One of the saddest truths that many vulnerable communities face is that there are still many people who believe that the impacts they are constantly challenged with every day, are normal. They are yet to understand and acknowledge that we are facing very terrible consequences of poor human action on the part of wealthier industrial nations. Therefore, utilising social technology as a medium to carry messages, photographs, videos and more about climate change, its impact on us, as well as in increasing awareness on what we can do more to protect our islands, is a crucial step in acknowledging the loss and damage we face. This in turn leads to greater engagement in climate action strategies aimed at contributing to the future we want to see for our people and especially our children. Without acknowledgement, there will be no involvement. Businesses will need this involvement as well for them to thrive in communities they choose to operate in.
Covid 19 accelerated the pace of digital transformation by opening opportunities for social progress while also exacerbating the chances of exclusion and inequality. That said, technology can play a prominent role to foster the engagement of impacted communities.
Everyone in society should have access to and use the internet, and other digital technologies. To achieve SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind, it is key that local people especially the most affected are well included in the design and application of digital technology.
The mobile and digital technologies will help communities to get timely information, and access to finance and resources for new ventures, thereby also improving accountability and transparency. Nowadays different kinds of capacity-building activities are also organized online which is empowering people and helping them to communicate their own needs and priorities.
The biggest part social tech can play is for the impacted communities to be seen and heard. A major transition is only possible with policy change and the more voices we can amplify, the quicker that will happen.
great summary of the report - thanks Lalit
We know that young people are passionate about climate change and are important in ensuring that impacted communities, through the use of social media, have a voice in targeting relevant key stakeholders in making a change. Young people are already a focus in our work - we’re working in partnership with the IKEA Foundation to help 6,000 young people in Kisumu make farming profitable. With training in new agroecology farming techniques, they can make a decent living while protecting their environment. The Bridge Youth Group is just one of the groups we helped set up. The 20 members are aged 16–20, and they’re applying their new skills with great enthusiasm. In just one year, the group have established a profitable farm.
The group maximises their profits by finding a use for everything that would normally be considered waste. Chicken droppings make great fish food. Recycled water from fish ponds can irrigate their vegetable gardens, and rabbit urine and goat droppings make great fertiliser. Vegetable remains are fed to their chickens and rabbits. And so the cycle goes, with nothing wasted. Social media could also be important in bringing this to a larger scale as well using social media
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Q3.
In 2020, over 80 experts with diverse backgrounds from the five United Nations geographic regions participated in the virtual Expert Group meeting, to review and formulate concrete recommendations on what it takes to enable a socially just transition towards sustainable development and examine the role of digital technologies in facilitating a transition that is inclusive and more equitable. Key issues addressed were:
Inequality - High inequality is associated with lower productivity, reduced prosperity, and negative impacts on poverty reduction. It further widens the digital divide, and lowers public support for environmental protection. High inequality also fuels discontent and distrust in governments, thus weakening the social contract and eroding democracy.
Digital Divide - Socio-economic (income and non-income) inequalities are closely associated with digital inequalities, as in general the former shape the latter, which, in turn, reinforces existing inequalities thereby creating a vicious cycle.
Science-technology-innovation Policy Interface - While science, technology, and innovations (STI) contribute both to solving and creating societal problems, there has been an uneven distribution of STI advances. There is weak alignment between the prioritization of STI initiatives and the distribution of the societal benefits they bring.
Digital governance - In addition to algorithmic bias, competition/anti-trust, privacy and surveillance, important values such as human rights, the rule of law, trust and transparency are critical to guide digital governance. Ensuring data privacy and countering misinformation is essential for building trust to facilitate technology adoption.
Technology has great potential to promote social progress but can also exacerbate existing inequalities. Technological advances are not neutral with respect to their impact and depend on by whom, for whom, and for what purpose they are developed and deployed. While internationally agreed laws and treaties exist, they are not properly/effectively implemented or enforced to mitigate risks. The increased pace of digital transformation and automation risks further polarizing the labour market in both advanced and emerging economies, providing greater opportunities for highly qualified workers who can meet the new skills requirements, while those employed in more routine work are expected to be at greater risk of automation.
Digital inclusion is fundamental to promoting equality and equity; the increasing digital divide and gender gap need to be addressed. Elements for digital inclusion are accessibility, affordability, availability, physical and digital infrastructure, and digital skills and use.
technology is very crucial to bring any societal changes and to achieve a paradigm shift. However, in developing countries, there is a lack of technology awareness. Technology can bring significant changes in the society but there is a divide that exist. For example, not everything is accessible to marginalized communities
Agreed. The main challenge now is how do we effectively balance the impact of use
thanks liz - yes it was interesting to see the latest ipcc report state that climate misinformation was delaying action on climate change by governments and business.
This is such an interesting and important point - thank you for raising it!
People in religious country like mine also believe communities are suffering because the nature god is angry with us. In response to it, they do different kinds of rituals to satisfy the gods. Such myths can be broken by technology.
The reach is too little and literacy levels affect the use of it. A few are able to get weather and market information updates
Yes, misinformation is a big problem. Recently the UN and Google announced a partnership to try and help combat this: https://buff.ly/3kSbyoJ
Fantastic news - zero waste, systems thinking and practical action with youth a heady mix! I am heartened by the determination and shift in campaigning in our young people all over the world
In terms of tech use towards net zero, we can look at ways that whole communities use resources like water and energy. We want to ensure that smart technology is informing management. The beauty of community-led innovation is that all communities are different, so each group will have unique and innovative answers.
This is so insightful.
Anything tech companies could be doing more of to increase access and use? More partnerships with government?
Yes, agreed. Using technology to provide a platform for successful solutions will help inspire others. We can share ideas globally and customise them for local use. After all, we’re all part of a bigger picture.
Misuse, and misinformation is indeed an issue however not all the tech is negative or bad. Technology, specifically social technology uses all available knowledge and the digital tools at hand to transform society. We often downplay its enormous potential for transforming the world into a fairer, more equal, sustainable, and prosperous place for everyone. It provides a cross-sector approach to identifying and tackling the foremost challenges facing humanity: inequality, poverty, hunger and the democratization of access to energy, employment, education and healthcare. In accordance with the United Nations Global Compact, the social impact made by technology can be summed up in seven key points:
- Promoting access to information
- Facilitating the gathering and analysis of data
- Favouring the creation of new business models
- Raising more funds online
- Developing new reality models
- Supplying and providing adapted products and services
- Modernizing processes
Social technology can contribute to increasing food security, protecting the environment and natural resources, accessing healthcare and education, fighting discrimination and fostering more ethical economy, building more livable ccommunities and promoting peace. In order to be effective, these technologies have to be simple, low-cost and replicable, and have proven social impact.
Totally agree with you.