02 December 2008
U.S. Official Discusses Alliance of Youth Movements Summit
Ask America webchat transcript, December 1
Jared Cohen, the summit’s international press contact, answered questions about the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit in a December 1 Ask America webchat and explained how to use social and mobile technologies to promote freedom and justice.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Using Technology to End Violence-Alliance of Youth Movements Summit
Guest: Jared Cohen
Date: December 1, 2008
Time: 8 a.m. EST (1500 GMT)
[Introduction]: Jared Cohen joined the secretary of state’s policy planning staff in 2006. He is responsible for counterterrorism, counter-radicalization, youth and education, public diplomacy, Muslim world outreach and the Maghreb.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Hello and welcome! We are now joined by Jared Cohen who introduce himself and then begin to answer your questions. Thanks for joining us today and keep those questions coming!
Jared Cohen: Thank you Kristin, I am excited to be here today to talk about youth, technology, and the Alliance of Youth Movements. The Alliance of Youth Movements is about embracing a new wave of civil society in which grassroots movements which include those that begin online.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Our first question is from Angoran.
Question [angoran]: please, can you explain us in what extent the use technology can be a mean of promotion of freedom and justice?
Answer [Jared Cohen]: Thank you Angoran. Online, mobile, and digital media offer tools that can be leveraged for freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. They allow for the free flow of information, critical thinking, and opportunities for individuals to reach beyond those in their immediate circle of contacts.
Q [Abidjan]: how this alliance has been created, what are their target?
A [Jared Cohen]: This Alliance of Youth Movements had organic beginnings in the sense that already, youth movements from around the world that were utilizing online, mobile and digital media were interacting to discuss best practices. The State Department acted as a facilitator to help provide some structure to this trend by partnering with entities like Facebook, Howcast, Google, MTV, and Columbia Law School.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Jared - could you tell us a bit more about the success of the One Million Voices against FARC Movement?
A [Jared Cohen]: The aim of the Alliance of Youth Movements is to look at the success stories where youth have used the online space as a tool for youth empowerment against violence and oppression, synthesize the best practices that made these possible, and inspire new movements.
Wherever civil society organizations exist or individuals have causes that promote non-violent youth causes, we want them to have the knowledge and information on how to develop an online component to what they are trying to achieve.
The event that inspired the summit was on February 4, when Oscar Morales, an unemployed engineer from Colombia, used Facebook to create a group called Million Voices against FARC and put 12 million people into the streets in 190 cities around the world.
I found three things remarkable about this movement: 1) this was the largest protest against a terrorist organization in the history of the world, all organized online; 2) only 450,000 people joined the Facebook group, yet they put 12 million in the streets; 3) after the protest they were contacted by groups from around the world wanting to know how they did it!
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: For more information on No Mas FARC see this page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-million-voices-against-FARC/10780185890
Q [angoran]: difference between social and mobile one?
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Jared - could you explain the different kinds of technology movements are using?
A [Jared Cohen]: I know a lot of you will want to know, what about places where Internet access is not as prevalent. Well, Colombia helps explain this as the digitally connected few (450,000) became community organizers to rally the non-connected masses using online media.
Facebook asked me to blog about this a few weeks ago, here is the link: http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?blog_id=company&blogger=203366
We are seeing movements across the world use a diverse set of technologies. The simplest is Television, where we are seeing groups that have the means put their videos and images on screen in the form of commercials. But we are seeing a lot of activities using mobile phones and the Internet.
With mobile phones, there is a tactic called "smart mobbing", where mobile phones are used to assemble young people around a cause. On the Internet, we are seeing online social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, and Orkut serve as important forums for young people to assemble together, build a cause, a mission, and organize events.
Q [Dessi franck]: Please do explain us how do we concretely use these tools?
A [Jared Cohen]: the utility of the online spaces is that you don't need to rent an office, hire a staff, or fill out a bunch of paperwork. Anybody with a cause and a computer can start a civil society organization online; we call this civil society 2.0.
There is a great organization called www.Howcast.com that does online How-to videos. One of their how to videos is how to use online social networking sites to start a grassroots movement. Here is a preview of their video on this: http://www.howcast.com/videos/85581 PREVIEW-ONLY-How-To-Create-a-Grassroots-Movement-Using-SocialNetworking-Sites.
Q [aya]: Do you think such an alliance can change the world view on the youth implication in the world affairs.
A [Jared Cohen]: I know it can because the 17 delegate organizations coming have proven this already, this is why they have been chosen. They have used online tools to build movements that have helped take down terrorist organizations, stand up to autocracy, advocate for human rights and democracy, and push back on various forms of violence and crime.
The question is not will the alliance change the world view, but how quickly can these best practices be disseminated to other groups who want to learn from them.
