Digital Democracy
Digital DemocracyWorking with local partners to connect people
through new technologies that encourage
education, communication and participation.
One of the most repressive regimes of the 21st Century
Human rights abuses:Forced laborForced relocationRape as a tool of war
Where We Work:
KHRG
Burma/Myanmar
In Exile: more than 3 million
Sophisticated network of community based organizations
Around Burma
Our Research
Youth Perspectives from the Thai-Burma Border
Youth Perspectives from the Thai-Burma Border
Overcoming Obstacles,
Creating Opportunities
www.newwordsmedia.com
Key finding
www.newwordsmedia.com
Young Burmese with access to the internet were more likely to identify themselves as activists
Problem Solution
Regional instability
World’s longest running civil war
Rampant use of child soldiers
Over 3.5 million internally displaced persons and refugees
Severe censorship
Cross-border communication
Networking among traditionally divided groups
Providing 21st century education
Connecting refugees with their resettled communities
Freedom of information
Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
1. Education 2. Inter-ethnic dialogue 3. Communication technology
Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
1. Education 2. Inter-ethnic dialogue 3. Communication technology
“I came to study here, I can use computer, I can use email, and I also learn something from internet, I also know more experience.” – Male Student, age 23
Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
Democracy• Being heard• Minority rights• Accountability and
transparency• Advocacy for change• Access
Digital Democracy• Empowerment of the
individual• Fall of hierarchies• Wider participation• Democratization of
information
Handheld Human Rights
What? Making human rights data accessible & actionable
How? Mapping text messages for human rights workers to coordinate a response
Where? Piloting with human rights organizations operating in and around Burma
Project Einstein
Digital Pen Pal program
Photography-based participatory education linking American students with refugee youth overseas
Facilitate cross-cultural dialogue in the US, maintain a connection between resettled refugees and their home communities, and provide an open channel of communication between closed communities and the outside world
Recent work: Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, Shelter in South Africa
“Because Einstein was a refugee but could still do great things”
Project Einstein
Digital Pen Pal program
Photography-based participatory education linking American students with refugee youth overseas
Facilitate cross-cultural dialogue in the US, maintain a connection between resettled refugees and their home communities, and provide an open channel of communication between closed communities and the outside world
Recent work: Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, Shelter in South Africa
“Because Einstein was a refugee but could still do great things”
Project Einstein: Digital Pen PalsPeace
Culture
Happiness
History
Let’s Discuss:
USA Ideas
Pictures
Lessons
Culture
Let’s Exchange:
Photo Books
Slideshows
VideosLet’s Create:
Resettled Refugees with American youth in US schools
Youth in refugee camps
D 2
Bangladesh
Building the Project Einstein Platform:
Sample Features:Photo Galleries
Blogging
Discussion Forums
Rating System
Our Partners
Burma Information Technology
Our Supporters
VozMob
Projecting the voices of immigrant workers by appropriating mobile phones for popular communication
Partnership
Challenging hate speech
“Do you really want this in your neighborhood?”Day Laborers site in Farmingville, Long Island, NY
Photograph courtesy of Dave Drew
daylaborers.org
Day Laborers
Popular
Education
Free Software
& Creative Commons Content
Multiple Channels
Community Correspondents: MADELOU
http://vozmob.net/en/node/1188
Community Correspondents: MANUEL
http://vozmob.net/en/node/3812
Community Correspondents: ADOLFO
http://vozmob.net/en/node/3162
Supporters
Integration
Development of new mobile functionality for Drupal and integration to VozMob and Project Einstein platforms:
Short video
Audio & photo slideshows via MMS
Combining our target communities - connecting youth from around the world
Digital Storytelling
What is your community like?
What is your school like?
What do you do for fun?
Lesson plans and activities will explore themes such as:
The development of curriculum with
a focus on teaching people digital storytelling skills with mobile
phones...
Collaboration Outputs
Hands-on training
Curriculum development
Open source software
Contributions back into VozMob, Open Atrium & Drupal development communities
Funding Distribution
Central project fund
Division of responsibilities to appropriate organization
Disbursement of funds as needed
Contact:!
Digital Democracy! VozMob!
Mark Belinsky!
Co-Director!
Emily Jacobi!
Co-Director!
Amanda Garces!
VozMob Project
Coordinator!
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