Initiatives worth knowing

Iniciatives

All the versions of this article: es pt

- Ushahidi, communication and solidarity
- Students’ digitalization
- “Masa critica” encourages the use of bicycles worldwide

Ushahidi, communication and solidarity

The platform of citizen journalism Ushahidi has become a referent for the efficient way in which it covered the earthquakes of Haiti and Chile. It was created in 2008 during the electoral crisis in Kenya for citizens of that country to be able to inform in real time about the acts of violence and relevant episodes, and pour them on a map. Ushahidi represents a new paradigm of communication and solidarity management for crisis situations. + info

Students’ digitalization

In several countries worldwide programs facilitating students’ access to the digital era are being implemented: their aim is to reduce the critical gap of information and knowledge access. Although differing from country to country, these programs are based on the free delivery of computers to professors, teachers and students who respect certain basic conditions of use and property. Among other countries, Portugal, Nigeria, Libya, Russia, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil can be mentioned.

  “Masa critica” encourages the use of bicycles worldwide

The Masa Crítica movement is made up of hundreds of thousands of cyclists who go riding the last Thursday of each month in different countries in order to promote healthy transportation and protest against automobile traffic and its climate adverse consequences. Masa Crítica is an example of a citizen action that intends to make people gain awareness of the use of the bicycle as a means of transport for big cities. Self summoned in various countries and cities, once a month thousands of people get together to ride around the city “en masse”. In Spain there are meetings in more than 50 cities. Masa Crítica from Budapest (Hungary) is one of the most numerous having more than 30,000 participants. Masa Crítica does not have a web site or official blog yet there exist various blogs in different cities that join participants of this movement and inform them about bycicle demonstrations. In Argentina check