem to be thought through and helpful for future projects. Listing expert organization, underline the importance of open source software and a focus on digital literacy is something we very much appropriate. A bit confusing is the fact that the guidebook advocates for Digital Public Goods, ownership, free and open source software while probably nobody at the conference was using Linux nor other free software while Microsoft was promoting exactly the opposite in their keynote and they mark “ChatGPT” as the main achievement in 2022?

Projects, Talks & Discussions

This blog post is a collaboration between Tobias, Jack and Paul who report from sessions they visited and overall impressions.

Reimagining Digital Transformation through Digital Public Goods (DPGs)

Speakers: Abisola Fatokun, Sabeen Dhanani, Ms. Nita Tyagi, Dileep Bapat, Seth Akumani, Lauren Kahn, and Moritz Fromageot

Decision-makers and development professionals across the globe have increasingly understood the importance of Digital Public Goods (DPGs). DPGs promise significant changes in communication between citizens and authorities and in the way services are provided. A key example of the introduction of DPGs was the introduction of an eHealth system in India based on the Aadhaar ID. Due to the size of the Indian population it was not possible to reuse respectively import an existing system from another country. Another key point was that the solution was not pushed from the top down, but rather according to the approaches of “Empowerment comes when people build solutions” and “it is people who bring in the transformation”. DHIS 2 was mentioned several times as a prime example for a successful Digital Public Good. The discussion concluded in the statement that people design solutions that meet their needs – It’s not digital transformation, it is people transformation.

Author: Tobias

Food Security and Climate Tech

Speakers “Enabling Tech access for local market Systems strengthening”: James Haithcoat, Sildio Mbonyumuhire, Meshack Mbinda, Dorien Asampana, Karen Hampson, Gidraf Wachira, Andrew Karlyn, and Worlali Senyo
Speakers “Harnessing Technology for a Climate-Smart Future”: Karen Hampson , Gidraf Wachira, Andrew Karlyn, Dorien Asampana, and James Haithcoat

The Big Discussion on Food Security and Climate Tech stressed the power of technology to bolster local markets, optimizing supply chains and connecting producers directly to consumers. It also highlighted the need to leverage technology for a climate-smart future, promoting precision farming, weather forecasting tools, and resilient crops. The conversation acknowledged the digital divide in rural areas, emphasizing the importance of last-mile solutions like solar-powered equipment to bridge the gap and ensure farmer access to information and markets. Farm Radio was recognized as a vital tool for understanding farmers’ needs, underlining the importance of listening to the listeners to tailor effective solutions. Federated data was seen as crucial for documenting farmers and informing policy decisions, emphasizing the need for collaboration and data sharing to achieve food security and sustainability. Ultimately, the discussion resonated with the message of collective action: “Those of us who can do more should do more, but together we can do a lot.” In his contribution, Worlali Senyo, a member of ICT4D.at and the Country Manager of Farmerline Limited, highlighted a significant financial gap that must be addressed to empower farmers to fulfil their responsibilities. He emphasized the importance of ensuring poverty alleviation among farmers and advocated for a comprehensive approach that incorporates introducing them to the carbon market. Farmerline Limited is already walking the walk. They are equipping farmers with cutting-edge tools for monitoring, traceability, and data analysis. This not only helps farmers, but also paves the way for a future where they can benefit from carbon credits.

The crux of the food security challenge hinges on our resource allocation. The quandary lies in our allocation of efforts: are we truly prioritizing effective food distribution, whereby regions facing scarcity are systematically pinpointed and supplied with surplus from areas of abundance within national, continental, or global contexts? Or are we inadvertently tilting the balance towards a singular focus on production efficiency, channelling our energies solely into boosting yields without adequately addressing the pressing issue of equitable food access and distribution? This dilemma presents a compelling research opportunity. By delving deeper into the effectiveness of both distribution and production efforts, we can illuminate the path towards a more comprehensive and sustainable solution for global food security.

Author: Jack

Greening ICT4D: Tackling our impact on the environment and climate

Speakers: Mariela Machado, Morten Risgaard, Ms. Onica N. Makwakwa and Joel Urbanowicz (Moderator)

The Plenary discussion on “Greening ICT4D: Tackling our Impact on the Environment and Climate” highlighted innovative initiatives like Japan’s Smart Farming, showcasing the potential of technology to reduce the agricultural sectors carbon footprint. However, a critical challenge emerged – the inadequate management of electronic waste (e-waste), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This exposes a significant gap in the region’s approach to sustainable waste management.

A Call to Action: Addressing the E-Waste Challenge

The discussion emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach:

  • Policy and Strategy Formulation: There’s is a pressing need for robust policies and strategies that encourage responsible e-waste management by producers, consumers, and waste handlers. Research efforts should explore effective policy frameworks that incentivize environmentally sound practices throughout the e-waste life cycle.
  • End-of-Life Management Solutions: Organisations more so in Sub-Saharan Africa lacks proper infrastructure and cost-effective solutions for handling e-waste at the end of its lifespan. Research is crucial to develop sustainable e-waste collection, recycling, and disposal systems tailored to the region’s context.
  • E-waste Reuse and Refurbishment: Exploring the potential for e-waste reuse and refurbishment can significantly extend the lifespan of existing equipment and reduce the need for new electronics. Research could investigate ways to create local markets and incentives for refurbishing and reusing e-waste.

