We have been working since 2020 with partners across the world to develop basic cybersecurity resources for migrants, especially in Nepal and South Africa (funded by UKRI GCRF) , and have more recently extended this work to other countries (with funding from ESRC Social Impact Accelerator, Reseaerch England ODA, and Social Purpose Funding throigh Royal Holloway University of London). One of the most exciting of these new initiatives has be the collaboration between G. “Hari” Harindranath and Tim Unwin from the ICT4D Collective, and Dr. Heloisa Meloni in Brazil. This has focused mainly on developing localised versions of our basic training materials originally developed in Nepal into Brazilian Portuguese, focusing especially on advice that would be useful to those living nas periferias and in the favelas.
These resources were originally launched at a workshop on 12th September 2024 at the Casa Resistências in Maré, Rio de Janeiro, with a specific focus on how they could be used by the LBT community living there. Since then, the basic slide deck been subdivided into 16 short video clips by J Lo and Heloisa Melino and these can be shared on social media or used in many other ways to disseminate the advice on safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, especially for the LBT communities living in Brazil’s favelas. Some additional material is also included in clips 12-16 on topics such as deepfakes and using digital tech in violent contexts. Click on the links below to watch and listen to the videos:
We very much hope that these are helpful in many more Portuguese speaking contexts than just that for which they were original designed. They are made available under a Creatoive Commons BY SA license so they are free to use and adapt providing that new versions continue to be made available using the same license and appropriate credit is given.
In the final months of our MIDEQ WP9 team’s interventions working with migrants in South Africa, a remarkable phenomenon emerged — a “yeast effect” that represented the catalytic effect of the impact of colaboration between academia, NGOs, migrant communities and individual participants. This effect symbolises the organic growth and replication of positive outcomes, as individuals who were initially trained by our team together with local colleagues and experts became catalysts for change within their own communities and associations.
Adapting and Propagating Learning Materials
One of the cornerstones of our intervention was the adaptation and propagation of learning material used in the initial workshops we organised and ran. Recognizing the importance of tailoring educational resources to local contexts, we worked with local educators and experts and with the initial participants to create relevant learning material on issue relating to the use of digital tech by migrants. A special focus was on security and safety online and on content creation (to see more about our initiative and trainings), ensuring their accessibility and relevance to the communities we and they served.
After a series of workshops run by our team between November 2022 and August 2023, some of the trainees started organising sessions and training people in their own communities. During presentations to different audiences, such as chairmen of migrant associations, women community leaders, NGOs representatives and teenagers, the new trainers further adapted the learning material to suit the specific needs and understandings of each group. All examples were carefully crafted to resonate with the audience and address their concerns, responding to feedback from local stakeholders and demonstrating their commitment to meeting emerging challenges and empowering individuals with relevant skills and knowledge.
Furthermore, the team of trainers began developing new PowerPoint presentations that addressed frequently asked questions and were designed to be engaging and captivating for the public. Some examples of these slides are illustrated below.
From the Power Point Presentation created by the Fusion Avenue team in Johannesburg
From the Power Point Presentation created by the Fusion Avenue team in Cape Town
Targeted Events, Outreach, Collaborations and Partnerships
Our efforts encompassed a diverse range of events such as documentary presentations (see our blog about recent events) and targeting specific groups of stakeholders. From migrants and migrant associations to local communities, international organizations, academics, and media, we engaged with a wide spectrum of audiences to ensure the broad dissemination of knowledge and resources. A key highlight of this part of the intervention was the implementation of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing initiatives. Through video creation and dissemination, as well as face-to-face workshops run by migrants for migrants, we witnessed at first hand the power of community-led education. Individuals who were trained in our initial workshops took on leadership roles, becoming educators and advocates within their own communities. This is how the Fusion Avenue team of trainers presents and sponsors their work to support more organisations and communities:
Central to the success of these interventions was a spirit of collaboration and partnership. We worked closely with local stakeholders such as the Adonis Musati Project, international organizations such as the Scalabrini Centre, academia and research institutes such as SIHMA, and migrant associations such as MAGSA to leverage collective expertise and resources. This collaborative approach not only enhanced the effectiveness of our interventions but also fostered a sense of ownership and created the bases for the continuation and sustainability of the activities within the communities we served. This collaboration of groups from 12 different African countries represents a significant step forward in fostering solidarity and collective action among diverse migrant communities.
