Today's conversation largely focused on 2 areas: data and research. I love this graphic they have of their research model:
Ivonne is their open data evangelist, and I asked her how she approaches this work. Her response was that she needs to show people how data is impacting their work and how it can help them. She had these 4 points:
- finding the motivations of the entities you are working with (always needs to be translated into local context)
- help them understand and answer their questions
- start with small pilots and cross polination
- Work together with more experienced partners.
Frank added these:
- inspiration
- facilitating (hosting meetings and connecting people/ level the play field)
- networking (know who is doing what)
- generate new ideas & build on them
A key aspect of their work is this: that Technology is not neutral, and certain values are expressed in technology. Their work is also founded in DIY principles:
- making is crucial
- best producer is the user
- she can learn to make almost anything
- sharing is the key to innovation
Unfortunately they do not have a dedicated toolkit, but they did work with UNDP on a design toolkit for citizen engagement (http://waag.org/en/undp-toolkit). “We have been too experimental in that sense” she said. But a major publication they worked on is Users as designers.
In terms of next steps, we agreed that starting small sounds excellent. If we can organize a small workshop where they Skype in, they’re open. They’re also willing to help us as advisors, specifically in the area of workshops & trainings (where they have expertise). She had the good idea to ask people to submit an application to RSVP for an event, so we can understand why people want to attend, learn why people want to be there and how they would like to apply the learning from the work. I’ve also seen Global Pulse doing this. Instead of skills, she suggested focusing on problems to solve: "They all want to solve something and they all have work that affects citizens. You want to gain new skills to solve something.” Another insight regarding staff training areas: “If you know the problem of one - you know the problem of many."
She also mentioned that in Dec/Jan they’ll be starting new projects & can see how to hook them around specific areas related to our work.
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