Ken Banks has been interviewed by researchers at the University of Texas for a forthcoming book focussing on how anthropologists are contributing to the development of technologies that address the challenges of globalisation. According to the books authors, "The phenomenon of globalization has generated many opportunities for anthropologists to make a practical difference in the lives of people around the world". They were particularly interested in kiwanja's focus on human-centred, grassroots, appropriate technology solutions, and the application of anthropological theories and techniques in its wider work

The book - which currently goes by the working title of "The Practice of Anthropology: Addressing Challenges of Globalisation" - is due for publication late next year. The research project has also been awarded a seminar at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe and a Presidential Session at the next meeting of the American Anthropological Association. Further details on this - and the book publication date - will be made available nearer the time

August 2008: Busy final conference quarter for kiwanja

Ken Banks has been invited to attend a number of conferences and internal meetings over the next three months. Confirmed conferences include:

Open Source in Mobile (OSiM), Berlin (September 2008)
World Economic Forum (Telecommunications Industry Partners Strategy Meeting), New York (September 2008)
Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting, New York (September 2008)
Social Capital Markets 2008, San Francisco (October 2008)
Pop!Tech, Maine (October 2008)
Chatham House – “Technology: a platform for development?”, London (October 2008)
2008 Net Impact, Philadelphia (November 2008)
A Better World By Design, Rhode Island (November 2008)
National Endowment for Democracy public meeting, Washington (November 2008)

Further details of each talk, links to presentation materials and information on other confirmed engagements will be made available nearer the time

July 2008: Guest article appears on BBC News website

BBC News have just published a guest article by kiwanja.net on the "Technology" and "Science/Nature" pages of its website. Ken Banks was approached to write the article after the recent launch of the latest FrontlineSMS, and increasing exposure of kiwanja's work. The article looks at the broader use of mobile technology in conservation and development work, and highlights the current use of FrontlineSMS in Malawi. The full article - entitled "Mobile development rings true" - can be read here

July 2008: New "mobility" project unveiled

How do we unlock the full potential of mobile applications
development for users in the developing world? What would
a mobile-based programming environment look like? "mobility",
a collaborative project announced by kiwanja.net, hopes to
find out. Check out the website for details

July 2008: kiwanja guest chapter in new digital learning publication

kiwanja.net was recently invited to contribute a chapter on mobile learning for a new book, "Education for a Digital World". Described as a guide, resource, textbook and manual for policymakers and practitioners in developing and developed countries, the book has been published as a collaborative effort by fifty contributors from around the world representing the research, administration and business communities. Publication is by BCcampus and the Commonwealth of Learning

kiwanja's chapter - "Mobile Learning in Developing Countries: Present Realities and Future Possibilities" - looks at the emerging use of mobile phones as an educational tool, discusses a number of case studies and examines some of the technical challenges faced by organisations looking to develop or use mobile technology in support of education initiatives in the developing world. The book can be downloaded in full (PDF, 13Mb) or as a single kiwanja chapter (PDF, 350Kb)

July 2008: Silverback mobile game featured on National Geographic Channel

National Geographic are profiling kiwanja's "Silverback" mobile phone game as part of their promotion of "Gorilla Murders", a new programme about the plight of the mountain gorillas in Central Africa (showing on 1st July on their cable channel in the US). The website has also republished kiwanja's earlier Blog post on the thinking behind the game

June 2008: Next-generation FrontlineSMS software launched

On 25th June, kiwanja.net launched the latest version of FrontlineSMS, its text messaging platform aimed at grassroots non-profit organisations in the developing world. Over a year in the making, and after several months of phased testing, the latest version - funded through a grant from the MacArthur Foundation - builds on the success of the earlier version by supporting Windows, Mac and Linux platforms; by providing remote data collection functionality for organisations needing to electronically capture information in the field; by offering language support for Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili; by working on an increasing range of handsets and modems; and through its provision of built-in support for online messaging services, designed for NGOs who do have access to the internet. The new FrontlineSMS website also contains a community section allowing NGOs from around the world to connect and share experiences, ideas and suggestions for future releases

A number of sites have already picked up on the release, including White African, Discovery Channel's Etherized Blog, 160Characters and ICT4Peace. A copy of the official Press Release is available here (PDF, 380Kb)

June 2008: kiwanja lined up for CBC radio interview

Following online publication of kiwanja's photo essay in Vodafone receiver (see earlier News item) the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation have interviewed Ken Banks about kiwanja's work, and the wider impact of mobile technology in the developing world, for the final episode of their Spark radio programme. Spark is a "blog, radio show, podcast and an ongoing conversation about technology and culture"

Click here to listen to the full interview, or visit the Spark web page for programme details

