These forces good or bad are located in many type of forms. One type of form are institutional frameworks which included legal frameworks, human rights provisions and non government organizations (NGO). The second type of form are pressure groups that usually initiate social movements. Last type of form are subjectivity which are cultures that attempt to create a social identity and personal expression.
Such forms such as NGOs tend to achieve their goals such as achieving social injustice through Information Communication Technology (ICT). ICT provides a large flow of information which NG0s use to their advantage. ICTs makes internal administration more effective and efficient, support project implementation, political mobilization and enhance external communications such as the media.
With ICTs communication between people and government improve and helps eliminate the gap between them and brings one step closer towards a Global civil society.
Although ICT is very powerful, sometimes it may not be powerful enough for a NGO to meet their goals. NG0s also communicate and interact with once another in order to support each other. The more support will make this NG0 more powerful and thus easier to achieve its goals. NG0s appear in multitudes to become stronger and more influential organizations. The greater interaction and cooperation with these organization will bring us closer to a global civil society.
http://www.mapbuilder.net/Map.Code.php?Action=Preview
I agree with your point that ICT can be both a powerful and limited tool for NGOs to achieve their goals. It can be effective in that it is unconstrained by geography. In addition to the obvious seemingly “game changing” element that the internet adds in having the potential to mobilize people, create vibrant forums etc., it’s also a space that could help NGOs enhance their own tech-savvy-ness. Youtube alone can be used as a resource for communication tips and networking between NGOs (http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits). ICT can also be a limited tool in that as you mentioned, it’s mostly the elites who tend to start the movement/shape this closing gap you describe between government and the public. While computers seem more accessible today, there is still the issue of the digital divide. NGOs still actively turn to print material to promote their causes. In the article on Ukraine, while internet was important protestors still relied on traditional print promotions, over 40 mill printed copies of 37 different materials were distributed during the campaign.
ReplyDelete- Katrina Rozal