IT for Decision Makers The Internet and Culture By Taholo Kami for UNESCO.
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Transcript of IT for Decision Makers The Internet and Culture By Taholo Kami for UNESCO.
IT for Decision Makers
The Internet and Culture
By Taholo Kami for UNESCO
The Internet and Culture?
Issues How do we deal with a borderless
environment? What is the impact on our Pacific Island
cultures? Are their opportunities to enhance our
culture in a digital era?
We are still learning….
Internet is still a relatively new medium the medium as we know it is only 8 years old In the Pacific it is still very much limited to the
educated / elite Studies that exist are limited and will change with
greater exposure in future to our Pacific communities
Much has been written on the new diaspora and the impact on the overseas islander community but less is known about how it will affect indigenous culture.
Pacific Realities
Many Pacific Islands nations have large migrant communities who maintain strong family and financial ties to their home countries.
Pacific Islanders have embraced foreign media through video, radio, TV and traditional mediums
Internet usage still limited to those with education or financial means - those who already significantly influenced by outside media
What are the Problems?
Internet vices….Gambling Pornography
In reality its self policing - you install software and obstacles otherwise pornography is easy to access
Addiction - chat, email and surfing Addiction to the web and chatting is a reality
Internet Idling… wasting time After initially connecting company networks (LANs) to the
Internet, some overseas firms are beginning to question the value of having employees online all the time
Affecting productivity
More Issues
What is the impact of a information driven society on our cultural values? Attitude to time - instant requests require
prompt replies. Getting replies from a Pacific island government department in less then 24 hours realistic?
Instant 2 way communications with overseas - how does this impact young people and attitudes
Is a knowledge society contradictory to our Pacific island society? Do we have a choice?
What can be done?
Self policing at a server or personal computer level using software and basic working procedures may be sufficient
We cannot completely stop negative issues due to the borderless nature of the Internet.
A more positive approach would be opportunity driven - how can we make it work for us?
Whats Available Online?
Web pages with billions of pages of online text, images, video
email groups interactive forums instant chat and messenger services that allow real
time discussion Most content is in ENGLISH
NOTE! Very little cultural content - what exists is sparodic and often from overseas
enthusiasts
Virtual CommunitiesSome Online Communities
Kavabowl forums (defunct), Polycafe (www.polycafe.com), Fiji village (www.fijivillage.com,
Wantok forums (www.niugini.com), okakoa Niue www.okakoa.com
initially populated by overseas islanders and those interested in Pacific. Growing local involvement
locals find controversy with anonymity of postings - often comments very “unPacific”
Many overseas islanders find a “home” and identity in online communities
Issues with Online Communities
People are spending time online with others thousands of miles away who they share something in common with - their Pacific island identity
Much of the online dialogue has little value to the casual observer and breaks cultural taboos that are not maintained with anonymity
How do we deal with “wanna be” islanders who have never been home but chat to your island bred children regularly - often more then they do with their parents!
How does this affect youth?
The Kavabowl ExperienceStarted in 1995 the initial Pacific online forum eventually reaching 1 million hits / month. The following observations were made;
•Overseas islanders gravitated to the forums often to discuss issues athome country but most found others like themselves with common roots in the Pacific. •Islanders were no different from their western counterparts in utilizingthe anonymity of the Internet to voice opinions or abuse others. •Youth seemed to find an outlet to speak about issues that were taboo in
their own Pacific homes. •Most users from USA, Australia and New Zealand with growing numbers from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and other Pacific countries•Many local Pacific islanders see such forums as “trouble making” disgraceful. Some people were spending more time online then at their local churches, mixing with their parents and friends or doing school work
Online Culture Strategy Develop Online content
ensure islanders can access content that enhances their cultural experience
use the web to build identity and strengthen linkages with overseas community
Develop and enhance online networks Bring rural and urban communities together through
internet communications Decentralize network both to rural and overseas
communities Build capacity around key content providers
(Government, Media, Churches / Civil Society)
Reinforcing Culture
Cultural content Internet is the ideal Archive for Public access
Online dictionaries in national languageslanguage contentart and poetrylegendsmusicimages
Get the youth and other sectors involved in developing content
Reinforcing Identity
Virtual access to local cultural events festivities and celebrations religious events
Online resources egs. traditional oratory skills history village traditions religious issues
Cultural portals - links to activities and events
Promoting Local Languages
Content in the local language expands usage to non english speakers
Online activities developed around communications in the local language develops language skills
Archiving language content provides an invaluable virtual library in the future.
Online activities
Beyond Tourism….Build targeted networks
Link overseas youth groups with local youth Link women groups Community Activities Develop online activities
Essay / poetry competitions in English and national language/s
Make traditional music available
Rural Strategy
Bridging Communities IT is NOT the all in one solution but can improve communications at a
local level and enhance economic activity
Telecenters / communication Centers Tap into an existing networks both in village and online communities Promote Email / Voice communications with overseas and intra island
community Outlet for printed news letters and notices Look for applications that are relevant to local needs such as
telehealth, access to government departments, ordering basic goods, communications to other islands, local tourism needs
Use logical interfaces Email and intranet access with limited web access.
Community Strategies
Learning Centers Computer labs with Internet access and learning facilities in
local and overseas communities Support primary / high school students and provide adult
education information center for community Church or community based in urban neighborhoods and rural
villages Web and email networks with other learning centers and
telecenters as well as with overseas community Funded by combination of local startup funding and
assistance Support from formal education institution
Networking Overseas Islanders
How Important are the overseas communities? Large cash inflows - remittances Many still have strong national loyalties Important export market
How about 2nd / 3rd Generation islander migrants? Can we count on their remittances in future?
Are their opportunities to reinforce identity with overseas youth?
Participatory RoleGovernment
An opportunity to develop and archive culture related content recognize the value of strengthening ties with overseas
community Incentives for local content providers and web developers
NGOs / Churches Empower your communities - provide access points through tele
and learning centers develop strategies to involve the community networks provide opportunity for support and advocacy
Private Enterprise Potential for extending market by sponsoring online networks / activities
Conclusion
opportunity to reinforce identity and linkages with overseas communities
Create and enhance strong online communities with cultural content that meets their needs
Extend the network into our urban and rural communities and utilize it for enhancing service delivery and communications