Plan International is using FrontlineSMS to allow anonymous SMS reporting of violence against children in Benin, West Africa. Workshops introduced the idea to local stakeholders, who provided input into the system. The system is beginning to receive reports, and Plan is working with local authorities to respond and track cases. Key lessons included involving users in the design and addressing concerns about response capacity. Plan will monitor the system's impact and share lessons learned with the goal of expanding the approach if it proves effective in reducing violence.
Innovative Projects: Freedom of Expression and Access to InformationPenhleak Chan
How can development cooperation effectively strengthen the human right to freedom of expression and access to information? In order to explore this question, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with implementing several innovative projects in coop- eration with the Deutsche Welle Akademie. Bringing together the long-standing expertise of both organisations, these projects aim at showcasing the potential that lies in human rights-based media development work across the globe.
For more information on the data journalism training as part of the Cambodia project, please see: www.ddjtraining.org
Use of new media by civil society organizations for social transformationSazzad Mahmud Shuvo
Traditionally, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bangladesh is focused on conducting analytical research, providing policy recommendations, and engaging in programmatic interventions through various development initiatives. However, the success of inclusive and sustainable social transformation largely depends on active civic engagement and the affirmative political will of policymakers. It requires multidimensional approaches, embedded with effective communication tools, to adequately engage the citizens, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in the social transformation process. In this backdrop, this paper makes an effort to explore the effectiveness and extent of utilization of new media by the CSOs in Bangladesh towards affirmative social transformation. The paper identifies a cleft of disconnection among the citizens, policymakers and civil society at this very age of rapid growth of new media. Considering the recent trends and impacts, the CSOs may need to improve their media literacy and capacity to use new digital platforms in bridging the growing digital-divide among citizens and institutions. Otherwise, the vast array of disinformation will continue to distort the social harmony and peace, resulting into political unrest. The paper uses recent national and international incidents, having direct linkages with new media, as empirical basis through review and analysis. Accordingly, transitions in traditional media in this digital era and the adaptive capacity of CSOs have also been attempted to explore and analyze. To this extent, this paper proposes a model for strategic use of new media and a cycle of policy communications for CSOs towards an inclusive and just society.
ICT and Governance in East Africa: Preliminary Study Findings from Kenya, Ug...mysociety
Nanjira presented a session at The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC2015) on 25 March 2015 in London.
To see more coverage of TICTeC2015, visit: http://lanyrd.com/2015/tictec/
Innovative Projects: Freedom of Expression and Access to InformationPenhleak Chan
How can development cooperation effectively strengthen the human right to freedom of expression and access to information? In order to explore this question, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with implementing several innovative projects in coop- eration with the Deutsche Welle Akademie. Bringing together the long-standing expertise of both organisations, these projects aim at showcasing the potential that lies in human rights-based media development work across the globe.
For more information on the data journalism training as part of the Cambodia project, please see: www.ddjtraining.org
Use of new media by civil society organizations for social transformationSazzad Mahmud Shuvo
Traditionally, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bangladesh is focused on conducting analytical research, providing policy recommendations, and engaging in programmatic interventions through various development initiatives. However, the success of inclusive and sustainable social transformation largely depends on active civic engagement and the affirmative political will of policymakers. It requires multidimensional approaches, embedded with effective communication tools, to adequately engage the citizens, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in the social transformation process. In this backdrop, this paper makes an effort to explore the effectiveness and extent of utilization of new media by the CSOs in Bangladesh towards affirmative social transformation. The paper identifies a cleft of disconnection among the citizens, policymakers and civil society at this very age of rapid growth of new media. Considering the recent trends and impacts, the CSOs may need to improve their media literacy and capacity to use new digital platforms in bridging the growing digital-divide among citizens and institutions. Otherwise, the vast array of disinformation will continue to distort the social harmony and peace, resulting into political unrest. The paper uses recent national and international incidents, having direct linkages with new media, as empirical basis through review and analysis. Accordingly, transitions in traditional media in this digital era and the adaptive capacity of CSOs have also been attempted to explore and analyze. To this extent, this paper proposes a model for strategic use of new media and a cycle of policy communications for CSOs towards an inclusive and just society.