June 2008: Ken Banks appointed Co-Chair of new W3C Interest Group

Ken Banks has been appointed Co-Chair of the W3C Mobile Web for Social Development (MW4D) Interest Group, a new initiative announced during the recent W3C Workshop in Sao Paulo. Stephane Boyera, Chair of MW4D, welcomed the appointment. "I'm sure Ken's participation will be a key factor in the success of the Group. He has very rare expertise which combines a mix of anthropology, field expertise in real-life on-the-ground projects, and growing recognition from the mobile industry for FrontlineSMS and his nGOmobile initiatives. These are a perfect fit for the position of Co-Chair in our Group"

June 2008: Next-generation FrontlineSMS gears up for launch

Over 25 non-profit organisations from around the world are currently putting the latest version of FrontlineSMS through its paces before it is finally launched to the wider NGO community during the last week of June. The software, which has users in over 40 countries and counting, has received over 75 download requests since it's imminent release was announced during kiwanja's keynote address at Global Messaging Congress 2008. Volunteers have also signed up in West and East Africa, as well as the USA and other European countries, to help promote the software. News of the launch will be posted here in the coming days

June 2008: kiwanja writes new regular column for IDG Publishing

As part of their new Africa-centred initiative, IDG Publishing recently approached kiwanja.net to contribute a regular column on the role of mobile technology on the continent. IDG, a large US-based technology publisher, produces titles such as Computerworld, PC World and MacWorld magazines, among many others. kiwanja's column has so far covered a wide range of topics, including the OLPC/Intel 'battle', mobiles as an appropriate technology, mobile-centred economic development, and the debate surrounding the right for telecommunications. Articles are also fed out through IDG's newswire and are aggregated on a number of other sites, including Yahoo! Tech and CIO, as well as sister-IDG sites around the world

Contributions to PC World, the recent Vodafone receiver and Boston Review articles (see News items below) and a growing number of mobile industry talks all form part of kiwanja's wider efforts to take news of the impact of mobile technology beyond the non-profit domain to a wider international audience

June 2008: kiwanja.net speaking and chairing at W3C Workshop

Ken  Banks has been invited to talk at the forthcoming W3C Workshop on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development, being held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 2nd and 3rd June. The talk, entitled "Developing appropriate mobile solutions for grassroots non-profits in the developing world" will focus on kiwanja's approach to developing grassroots, appropriate technology solutions using emerging mobile technology in developing countries, and will include case studies on the use of FrontlineSMS. Ken, who is also on the workshop Program Committee, will Chair a later session on applications, with speakers from ITEC and Opera

June 2008: Ken Banks writes for Vodafone receiver

Ken Banks was recently approached by the publishers of the Vodafone receiver and has contributed a picture essay on kiwanja's work, based on images from the Mobile Gallery, for the June edition of the online magazine. According to Vodafone, "receiver is Vodafone's magazine for future thinkers, attracting a wide range of influential writers and industry leaders. It is a neutral space, where pioneer thinkers challenge you to discuss exciting and future-oriented aspects of communications technologies. Launched six years ago, receiver is now established as one of the industry's key idea generators". The article, entitled "Africa’s grassroots mobile revolution - a traveller’s perspective", can be read here

May 2008: kiwanja.net in the Boston Review

kiwanja.net was recently invited to respond to a Boston Review paper by Edward Miguel, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. The paper, entitled "Is it Africa's Turn? Progress in the world's poorest region", discusses recent economic developments on the continent. In response, Ken Banks highlights the increasing economic activity spurred on by the arrival of mobile telecommunications, and suggests that much of this 'informal' activity falls under the radar of many studies on African economic development

kiwanja's response can be read in full here

May 2008: "Silverback" debuts on BBC TV

kiwanja's "Silverback" mobile phone game, recently launched to help raise awareness and funds for gorilla conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been featured on BBC TV's Fast Track programme. This follows its 'appearance' on the BBC World Service "Digital Planet" radio programme late last month

According to the BBC, "Fast Track is a travel programme on the BBC World News, designed to appeal to viewers who travel frequently for both business and leisure". Fast Track goes out weekly on BBC World TV. A link to the segment of the programme is available via the BBC website here

May 2008: kiwanja.net launches conservation mobile phone gorilla game

kiwanja.net, in partnership with Fauna & Flora International and Masabi, have re-launched a mobile phone gorilla game originally developed for the Vodafone wildlive! service back in 2003. Revised and updated, the game aims to educate people about gorilla conservation, and increase awareness of the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebel war which is adversely affecting both the people who live there and the last remaining mountain gorilla population

The game, which is being distributed for free, can be downloaded from the Silverbackers website, where voluntary donations can also be made. There's also a Facebook Group for people who want to help promote the game, show their support or simply discuss the game, and a kiwanja Blog entry which discusses the thinking behind its re-release

The game was also covered by the BBC News website and discussed on "The World"
(MP3, 1.6Mb, 3 mins) - for background on the Programme see the News item below