News

Mobile Technology Helps Meet Development Goals

Mobile technology is transforming the way advocacy, development, and relief organizations accomplish their institutional missions, according to the results of a global survey released by the United Nations Foundation and The Vodafone Group Foundation. The survey found that 86% of non-governmental organization (NGO) employees use mobile technology in their work, and 25% believe it has revolutionized the way their organization or project works. Thanks to members of the ShareIdeas community who participated in the survey.

Accompanying the survey is a new report, Wireless Technology for Social Change: Trends in NGO Mobile Use. The report’s 11 case studies of groups active in the areas of public health, humanitarian assistance and environmental conservation provide real-life examples of innovative use of mobile technology to meet development goals.

Cell Phones Changing the World

Recent articles in the New York Times and Economist spotlight the far-reaching impact of mobile phone technology on issues ranging from family life, work, relationships, and education to efforts to combat global poverty. The 14-page Economist Survey traces the growth of "digital nomadism” as more and more people live on-the-go lives made possible by wireless communication. The effects of the mobile revolution run deep, influencing the language people use, how they interact, how public spaces are constructed, and even traffic patterns.

W3C Announces Workshop

W3C has announced a forthcoming workshop on the "Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development" which will explore the challenges of using mobile phones and web technologies to deliver services to underprivileged populations in developing countries.

The workshop, to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on June 2-3, 2008, will be a multidisciplinary forum where mobile and web technology experts, NGO specialists, and egovernment representatives will learn about the needs, expectations, and challenges of deploying services for underprivileged populations. Those with an interest in the role of mobile phones and the web in social development, and who wish to participate in the workshop, are invited to submit position papers to the Workshop Committee by April 20.

Youth and the Art of Mobile Filmmaking

Video-equipped mobile phones offer young people a powerful means of exercising their creativity, expressing their views, and collaborating to make a difference. While it’s possible with today’s technology for anyone to be a filmmaker, effective storytelling requires planning and attention to detail. How do you plan, shoot, edit, and create a compelling video? Mobile Jam Fest Executive Director Craig Goodwill has taught youth around the world the craft of mobile filmmaking.

“The more prepared you are the more creative freedom you will have at your location and the more successful you will be,” advises Craig. “You can then build in extra time for the beautiful accidents that are bound to happen.”

Students Rewarded with Free Mobile Phones

As an incentive for high achieving students in New York City to continue improving their academic performance, a Harvard economist conceived of the "Million" Motivation Campaign. Through the campaign, which is being piloted in seven middle schools, 2,500 students will each receive a free cell phone. Students can earn rewards such as minutes and ringtones for achieving academic goals.

Learn about the campaign and the controversy surrounding it in an article reported in the New York Times.

NGOs Need More Information; Better Planning

Increased knowledge and improved planning are critical to ensuring that more NGOs successfully adopt mobile technology in their work. In an interview, Toni Eliasz, Founder and Executive Director of Ungana-Afrika, offers advice on what to consider in launching a mobile technology project. He also talks about what NGOs need most in order to take advantage of all that mobile technology has to offer.

“NGOs, especially the smaller ones, can be intimidated by technology,” says Toni. “We need people to transform technological know-how into forms that NGOs can readily understand.”