Mobile technology is rapidly becoming a ubiquitous part of development efforts for individuals, communities and states, promising new innovations in the fight against poverty. Individuals can increasingly access information directly, making services such as health and education more accessible. Communities can share information more easily, increasing resilience to environment shocks and making markets more efficient. States are able to increase trust through greater transparency and responsiveness to public demand.

Yet much of the attention to mobile and development innovation is technology, not people, focused. This event aims to be different. Experience from development communication practitioners suggests that it is how people use information, and who shares it that really matters. This event will look at the wider picture of how people are using mobile technology in development, and how it is increasingly adding to the mix that communications for development practitioners turn to, as well as becoming a media platform in its own right.

This event will bring together a panel of experienced practitioners who are working with innovative uses of mobile technology. Case studies will explore:

• an interactive, dial-in audio news platform designed for mobile users
• ways in which radio stations are using Frontline SMS to increase engagement with listeners
• a newspaper in Mozambique using mobile and social media to stimulate readers’ engagement and increase readership
• how activists are adding mobile to their media mix
• mobile phones as aids to changing health behaviour in India

The event will address questions such as:

• How is mobile technology changing the way people communicate?
• How can policy makers and practitioners ensure that mobile technology is people-driven?
• What works and what doesn’t work in the use of mobile phones as a media platform and in tandem with traditional media?
• How can development policy makers and practitioners best understand and engage with the opportunities that mobile presents?

The event is co-hosted with iMedia Associates Ltd and supported by the GSMA. Panel members will include:
Amy O’Donnell – Frontline SMS,
Becky Faith – Tactical Technology Collective,
Lu Ecclestone – DFID Governance Adviser,
Janet Gunter – Verdade Mozambique,
Caroline Sugg – BBC Media Action and
Emrys Schoemaker – iMedia Associates. 

The event will also feature participation from members of the C4D Network, which is a global peer network of nearly 900 communication for development consultants, managers and academics. (http://www.c4dnetwork.org). 

• Time: 6.30pm for 7pm discussion start, ending at 9pm (please note earlier end time).
• Date: Wednesday 31 October 2012
• Venue: GSM Association Head Office, Seventh Floor,
5 New Street Square, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 3BF  
• Directions: 
 http://www.gsma.com/aboutus/worldwide-offices/london-office/ GSMA is near Chancery Lane tube station. Local pubs include The White Swan, Corney and Barrow and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese if people want to carry on discussions following the event.

To attend:

This event is a public event, and due to the generosity of GSMA no registration fee will be payable. However, participants must register to attend so we know numbers in advance. 

Network members please RSVP online through the events section of the Network (www.c4d.org). Non-members please use the booking form at http://www.c4dnetwork.org/events-schedule.php