ICT and Governance in East Africa: Preliminary Study Findings from Kenya, Ug...mysociety
Nanjira presented a session at The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC2015) on 25 March 2015 in London.
To see more coverage of TICTeC2015, visit: http://lanyrd.com/2015/tictec/
Traditional and Social Media as Watchdogs for FOIAct ImplementationMabel Tola-Winjobi
Presented by Jide Bamgbose, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ibadan at a 2-day Capacity Enhancement Workshop on Advocacy organized by South-West Freedom of Information Advocacy Network
AIDS.gov, a program of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides access to Federal HIV programs, policies, and resources through its website (www.AIDS.gov) and new media channels (e.g. blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr). AIDS.gov also plans, implements, and evaluates domestic World AIDS Day and National HIV Testing Day initiatives. In this session, the AIDS.gov team will provide an overview of the tools and strategies that AIDS.gov uses to best reach their diverse audiences. The presentation will also provide a case study of Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day (December 1), an online photo initiative in which diverse audiences across the country shared photos of themselves holding signs stating why they were “Facing AIDS” for World AIDS Day. The initiative’s goals were to help reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing.
Depiction of the use of MobileVaani platform to provide a definitive social media platform to the un-served and under served rural communities, who are economically backward, and reside in the bottom of the pyramid.
MobileVaani has created a paradigm change in the media consumption habits of the rural populations in the state of Jharkhand, where they are consuming community generated content and actively engaging with stakeholders who constitute their eco-system.
This platform has provided an effective process to cut bureaucratic red tape, and improve governance in these often isolated communities, giving the administration last mile connect to these communities and enabling them to serve them better.
This platform has also provided a means to get the voice of the community heard by the government and thus created a vibrant two way , effective communication medium.
Bell bajao - Impact, Recognition, Storiesbellbajao
An overview of Bell Bajao’s recognition, media impact, community mobilisation impact, leadership development, partnerships, research findings, involvement with policy makers, challenges and success stories.
Today’s popularity of the short messages services (SMS) has created a propitious environment for spamming to thrive. Spams are unsolicited advertising, adult-themed or inappropriate content, premium fraud, smishing and malware. They are a constant reminder of the need for an effective spam filter. However, SMS limitations of 160-charcaters and 140-bytes size as well as its being rippled with slangs, emoticons and abbreviations further inhibits effective training of models to aid accurate classification. The study proposes Genetic Algorithm Trained Bayesian Network solution that seeks to normalize noisy feats, expand text via use of lexicographic and semantic dictionaries that uses word sense disambiguation technique to train the underlying learning heuristics. And in turn, effectively help to classify SMS in spam and legitimate classes. Hybrid model comprises of text preprocessing, feature selection as well as training and classification section. Study uses a hybrid Genetic Algorithm trained Bayesian model for which the GA is used for feature selection; while, the Bayesian algorithm is used as classifier.
The objective of this citizen engagement initiative is to improve election outcomes in Nigeria which hitherto have been marred by rigging,ballot box snatching,violence prior,during and after elections,vote buying by candidates of political parties which in totality distorts election outcomes.......
This initiative seeks to engage citizens to identify with the electoral process,take its ownership and outcomes of the political competition by political parties.Encourage them to join interest groups,get them involved in civic /political affairs of their locality beyond just voting and waiting till the next election cycle.
Digital Gender Gaps Seen Through Social MediaIngmar Weber
Keynote given on September 25 at the 5th Annual International Conference on Data Science and Business Analytics (ICDSBA2021, http://www.icdsbaconference.com/2021/menu/keynotes). Based on joint work with Ridhi Kashyap (University of Oxford), Masoomali Fatehkia (Qatar Computing Research Institute), and others. Includes preliminary observations from changes in Afghanistan since the Taliban take-over. Details about published work at https://ingmarweber.de/publications/.
