Changing the World Through Technology
Every year billions of us shop, pay our bills, watch TV or play games using the internet. It’s moved from being the domain of the computer geek to being an essential part of modern life.
But despite its mainstream popularity, the net still manages to surprise with its ability to change the world in new and exciting ways. In particular in parts of the world not normally associated with high-tech gadgetry. The rise of the cheap mobile phones (40% of Africans own one), and software that bridges the gap between the web and the phone have led to innovative ways to combat extreme poverty and save lives.
Examples like the Zambian farmers who are able to check prices for their produce using phones or the crowd-source app Ushahidi, which generates real time reports from text messages – and has been used in the recent Nigerian elections, the potential for simple yet effective technology is enormous.
Many of these new technologies have been built at a grassroots level to solve local problems, and the resulting solutions have then been shared around the world using the same principals that originally gave rise to the world wide web.
To showcase and celebrate these new technologies and how they are used, and provide assistance for grassroots projects, the Guardian newspaper has created a new site called Activate, which is well worth checking out. The paper is also holding corresponding events in New York on 28 April, and in London in June, where ONE’s very own Executive Director Jamie Drummond will be speaking.
You can read more, including how to attend the events at the Guardian Activate website.
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
03/05/2011 at 1:19 am
Brilliant…Just brilliant. I hear that Konami or sony are planning a new game for the wii and 360 called Jesus ( The Game ) It starts in Africa and allows you to perform miracles and also save people from death, disease, and stupidity things like gator surfin and lion racing. It gets strange and scary when it goes to NY as you teleport and exorcise the demons in a lot of nutters who think that the end is near. You work your way up to be God and then reach heaven. Its gonna be brilliant. I cannot wait for the release in March 2012. I even placed a pre order on amazon. So if you want ONE, then start getting to grips with technology and your thumbs can rule the worls with prayers and miracles and holy 8hit. Graet game. Have fun
04/05/2011 at 9:55 am
I am so interested with the objective of ONE International in changing the world through technology. I can participate in this idea in Ethiopia.
04/05/2011 at 2:25 pm
I am interested in technology and gaming. I want to combine them bothand with the help of ONE, I hope to start my own internet web sit company soon. We are seeking sponcers and some funds to get it up and running but then it will make lots of rural africa more switched on and even the outback with solar powered computer wifi links and hot spots. Microswift and sunny anr in talks but have yet to finalise any deals with us so far, but keep watch in the jungle eh ? Ta ta for now.
04/05/2011 at 5:38 pm
Great to hear about Activate, thanks for sharing.
ONE might be interested in the Invent for Humanity Technology Transfer Exchange Fair, which is working to create the first transparent marketplace for humanitarian technology transfer. Invent for Humanity matches Appropriate Technology to on-the-ground needs organizations and local groups specializing in effective deployment. We are also working to create Enterprise Campaigns, which will facilitate job and business creation within developing communities.
http://inventforhumanity.org Please check us out – we’d love to work with ONE in order to create more impact!