DCI 5.0: underdevelopment in Africa

The fifth annual DCI aims to host citizens, advocates, bloggers and activists to discuss how new media can revolutionise development work and give a voice to the unheard or silenced. The Highway Africa Conference takes place 5-6 July.

Panel discussions

The theme will be explored through three topical panels entitled, 'Natural Resource Exploitation', 'Citizen Media on Disasters and Climate Change', and 'Mega Events - Whose voices are heard?'. The panels will involve activists who use new media to make their voices heard, or those who play a supporting role in development work.

DCI speakers

Archbishop Desmond Tutu will give the DCI closing address and discuss the role of media and new media in South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

DCI also features international media workers and activists like Carel Pedre, a Haitian radio DJ who used Twitter and blogging to inform and educate local and international communities in the aftermath of Haiti's recent earthquake. "Twitter helped us save lives, get much needed medication, tents and survival equipment to families and to those affected most by the earthquake," said Pedre. "From Twitter to Skype I could reach out to the world and let them hear from Haiti directly."

George Ngwane, a prominent voice from Cameroon, is DCI's keynote speaker. Ngwane is an activist, blogger and expert on the Niger Delta and the volatile oil-rich Bakassi region of Cameroon, whose natural resources have been the source of much exploitation and violence. Ngwane is also the executive director of Africaphonie, an NGO that provides education about the environment, human rights, democracy and development in an effort to increase dialogue and promote peace across Africa.

FrontlineSMS will be represented by their project manager, Laura Walker Hudson. The organisation, whose innovator was recently acknowledged by National Geographic as an 'emerging explorer', creates technology to improve the work of local NGOs and grassroots advocacy organisations. The company has developed free mobile phone technology that transforms a cell phone into a global network without the use of the internet.

Each speaker plans to highlight various ways of taking the media out of exclusive, elite realms, and placing it in the hands of citizens who are passionate about development. "We're trying to get professionals and citizens to share information about how to use media tools to improve their causes on the ground," said Jane Duncan, chair of Media and Information Society at Rhodes University and co-coordinator of DCI.

Free DCI workshops

The DCI will offer six free workshops to all participants. The workshops aim to assist digital citizens in developing the skills and knowledge needed to blog, tweet and use cell phones and video technology to enhance their advocacy work and assist in emergency efforts during disasters.

To participate in DCI, register at www.highwayafrica.com or follow DCI online via www.dcindaba.com or on Twitter @DCIndaba with the #DCI2010.