5 September – 23 October 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, internet shutdowns, freedom of expression, privacy and surveillance.
Program Leads
Esther Mwema
Zambia
Uffa Modey
Nigeria
Hanna Pishchyk
Belarus
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- 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 and 10 men) from 7 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
Abubaker Sekatuka, Uganda
Chrystal Rukudzo Bonzo, Zimbabwe
Clarisse Mideva, Kenya
Derrick Mpagi, Uganda
Diana Maina, Kenya
Dorine Odunga, Kenya
Fatou Sarr, Senegal
Godspower Ehikioya Ataman, Nigeria
Julius Okoth, Kenya
Justine Kakoko, Tanzania
Kehinde Adegboyega, Nigeria
Leone Muchaneta Nezi, Zimbabwe
Lindsey Louise Kukunda, Uganda
Ludivicus Otieno Omollo, Kenya
Muhammed Bello Buhari, Nigeria
Onyebuchi Adora Ajuzie, Nigeria
Richard Muraya, Kenya
Salaama Kabasomi, Uganda
Stanley Junior Bernard, Haiti
Viviane Achieng Oywer, Kenya
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:
Emmanuel C. Ogu, Nigeria
Grace Msauki, Zimbabwe
Jameson Pierre-Louis, Haiti
Jesse Nathan Kalange, Uganda
Osei Manu Kagyah, Ghana
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:
David Aragort – Digital Security Trainer and Researcher, RedesAyuda, Venezuela
Elizabeth Sutterlin – Program Associate for Democracy and Technology at National Democratic Institute (NDI), U.S.A
Ji Yeon – Advocacy Intern, #KeepItOn Campaign at Access Now, U.S.A
Lourdes Walusala – Radio journalist, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya
Michael J. Oghia – Partnerships Manager, Datacenter Forum, Serbia &Sweden
Rachel Mims – Senior Program Manager for Citizen Participation and Inclusion, National Democratic Institute, U.S.A