27 April – 3 June 2022
Digital Rights Learning Exchange is a six-week virtual course led by Digital Grassroots in collaboration with Open Internet for Democracy Initiative. The program provides new entrants in the digital rights space with training and mentorship on leading community engagement projects that address digital rights issues in their communities along such themes as access and affordability, hate speech, freedom of expression, privacy and surveillance.
Program Leads
Esther Mwema
Zambia
Uffa Modey
Nigeria
Hanna Pishchyk
Belarus
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
- Acquire critical skills and knowledge for conducting effective digital rights advocacy.
- Build a platform for active cooperation and peer learning among the participants through shared group activities.
- Receive the guidance of established digital leaders who will serve as program mentors and facilitators.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
- Implemented the 6 weeks online digital rights advocacy course covering topics such as advocacy concepts for civic engagement, communications strategies, data usage, and monitoring & evaluation of advocacy campaigns.
- Conducted 6 weekly 90-minutes group meetings with industry experts to discuss the course modules and provide insights into the topics from a practical perspective.
- Engaged 20 participants (10 women, 3 non-binary and 7 men) from 13 countries, who developed 5 digital rights advocacy projects.
- Connected each program thematic group to an industry expert for 2 weeks of mentorship.
MENTORSHIP OBJECTIVES
- Provide the participants with guidance and advice on designing and implementing their group project.
- Discuss arising digital rights issues occurring within the participants community in relation to the group project theme.
- Recommend relevant resources on digital rights advocacy to support the participants community engagement in digital rights.
Participants
Alice Joy Chiweza, Malawi
Auma Tamali Shanirah, Uganda
Ayomide Faith Aboyade, Nigeria
Connie Nagiah, South Africa
Derrick Ogot Omondi, Kenya
Diana Bichanga, Kenya
Grace Msauki, Zimbabwe
Gustavo Murillo Velazquez, US/Mexico
Isaac Oghenefejiro Adjerhore, Nigeria
Jameson Pierre-Louis, Haiti
John Maina, Kenya
Jones Okolie, Nigeria
Kal Demissie, Ethiopia
Karen Farisai Mukwasi, Zimbabwe
Namatirayi Charlot, Zimbabwe
Olivier King Sibo, Burundi
Rebecca Achom Adile, Uganda
Richard Mugobo, Zimbabwe
Sibongile Jienifer Mokapane, Lesotho
Tombir Stanley, Cameroon
Mentors
We would like to recognize all the mentors who played a significant role in the program’s success. Their guidance and feedback were instrumental in assisting participants throughout their campaign development and we are grateful for their contributions.
We thank all the mentors for their dedicated efforts in supporting the participants and the program:
Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi, Benin
Bolutife Adisa, Nigeria
David Aragort, Venezuela
Jesse Nathan Kalange, Uganda
Sarah Kiden, Uganda
Guest speakers
The success of any program depends on the expertise and guidance of the people involved. We were fortunate to have the support of several guest speakers who who generously shared their expertise, offering practical guidance and valuable insights. Their contributions played a pivotal role in shaping the participants’ understanding of advocacy and provided them with practical advice.
We express our sincere gratitude to all guest speakers for their support and guidance:
Emmanuel Ogu – Founder, Dear Government’ organisation, Nigeria
Gbenga Sesan – Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria
Lourdes Walusala – Radio journalist at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya
Nyamwire Bonnita – Research Manager, Pollicy, Uganda
Rachel Mims – Senior Program Manager for Citizen Participation and Inclusion, National Democratic Institute, U.S.A
Sarah Moulton – Deputy Director for Democracy and Technology, National Democratic Institute, U.S.A