Digital Natives: Activism in the Middle East
Continuing its exploration of digital activism from last week, the Digital Natives Reporters in the Field series turns its microphone over to Esra’a Al Shafei of Bahrain, the 21-year-old director of student-owned MideastYouth.com. MideastYouth.com is "an independent network that promotes constructive dialogue and understanding within the Middle East and North Africa."
Without further ado, here is "Mideast Youth: Providing platforms for public voice" as presented on the the Digital Natives blog:
This week’s “Digital Natives Reporters in the Field” series turns the microphone over to Esra’a Al Shafei of Bahrain, the 21-year-old director of student-owned MideastYouth.com
The mission of MideastYouth is “to inspire and provide young people with the freedom and opportunity of expression, and facilitate a fierce but respectful dialogue among the highly diverse youth of all sects, socio-economic backgrounds, and political and religious beliefs in the Middle East.” MideastYouth.com fights for social change with podcasts, blogs, social networks, and online video.
In this podcast, Esra’a talks about the ability of the internet to empower minorities with a voice, the mission of MideastYouth.com, and the change it has sparked in the world.
Listen to the podcast
And learn more about Esra’a, winner of Berkman Award for Internet Innovation, who when not “kicking butt” directing the ever impressive MideastYouth platform, “enjoys drinking flavored milk and writing about herself in 3rd person to remind herself of her existence.”
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Stay tuned for more Reporters in the Field episodes that, by doing and creating, explore the themes of the Digital Natives project and of John Palfrey and Urs Gasser's just-published Born Digital. And join in the exploration by commenting in text or video on the Digital Natives blog or YouTube channel.
Also on the horizon!
Born Digital book release talks / parties in:
- San Francisco, 9/15
- Seattle, 9/17
- Cambridge, 9/23 (come for the whole day and attend the Internet Safety Technical Task Force Public Meeting!)
- Washington, DC, 10/15, details TBA
- Chicago, 11/12, details TBA
