Web2forDev: Web 2.0 for Development Gateway

The world becomes a village – implications of social networks

Monday, 29 June 2009 09:53

What happens when millions of people engage in social networks? Online communities are not a new phenomenon, but the creation of large online meeting spaces marks a new era and new dimensions. In this post, I will look into the different cultures of social networks. In a later post I will be looking at their potential.

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Changing the Emperor: ICT-enabled collaboration transforming agricultural science, research and technology into an effective participatory and innovations system approach

Friday, 26 June 2009 13:00

The CGIAR Centres and Programs with their many partners are together creating a wealth of knowledge to help increase agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods of poor communities, primarily in developing countries. The knowledge the CGIAR produces is vital to addressing and finding solutions for food (in)security around the world. However, despite the creation of this wealth of knowledge, certain obstacles to uptake and impact of agricultural research remain. Many of these obstacles are related to the way in which knowledge and innovation are treated within the research process.

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Micro-blogging: 140 characters of gossip or added value for development organizations?

Sunday, 07 June 2009 07:31

First blogging, then social networks and now micro-blogging! The web 2.0 innovation rollercoaster is moving faster and faster. The latest hype is around Twitter: A short, message exchange platform connecting people worldwide in real-time in an unprecedented way. Is it just another frenzy information stream to cope with, or can development organizations benefit from it?

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The Next Billion – The Rise of Social Network Sites in Developing Countries

Friday, 19 June 2009 13:42

Social network websites are becoming a global phenomenon. Millions now go online to engage in social networks. According to Wikipedia, there are some 1.5 billion members worldwide. Where is this growth taking place? What does this mean for web2fordev? And what role do mobile phones play?

This first article is part of a series of three. It looks at the growth of social network websites worldwide, its implications and differences from former online network exchanges, and looks into the web2fordev potentials for mass engagement.

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Online Mapping for Development: Opportunities and Challenges

Sunday, 31 May 2009 15:08

Maps are an effective medium which can be used for development projects. They help visualise the spatial distribution of complex problems their inter-relationships and promote awareness. In recent years the availability of free or low-cost digital maps and remote sensed images has unleashed unprecedented ways to make use of spatial information for a variety of purposes. Last week we analysed the potential of open data sources for development. Open maps are an excellent example illustrating the many ways to use and link information in creative ways. In almost any development project, maps can assist in the interpretation of spatial issues, foster awareness and support transparency.

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