Infrastructure Sharing and Global Collaboration

The discussion recognized the importance of infrastructure sharing as a means to minimize the carbon footprint of ICT4D initiatives. Additionally, it highlighted the need for substantial global efforts, particularly in the Global South, where a lack of adequate e-waste management policies and infrastructure presents a critical gap in sustainable development. Collaboration across different stakeholders – governments, NGOs, technology companies, and research institutions – is crucial to bridge this gap.

Bridging the Gap: A Sustainable Future for ICT4D

By addressing these challenges and gaps, ICT4D initiatives can contribute to a more sustainable future for Sub-Saharan Africa. This will allow the region to bridge the digital divide in an environmentally responsible manner, ensuring inclusive growth and a greener future.

Author: Jack

Digital and Data for Education

Speakers: Nyagaki Gichia, Lindsay Kincaid, Daniel Ganyoame, Maryam Lawan, Vincent Wang (Moderator)

It was a vivid discussion about education and hubs/spaces where learning can happen. Most parents think these spaces are only for children, so how could a hub become inclusive for all ages to access education? Bringing in parents as participants into their children’s education raises its importance and also targets adult’s education. One presented solution was to offer services for adults such as searching online for jobs so they get in touch with the hubs or schools.

The following challenges for education were mentioned:

  1. Safe space for women to find comfort, make it social and look at the social context. Usually women come with their kids and you need child care taking to facilitate time for education.
  2. Localize content, use local dialect to make material accessible
  3. Context of family – the husband often needs to approve so his wife can participate
  4. Always take the cultural context in consideration. One speaker mentioned that in one of their projects, instead of free t-shirts for women’s graduation they handed out free scarf as most women came fully covered due to their Muslim background
  5. Young girls needed to be at home to do choirs and the program needs to consider this. Parents need to be on board

Author: Paul

Connecting the Unreached; Accelerating Dignified Development to Amplify Shared Prosperity

Speaker: Ms. Peace Delali

I was not expecting much from BLUETOWN Ltd.’s presentation at this panel discussion. It felt like another company pitch. But then Ms. Peace took the stage, and everything changed. She was not there to sell; she was there to share the incredible work BLUETOWN is doing to bridge the digital divide. Their approach is ingenious. They use a network of strategically placed, solar-powered base stations to deliver local cloud content to students and underserved communities. They even empower locals to monitor the network, troubleshoot basic issues, and escalate problems when needed. This creates a sustainable model that keeps content local and avoids the high cost of undersea cables.

BLUETOWN’s projects are a shining example of how to make ICT truly accessible in Sub-Saharan Africa and the greater global south. Their focus on local content ensures its relevance and accessibility, while their community involvement creates a sense of ownership and long-term impact. This is the kind of innovative thinking we need to bridge the digital divide and empower people everywhere.

Author: Jack

GIS Mapping Innovation & Community Engagement

Presenter: Pano Skrivanos

I was tuning into a session from Cadasta about mapping land for vulnerable communities via GIS technologies. Their “tools empower vulnerable communities to affordably and easily document, map, and secure inclusive land and resource rights at scale for a more sustainable and equitable planet” as vast land has not yet officially claimed by the people who actually live there since generations. They mentioned the following projects they worked on:

  • Protecting Indigenous Land through self recognition and registration in Cambodia Indigenous peoples Organization
  • Colandef in Ghana to document lands
  • VSG Association of Saamaka Authorities – Empowering Saamaka Communities: Strengthening Territory Governance and Resources Management
  • JKPP Indonesian Community Mapping Network

They focus a lot on training people and illustrated how they categorize “mappers” from beginners to experts and what kind of services in terms of trainings & technologies they then offer.

In the end participants raised the question if they are also working with governments as just mapping without officially acknowledging would not be enough. They do work with governments but this adds further complexity to a project and often officials are not welcoming to these kind of empowerment. Unfortunately, what I completely missed in the discussion and presentation was the fact that land often is claimed by more than just one person or group. It is still unclear to me how they decide who actually has the right to map a certain area and then state that they own it? Someone who can afford their services and is in control of the technology can raise claims to properties of others which showcases the power such a technology encapsulated.

Author: Paul

Migrants, digital tech and knowledge sharing: the “yeast effect” of propagation after “train the trainers” activities and adaptation of learning material.

By Maria Rosa Lorini

In the final months of our MIDEQ WP9 team’s interventions working with migrants in South Africa, a remarkable phenomenon emerged — a “yeast effect” that represented the catalytic effect of the impact of colaboration between academia, NGOs, migrant communities and individual participants. This effect symbolises the organic growth and replication of positive outcomes, as individuals who were initially trained by our team together with local colleagues and experts became catalysts for change within their own communities and associations.

