Presentation Structure

Background and context.

Design, and preliminary results.

Deployment challenges.

Quotes

"The primary problem of politics is the lag in the development

of political institutions behind social and economic change."

Samuel P. Huntington, Political Order in Changing Societies, 1968

The traps of hallow democracy: [democracy without reliable

institutions and empowered citizens], I believe that the

flames of democracy can be extinguished by slow political

erosion.

Freed Zakaria The Future of Democracy and Freedom

Research Objectives

Learn about social media role in politics

in emerging democracies.

See how new technologies can add to

transparency and increased interests in

discussing policymaking.

Practical Objectives

Improve communication of the SL government.

Reduce misinformation in Somaliland, and better inform the people about Gov’ activities.

To establish trusted source of news from the government to the public, especially in case of emergency.

Empower citizens and reach people in remote areas in SL and gather feedback.

Interest young people in participating political process.

Somaliland vs. Somalia

SL was colonized by

England, June 1960.

Somalia by Italy, 1960.

Joined to form Somalia.

Military coup in 1969.

Marxist: political and

economic deterioration.

Split in 1991.

Organic Democracy

Somaliland is relatively stable and functioning democracy.

Mixture of modern & traditional political organizations:

Upper: House of Elders: 82 members, appointed by tribes,

Lower: House of Representatives, 82, elected. 3 parties.

Four successful presidential elections.: 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012.

Smooth transfer of power between to the opposition in 2010.

There is more global geopolitical interests in SL.

Concept

Connecting elected officials, governmental

institutions with the Somali public in a

meaningful way using available and simple

technology, especially in remote areas.

Create a direct and trusted source of

information by government.

Original Concept

C-SPAN IN SOMALIA

Televising Somaliland parliamentarian sessions:

To increase visibility and influence of the parliament.

Visualizing political processes.

Bridging remote areas to have access to political

processes.

CSPAN

CSPAN was created in 1979, a low point in USA politics.

Effects:

Increased chambers visibility and media influence.

Alerted debate format of debate to be addressed to a larger audience.

Provide raw data and record.

84 percent of c-span viewers were registered to vote and that 92 percent of those registered reported voting.

Context in SL

Traditional media platforms (newspaper, radio, TV) in Somaliland are confined to the capitol and its surrounding.

Because of high illiteracy and local customs, people prefer audio communication.

Mobile penetration in Somaliland is very high. (estimate: 1 million subscribers, close to 50%)

There are documented evidences that citizens in remote areas feed disconnected from Hargeisa, the center of Somaliland, (Interpeace, APD).

Media fragmentation and widespread misinformation.

Context-Centered Design

Design Challenge

Design simple voice based UIs to navigate IVR

forum.

Reduce obstacles.

Make it cool and relevant.

Why Mobile:

Source: Mobile subscriptions, International Telecommunication Union, 2011.

Why Mobile

Source: Broadband subscription, International Telecommunication Union, 2011.

Interactive Voice Respond

System

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) allows humans to

interact with computers by placing a voice call.

Majority of people in SL have basic phone.

IVR systems can provide innovative information

services to mobile subscribers in the developing

world.

In 2010: $750M from value-added IVR services –

Expected to grow to $3 billion by 2020.

Why Voice

Low level of literacy, literacy rate in Somalia is estimated around 37.8% of adult population (UNESCO, 2000-2007).

Oral Society.

A number of studies have found that voice based interface is more effective and preferable in settings like in Somaliland.

Agriculture Discussion Forum Patel et al. CHI 2010(, M. S. Ackerman et al, 1997. ACM, Access to Health Information by Sherwani, ICTD 2009, 2008, IEEE/ACM, 2007, Citizen News Journalism by Mudliar et al. ICTD 2012, Community Radio by Koradiaet al. ICTD 2012, Viral Entertainment Platform Raza et al. ICTD 2012, Feedback on School Meals Grover et al. DEV 2012, Cgnet Swara, Choudhary et al 2012.

IVR Server for NGO in New Delhi, Delhi (India)

IVR Server for NGO in Jaipur, Rajasthan (India)

Internet Enabled

Users

GSM

Network GSM Modem

Moderation Platform

Audio Hosting

Users inDelhi

Users inRajasthan

GSM

Network

GSM Modem

IVR Service

Moderator

UploadAudio

Laptop

UploadAudio

SynchronizeRepository

SynchronizeRepository

LaptopCloud Service

© Microsoft Research, Aditya, Bill.

How it worksDial 132 to record

news items.

“Somaliland election

commission would like to

announce new dates to

register for upcoming

regional election.”

Dial 132 to get info and

participate

They hear the following:

• Welcome message

• Message 1: “…”

• After the message,

caller can provide

feedback or listen to

other callers comments.

• Message 2: “…”

• Message 3: “…”

First navigation structure.

Second navigation structure.

3rd navigation

structure.

Welcome to Ila-Maqal

Mohamed can tell Parliament Representative (PR) to press * in case

they want to post a new announcement If * is pressed

Please record your announcement after the beep. Press any key to end recording.

Thank you, here is what you have recorded: Play

announcement.To change your recording press

1. Otherwise, your recording would be saved.

PR records the announcement

If nothing is pressed then go to home

You are listening to the announcements by Mr. X who is a parliament representative of Somaliland. Please press 2

anytime to skip a post.If 1 is pressed

You can specify the name of the person only if there is one PR

Play Announcement: Today we have decided to increase

subsidy on petrol.There are ‘N’ responses to this

announcement. Press 1 to access the discussion.

Order of playback would always be latest first

Here are the responses that others have recorded. To skip a

response, press 2. To record your own reponse, Press 3

anytime.Play Responses:

R1..

RN

If 1 is pressed

Please record your response after the beep. Press any key

to end recording.

Thank you. Here is what you have recorded: To change your response, Press 1. Otherwise

your response would be saved.

If 3 is pressed

User record a message

If nothing is pressed. Go to the post which you were listening rather than to initial stage

If 1 is pressed

Once the present announcement is over

Play the next announcement

By Default: After 2 seconds

We can also provide a functionality where moderator on YouTube can

elevate the level of post by a citizen. The elevated post would be equivalent to a

new announcement. All users can respond to the elevated post.

Final navigation structure.

Language

Technical Language was tricky.

Professional translators.

Examples: when you hear beep (car horn),

(Telephone Tone in somali)

Notification

Disseminate and collect

information using

Frontline SMS and

visualize using

Ushahidi/google map.

Examples

Best Designs are

People record variety of messages:

Responds to “official announcement”

Songs,

jokes,

stories,

Just talk

Quran, religious advice, teaching English.

Complains,

Want to know more about the service,

Swearing at politicians

Traditional songs

Average Call Duration

Analytics: input

Analytics

Analytics

Challenges

Challenges

Switched to focus on executive branch.

Lack of political influence

lack of operational support, staff, desire, budget,

etc.

Lack of commitment.

Lessons Learned

Technology is a small component of a bigger

process.

Improvise and prepare of unexpected challenges.

Cool is not always the best.

Incentives matter.

Usability testing is critical.

Open minded.

Thank you