Strategic Use New Media Peaceful Social Change

Strategic Use of New Media for Peaceful Social Change v
Acknowledgements
This guidebook was inspired by the creative and free spirit of youth-led
movements and civil society, in Sudan and globally, who are using information
and communication technologies (ICTs) for peaceful social change. It is the
outcome of my personal journey, a product of learning-by-doing, and a gift
to a new generation in the hope that it can move forward from where others
left, and not start from scratch.
I am particularly thankful to the generous contribution of ten artists, writers,
activists, civil society practitioners and experts working on the intersection of
technology and human rights, peacebuilding and democracy or using ICTs
to expand the impact of their work in these fields. They include: Amir Ahmad
Nasr, Omnia Shawkat, Khalid Albaih, Helena Puig Larrauri, Rebecca Chiao,
Fareed Zain, Dimah Abdulkarim, Eric Johnson, Nat Meysenburg and Abdel-
Rahman El-Mahdi. Through in-depth interviews, they have shared their
valuable insights and experiences, making this guide much more practical,
and complementing the case studies with compelling real-life wisdom. Their
stories taught me that passion and creativity can transform ICTs into tools
for social good – especially when the technology is used strategically.
A special thank you to colleagues who edited the final English manuscript,
and to Rodrigo Davies and Helena Puig Larrauri for peer reviewing and
lending their expertise to the chapters on crisis mapping and crowdfunding.
Deep gratitude to Mohammed Al Maskati for teaching me about digital
security in the most entertaining and fluid manner.
I am endlessly grateful to the small team that made the journey enjoyable.
The first iteration of this guidebook was released on the bilingual website
that can be used in parallel with the guidebook www.sawtna.net. This would
not have been possible without the technical support and diligence of web
developer and designer Mosaab Baba. The talented translator and editor
Azaz Shami oversaw the Arabic translation and editing of both the website
and this guidebook. hajooj kuka provided illustrations, infographics and
photography support. Animation artist and graphic designer, Bashir Hamid,
created the front cover. And many others – especially my family – kept me
going through their encouragement, thoughtful feedback and support.