Tech Social: Innovating for a Better Future
The three campaigns gave selected organizations the chance to showcase their newly-acquired skills in achieving successful results on behavioural and policy levels. The campaigns adopted tools that fostered online engagement and dialogue on issues related to access to information and the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce.
THE ABC's OF INNOVATING FOR SOCIAL COHESION
Together we identify gaps and develop capacities. In talent and skills we invest to realize social impact.
AAnalysing Problems
BBuilding Solutions
CCreating Change
Despite increased access to the Internet, and the wealth of knowledge and resources it offers, youth, cause-driven groups, and nonprofits of the MENA Region still struggle with weak organisational capacities and much-needed technical skills to develop programs of impact. This hinders their ability to respond to community issues, improve governance, develop meaningful policies, and organize and mobilize for Social Change.
In a world where technology redefines communication and more increasingly influences how decisions are made, it is now vital that citizens realize the power and impact skills of the digital era have in shaping their lives. The dynamic through which citizens engage in governance and decision-making is changing. We are witness to more governments acknowledging this shift by utilizing online platforms and crowdsourcing input from citizens. Youth of the MENA region, especially in less resourceful, rural and marginalized communities, are yet to realize this reality. Unfortunately, the understanding and usage of such tools is only available to those who have access, and often requires extensive digital literacy programs. Knowledge and skills in utilizing online technologies empower youth to speak the language of the century; and introduce them as new, competent and powerful key players in shaping policies, and defining development priorities.
In recent years, youth have demonstrated more confidence in online platforms as mediums to voicing out opinions and engaging in dialogue in comparison to more traditional channels of engagement. However, the existing channels are not only exclusive in nature to those who can access them but also to those who value their potential. Inclusive public participation demands new, alternative, credible and transparent spaces for dialogue. Information & Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) comes to offer low-cost, innovative, replicable and interactive solutions to social, economic and political issues. Unfortunately, such a field is new to the Arab World and has not seen much development in recent years. More efforts should be channeled to engage social workers, ICT enthusiasts and stakeholders alike in the development and mainstreaming of innovative ICT4D initiatives.
PROGRAMS AND TARGET GROUPS
Tech Tribes offers assistance in the form of trainings, mentorship programs and consulting services to social activists and innovators, development professionals, cause-driven groups and nonprofits. The approach places particular emphasis on reaching out to young women & men in less resourceful, rural and marginalized communities.
Individuals
Groups & Nonprofits
Individuals, social activists and young social innovators
who aim to acquire basic and advanced skills in ICTs, explore how technology can help achieve social justice through digital activism, and learn how social innovation helps address today’s rising global challenges.
Cause-driven Groups, nonprofits, and development professionals
who aim to expand on their knowledge, develop technical skills, and invest in tech-based solutions to solve community issues and achieve higher organizational impact.
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
Some of our guiding principles to ensure that no one is left behind.
In the absence of alternative, more participatory, credible and transparent channels of communication, Tech Tribes looks at ways through which technology and digital media can help foster enhanced participation in governance and decision making.
Our work aims to contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for active youth, cause-driven groups and nonprofits to meaningfully engage as active citizens in dialogue that shapes decisions rather than passive recipients of policies and services.
We intend to act as an open-source of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) tools to help those fighting for social justice utilize today’s booming technologies.