Traditional and Social Media as Watchdogs for FOIAct ImplementationMabel Tola-Winjobi
Presented by Jide Bamgbose, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ibadan at a 2-day Capacity Enhancement Workshop on Advocacy organized by South-West Freedom of Information Advocacy Network
AIDS.gov, a program of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides access to Federal HIV programs, policies, and resources through its website (www.AIDS.gov) and new media channels (e.g. blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr). AIDS.gov also plans, implements, and evaluates domestic World AIDS Day and National HIV Testing Day initiatives. In this session, the AIDS.gov team will provide an overview of the tools and strategies that AIDS.gov uses to best reach their diverse audiences. The presentation will also provide a case study of Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day (December 1), an online photo initiative in which diverse audiences across the country shared photos of themselves holding signs stating why they were “Facing AIDS” for World AIDS Day. The initiative’s goals were to help reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing.
Depiction of the use of MobileVaani platform to provide a definitive social media platform to the un-served and under served rural communities, who are economically backward, and reside in the bottom of the pyramid.
MobileVaani has created a paradigm change in the media consumption habits of the rural populations in the state of Jharkhand, where they are consuming community generated content and actively engaging with stakeholders who constitute their eco-system.
This platform has provided an effective process to cut bureaucratic red tape, and improve governance in these often isolated communities, giving the administration last mile connect to these communities and enabling them to serve them better.
This platform has also provided a means to get the voice of the community heard by the government and thus created a vibrant two way , effective communication medium.
Bell bajao - Impact, Recognition, Storiesbellbajao
An overview of Bell Bajao’s recognition, media impact, community mobilisation impact, leadership development, partnerships, research findings, involvement with policy makers, challenges and success stories.
Today’s popularity of the short messages services (SMS) has created a propitious environment for spamming to thrive. Spams are unsolicited advertising, adult-themed or inappropriate content, premium fraud, smishing and malware. They are a constant reminder of the need for an effective spam filter. However, SMS limitations of 160-charcaters and 140-bytes size as well as its being rippled with slangs, emoticons and abbreviations further inhibits effective training of models to aid accurate classification. The study proposes Genetic Algorithm Trained Bayesian Network solution that seeks to normalize noisy feats, expand text via use of lexicographic and semantic dictionaries that uses word sense disambiguation technique to train the underlying learning heuristics. And in turn, effectively help to classify SMS in spam and legitimate classes. Hybrid model comprises of text preprocessing, feature selection as well as training and classification section. Study uses a hybrid Genetic Algorithm trained Bayesian model for which the GA is used for feature selection; while, the Bayesian algorithm is used as classifier.
The objective of this citizen engagement initiative is to improve election outcomes in Nigeria which hitherto have been marred by rigging,ballot box snatching,violence prior,during and after elections,vote buying by candidates of political parties which in totality distorts election outcomes.......
This initiative seeks to engage citizens to identify with the electoral process,take its ownership and outcomes of the political competition by political parties.Encourage them to join interest groups,get them involved in civic /political affairs of their locality beyond just voting and waiting till the next election cycle.
Digital Gender Gaps Seen Through Social MediaIngmar Weber
Keynote given on September 25 at the 5th Annual International Conference on Data Science and Business Analytics (ICDSBA2021, http://www.icdsbaconference.com/2021/menu/keynotes). Based on joint work with Ridhi Kashyap (University of Oxford), Masoomali Fatehkia (Qatar Computing Research Institute), and others. Includes preliminary observations from changes in Afghanistan since the Taliban take-over. Details about published work at https://ingmarweber.de/publications/.
Helping Crisis Responders Find the Informative Needle in the Tweet HaystackCOMRADES project
Leon Derczynski - University of Sheffield,
Kenny Meesters - TU Delft, Kalina Bontcheva - University of Sheffield, Diana Maynard- University of Sheffield
WiPe Paper – Social Media Studies
Proceedings of the 15th ISCRAM Conference – Rochester, NY, USA May 2018
As the UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti, we conduct research to inform policymaking and implementation. This project brief summarizes our research on disrupting harm.
a niche social media network focusing on the promotion and protection of children and young people rights, interest and well-being by using open source ICT´s.
A quick overview of PIN's innovative Early Warning System, currently being rolled out across Cambodia. Using IoT, IVR and soon chatbots, we provide the Cambodian population with timely warnings of hazards.