Together, they are now working on a common agenda in Johannesburg and Cape Town related to the safe, secure, and wise use of digital technologies, as well as communication skills and changing the narratives around migration. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in fostering solidarity and collective action among diverse migrant communities.
Measuring Impact and Ensuring Sustainability
The impact of the intervention was quantifiable, with hundreds of individuals already having been trained and reached through the different activities convened by the migrants with whom we worked. More than 200 people have been trained during the last 5 months by 12 of the 30 trainees in our original workshops. The rest of the participants are using the acquired skills to get a job and to fulfil their personal aims.
The majority of the activities carried on by the ‘new trainers’ covered more than one 4-hours session with each group of people. This approach ensured sufficient knowledge transmission, not least by allocating enough time to do practical exercises during the session including such things as how to change the settings on personal social media accounts. It also enabled the testing of information reception during the re-cap done by the trainees at the start of every new session.
Every participant completed a feedback form to give back impressions on the quality of the activity and suggestions for improvements. In the case of school teachers, community leaders and representatives of organisations and associations, the learning material was always requested by the trainees so that they could further disseminate the lessons learned (all our materials were created using Creative Commons BY-SA licenses). Some interviews and appreciative letters also witness this commitment. The administrator of the Congolese Society of South Africa Diana Bongongo highlights below what she learned from our trainees – now trainers! – and how she will herself become another yeast of change!
Integration of lessons learned into existing programmes
As part of our commitment to knowledge exchange and continuous improvement, we have shared our journey through a documentary film covering our interventions in South Africa. Additionally, we leveraged social media and collaborated with research hubs and NGOs to disseminate videos created by migrants, ensuring that our learnings reached a wider audience and had a lasting impact. But perhaps more importantly, our focus was on ensuring the continuation of these activities beyond the intervention period. Through partnerships with local stakeholders (including migrant organizations, associations, community leaders, local media companies, and school teachers) and integration of training resources into existing programs, we laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability and community empowerment. Our learning material is for instance now being used by the Scalabrini Centre in Cape Town, which reaches out to 1,500 migrants trained face-to-face yearly. Cape Town TV is also supporting the dissemination of the videos produced as well as the preparation of focused programs on migration.
Additionally, local non-migrant organizations such as Ubuntu Bethu have been instrumental in deploying workshops on digital safety and content creation in marginalized communities where many migrants reside. These partnerships have expanded the reach of our intervention to people living with constraints and limited access to the type of support and trainings offered elsewhere, and provide much needed advice for job search in areas with more than 50% rate unemployment, and for online safety in area of high gender based violence. The new partnerships and collaboration have also sparked further discussions around inequalities faced by migrants in areas affected by severe deprivation for all residents, furthering our collective efforts for social change.
In conclusion, the yeast effect of our intervention exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in uplifting migrants and the wider communities in which they live. By harnessing the power of community engagement, peer-to-peer learning, and targeted outreach, we not only empowered individuals but also laid the foundation for sustainable change that will continue to flourish long after the intervention has ended.
[Click on images or links to download the relevant press release]
Events
Lalitpur
10 December 2023, Lalitpur, Nepal: The launch of the digital tech interventions for Nepali migrants facilitated by Work Package 9 of the MIDEQ Hub took place today in the Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur. Eighty participants from government, civil society, the private sector, international organisations and digital tech students attended. The two key interventions that Hari Harindranath, Tim Unwin and Maria Rosa Lorini (from the ICT4D Collective and Royal Holloway, University of London) had helped their Nepali colleagues to create were presented: the https://pardesi.org.np portal, which is a one-stop-shop for migrants and their families to find out about all aspects of the migration process; and resources that can be used to train migrants in the safe, wise and secure (or private) uses of digital tech, which have been designed to be especially useful in the Migrant Resource Centres.
