CIVICTECH SUMMIT : Tuning into youth culture in the African urban and digital arena

Speakers

  1. Russel Hlongwane, Cultural Producer

  2. Bongani Tau, Fashion Researcher

  3. Tammy Langtry, Art Meets

Session Overview

The session takes a salon style to stage a conversation between the host, Russel Hlongwane (Cultural Producer), Bongani Tau (Researcher, Producer) and Tammy Langtry (Co-Founder ArtMeets). Both guests work in the digital ecosystem through the creation of meeting spaces and new media for the expression of youth voices. The guests will respond (through their own work) to a research project in which Russel and Daanyaal have been engaged with, entitled Young and Online in Urban Africa, based at the African Centre for Cities. The conversation will touch upon expressions of youth voices in the digital realm. It will also look at the appropriateness of digital tools and platforms for the needs and wants of young people in a few urban locations in Africa. The conversation will also look at the ways in which young people are remodeling the digital to conform to their reality, whether through conventional and non-conventional ways. Responding to the question: #underthehood of Technology: Are we creating the tech ecosystems we need?

Session Objectives

  • Understand Culturally Appropriate Tech:

    • Define what makes technology culturally appropriate and why it is crucial for the success and sustainability of tech solutions in diverse contexts.

    • Discuss the impact of cultural alignment on technology adoption, user engagement, and overall effectiveness.

  • Examine Case Studies and Best Practices:

    • Present case studies of successful culturally adapted tech solutions from various regions, showcasing how they effectively addressed local needs and resonated with cultural values.

      1. Highlight best practices for integrating cultural considerations into technology design, development, and implementation.

  • Identify Challenges and Opportunities:

    • Explore common challenges faced when creating culturally appropriate technology, such as overcoming biases, addressing language and communication barriers, and managing cultural differences.

      1. Identify opportunities for innovation and growth by leveraging cultural insights to develop tech solutions that are both inclusive and impactful.

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