How is Social Media changing Sustainable Development?

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Permalink Reply by jravishanker on September 29, 2009 at 9:34am

Fantastic post Astrid F. There is no second thought when it comes to developed and some developing countries. However, if you look at the development administration and access of people to networking, it is still limited. Yes of course we can reach up to all those who shape the decision making be it CSR or Microfinance. Social networking is becoming a more democratic open ground where one can get needed information on anything, that is most reliable.

I quote my own example, when I wanted a washing machine for my home, I first looked at social networking sites for the consumer experience. Then I moved onto other sites to get comparative information and finally to the company website and store to see practically. Now, the opinion of vast consumer population on these networking sites did matter to take right decision in my case.

On the other day I was surfing American Red Cross Blood Bank site on face book. I realized the speed of communication and its adaptation to influence people in general. Blood donors shared their experiences. Naturally, all those member/users would try to relate when they find Red Cross on face book.

Well, I still feel its reach is not much when you consider the large population in developing countries who still find it hard to access net. But it is no longer a distant moon before they get their hands on internet. I see a revolution in communication. You are right. Google news feeders come to me, based on my interest rather I search for news. We are not far away from this reality.

regards

Ravi Shanker.

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on September 29, 2009 at 10:07am

Hello Ravi

Thank you so much for this wonderful response and the example. It is amazing that through social media we are able to connect and share ideas - both abstract and practical like buying appliances. I'm still amazed by it. I'm still amazed that we fly in planes and send people to the moon! It should be our long term mission to have this revolution reach all parts of the developing world because it really gives people a voice without having to actually speak.

After posting the discussion I thought about our world history - so many people who lead revolutions for the greater good were shut down because they used their voice - were actually outspoken - Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King..Dian Fossey and so many others. The beauty of social media is that now there are countless, individual "written" voices that can't be all tracked, all censored because the reach of Internet and social media, once spread is truly border less .

I think if we use Social Media for the common good, we have a real chance at positive global change, no matter how many years it takes.

Thanks again!

Astrid F.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Wenger on September 29, 2009 at 5:21pm

Astrid,

Great video and great comments.

One of the thoughts my organization CollaborAid has been addressing the past few months is that the functionality of social media is designed with first world users in mind. A Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter does not address the specific functionality that an individual living in poverty could benefit from. As the Internet spreads rapidly throughout developing countries, either through computers or on a mobile platform, aid recipients, traditionally treated as silent victims, will be empowered by a new found voice that allows them to actively participate in the development discourse. Unfortunately, that discourse is dispersed across hundreds of websites, each one addressing a narrow focus. Expecting them to share information and collaborate on an ad hoc basis across several websites is not realistic. Instead, they must be greeted by a single, user friendly platform that will amplify their voice for the entire aid community to hear. A platform that is designed with their needs in mind (i.e. low bandwith settings, language barriers, etc.)

So when we think social media for the purposes of sustainable development, it is clear that a cell phone or a laptop alone doesn't pull people out of poverty. However, if these technologies are equipped with applications beneficial to this demographic, then it can make a world of difference.

You can learn more about our nonprofit's progress at www.CollaborAid.org

Best,
Mike

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on September 29, 2009 at 6:31pm

Agreed Mike:

Definitely it takes quite a bit of customization and effort to have the truly disenfranchised share their experiences via social media, and some work needs to be done here - but I'm sure that too will evolve.

What's nice though is that those who do have access to social media in developing countries can get messages across on what is really going on in a town/city, that traditional censorship and propaganda has blocked. For an extreme example, the way the world was only reactively aware of genocides, famines etc. up to even the 1980s, now more people - say the middle class of every country - have access to individual news reporting via "unlikely" sources such as Facebook, Twitter - and of course here on Development Crossing.

For example, Trinidad for some years now has had a problem with kidnappings. Now though through Facebook and Twitter friends, families and concerned citizens are sending out real time info, with pictures and strong information on missing people. It's amazing! A country with a strong middle class can do a lot for social media and development come to think of it.