Adapting and Propagating Learning Materials

One of the cornerstones of our intervention was the adaptation and propagation of learning material used in the initial workshops we organised and ran. Recognizing the importance of tailoring educational resources to local contexts, we worked with local educators and experts and with the initial participants to create relevant learning material on issue relating to the use of digital tech by migrants. A special focus was on security and safety online and on content creation (to see more about our initiative and trainings), ensuring their accessibility and relevance to the communities we and they served.

After a series of workshops run by our team between November 2022 and August 2023, some of the trainees started organising sessions and training people in their own communities. During presentations to different audiences, such as chairmen of migrant associations, women community leaders, NGOs representatives and teenagers, the new trainers further adapted the learning material to suit the specific needs and understandings of each group. All examples were carefully crafted to resonate with the audience and address their concerns, responding to feedback from local stakeholders and demonstrating their commitment to meeting emerging challenges and empowering individuals with relevant skills and knowledge.

Furthermore, the team of trainers began developing new PowerPoint presentations that addressed frequently asked questions and were designed to be engaging and captivating for the public. Some examples of these slides are illustrated below.

From the Power Point Presentation created by the Fusion Avenue team in Johannesburg

From the Power Point Presentation created by the Fusion Avenue team in Cape Town

Targeted Events, Outreach, Collaborations and Partnerships

Our efforts encompassed a diverse range of events such as documentary presentations (see our blog about recent events) and targeting specific groups of stakeholders. From migrants and migrant associations to local communities, international organizations, academics, and media, we engaged with a wide spectrum of audiences to ensure the broad dissemination of knowledge and resources. A key highlight of this part of the intervention was the implementation of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing initiatives. Through video creation and dissemination, as well as face-to-face workshops run by migrants for migrants, we witnessed at first hand the power of community-led education. Individuals who were trained in our initial workshops took on leadership roles, becoming educators and advocates within their own communities. This is how the Fusion Avenue team of trainers presents and sponsors their work to support more organisations and communities:

Central to the success of these interventions was a spirit of collaboration and partnership. We worked closely with local stakeholders such as the Adonis Musati Project, international organizations such as the Scalabrini Centre, academia and research institutes such as SIHMA, and migrant associations such as MAGSA to leverage collective expertise and resources. This collaborative approach not only enhanced the effectiveness of our interventions but also fostered a sense of ownership and created the bases for the continuation and sustainability of the activities within the communities we served. This collaboration of groups from 12 different African countries represents a significant step forward in fostering solidarity and collective action among diverse migrant communities.

Together, they are now working on a common agenda in Johannesburg and Cape Town related to the safe, secure, and wise use of digital technologies, as well as communication skills and changing the narratives around migration. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in fostering solidarity and collective action among diverse migrant communities.

Measuring Impact and Ensuring Sustainability

The impact of the intervention was quantifiable, with hundreds of individuals already having been trained and reached through the different activities convened by the migrants with whom we worked. More than 200 people have been trained during the last 5 months by 12 of the 30 trainees in our original workshops. The rest of the participants are using the acquired skills to get a job and to fulfil their personal aims.

The majority of the activities carried on by the ‘new trainers’ covered more than one 4-hours session with each group of people. This approach ensured sufficient knowledge transmission, not least by allocating enough time to do practical exercises during the session including such things as how to change the settings on personal social media accounts. It also enabled the testing of information reception during the re-cap done by the trainees at the start of every new session. 

Every participant completed a feedback form to give back impressions on the quality of the activity and suggestions for improvements. In the case of school teachers, community leaders and representatives of organisations and associations, the learning material was always requested  by the trainees so that they could further disseminate the lessons learned (all our materials were created using Creative Commons BY-SA licenses). Some interviews and appreciative letters  also witness this commitment. The administrator of the Congolese Society of South Africa Diana Bongongo highlights below what she learned from our trainees – now trainers! – and how she will herself become  another yeast of change!

Integration of lessons learned into existing programmes

As part of our commitment to knowledge exchange and continuous improvement, we have shared our journey through a documentary film covering our interventions in South Africa. Additionally, we leveraged social media and collaborated with research hubs and NGOs to disseminate videos created by migrants, ensuring that our learnings reached a wider audience and had a lasting impact. But perhaps more importantly, our focus was on ensuring the continuation of these activities beyond the intervention period. Through partnerships with local stakeholders (including migrant organizations, associations, community leaders, local media companies, and school teachers) and integration of training resources into existing programs, we laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability and community empowerment. Our learning material is for instance now being used by the Scalabrini Centre in Cape Town, which reaches out to 1,500 migrants trained face-to-face yearly. Cape Town TV is also supporting the dissemination of the videos produced as well as the preparation of focused programs on migration.

Additionally, local non-migrant organizations such as Ubuntu Bethu have been instrumental in deploying workshops on digital safety and content creation in marginalized communities where many migrants reside. These partnerships have expanded the reach of our intervention to people living with constraints and limited access to the type of support and trainings offered elsewhere, and provide much needed advice for job search in areas with more than 50% rate unemployment, and for online safety in area of high gender based violence. The new partnerships and collaboration have also sparked further discussions around inequalities faced by migrants in areas affected by severe deprivation for all residents, furthering our collective efforts for social change.