Video content has become an essential tool for sharing experiences, information, and solutions in the contemporary world. This medium can be an especially powerful means for migrants to connect, inform, and advocate for change. Surveys, interviews and focus groups with migrants in South Africa conducted between 2020 and 2022 as part of our research-practice within the MIDEQ Hub pointed to the potential benefits that training in digital video production could have in empowering migrants, specifically for sharing their life experiences (stories), helping fellow migrants, and shedding light on issues they face. This post describes the creation and implementation of a two-week workshop held at the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town in November 2022 in collaboration with local tech developers. This subsequently formed a model for further workshops in Johannesburg and set in motion many other activities to improve the skills of migrants (see overview of our interventions with migrants in Nepal and South Africa).
The training workshop
The first week of the workshop was theory-based, and the second focused on practical video creation techniques. Its overall aim was to uplift and empower migrant voices while prioritizing safety and security, above all for the most vulnerable people, and also to leveraged open and free resources and video optimization strategies.
Week One: building a foundation and staying safe
The initial phase of the workshop was dedicated to building a strong foundation for digital storytelling while emphasizing the importance of online safety. Participants, from a dozen Sub-Saharan African countries, gathered to learn about the critical aspects of online safety and security., noting that the nuances of digital safety are paramount, especially when sharing personal experiences or sensitive information (see their video THINK).
Participants were guided by experts who shared valuable insights into protecting their online presence while engaging with social media and digital tools. This included strategies for safeguarding our digital presence, including
adopting strong, unique passwords for each online account,
staying informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices
exercising caution when sharing personal information online, and
being wary of phishing attempts and suspicious links.
Protecting our online identities, financial data, and privacy settings, and minimizing the risk of being targeted by hate speech or discrimination were also essential components of the activities. The participants were encouraged to maintain a balance between sharing their experiences and protecting their well-being.
The workshop also took participants on a journey of discovery, introducing them to the potential of digital technologies for entrepreneurship, social mobilization, and community networking (see their video on e-business). Migrants often face unique challenges in their new homes, and digital tools can provide a platform to address these issues effectively. The theoretical sessions aimed to provide participants with the knowledge and confidence to utilize these tools effectively and safely.
Week Two: turning theory into practice while staying safe and leveraging free and Open resources
The second week enabled participants to learn about some of the technical aspects of video creation. They were introduced to techniques that allowed them to create potentially impactful videos without necessarily showing themselves on camera. This was particularly valuable for those who wanted to share their experiences while minimizing the risk of being identified and targeted.
The workshop emphasized the use of free and open software and content that are readily available on the web. Tools such as CapCut were introduced to allow participants to edit, enhance, and produce their own videos without any financial barriers. This made video creation accessible to all regardless of the devices used, although paying for connectivity often remains a challenge for the migrants. From shooting techniques to sound recording, from video editing to lighting, many details were covered so that they could all create their own videos using their smartphones. Nevertheless, more sophisticated devices such as external microphones for sound quality, stabilizers, and extra lightning were also demonstrated during the training to show the difference they can make and how to replicate the same good-quality results without using any such extra equipment. The initial videos produced as training activities showed how good-quality videos can be produced simply and easily, using accessible and free software. This empowerment through knowledge and frugal technology was a cornerstone of the workshop’s philosophy.
There were three main reasons why we focused on producing good-quality video production in the workshop.
Our commitment to engaging with other organizations: This part of our work aimed to reach out to organizations working with migrants in South Africa, and we hope that the migrants trained through the workshop will go on to make videos for such organizations. High-quality videos are more likely to be shared and promoted by these organizations. A well-produced video captures attention, effectively conveys its message, and aligns with the professionalism expected by these institutions.