Speaking of cell phones and laptops, has CollaborAid come across any organization to provide developing economies with used or refurbished of these? In terms of sustainability, the first world changes technology instruments so rapidly, that these instruments should be used somewhere else!

Kudos on starting CollaborAid and on being a pioneer in bringing social media to sustainable development.

Thank you,

Astrid F.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Wenger on September 30, 2009 at 12:33am

Its interesting that you mention refurbished computers and cell phones. Our main distribution network to reach local stakeholders is going to be through these types of organizations. We actively partner with groups that build computer labs and spread the Internet to remote places in developing countries. These partners will be able promote CollaborAid and offer instruction in its use to individuals using the Internet for the first time.

The list of organizations that refurbish first world technology is long, both for-profit and for nonprofit purposes. The stat that blows my mind is that "global mobile cellular teledensity will surpass 100% within the next decade, and probably earlier,” (Hamadoun Touré, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union) and that there will be "1.4 billion mobile-broadband subscribers by 2014 (Mr Jotischky).

It is clear that the digital divide is closing. Its now just a matter of ensuring that the new technology in the hands of a rural villager, be it a phone or a netbook, has the functionality/software that can help them pull themselves out of poverty. That sums up ICT4D. Creating additional value to existing technology.

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on October 1, 2009 at 6:51pm

Wow Mike, yours is an ambitious project that is definitely needed. Another thought - as rural microfinance grow, and so entrepreneurship grows within the developing world, social media reach may grow as well. Therefore we see another way in which two once unrelated industries may grow parallel.

Keep in touch,

Astrid F.

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Permalink Reply by Aimo Berg on October 1, 2009 at 10:21am

Awesome video. social media is definitely changing the industry, great post. We are actually looking into this too.

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on October 1, 2009 at 6:59pm

Thank you Aimo. I feel strongly that social media can be a prime factor to elevate and evolve our traditional development approaches - and that we all are at the visioning stage of this. Definitely count me in on Development Crossing's work towards using social media as sustainable development change.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Richards on October 1, 2009 at 12:32pm

Hey Astrid,

I just wrote this for the UK magazine Ethical Performance - available to download at www.ry.com/publications/articles if this link doesn't work.

http://www.ry.com/files/pressmention/11829/Sept2009_EthicalPerforma...

It ties up CR, social media and culture... Might be handy?

Cheers,

Ben

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on October 1, 2009 at 7:17pm

Hey Ben,

Thanks, just read your article and of course I agree whole heartedly. Even simple already present media such as Press Releases when used often and effectively both in written and online media can make such a difference than simply depending on one annual stock, or static report. It 1. Makes information easier to compile and 2. Makes it much easier to get to stakeholders in real-time.

And your point about listening to feedback...well of course many companies really don't want this, to the detriment of their operations! Those of us who work with the Caribbean where most of the companies are family run or conglomerates or both have work cut out for us on this aspect of promoting a consumer driven process.

The good news is, think of the technology and even business processes 10 years back. Both were pretty different - sustainability wasn't really the topic of the day, the Palm handheld was a novel concept, and free e-mail was still an amazing thing!

So, while many businesses and even countries don't want to listen now, give them a decade!

Astrid F.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Baue on October 2, 2009 at 12:24am

We at Sea Change Media are conducting a research fellowship on web 2.0 and CSR/accountability for the Harvard Kennedy School's CSR Initiative. Keep an eye on http://www.cchange.net for results in December.

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar on October 2, 2009 at 7:07pm

Thanks for the information Bill - I'm glad to see new media companies/associations such as Sea Change, 3BL Media and Green TV begin a shift towards this type of broadcast.

I liked the interview via 8 Loopholes: Corporations and the Investor Crisis of Confidence. As a former Credit Officer I'm well aware of how Corporate Governance issues relating to financial reporting tends to fall through the cracks.

Regards,

Astrid F.

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