In conclusion, the yeast effect of our intervention exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in uplifting migrants and the wider communities in which they live. By harnessing the power of community engagement, peer-to-peer learning, and targeted outreach, we not only empowered individuals but also laid the foundation for sustainable change that will continue to flourish long after the intervention has ended.

Further new material for migrants shared in Nepal through our partners ACORAB and CIN

Following our last update on 14th February ACORAB, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Nepal, and CIN, their Community Information Network, have broadcast a further radio programme on 17th February that builds on some of the resources we developed with our partners in Nepal, and sharing information about their activities.

This second segment centred on the secure utilization of information technology for safe migration, and featured Swarna Kumar Jha, the Coordinator of the National Network for Safe Migration-NNSM Nepal, and Sindhu Aryal, the Secretary General of Pourakhi Nepal, both of whom have worked tirelessly with us over the last couple of years in helping to develop the https://pardesi.org.np portal and training resources on the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech (as part of the work of the MIDEQ Hub funded by UKRI GCRF). It was broadcast on February 17, 2024, immediately following the Sajha Khabar news bulletin at 7 am, as part of their regular programme “Sajha Nepal”. It has already garnered 243 views on their Facebook channel. However, “Sajha Khabar” is also distributed to over 300 community radio stations throughout Nepal, reaching over 6.7 million people, which will significantly extend the reach of the social media channel for this episode.

The programme also incorporates vox pops from survivors who have recounted their challenges while employed as migrant workers, and a report presented by Ms. Sushila Shrestha (from the 19:10-minute mark to the 22:20-minute mark) greatly enhances the programme’s interest.

Listen to the programme at https://fb.watch/qlC97bx-gA.

DWAZ uses our resources to deliver online training on safe, wise and secure use of digital tech to 1911 of their members in Southern Africa

We are delighted to hear that the training resources on safe, wise and secure use of digital tech by migrants, originally developed in Nepal (as part of the MIDEQ Hub, funded by UKRI GCRF) and reversioned specifically for women in Southern Africa have recently been used by our good friends at the Domestic Workers Association Zimbabwe (DWAZ) to deliver training to 1911 of their members in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. DWAZ was set up by Mendy Lusaba in 2021 (see this interview about her in Lionesses of Africa), and it has a centre in Zimbabwe that offers training in housekeeping, cooking and baking, gardening and care work. They also have a domestic worker netball team for the mental health of domestic workers. 

In January this year, we met up with Mendy in Johannesburg, where she joined the launch of our work in South Africa that had trained migrants in video making amd the safe use of digital tech, and she made the astute observation that little digital literacy training available in the region includes sessions on the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech (watch this short video where she speaks about this). Working with her and others in South Africa, we therefore reversioned our resources specifically so that they focused on the needs of women and girl migrants there, and it is great to see them being used in this way. The resources include a slide deck and guidance notes on how they can be used and adapted by trainers, and is available freely under a CC BY-SA licence. We are continuing to develop this and we are currently working in Brazil to produce a Portuguese language version that can also be adapted for countries such as Mozambique and Angola.

Everyone is vulnerable to the many harms enabled through the use of digital tech, and it is very important that these are mitigated so that people can indeed benefit from them. Women and girls in Southern Africa are particularly vulnerable to online sexual harassment, scams, bullying, being tracked, exploitation, fake news and identity theft. The training deck is designed for people with little previous knowledge about using digital tech, and includes specific guidance on how to avoid these harms. It was developed together with migrants and migrant oprganisations, and combines this practical approach with existing good practices recommended in the relevant literature. It is divided into four main sections: an introduction covering digital literacy basics, the safe use of digital tech, how to use these technologies wisely, and how to use them privately and securely, and it also includes a short list of recommendations for further reading.

Example of final slide from the training resources

Should you use these resources, please let us know and share suggestions for how they could be improved, and don’t forget to satisfy the requirements of the CC BY-SA licence so that iothers can also benefit from your work.

Our work on safe, wise and secure use of digital tech in Nepal now reaching thousands of people

We are delighted to see our recent partnership agreement with ACORAB and CIN in Nepal already bearing fruit. This was designed in part to share information about the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, especially in remote areas of the country, as well as providing migrants with information about the new portal https://pardesi.org.np that we helped to craft with a range of migrant organisations and tech developers as part of our contribution to the MDEQ Hub.

Sajha Nepal Episode 1: Featuring Kabiraj Upreti from the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety, Government of Nepal and Aayush Pradhananga from AuraEd.

ACORAB, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Nepal, and CIN, their Community Information Network, have collaboratively developed radio programmes based on some of the resources we have developed with our partners in Nepal. Two recent broadcasts show the considerable importance of community radio as a means for sharing information:

  • A Public Service Announcement developed earlier in 2024 which included a short section about safe migration had received 4,900 views on Facebook by 6th February, and its final broadcast was on 12th February. By today (14th February) it had received 5,600 views and 452 likes.
  • ACORAB also extended an invitation to several individuals that we had recommended to participate in a radio programme on secure use of information technology for safe migration, and Kabiraj Upreti from the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety and Aayush Pradhananga from AuraEd were able to participate in a recording session on 5th February. Subsequently this was aired on 7th February immediately following the Sajha Khabar news bulletin at 7 am, as part of their regular program “Sajha Nepal”, and it has also already reached over 1,000 views on Facebook, with 45 likes.

