IT for Decision Makers

The Internet and Culture

By Taholo Kami for UNESCO

The Internet and Culture?

Issues How do we deal with a borderless

environment? What is the impact on our Pacific Island

cultures? Are their opportunities to enhance our

culture in a digital era?

We are still learning….

Internet is still a relatively new medium the medium as we know it is only 8 years old In the Pacific it is still very much limited to the

educated / elite Studies that exist are limited and will change with

greater exposure in future to our Pacific communities

Much has been written on the new diaspora and the impact on the overseas islander community but less is known about how it will affect indigenous culture.

Pacific Realities

Many Pacific Islands nations have large migrant communities who maintain strong family and financial ties to their home countries.

Pacific Islanders have embraced foreign media through video, radio, TV and traditional mediums

Internet usage still limited to those with education or financial means - those who already significantly influenced by outside media

What are the Problems?

Internet vices….Gambling Pornography

In reality its self policing - you install software and obstacles otherwise pornography is easy to access

Addiction - chat, email and surfing Addiction to the web and chatting is a reality

Internet Idling… wasting time After initially connecting company networks (LANs) to the

Internet, some overseas firms are beginning to question the value of having employees online all the time

Affecting productivity

More Issues

What is the impact of a information driven society on our cultural values? Attitude to time - instant requests require

prompt replies. Getting replies from a Pacific island government department in less then 24 hours realistic?

Instant 2 way communications with overseas - how does this impact young people and attitudes

Is a knowledge society contradictory to our Pacific island society? Do we have a choice?

What can be done?

Self policing at a server or personal computer level using software and basic working procedures may be sufficient

We cannot completely stop negative issues due to the borderless nature of the Internet.

A more positive approach would be opportunity driven - how can we make it work for us?

Whats Available Online?

Web pages with billions of pages of online text, images, video

email groups interactive forums instant chat and messenger services that allow real

time discussion Most content is in ENGLISH

NOTE! Very little cultural content - what exists is sparodic and often from overseas

enthusiasts

Virtual CommunitiesSome Online Communities

Kavabowl forums (defunct), Polycafe (www.polycafe.com), Fiji village (www.fijivillage.com,

Wantok forums (www.niugini.com), okakoa Niue www.okakoa.com

initially populated by overseas islanders and those interested in Pacific. Growing local involvement

locals find controversy with anonymity of postings - often comments very “unPacific”

Many overseas islanders find a “home” and identity in online communities

Issues with Online Communities

People are spending time online with others thousands of miles away who they share something in common with - their Pacific island identity

Much of the online dialogue has little value to the casual observer and breaks cultural taboos that are not maintained with anonymity

How do we deal with “wanna be” islanders who have never been home but chat to your island bred children regularly - often more then they do with their parents!

How does this affect youth?

The Kavabowl ExperienceStarted in 1995 the initial Pacific online forum eventually reaching 1 million hits / month. The following observations were made;

•Overseas islanders gravitated to the forums often to discuss issues athome country but most found others like themselves with common roots in the Pacific. •Islanders were no different from their western counterparts in utilizingthe anonymity of the Internet to voice opinions or abuse others. •Youth seemed to find an outlet to speak about issues that were taboo in

their own Pacific homes. •Most users from USA, Australia and New Zealand with growing numbers from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and other Pacific countries•Many local Pacific islanders see such forums as “trouble making” disgraceful. Some people were spending more time online then at their local churches, mixing with their parents and friends or doing school work

Online Culture Strategy Develop Online content

ensure islanders can access content that enhances their cultural experience

use the web to build identity and strengthen linkages with overseas community

Develop and enhance online networks Bring rural and urban communities together through

internet communications Decentralize network both to rural and overseas

communities Build capacity around key content providers

(Government, Media, Churches / Civil Society)

Reinforcing Culture

Cultural content Internet is the ideal Archive for Public access

Online dictionaries in national languageslanguage contentart and poetrylegendsmusicimages

Get the youth and other sectors involved in developing content

Reinforcing Identity

Virtual access to local cultural events festivities and celebrations religious events

Online resources egs. traditional oratory skills history village traditions religious issues

Cultural portals - links to activities and events

Promoting Local Languages

Content in the local language expands usage to non english speakers

Online activities developed around communications in the local language develops language skills

Archiving language content provides an invaluable virtual library in the future.

Online activities

Beyond Tourism….Build targeted networks

Link overseas youth groups with local youth Link women groups Community Activities Develop online activities

Essay / poetry competitions in English and national language/s

Make traditional music available

Rural Strategy

Bridging Communities IT is NOT the all in one solution but can improve communications at a

local level and enhance economic activity

Telecenters / communication Centers Tap into an existing networks both in village and online communities Promote Email / Voice communications with overseas and intra island

community Outlet for printed news letters and notices Look for applications that are relevant to local needs such as

telehealth, access to government departments, ordering basic goods, communications to other islands, local tourism needs

Use logical interfaces Email and intranet access with limited web access.

Community Strategies

Learning Centers Computer labs with Internet access and learning facilities in

local and overseas communities Support primary / high school students and provide adult

education information center for community Church or community based in urban neighborhoods and rural

villages Web and email networks with other learning centers and

telecenters as well as with overseas community Funded by combination of local startup funding and

assistance Support from formal education institution

Networking Overseas Islanders

How Important are the overseas communities? Large cash inflows - remittances Many still have strong national loyalties Important export market

How about 2nd / 3rd Generation islander migrants? Can we count on their remittances in future?

Are their opportunities to reinforce identity with overseas youth?

Participatory RoleGovernment

An opportunity to develop and archive culture related content recognize the value of strengthening ties with overseas

community Incentives for local content providers and web developers

NGOs / Churches Empower your communities - provide access points through tele

and learning centers develop strategies to involve the community networks provide opportunity for support and advocacy

Private Enterprise Potential for extending market by sponsoring online networks / activities

Conclusion

opportunity to reinforce identity and linkages with overseas communities

Create and enhance strong online communities with cultural content that meets their needs

Extend the network into our urban and rural communities and utilize it for enhancing service delivery and communications