Anonymity: Participants learned how to create avatars or use online, free, and readily available materials to anonymize their videos, avoiding the need to show their faces in case of sensitive topics or risk of online harassment.
Cost efficiency: these techniques helped minimize production costs as there was no requirement to constantly shoot new material around the city.
The dual benefit of anonymity and cost efficiency empowered participants to share their stories in high quality video without exposing their identities and without breaking the bank.
The impact and maximizing visibility
The same philosophy applied to the strategies for maximizing the visibility and impact of these videos. Participants were taught how to create captivating thumbnails that would grab viewers’ attention, craft relevant video descriptions to enhance searchability, and use special effects to engage and entice their audiences. Most also implemented a call to action at the end of each video to generate reactions and spark discussions, ensuring their content had a lasting impact.
At the end of the two-week workshop, participants showcased their videos to their peers and mentors. The diversity of topics covered was astounding, ranging from practical advice on navigating South Africa’s bureaucracy to heart-warming personal stories of resilience and triumph. These videos were not just about sharing experiences but also about shedding light on difficult situations and inequalities faced by migrants.
These migrants were able to become advocates for change through their videos. They created videos about organizations that help migrants (such as the Scalabrini Centre), highlighted the challenges faced (see Statelessness), prepared tutorials,and suggested solutions to improve their lives (see Tips for newcomers). They brought attention to the vibrant migrant community in South Africa, fostering greater understanding and empathy among the broader population.
Low-tech production for high and safe impact
This workshop also demonstrated the power of combining digital skills with a desire to share knowledge and experiences safely and effectively. Empowering migrants through video creation enriched their lives and our understanding of the diverse tapestry of human experiences. By leveraging free resources and implementing visibility strategies, this initiative enabled migrants to share their voices and also potentially to reach a wide audience, fostering greater empathy, understanding, and positive change.
This intervention has given voice to a community that often remains unheard. It is a testament to the transformative potential of technology matched with skills development and networking in addressing the challenges faced by migrants and helping them to improve their their lives better.
Tim Unwin visited Cape Town between 23rd and 30th August to carry forward our work led by Maria Rosa Lorini with migrants in South Africa as part of the MIDEQ Hub. This visit focused especially on dissemination, monitoring and evaluation, and training skills, but it also provided an excellent opportunity to work with other colleagues in MIDEQ from the South African lead team at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and also the work package on creative resistance and well-being from the University of Glasgow
We held two workshops at the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town with the group of migrants who have been trained in video production and in the safe, wise and secure use of digtital tech through our MIDEQ intervention. The first of these concentrated on ways through which these videos can be disseminated more widely, as well as the importance of rigorous monitoring and evaluation for us to understand the impact of these videos. Key ideas to emerge from the workshop were: that it is better to produce something of, say, 60% quality, rather than aiming to produce something of 95% quality but failing to deliver anything; the ways that short videos on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can be used to direct other migrants to their Fusion Avenue videos on YouTube; and the need for individuals in any loosely knit organisation to take responsibility for some aspect of its work. We also explored the top five tips on Instagram success that Michelle Carlin had suggested.
The migrants had recently held a training workshop on safe, wise and secure use of digital tech for other migrants at Rugby, and so our second workshop was to draw out lessons from this and provide them with additional advice on how to train others. This involved them in delivering short training segments and having feedback from each other on what went well and what aspects they might try to improve.
As part of our dissemination strategy and in order to help make our work sustainable beyond the duration of funding from the UKRI GCRF, we also used the opportunity to have very productive practical discussions with organisations working at the interface between migration and digital tech about ways through which the migrants’ skills in video production could be used to make further videos for these organisations in the future. Among the organisations with whom we explored future collaboration on a range of modalities are the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, the Adonis Musati Project, the University of Cape Town’s Refugee Rights Unit, Cape Town TV, Phillipi TV, Africa Unite, Ubunthu-Betu in Samora Machel and JL Zwane in Gugulethu.