There are more than 300 community radio stations in ACORAB’s network, and these reach over 6.7 million people throughout Nepal, many of whom will have also heard these broadcaste. We are incredibly grateful to everyone at ACORAB and CIN, especially their programme manager Ayeesha Joshi, for helping to make this happen, and look forward to hearing in due course from some of those who have listened to the broadcasts about how they have changed their digital behaviours as a result.

We very much look forward to continuing our work with ACORAB and CIN, and to help them develop their broadcasting capacity, drawing on good practices globally, and optimising the use ot digital technologies.

Exciting new partnership with ACORAB and CIN, Nepal

Members of the ICT4D Collective are delighted to announce a new partnership with ACORAB, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Nepal, and CIN, their Community Information Network. This follows meetings in Kathmandu in December 2023, mainly concerning the dissemination of resources we have developed collaboratively with migrant organisations in Nepal through our research-practice in the MIDEQ Hub (funded by UKRI GCRF). We are very excited that information about the https://pardesi.org.np portal and our learning resources on the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech in the six main languages used in Nepal have already been shared across their network of 382 community radio stations in the country.

The intended outputs of the partnership include:

  • Jointly convening awareness raising programmes in Nepal on community radio and digital tech
  • Jointly convening sessions at relevat international meetings on community radio and development
  • Joint training programs to enhance the technical skills of community radio broadcasters on utilizing ICT tools
  • Explorations of innovative ways to merge ICT with community radio for better outreach and impact
  • Identification of resources for joint projects that aim to enhance the role of ICT in community radio and vice versa
  • Joint development and broadcasting of advice of safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, especially for migrants.

We anticipate that these will help achieve the following outcomes:

  • Enhanced capacity of commuity radio broadcasters in Nepal
  • The work of ACORAB and CIN is better known in the international community
  • More sustainable development and use of community radio in Nepal, especially by migrants and their families
  • Enhanced well-being of people in Nepal (especially in marginalised communities)
  • Increased international suport for the work of ACORAB and CIN in Nepal

For more information, please contact Prof. G. Hari Harindranath.

Launches of our MIDEQ WP9 interventions in South Africa

We were delighted to convene public launches on 15th January in Johannesburg and on 18th January in Cape Town for the interventions on which we have worked with migrants and migrant organisations in South Africa. The same format was followed in each location and included four main elements:

  • Premiere of a documentary film about the lives of the migrants with whom we have been working, entitled Through Their Eyes and produced by Simone Zanetti and Maria Rosa Lorini;
  • Presentation of videos made by the migrants following training by our work package, and introduction to their YouTube channel Fusion Avenue which features all the videos that they have made;
  • Information about the training they have been doing for others on the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, following the training that they have received from our work package; and
  • Refreshments and networking.

These interventions were conceived and facilitated by the Digital Technologies and Migration work package (WP9) of the MIDEQ Hub funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).  WP9 is led by Professor G. “Hari” Harindranath and Professor Tim Unwin CMG, with the support of Dr. Maria Rosa Lorini (who led the work in South Africa), based at the ICT4D Collective (Royal Holloway, University of London, UK).  The resources were created collaboratively with migrants and organisations in both the Johannesburg and Cape Town regions, including the Scalabrini Centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the University of Cape Town, UNISA’s Information Systems Department, Stoneintheshoe, Rainbow Media, and SIHMA.  Other organisations involved in the initiative have included Adonis Musati, Cape Town TV, Ubunti-Bethu, and JL Zwane

Johannesburg launch, 15th January

The Johannesburg launch was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Curch in La Rochelle (press release), and attracted people from the local community, migrants, universities and international organisations (click on arrows to go through the slide deck).

Cape Town launch, 18th January

The Cape Town launch was held at Bertha House, Mowbray (press release), and likewise attracted people from the local community, migrants, universities and international organisations (click on arrows to go through the slide deck).

Resources

For further information:

Our documentary film

Click on the image below to watch a small sized (low resolution) version of Through Their Eyes (full high resolution version to follow)

Launch of MIDEQ WP9 interventions in Nepal

Press Releases

Press release in Nepali

Press release in English

[Click on images or links to download the relevant press release]

Events

Lalitpur

10 December 2023, Lalitpur, Nepal: The launch of the digital tech interventions for Nepali migrants facilitated by Work Package 9 of the MIDEQ Hub took place today in the Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur. Eighty participants from government, civil society, the private sector, international organisations and digital tech students attended. The two key interventions that Hari Harindranath, Tim Unwin and Maria Rosa Lorini (from the ICT4D Collective and Royal Holloway, University of London) had helped their Nepali colleagues to create were presented: the https://pardesi.org.np portal, which is a one-stop-shop for migrants and their families to find out about all aspects of the migration process; and resources that can be used to train migrants in the safe, wise and secure (or private) uses of digital tech, which have been designed to be especially useful in the Migrant Resource Centres.