I. INTRODUCTIONA. Purpose of DocumentThis paper1 was des.docxwilcockiris
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose of Document
This paper1 was designed to accompany the Model Policy on
Social Media established by the IACP National Law Enforcement
Policy Center. This paper provides essential background materi-
al and supporting documentation to impart greater understand-
ing of the developmental philosophy and implementation
requirements for the model policy. This material will be of value
to law enforcement executives in their efforts to tailor the model
policy to the requirements and the circumstances of their com-
munities and their law enforcement agencies.
B. Background
Personal Internet access has grown exponentially over the last
decade, facilitating the growth in popularity of the World Wide
Web and, more recently, social media. For the purpose of this dis-
cussion paper, social media is defined as a category of Internet-
based resources that integrate user-generated content and user
participation. Social media tools have become synonymous with
popular culture and new waves of personal communication.
People of all ages and organizations of all types are using these
tools like never before.
Social media has many uses for government agencies includ-
ing law enforcement agencies. The characteristics of community
collaboration and interactive communication that are at the core
of social media, lend directly to the core of democratic culture,
and allow for positive community interaction and effective deliv-
ery of services. Community policing, investigations, and other
strategic initiatives can all be enhanced with the effective use of
social media.
The increase in personal social media usage across demo-
graphics also means that more and more law enforcement per-
sonnel are engaging in these tools on a personal level. Misuse of
social media can lead to harsh consequences for both the indi-
vidual and his or her agency.
The IACP Model Policy on Social Media was established in order
to assist law enforcement agencies in developing appropriate
procedures and guidelines for both official department use of
social media tools as well as personal use by agency employees.
The purpose of this discussion paper is to educate law enforce-
ment managers and executives on the uses and abuses of social
media. As the age of technology continues to expand, the use of
social media should be supervised closely in order to ensure eth-
ical, effective, and lawful police applications.
C. Policy Development
In response to the rise in use of social media, police depart-
ments should draft and implement policies that regulate social
media use among employees, as well as determine proper and
effective department use. The model social media policy was
developed to establish an agency’s position on the utility and
management of social media tools as well as provide guidelines
for personal usage of social media for agency personnel.
As noted above, many of the legal issues surrounding social
media have not yet been settled in the court sy.
Diverse Social Media Networks in Public Safety PowerPoint for CCHE 590Nicholas Tancredi
PowerPoint on how social media is used in various Public Safety agencies, including the fact of how it can bridge the communication gap that has been occurring lately.
Importance of information system in raising public awareness about domestic v...Masum Hussain
Across the globe, information system tools have helped fuel social movements. Information system has been shown to strengthen social actors’ ability to challenge and change power
relations in society, providing platforms for debate, reflection, influencing and mobilizing people. To better understand the potential of information system to engage especially young
people in efforts to prevent domestic violence the Partners for Prevention regional project, Engaging Young Men Through Information system for the Prevention of Domestic violence’
which supported information system awareness campaigns designed to raise awareness and motivate young people to take action to prevent domestic violence has revealed practical
lessons from three awareness campaigns on the effective use of information system tools for violence protection.
Building capacity for creating demand in support of malaria prevention and co...Malaria Consortium
Demand creation is the strategic combination of advocacy, communication and mobilisation approaches that seek to achieve increased community awareness of, and demand for, effective malaria prevention and treatment services.
Malaria Consortium's Support to National Malaria Programme (SuNMaP) demand creation strategy for prevention currently focuses on promoting the correct use of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and the use of intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) in pregnant women. For malaria treatment, demand creation focuses on promoting improved testing, prompt and proper use of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) treatment for individual cases of malaria, and effective home management of fever, together with referrals of severe cases to a higher-level health facility.
This learning paper discusses SuNMap's experiences of planning and implementing demand creation in Nigeria, including SuNMaP's development of a comprehensive malaria communications plan. It presents what worked well and the challenges that remain to scale up demand creation activities and to consolidate the work already done.
