Voices of our future 2013 Applicants Group: Week 1 - Introduction to Citizen Journalism and Digital Empowerment.

VOICES OF OUR FUTURE 2013 APPLICANTS GROUP
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO CITIZEN JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT
ASSIGNMENT:
I never knew the term ’Web 2.0’ before I joined the 2013 Voices of our Future applicants.
In fact, I find Web 2.0 very exciting for the following reasons:
- I can learn more, even out of my field of Social Work. Since Web 2.0 gives room for participatory information sharing and collaboration, I discover only now that its applications can be very useful for my work and interactions;
- Already, my voice, as a woman leader, is echoing around the globe, as I share my work experiences and visions with others; unlike before when most of my actions went unnoticed after it’s over;
- Through this experience, I am going to be a citizen journalist, very exciting, of course. I never knew one day I will have my skills developed as to be my own writer, editor, publisher and distributor. Sincerely, this has motivated me, and makes me feel really good and bold enough to take the challenge.
In my opinion, Web 2.0 brings many long lasting solutions to the global Women’s empowerment movement. Such are:
- It is very right to promote links for women’s empowerment movements globally. Through Web 2.0, women from all walks of life and status, indiscriminately and in a friendly manner, connect, interact and network to solve their problems. Together, the women work for social change and a women - friendly future. These women are able and ready to support each other’s visions;
- Web 2.0 helps us translate our actions into projects, so as to raise awareness online, build movements and increase our chances of finding funds to bring our initiatives to life;
- Through Web 2.0, I learn that my stories will be picked by broadcasting corporations. This means that we are heard and are able to find new opportunities that will change women’s lives and lift our communities.
As far as I am concerned, the communities for which I work MUST surely benefit from the new experiences, knowledge and skills I will acquire through this programme, as I will evidently improve on my work and approach. Permit me confess here that at our level, most of the women are yet to admit new information and communication technology as a necessary resource for survival; and so do not have direct access to contribute to such programmes. This programme, sure, has come to empower them! I will be better equipped to offer life changing skills in my community;
- Lastly, the women who interact through this medium in a social media dialogue, are not limited to passive viewers of content as in other websites, but become active contributors. They have the possibility of offering a helping hand, by developing strong team skills and critical thinking, for a better future.
The Web 2.0 tools I have learnt about through World Pulse are: presentation, video, mobile and community tools. These tools, I consider are empowering me in the following light:
- Interact freely, learn, discuss, think and act positively, get information from the right sources;
- I am already sharing my personal experience and networking with others.
In the near future, the Web 2.0 tools will help me:
- Learn more worldwide experiences
- Promote networking, in vision and action sharing globally
- Make me popular and determined to do my best
- Improve on my ways of doing presentations and,
- Facilitate opportunities for me and the organization for which I work, to train and manage projects back home, with the help of new friends.
(By Marah Mbine Ngole Epie)