Pokhara

11 December 2023, Pokhara: Following the successful launch of the digital tech interventions for Nepali migrants facilitated by Work Package 9 of the MIDEQ Hub at Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur, Kathmandu on 10th December, we organised a second launch event on the 11th of December, at Hotel Landmark, Pokhara. Twenty-six participants from local government, civil society, the private sector, media and digital tech students attended. Thanks to all the local support from the Pokhara Migrant Resource Centre, Nucleus for Empowerment Through Skills Transfer (NEST), Gandaki University, National Innovation Centre in Pokhara and NIC’s ICT Lab.

Pokhara Launch

Resources

For further information:

The National Anthem at the opening of the launch in Lalitpur.

Press coverage

Reflections on research practice in the interests of migrants

Participants in the workshop (without the convenors!)

Members of the ICT4D Collective have been actively involved as Work Package 9 in the MIDEQ Hub since 2019, focusing especially on ways through which migrants can use digital tech to improve their lives, and thereby reduce the inequalities associated with migration. The Hub held its final major symposium in Rio de Janeiro in September 2023, and Tim Unwin, Hari Harindranath and Maria Rosa Lorini from the Collective, together with Guilia Casentini from SOAS took this opportunity to convene a highly interactive workshop/roundtable for members of MIDEQ on the theme of “What works for migrants: reflections on research practice in the interests of migrants”. The fundamental purpose of this was to explore how migrants may have benefited from our work, and how we might know what impact we may actually have had on them.

Heard in passing during our research… When will such often heard comments be consigned to the past?

The workshop addressed four main themes:

  • How do we really know what migrants think about our work?
  • What have we found to be effective ways of gathering empirical evidence about
    outcomes experienced by migrants?
  • What have we found to be effective ways of disseminating our outputs so that
    migrants benefit from them?
  • What are good forms of “output”/intervention to improve migrant lives?

The discussion was highly interactive, and generated a mind map of our collective thoughts, based on which we have now crafted a working paper which combines a summary of what was said with some of our own ideas around these issues. This is freely available as Unwin, T., Casentini, G., Harindranath, G. and Lorini, M.R. (2023) What works for migrants: reflections on research practice in the interests of migrants, Egham: ICT4D Collective, Working Paper 1.

We very much hope that this will promote discussion and further interaction on the crucial subject of the extent to which academic research can positively impact the lives of poor and marigalised communites and how we can know what migrants actually think of what we do. Do share your views by adding a comment to this post, or please get in touch with us directly to carry the conversation forward,

Empowering Dreams: International Girls Day at Purpose Finders School, Cape Town

Maria Rosa Lorini and Memory Mwadziwana

A novel initiative to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child took place in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, on 11th October.  This was driven by a collective commitment to disseminate the importance of safe, wise and secure use of digital technologies, one of the corner stones of Work Package 9 (WP9) within the MIDEQ Hub funded by the UK government’s UKRI GCRF.  This team is dedicated to harnessing the potential of digital tech to improve the lives of people and has dedicated much attention and care to discussing the side-effects of the digital world and to find ways to decrease any potential harms, especially when working with vulnerable groups.

Five of the migrants living in South Africa and trained in digital skills through MIDEQ’s WP9, organised and managed an event that stands as a testimony to the importance given by people from many different backgrounds to the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, and also witnesses the power of autonomous action and community engagement. The ‘Big Five’, as the activists called themselves in a comparison with the charismatic South African megafauna, took it upon themselves to participate in a school event dedicated to girls. This event took on added significance given the unique challenges faced by girls in the digital landscape, including issues of sexual harassment and trafficking, particularly within the migrant community. The school is situated in an area characterized by a significant concentration of migrants, and the teachers there are well-informed about the delicate issues associated with xenophobia and hate speech. Their stydents comprises girls from various nationalities, including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Notably, the facilitators, who hail from Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were themselves also able to glean valuable insights from the small group conversations during the activities.

Pascal Avenvuka Mbu-Letang interacting with the young students. Photo Credit: Hentie Wilson
Pascal Avenvuka Mbu-Letang interacting with the young students. Photo Credit: Hentie Wilson

The autonomy and initiative of these migrants trained through WP9 shone through as they seized the opportunity to impart crucial knowledge on online safety and security. As facilitators, they valued the school and specifically the chance to contribute to an event focused on girls’ perspectives. This was just the right arena with a relevant audience to spread messages and initiate a conversation with both students and teachers on risky digital behaviours that are too often underestimated. Above all in marginalised areas affected by limited infrastructures and high inequalities, parents and teachers do not consider digital risks as a priority to worry about. Nevertheless, as the facilitators highlighted during their talks, more and more often technology is the conduit of sexual harassment initially online and soon afterwards in person.

To emphasize the importance of being cautious and discerning while online, the speakers posed a provocative question to the students, asking them who assists them at school. The young audience quickly responded, stating that they have friends. However, when a similar inquiry was made regarding social media, the students became uncertain and struggled to formulate their responses. Throughout the session, the facilitators carefully avoided sounding judgmental about common mistakes or limited knowledge of online risks and solutions. Instead, they tactfully encouraged students to reflect on aspects such as the potential for online tracking when sharing personal pictures of their daily activities.