Mapping the Risk-Utility Landscape of Mobile Data for Sustainable Development...UN Global Pulse
The goal of this project was to determine how insights from mobile data might be used to maximum effect in support of policy planning and crisis response with minimal risk to privacy. The project aimed to determine the impact that aggregating mobile data to protect privacy has upon the utility of the data for (i) transportation planning and (ii) pandemic control and prevention. Utility of each data set was evaluated by surveying transportation experts and epidemiologists; re-identification risk for each data set was also assessed. Risk of re-identification was subsequently considered together with data utility to determine which level of aggregation is the minimum required to adequately protect individual privacy while preserving its value for policy planning and crisis response.
Cite as: “Mapping the Risk-Utility Landscape: Mobile Data for Sustainable Development & Humanitarian Action”, Global Pulse Project Series no. 18, 2015.
Global progress and delay in ending violence against childrenThomas Müller
The International NGO Council on Violence against Children was established in 2006 to work with NGOs and other partners, including member states, to ensure that the recommendations from the UN Study on Violence against Children are effectively implemented. Now, as the Sustainable Development Goals adopt the call to end all violence against children and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children take up the mantle of pursuing this goal, the NGO Council publishes its fourth and final report.
The report concludes that for many children around the world violence is an ever present fact of life. Where progress has been made, it remains tainted by its limitations. The contributions from key global experts on violence against children point to some hard truths about our failings, but also to the way ahead.
Innovation within organisations: Child Helpline International - Innovation Ex...Thomas Müller
Innovation within organisations: Child helpline International launched a campaign called Free Our Voices in order to raise awareness amongst telecom operators of the high number of unanswered calls to child helplines. The campaign is innovative because it is Child helpline International's first campaign, it involves ground breaking technology and it is entirely youth led. These slides were used in at The Innovation Exchange organised by War Child Holland in collaboration with TNO on 8 December 2015 in The Hague.
Creating a Non-Violent Juvenile JusticeThomas Müller
Child Helpline International is part of the "International NGO Council of Violence against Children", which developed this report. This report from creates an enriching
vision of a non-violent juvenile justice system.
The vision is no more than the fulfillment of states’
obligations under international law to create a distinct
and separate justice system which takes account of
the special status of the child, focuses exclusively on
rehabilitation and reintegration and protects the child
from all forms of violence.
The International NGO Council on Violence Against Children: "creating a non-v...Thomas Müller
The International NGO Council on Violence Against Children has launched it latest report, "Creating a non-violent juvenile justice system". This report is a follow-up to the 2006 UN Study on Violence against Children. This report has been written to address the growing epidemic and global magnitude of the violence being experienced by children in juvenile justice systems. Whilst aspiring to clarify the many ways in which governments are failing to protect children in conflict with the law, the report also presents a non-violence vision of juvenile justice.
Chat Counselling for Children and Youth - A HandbookThomas Müller
This book was developed by Trine Sindahl from the Child Helpline International Danish member organisations Bornsvilkar. Child Helpline International has translated it from Danish into English language in order to make this great resource avaialble to a bigger target group.
Categorising or labelling large and diverse groups of people as vulnerable can lead to fragmented and
ineffective interventions, which ignore overlapping vulnerabilities and the changing nature of
vulnerabilities over time, even during one specific crisis”. To effectively and strategically respond to
the protection needs of populations across the conflict impacted region, decision makers must
determine which vulnerable groups are most in need of humanitarian support and what the factors
are that increase and compound their vulnerabilities.
Fundraising Handbook for child protection and gender based violence in humani...Thomas Müller
The global Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection Working Group
(CPWG) areas of responsibilities (AoRs) have developed this handbook to
provide practical guidance to child protection and GBV coordination groups and
their members; with the aim of helping them access more humanitarian funding.
Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian ActionThomas Müller
The Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) is the global level forum for coordination and collaboration on child protection in humanitarian settings. The group brings together NGOs, UN agencies, academics and other partners under the shared objective of ensuring more predictable, accountable and effective child protection responses in emergencies. - See more at: http://cpwg.net/cpwg/#sthash.wTqjET4D.dpuf
In 2010 the members of the global CPWG agreed on the need for child protection standards in humanitarian settings. The Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action were developed between January 2011 and September 2012. The process of drafting the Minimum Standards involved over 400 individuals from 30 agencies in over 40 countries, including child protection practitioners, humanitarian actors from other sectors, academics and policy makers. - See more at: http://cpwg.net/minimum-standards/#sthash.01h1va2Z.dpuf
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf91mobiles
91mobiles recently conducted a Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey in which we asked over 3,000 respondents about the TV they own, aspects they look at on a new TV, and their TV buying preferences.
JMeter webinar - integration with InfluxDB and GrafanaRTTS
Watch this recorded webinar about real-time monitoring of application performance. See how to integrate Apache JMeter, the open-source leader in performance testing, with InfluxDB, the open-source time-series database, and Grafana, the open-source analytics and visualization application.
In this webinar, we will review the benefits of leveraging InfluxDB and Grafana when executing load tests and demonstrate how these tools are used to visualize performance metrics.
Length: 30 minutes
Session Overview
-------------------------------------------
During this webinar, we will cover the following topics while demonstrating the integrations of JMeter, InfluxDB and Grafana:
- What out-of-the-box solutions are available for real-time monitoring JMeter tests?
- What are the benefits of integrating InfluxDB and Grafana into the load testing stack?
- Which features are provided by Grafana?
- Demonstration of InfluxDB and Grafana using a practice web application
To view the webinar recording, go to:
https://www.rttsweb.com/jmeter-integration-webinar
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonDianaGray10
Here is something new! In our next Connector Corner webinar, we will demonstrate how you can use a single workflow to:
Create a campaign using Mailchimp with merge tags/fields
Send an interactive Slack channel message (using buttons)
Have the message received by managers and peers along with a test email for review
But there’s more:
In a second workflow supporting the same use case, you’ll see:
Your campaign sent to target colleagues for approval
If the “Approve” button is clicked, a Jira/Zendesk ticket is created for the marketing design team
But—if the “Reject” button is pushed, colleagues will be alerted via Slack message
Join us to learn more about this new, human-in-the-loop capability, brought to you by Integration Service connectors.
And...
Speakers:
Akshay Agnihotri, Product Manager
Charlie Greenberg, Host
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 3. In this session, we will cover desktop automation along with UI automation.
Topics covered:
UI automation Introduction,
UI automation Sample
Desktop automation flow
Pradeep Chinnala, Senior Consultant Automation Developer @WonderBotz and UiPath MVP
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Builder.ai Founder Sachin Dev Duggal's Strategic Approach to Create an Innova...Ramesh Iyer
In today's fast-changing business world, Companies that adapt and embrace new ideas often need help to keep up with the competition. However, fostering a culture of innovation takes much work. It takes vision, leadership and willingness to take risks in the right proportion. Sachin Dev Duggal, co-founder of Builder.ai, has perfected the art of this balance, creating a company culture where creativity and growth are nurtured at each stage.
GraphRAG is All You need? LLM & Knowledge GraphGuy Korland
Guy Korland, CEO and Co-founder of FalkorDB, will review two articles on the integration of language models with knowledge graphs.
1. Unifying Large Language Models and Knowledge Graphs: A Roadmap.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.08302
2. Microsoft Research's GraphRAG paper and a review paper on various uses of knowledge graphs:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/graphrag-unlocking-llm-discovery-on-narrative-private-data/
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesLaura Byrne
Clients don’t know what they don’t know. What web solutions are right for them? How does WordPress come into the picture? How do you make sure you understand scope and timeline? What do you do if sometime changes?
All these questions and more will be explored as we talk about matching clients’ needs with what your agency offers without pulling teeth or pulling your hair out. Practical tips, and strategies for successful relationship building that leads to closing the deal.
LF Energy Webinar: Electrical Grid Modelling and Simulation Through PowSyBl -...DanBrown980551
Do you want to learn how to model and simulate an electrical network from scratch in under an hour?
Then welcome to this PowSyBl workshop, hosted by Rte, the French Transmission System Operator (TSO)!
During the webinar, you will discover the PowSyBl ecosystem as well as handle and study an electrical network through an interactive Python notebook.
