UNICEF's 'Story Jam' Looks to Expand Outlets for Youth Communication

This article outlines some of the new ways in which information and communication technology (ICT) is being used to amplify and connect young voices around the world. The examples described here were highlighted at a 3-day event held in New York, the United States, called "Story Jam New York", which drew computer programmers, designers, content developers, and hardware experts working to develop new outlets for youth communication. In its very implementation, the conference illuminated ways to bring in people from the external community, which is really important for open-source projects like the ones emphasised during the "jam". Specifically, virtual participants from countries around the world participated in the event via streaming video and chatrooms, as well as through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)'s UNIWIKI platform – a set of tools that allow people to connect on the internet through mobile phones, radios, and televisions. (This communication platform combines "wiki" language functionality, which allows multiple users to simultaneously add, remove, edit, and change content to a single document, with a set of at built-in tools that enable young people to participate on the web without a computer/laptop or internet connection. For more information about UNIWIKI, click here).

Along these lines, workshops focused on building, implementing, and expanding (existing) free, open-source tools to collect and spread children's stories. The platforms explored included:

•  "XO" – a textbook-sized laptop computer from the non-profit organisation One Laptop per Child (OLPC).
• The digital version of UNICEF's "School In a Box" - a kit that contains supplies to support a class of 80 students - e.g., in times of emergency. Housed in rectangular cases measuring 2 metres high, the computerised version of these kits would provide students and teachers with educational materials on a variety of subjects, without the need for physical textbooks.
• "ROSCO – Radio on the Go" - a technology that turns a computer into a fully functional "radio station" via a USB memory stick.
• RapidSMS – a web-based platform for receiving text messages, which allows for fast and efficient communication in regions with very low cellular connectivity.
• Solar panels, hand-cranked generators, and long-lasting batteries - ideas for providing power (and, thus, internet access) to those in areas that lack reliable electricity.