These migrants are among the founders of the Fusion Avenue YouTube Channel – a collective of migrants living in South Africa dedicated to exploring cultures, ideas, and viewpoints with the goal to bridge gaps, celebrate differences, and find common ground.  With the consent of the school, the facilitators created a video reportage of the event, and have posted this on their channel (click also on the image below).

Join us on this journey as we delve into the details of this inspiring initiative, exploring how these dedicated facilitators catalysed the attention of their young audience and left a mark on the students and teachers with whom they engaged. This is a story of empowerment, autonomy, and the boundless potential of collaboratiion that we would like to tell though their own voices.

Memory Mwadziwana, one of the facilitators, captured the essence of the day in this way

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a recap of the extraordinary International Girls Day event! Ladies and gentlemen, this is Memory, reporting on the extraordinary International Girls Day event that took place on October 11th at the Purpose Finders School. It was a day that resonated with empowerment, education, and unity, leaving a profound impact on both the girls and the teachers who took part.

The day kicked off with a briefing by our dedicated organizers, laying the foundation for what would become a transformative experience at Purpose Finders School.

An emotional prayer permeated the air, symbolizing hope and unity and setting the tone for the day’s events. It was followed by a shout-out to the remarkable facilitators and organizers, including Fusion Avenue, Women African Weavers, DMS Ministry, and Purpose Finders School. Their unwavering dedication forged a sense of community, creating a collaborative atmosphere that would define the day.

The girls took centre stage, sharing poignant poems that transcended mere performance; they became acts of self-expression and empowerment. The bond between teachers and students strengthened as educators gained a newfound appreciation for the incredible talents of their charges.

Theatre sketch by the students about early pregnancy (Photo credit: Marlene Sitah)

A highlight of the event was Pascal’s presentation on online safety and security. Trained by the MIDEQ Project, Pascal and her colleagues brought forth critical topics, including personal data exposure, digital harassment, hate speech, and online scams. In an age dominated by digital interactions, this knowledge proved invaluable.

Reiterating the importance of online safety, the event underscored the significance of being vigilant and informed in the digital world. Teachers expressed gratitude for the invaluable knowledge, and the girls left with newfound confidence.

Pascal Avenvuka Mbu-Letang presenting personal data belongingness and life to the young students. Photo Credit: Michael Kanyinda

Reporting from the Purpose Finders School, this is Memory, signing off with a heart full of inspiration and hope for the continued empowerment of young minds.”

At the end of the event, a debriefing session took place among the facilitators and the teachers who were keen to discuss further involvement of the ‘Big Five’ in this learning process, starting from themselves as educators.

From our side in MIDEQ WP9, we can only wish the Fusion Avenue team more successful events such as this!

Our session on “What works for migrants: reflections on intervention dissemination, outputs and outcomes” at MIDEQ Symposium

Hari Harindranath, Maria Rosa Lorini and Tim Unwin from the ICT4D Collective (and Work Package 9 of MIDEQ), together with Guilia Casentini from SOAS (and Work Packages 1 and 3 of MIDEQ), convened a working session at the MIDEQ Symposium held in Rio de Janeiro on 21st September on “What works for migrants”. This focused especially on the ways through which members of the UKRI GCRF funded MIDEQ Hub have worked with (rather than “on” or “for”) migrants in the 12 countries where we have been working since 2019. It also addressed how we have sought to understand what migrants themselves have thought about our research-practice, and the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms we have used.

The workshop addressed four main themes:

  • How do we really know what migrants think about our work? (led by Maria Rosa Lorini)
  • What have we found to be effective ways of gathering empirical evidence about outcomes experienced by migrants? (led by Hari Harindranath)
  • What have we found to be effective ways of disseminating our outputs so that migrants benefit from them? (led by Giulia Casentini)
  • What are good forms of “output”/intervention to improve migrant lives? (led by Tim Unwin)

The enthusiastic group of researchers shown above from many different countries contributed to a very lively discussion that generated the mind map below (click on image for larger .pdf file).

We hope that this may become a useful tool for others wishing to undertake research-practice that aims positively to enhance the lives of migrants.

Empowering migrants through training in video production

By Maria Rosa Lorini

Video content has become an essential tool for sharing experiences, information, and solutions in the contemporary world. This medium can be an especially powerful means for migrants to connect, inform, and advocate for change. Surveys, interviews and focus groups with migrants in South Africa conducted between 2020 and 2022 as part of our research-practice within the MIDEQ Hub pointed to the potential benefits that training in digital video production could have in empowering migrants, specifically for sharing their life experiences (stories), helping fellow migrants, and shedding light on issues they face. This post describes the creation and implementation of a two-week workshop held at the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town in November 2022 in collaboration with local tech developers.  This subsequently formed a model for further workshops in Johannesburg and set in motion many other activities to improve the skills of migrants (see overview of our interventions with migrants in Nepal and South Africa).

The training workshop

The first week of the workshop was theory-based, and the second focused on practical video creation techniques. Its overall aim was to uplift and empower migrant voices while prioritizing safety and security, above all for the most vulnerable people, and also to leveraged open and free resources and video optimization strategies.

