Ya se pudo! - KPCN radio barn raising

Unrepresented Latino farm workers in Woodburn, Oregon ask want their voices to be heard, want a radio station.

Prometheus radio organizes conference/workshop/'barn raising' building of a radio station.

http://www.upworthy.com/normally-i-d-say-you-shouldn-t-steal-from-the-amish-but-one-of-their-ideas-was-too-good-to-pass-up-3?c=ufb1

Technologies for Development 2014 Conference, Luasanne

The Openness Paradigm: How Synergies Between Open Access, Open Data, Open Science, Open Source Hardware, Open Drug Discovery Support Development? 

4-6 June 2014 | EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland

Citizen and open science activities from environmental monitoring to drug discovery, projects supporting Open Data and Open Access, and various Open Hardware initiatives for affordable laboratory equipment define a new paradigm for development, which needs reflection and evaluation. We are seeking for case studies, which document the opportunities, challenges and synergies behind the paradigm of openness:  open data projects, which advocate sharing and publishing of raw scientific data rather than only results, open access advocacy promoting unrestricted access to peer-reviewed scientific publications, open hardware and capacity building for research, but also open drug discovery projects,  which apply these principles to hasten the discovery of affordable and free of licenses drugs. While some projects concentrate on building research infrastructure and networks around open source technologies, other often emphasize the power of crowdsourcing and various e-science platforms and citizen science models of work, which involve the communities in various data collection practices. We would like to discuss these practices and their synergies to understand how they support resilience, agency and self-determination of various communities in the Global South. We are especially interested to hear how they enable novel South to South and South to North research cooperation.  Does the paradigm of openness create conditions for the Global South to become an equal partner in research and development efforts? The panel will map and reflect upon these initiatives and case studies to understand the problems these new networks face and to define the best practices as well as policy recommendations,  which would support the openness paradigm. In addition to the panel, we are planning to organize a hackathon and dedicate a space for showcasing open hardware for science projects, which will be accessible to the public.

http://biodesign.cc/2013/09/26/call-for-abstracts/#!

World Habitat Day OSLO October 7th

WORLD HABITAT DAY CONFERENCE 2013 – INFRASTRUCTURE 2013: COMMUNICATION

7 OCTOBER AT THE HOUSE OF LITERATURE OSLO

How is Information and Communication Technology (ICT) serving as infrastructure in cities that bridges the gap between the formal and informal city, and further the impact of ICT on development and reduction of urban poverty?

Infrastructure 2013
In 2013, Habitat Norway has designated our activities to shed light on infrastructural challenges in growing cities and in informal areas. Throughout the year, Habitat Norway is hosting seminars focusing on the access to infrastructure and discusses new technology and opportunities. While five evening seminars are looking into the following matters: water, sanitation, electricity, public transportation and solid waste management, the Habitat Day conference is devoted to information and communication technology. More information about ‘Infrastructure 2013′ here: http://habitat-norge.org/infrastructure-2013/

World Habitat Day – Infrastructure 2013: Communication
Digital information and communication technology have become a necessary infrastructure of the urban environment today. For the inhabitants in informal settlements and the urban poor, new mobile technology, social media and internet services makes formerly unavailable services and information available. Mobile currency, medical information services, updates on security issues and prices on goods to mention a few, are communicated through internet and mobile phones. Open online maps enables inhabitants in settlements not visible in the formal maps to geotag their communities. The technology and social media increases transparency, but also provides a platform for urban poor to spread information on issues affecting them and voice their opinion.

What kind of role has these tools as a necessary infrastructure in urban planning and development strategies? Do they contribute to securing the rights of slum dwellers and contribute to a more prosperous life? How can new technology be utilized in response to urban poverty?

We have invited both national and international speakers to introduce the overarching issues related to information and communication technology in cities today, discuss ‘smart cities’ in developing countries, as well as give glimps of spesific projects and cases.

http://habitat-norge.org/habitat-day-conference-7-october/