PowSyBl is an open source project hosted by LF Energy, which offers a comprehensive set of features for electrical grid modelling and simulation. Among other advanced features, PowSyBl provides:
- A fully editable and extendable library for grid component modelling;
- Visualization tools to display your network;
- Grid simulation tools, such as power flows, security analyses (with or without remedial actions) and sensitivity analyses;
The framework is mostly written in Java, with a Python binding so that Python developers can access PowSyBl functionalities as well.
What you will learn during the webinar:
- For beginners: discover PowSyBl's functionalities through a quick general presentation and the notebook, without needing any expert coding skills;
- For advanced developers: master the skills to efficiently apply PowSyBl functionalities to your real-world scenarios.
Let's dive deeper into the world of ODC! Ricardo Alves (OutSystems) will join us to tell all about the new Data Fabric. After that, Sezen de Bruijn (OutSystems) will get into the details on how to best design a sturdy architecture within ODC.
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*Frank van Harmelen
Neuro-symbolic (NeSy) AI is on the rise. However, simply machine learning on just any symbolic structure is not sufficient to really harvest the gains of NeSy. These will only be gained when the symbolic structures have an actual semantics. I give an operational definition of semantics as “predictable inference”.
All of this illustrated with link prediction over knowledge graphs, but the argument is general.
2. About FrontlineSMS
FrontlineSMS is award-winning free, open-
source software that turns a laptop and
a mobile phone or modem into a central
communications hub. Once installed, the
program enables users to send, receive and
manage text messages with groups of people
through mobile phones. Because it uses text
messages, it does not require an Internet
connection and all data lives on the computer,
rather than on a server controlled by someone
else. Users can send messages to individuals
or large groups, and reply individually. It is
easy to install and requires little or no training
to use.
3. FRONTLINESMS AND PLAN INTERNATIONAL
Introduction
Plan International, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world, is
integrating FrontlineSMS, software for SMS reporting and communication, into some of its key program
areas. Since 2008, when staff gathered in Kenya to discuss the use of social media and new technology
in their program work, Plan has begun using FrontlineSMS in birth registration in Kenya and violence
reporting in West Africa. This case study will look at how Plan is using FrontlineSMS for violence tracking,
the impact of the tool on this work, what they’ve learned and their plans for the future.
About Plan
Plan is one of the oldest and largest international organizations focusing on the rights and
protection of children around the globe.Through a range of programs and the support of
international donors, Plan works with over 3.5 million families and their communities in nearly
50 countries.
FrontlineSMS: Case Study 1
4. A Need for Reporting
The UN Report on Violence Against Children (VAC) revealed some shocking statistics on violence
against children – yet under-reporting means that we still don’t know its true magnitude. Plan, one of the
organizations that participated in the study, is now working with local, national and global partners to
share the results and prevent and respond to violence against children.
In early 2009, Plan was working to strengthen both local and national reporting of trafficking and violence
in Benin, West Africa. They were looking for a way to lower children’s and community members’ barriers
to reporting, including the risk of reprisals and stigma, communications challenges, and access to places
where violence could be reported. The Plan team theorized that collecting reports via SMS, which is
anonymous and low-cost, would encourage reporting and allow for a better understanding of the nature
and the quantity of violence that was happening.
FrontlineSMS and Plan Start SMS Reporting
The team decided to combine FrontlineSMS and Ushahidi, a digital mapping platform that crowdsources
information via SMS, to reach their goal. Since Ushahidi does not have an SMS interface, it needs to be
set up with another tool to collect the messages sent from a mobile phone; FrontlineSMS provides the
simplest tool to do so.
The team began by conducting two workshops in Benin in
February 2009 with youth leaders, frontline staff, community
members, local authorities from the Center for Social Protection
(CPS) and representatives from the Ministry of the Family.
The workshops sought to introduce the idea of using SMS
reporting (FrontlineSMS) and digital mapping (Ushahidi) to
strengthen local and national systems for reporting, tracking
and responding to violence against children. They used the
time to share and refine a basic idea of how the system might
look.