Finally, this visit provided an excellent opportunity to work together with colleagues from other work packages within MIDEQ, namely our South African country lead team ked by Dr. Faisal Garba at UCT, and Dr. Gameli Tordzro from the Univeristy of Glasgow. Gameli is a highly engaging and charismatic artist and musican whose research is in creative arts and translating cultures, language and education with a focus on African diaspora music, video film production, story and storytelling. He was in Cape Town working with about 25 migrants at Africa Unite to weave a story in words, music and culture about the experiences of African migrants, and it was truly humbling to watch them develop their very moving collective story and performance.
Finalising details with them of a portal to bring together existing information of relevance to migrants so that they can readily gain reliable advice on all aspects of migration. There are many existing apps and websites relating to migration for Nepali citizens, not least the advice provided by the government. However, migrant organisations told us early on in our work with them that there was a real need for such a one-stop-shop, and we have been supporting them as they have been creating this portal together with local tech developers. This is due to be launched in December 2023, and the migrants also made some short videos that will be used to promote the portal in advance of the launch.
A second element of work suggested by the organisations was the need for basic training guidance for migrants in multiple languages used in Nepal on the safe, wise and secure/private use of digital tech. Following the development of a training programme earlier in 2023, along with guidance notes on how the slide deck can be used, migrants rquested a more basic set of information. Having produced this before our visit, we tested it out again in Kathmandu, and following some further revisions this is now being translated into relevant languages, and will also be availabe at the launch in December.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet with colleagues from different organisations based in Kathmandu, primarily to explore ways through which these resources can best be disseminated, notably the Government of Nepal’s Foreign Employment Bureau, the ILO Office in Kathmandu, and the UNESCO office in Kathmandu. We are very grateful for their strong support and the advice that they have given us. It was also good to meet with Nayan Pokhrel who has led on the translation of our work, and has provide much useful information about Nepal for us.
In Pokhara, we followed a similar pattern of work including:
Meetings with our partners at Gandaki University as well as those involved in training young people in digital skills at the National Innovation Centre’s ICT & Electronics Innovation Lab, and staff at Gandaki Medical College and hospital.
A review session on the basic training deck we have been creating together on the safe, wise and secure use of digital tech, with colleagues from Gandaki University, the MRC in Pokhara, and NEST in Pokhara.
We were also grateful to have an opportunity to see some of the wealth of cultural heritage of Nepal, especially around Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square which have been so lovingly restored after the earthquake of 2015.
The UNESCO Chair in ICT4D is leading the work package on the interface between digital technologies and migration within the UKRI-GCRF South-South Migration Hub, now known by the shortened name MIDEQ. Hari Harindranath and Tim Unwin were therefore delighted to participate actively in the Hub’s Executive Group meeting on 23-24 September in Nairobi, followed by numerous meetings with the corridor leads and other work package teams, as well as participating in and leading some of the training sessions held from 26th September to 1st October. As well as discussing important issues around our progress so far, communications strategy, governance, operations and migration survey, the evening of 24th September included a digital launch event followed by dinner and story telling, led by Tawona Sitholé, around a campfire. The week of meetings provided an invaluable opportunity to get to know the many partners and new researchers in the Hub. We are all now in a much better position to start engaging in field research together once the inception phase is over. Hari and Tim are especially eager to get involved on the ground working with colleagues in the China-Ghana, Ethiopia-South Africa, Haiti-Brazil, and Nepal-Malaysia corridors. The pictures below provide just a glimpse of the diversity and energy of the gathering…
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Many thanks are due to all of the colleagues who worked so hard to put the programme together and helped to ensure that it was a success.
The opportunity for Hari and Tim to be in Nairobi also provided a great chance to catch up with old friends in the city and make new contacts of wider interest to the work of the UNESCO Chair in ICT4D. We would like to say especial thanks to them for making the time to meet up and exchange ideas about the uses of digital technologies in Kenya and beyond. We also spent a magical half-day escaping to the Natiional Park near the airport in Nairobi (see some of our pictures here)!
ICT4D Collective 