Week One: building a foundation and staying safe

The initial phase of the workshop was dedicated to building a strong foundation for digital storytelling while emphasizing the importance of online safety. Participants, from a dozen Sub-Saharan African countries, gathered to learn about the critical aspects of online safety and security., noting that the nuances of digital safety are paramount, especially when sharing personal experiences or sensitive information (see their video THINK).

Participants were guided by experts who shared valuable insights into protecting their online presence while engaging with social media and digital tools. This included strategies for safeguarding our digital presence, including

  • adopting strong, unique passwords for each online account,
  • enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible,
  • staying informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices
  • exercising caution when sharing personal information online, and
  • being wary of phishing attempts and suspicious links.

Protecting our online identities, financial data, and privacy settings, and minimizing the risk of being targeted by hate speech or discrimination were also essential components of the activities. The participants were encouraged to maintain a balance between sharing their experiences and protecting their well-being.

The workshop also took participants on a journey of discovery, introducing them to the potential of digital technologies for entrepreneurship, social mobilization, and community networking (see their video on e-business). Migrants often face unique challenges in their new homes, and digital tools can provide a platform to address these issues effectively. The theoretical sessions aimed to provide participants with the knowledge and confidence to utilize these tools effectively and safely.

Week Two: turning theory into practice while staying safe and leveraging free and Open resources

The second week enabled participants to learn about some of the technical aspects of video creation. They were introduced to techniques that allowed them to create potentially impactful videos without necessarily showing themselves on camera. This was particularly valuable for those who wanted to share their experiences while minimizing the risk of being identified and targeted.

The workshop emphasized the use of free and open software and content that are readily available on the web. Tools such as CapCut were introduced to allow participants to edit, enhance, and produce their own videos without any financial barriers. This made video creation accessible to all regardless of the devices used, although paying for connectivity often remains a challenge for the migrants. From shooting techniques to sound recording, from video editing to lighting, many details were covered so that they could all create their own videos using their smartphones. Nevertheless, more sophisticated devices such as external microphones for sound quality, stabilizers, and extra lightning were also demonstrated during the training to show the difference they can make and how to replicate the same good-quality results without using any such extra equipment. The initial videos produced as training activities  showed how good-quality videos can be produced simply and easily, using accessible and free software. This empowerment through knowledge and frugal technology was a cornerstone of the workshop’s philosophy.

This quick reminder by one of the trainers highlights the main skills that the migrants were taught.

Reflections

The importance of good-quality video production

There were three main reasons why we focused on producing good-quality video production in the workshop.

  • Our commitment to engaging with other organizations: This part of our work aimed to reach out to organizations working with migrants in South Africa, and we hope that the migrants trained through the workshop will go on to make videos for such organizations. High-quality videos are more likely to be shared and promoted by these organizations. A well-produced video captures attention, effectively conveys its message, and aligns with the professionalism expected by these institutions.
  • Anonymity: Participants learned how to create avatars or use online, free, and readily available materials to anonymize their videos, avoiding the need to show their faces in case of sensitive topics or risk of online harassment.
  • Cost efficiency: these techniques helped minimize production costs as there was no requirement to constantly shoot new material around the city.

The dual benefit of anonymity and cost efficiency empowered participants to share their stories in high quality video without exposing their identities and without breaking the bank.

The impact and maximizing visibility

The same philosophy applied to the strategies for maximizing the visibility and impact of these videos. Participants were taught how to create captivating thumbnails that would grab viewers’ attention, craft relevant video descriptions to enhance searchability, and use special effects to engage and entice their audiences. Most also implemented a call to action at the end of each video to generate reactions and spark discussions, ensuring their content had a lasting impact.

At the end of the two-week workshop, participants showcased their videos to their peers and mentors. The diversity of topics covered was astounding, ranging from practical advice on navigating South Africa’s bureaucracy to heart-warming personal stories of resilience and triumph. These videos were not just about sharing experiences but also about shedding light on difficult situations and inequalities faced by migrants.

These migrants were able to become advocates for change through their videos. They created videos about organizations that help migrants (such as the Scalabrini Centre), highlighted the challenges faced (see Statelessness), prepared tutorials,and suggested solutions to improve their lives (see Tips for newcomers). They brought attention to the vibrant migrant community in South Africa, fostering greater understanding and empathy among the broader population.

Low-tech production for high and safe impact

This workshop also demonstrated the power of combining digital skills with a desire to share knowledge and experiences safely and effectively. Empowering migrants through video creation enriched their lives and our understanding of the diverse tapestry of human experiences. By leveraging free resources and implementing visibility strategies, this initiative enabled migrants to share their voices and also potentially to reach a wide audience, fostering greater empathy, understanding, and positive change.

This intervention has given voice to a community that often remains unheard. It is a testament to the transformative potential of technology matched with skills development and networking in addressing the challenges faced by migrants and helping them to improve their their lives better.

Finally, have a look at this fun video they created. Do also watch their initial feedback from participating in this workshop provided as part of our commitment to transparent monitoring and evaluation.