Agenda


Agenda subject to change

19 July Public Symposium

9:00 Registration
9:30 Welcome from our Hosts – Goals for the Day
10:00 Opening Address – Information, Infrastructure, Participation and Democracy

Dora Akunyili (Nigerian Ministry of Information and Communications)

10:15 Plenary I – Does ICT Use Equal Better Elections?

Contributors: Kwami Ahiabenu (PenPlusBytes), Ian Schuler (National Democractic Institute – NDI), Chibuike Mgbeahuruike (Transition Montitoring Group – TMG), Emma Ezeazu (Alliance for Credible Elections – ACE)

Moderator: Michael Best (Georgia Institute of Technology)

11:15 Break
11:30 Keynote Addresses – The Makings of Democracy: Transparency, Process, Participation and Accountability

Lessons, developments and national priorities in ICT, media, participation, elections and democracy

Contributors: Ethan Zuckerman (Berkman Center), Carlo Binda (NDI), Jibrin Ibrahim (Center for Democracy and Development)

12:15 Spotlight Session I – Projects and Provocations

Series of very brief descriptions of relevant projects to give examples, stimulate discussion and foster collaboration

Projects: WangoNet, Development Seed, LightUpNigeria

12:45 Lunch
1:45 Plenary II – Citizen Participation: Are Diverse Populations Connecting to Create a Robust Democracy?

Can the Internet improve the information flows between citizens and the state, broadening participation among traditionally excluded groups, and enabling civil society to participate in new and productive ways?

Contributors:  Chude Jideonwo (EnoughisEnough), Y.Z. Ya’u (Center for Information Technology and Development – CITAD), Gerald Ilukwe (Galaxy Backbone), Asma’u Joda and Zubaida Mahmoud (Center for Women and Adolescent Empowerment)

Moderator: Colin Maclay (Berkman Center)

2:45 Spotlight Session II – Projects and Provocations

Series of very brief descriptions of relevant projects to give examples, stimulate discussion, and foster collaboration

Projects: CDD Ghana, RapidSMS, Community Life Project

3:15 Break
3:30 Plenary III – New Power Dynamics: Tensions and Synergies Between Traditional and New Media

How traditional and new media platforms are evolving — from newspapers to blogs, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube — and how they are (or are not) changing our information environment

Contributors: Teddy Sondota (Project Diaspora), ‘Gbenga Sesan (Paradigm Initiative Nigeria), David Nassar (Hotspot Digital), Dele Olojede (Timbuktu Media)

Moderator: Ethan Zuckerman

4:30 Plenary IV – Do Good Elections Mean Good Democracy?

An exploration of whether an improved electoral process results in the democracy we aspire to have

Contributors: Y.Z. Ya’u (CITAD), Mobolaji Aluko (Howard University), Fredrick Mudhai (Coventry University), Salihu Lukman (Good Governance Group/Movement for a Better Nigeria), Ngozi Iwere (Community Life Project)

Moderator: Kole Shettima (MacArthur Foundation)

5:30 Closing Thoughts

Raymond Akwule (Digital Bridge Institute)