RightsCon Toronto 2018

How open data can revolutionize supply chains (The WikiRate Project)

Speakers: Laureen van Breen

This session will present some initial results from the ChainReact project (http://chainreact.org), an EC funded initiative that maps corporate networks to increase corporate transparency and responsiveness. It will demonstrate how advocacy, open data, and the integration of existing technologies, is making it possible to put brand level data in the hands of supply chain workers, ultimately enabling them to improve their own working conditions.

The Next Wave: Civil Society meets the Outcome Economy (University of Cambridge)

Speakers: Jonathan Penn

In 2015, the World Economic Forum forecast that the convergence of various emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence will enable the so-called Outcome Economy in which outcomes are sold in place of products. To give a brief example, today you can buy "vertical transportation" from Mitsubishi rather than buying an elevator. This means that installation, maintenance, etc. are handled by Mitsubishi for a monthly fee; rather than buy an elevator, you've bought the intended outcome, which frees Mitsubishi to alter its supply chain. To offer another example, Rolls Royce now sells a TotalCare Package that replaces the sale of an airline engine. Rather than buy a physical artifact--the engine--you receive the desired outcome: use of an engine with a up-time guaranteed by Rolls Royce. What does the Outcome Economy mean for the future of Civil Society? With reference to my current research as a Google Technology Policy Fellow at the European Youth Forum, I will propose what this shift could mean for civil society and activism in the years to come. I also open the floor to comments.

#WeAre52pc: A Movement for the Representation of Kenyan Women (#WeAre52Pc)

Speakers: Brenda Wambui

This is the story of the #WeAre52pc movement, which advocates for the realization of Kenya's constitutional requirement that no more than two thirds of public positions should be held by one gender. I will take you on a journey through this groundbreaking movement, sharing why we believe it is important for women to be equitably represented in Kenya, the tactics we are using and the challenges we have faced when advocating for our cause, the effects of women's under-representation both online and offline, and the future we envision for women in Kenya.

Building Global Community through Technology-Enabled and Facilitated Dialogue (Soliya)

Speakers: Waidehi Gokhale

This lightning talk is about virtual exchange, an educational innovation that uses technology to connect youth in face-to-face dialogue across countries and cultures, with the goal of building intercultural understanding, empathy, and global community. Participants learn about the key aspects of virtual exchange, including the use of trained facilitators to ensure meaningful and honest interaction across differences.

The talk also includes a quick demonstration of Soliya’s video conferencing platform. Central to our platform are our roundtable format wherein participants’ video screens are arranged in a circle and our application of the talking stick method whereby only one participant can speak at a time. All dialogue is in real-time and face-to-face, with audio optimized so that all participants, regardless of their technology or internet strength, can be heard clearly. Our platform is closed and secure with SSL encryption and adherence to IT industry security standards, making it a safe and confidential space for dialogue. The intention in sharing our platform is to introduce a fresh perspective on how technology can promote inclusion and diversity of voices in global civic society.

Inspiring new readers: empowering Wikipedia users to improve access to knowledge through design research (Wikimedia Foundation) 

Speakers: Kacie Harold

The objective of this session is to show the need of in-the-field, user oriented research (qualitative and quantitative) to design programs, steer discussions, and foster opportunities that aim to increase access for more people, particularly unconnected populations. In 2016, the Wikimedia Foundation undertook a research project to better understand how people in countries where Wikimedia isn't well known approach learning, knowledge, and the Internet. This user-focused design research that was conducted in partnership with local communities has been a powerful tool to design programs that address barriers to access, both at the platform and user level. The research, which has identified awareness and affordability as primary obstacles for users in emerging countries to access Wikipedia, not only gives a valuable perspective on the context to design the pertinent policy and technical solutions, but allows communities themselves to design and implement real solutions, once empowered by other stakeholders.

As an example, after design research by the Wikimedia Foundation in emerging countries, an "Inspire campaign" program has been implemented, empowering local communities in emerging countries to come out with innovative ideas to promote awareness of the existence and value of Wikipedia, the internet, and access to information. The program awards grants to Wikipedia community members to implement their own solutions to address low awareness of Wikipedia and free knowledge resources.

The lightning talk will showcase how all stakeholders can benefit when platforms conduct user research to identify obstacles facing users at a global level, and use that research to implement technological and policy initiatives and empower users to design programs and interventions that reduce barriers to access based on their local contexts.