The team followed up with participants and local authorities, and conducted awareness raising activi-
ties including promotion of SMS violence reporting in a youth radio programme, and tacking up posters
around the community. Henri da Silva, Plan Benin’s ICT Director who facilitated at the Benin workshops,
went to Togo to replicate the training with staff and youth there, while watching the Benin pilot unfold and
making adjustments to the set-up.
FrontlineSMS: Case Study 2
5. Promising Beginnings
SMS reporting through the local FrontlineSMS set-up has begun to be utilised by children and other
witnesses of violence in the community to speak out about what they have seen and experienced.
Children and youth continue to conduct outreach in their communities to promote the number and to
educate about the importance of reporting violence. Plan is working with local authorities to train them on
how to manage and track using this new system.
While working to strengthen the reporting and tracking system, Plan
is also looking into ways that local community committees can be more
engaged in the process and the system, especially since in some cases
government systems are not reliable in terms of responding to reported
cases. As incidents come into the tracking system, they will be used to
discuss the situation in communities and with government leaders. Plan
is also looking at ways that the SMS system could be linked with the
national Child Helpline. The initiative is being monitored for learnings
and to detect adjustments that need to be made along the way to
improve on initial assumptions.
Key Learning
ICT tools, including FrontlineSMS, can be invaluable but they must rest on an existing information and
communications flow, and be part of a comprehensive approach that recognizes the true capacity of
stakeholders. In the Benin case study, staff are concerned that the expected increase in messages would
overwhelm the low capacity to respond to reports in the local and national authorities. Plan Benin is work
ing closely with the Ministry of the Family and the CPS with the aim of eventually handing over manage
ment to the authorities entirely. The information collected during the pilot phase will be used to advocate
for more resources for prevention and response.
Involving the users is critical:
Concern about state capacity had lead Plan staff to assume that the system couldn’t get involved in
managing cases but would need to be restricted to reporting. However, the excitement of the CPS, chil
dren, and Plan staff working at the district level changed the team’s thinking, and during the workshop the
system was adapted towards supplying information for future decisions as well as for immediate
response. Local authorities did have concerns about their own capacity to respond, but embraced the
system and the potential to help them do their jobs.
FrontlineSMS: Case Study 3
6. They suggested many ways to improve it, and fleshed out the original ideas on how the information
should flow to those responsible for responding and supporting victims, including local actors that hadn’t
been thought of during the initial design phase.
A significant difficulty was finding appropriate modems to work with FrontlineSMS. Ultimately a
conference call with the FrontlineSMS team and involved Plan staff allowed for procurement of modems
which worked as soon as they were plugged in. The team has also reported that people are calling the
phone number rather than texting. They concluded that more outreach and promotion of the system and
how it works are needed.
Plans for the Future
Careful monitoring of impact and documenting and sharing learning will be critical for potential scaling to
a national system in Benin and for sharing with other countries or for other similar initiatives.
The team is establishing indicators for the various steps/aspects outlined in the information flow diagram.
As the system is piloted in these 2 departments in Benin, close attention will be paid to things like: ad
ditional costs to maintain the system; reporting and response rates; legal action in severe cases; adop-
tion of the system and its sustained use by local entities/government bodies (Ministry of the Family and
Center for Social Protection); suggestions from users on how to improve the system; privacy breaches at
community level and any consequences; numbers of verified cases; number of actual prosecution or
action taken once cases are reported and verified; quality of local level promotion of the hotline and
education to users on how to report; progress in obtaining the green (free text) line and factors deterring
people at different levels from using the system.
The end goal, something to evaluate in the long term, is whether actual levels of violence and abuse go
down over time, and what role this system had in that. Our main assumption — that education, aware-
ness, reporting and response, and follow up action actually make a differerence in reducing violence —
needs also to be confirmed.
Overall, Plan International sees many future potential uses for SMS technology and FrontlineSMS.
Suppliers and Hardware used
Nokia 6230 (locally procured)
Nokia PC suite on Windows XP Professional Service pack 3
Moving to a Falcom SAMBA 75 instead of the phone.
FrontlineSMS: Case Study 4