Q [TG-23]: Hello Jared, thank you for time. You have spent time in the Middle East: How do the non-violent NGOs reach these young people who are bombareded daily with hi-tech message of pro-violence form alqeda and other groups.
A [Jared Cohen]: It is an exciting time to be a youth. I am 27 years old in the U.S. government and I know that a few years ago, you could never have talked seriously about Facebook, mobile, and other digital media; now, because of what these movements have proven can be done using these tools, it is part of everyday conversation and policy.
TG-23, thank you for that very important question. It is true that groups like Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and other violent extremist organizations are active online, but they are losing and will continue to lose in this space because, at the end of the day, they thrive in situations where their monolithic opinions can prevail. The value of the online space is anybody can push back on what they are saying. If you disagree, you can post videos, text, and comments that challenge their ideology. If youth are being influenced by these organizations in an extremist school, or a private venue, that is not an option.
Furthermore, the online space offers the exact freedoms, exposure to critical thinking and choice, and civil liberties that are the enemy of violent extremist organizations. But, we need more dorm room diplomacy, that is young people from the U.S. and other parts of the world interacting online from their dorm rooms, living rooms, etc. with young people around the world who are using the exact same forums as them.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: We encourage you all to visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/CoNx-See-the-World/26365096875 to interact with us and tell us what you think.
A [Jared Cohen]: You no longer need a visa or a ticket or your parents’ permission to travel to different countries; you no longer have to win the scholarship or the fellowship to be exposed to people from different parts of the world; dorm room diplomacy allows for anyone with access to a computer and a mobile phone to engage.
Q [aya]: Technology is not very developed in Africa, so how could African youth efficiently contribute to end violence through technology?
A [Jared Cohen]: It is true that technology has a long way to go in Africa, but did you know that Africa is the fastest growing mobile market in the world? Did you also know that percentage wise, more people in Africa are going on the Internet for the first time over a mobile phone than over a computer?
A very powerful statistic is that in 2001, Nigeria had access to 500,000 mobile phone subscriptions. Today, in 2008, there are more than 42 million mobile phone subscriptions. So, the trend in Africa is an exponential growth in access, which is why it is so important now to start utilizing these tools.
Q [rouamba]: is it possible to create this kind of alliance all over the world?
A [Jared Cohen]: It is already happening; we have participants coming from 5 continents and from over 20 countries around the world. We have online youth movements coming from places like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Egypt, various parts of Europe and Asia, etc.
Q [angoran]: do you think this alliance will have an impact on young arab terrorists?
A [Jared Cohen]: We have a participant coming from Iraq to learn how he can develop an online platform for his civil society organization.
I would phrase the question differently, which is can the Alliance of Youth Movements have an impact on countering violent extremism. Violent extremism has many faces. But, the answer is yes. Look at what Oscar Morales did in Colombia against the FARC, which was one of the oldest terrorist organizations in the world. Terrorists thrive in environments where they have followers and constituents. Online youth movements show that there is a counter voice to their violent causes.
Q [TG-23]: How about language...is English the common language of the Web? How do these groups communicate?
A [Jared Cohen]: There have been tremendous breakthroughs in this. For instance, Facebook has launched an incredibly important user generated translation program and Facebook is now available in over a dozen languages. Google Translate is also an incredible tool. Instantly and with impeccable accuracy, you can translate from most major languages in just a matter of seconds. This means that even if you don't speak English, you can fully engage with someone who does, or visa-versa.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: You can use the Google Translator here: www.translate.google.com.
Q [Dessi franck]: Are young people eager to ally in spite of the differences to stand together as one to fight against violence?
A [Jared Cohen]: Absolutely, because it is already proven. These are 17 organizations from different countries, focused on different specifics, but all committed to non-violence. The most common denominator for young people around the world is a desire to be able to choose their own futures and live in a peaceful world where violence does not obstruct them.
Comment [angoran]: several students dream of that alliance movement
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks for your comment, angoran. What are the biggest issues in your community?
A [Jared Cohen]: Angoran, the advantage is that anybody can participate in this Alliance of Youth Movements. The whole summit will be live streamed on Howcast.com and MTV as well.
Q [aya]: Don't you think the setting of limits in the use of Internet for example will be good for the promotion of non-violence since other people are using it to promote violence?
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Could you address any limitations, Jared? And maybe comment on what needs to be done to push these movements forward?
A [Jared Cohen]: There will also be a central hub of information located at http://www.howcast.com/youthmovements.
I would say the biggest limit is a lack of knowledge on best practices. That is what we are trying to achieve with this summit. The summit will also put out a field manual that will provide best practices, videos, and steps for building these kinds of movements.
Aya, we should not try to limit the Internet, this is exactly what violent extremist organizations want. We stand for freedom of speech and the free flow of information. What we don't stand for is the exploitation of young people for violent causes.
All of the information about the Alliance of Youth Movements, the Field Manual on best practices, and how to watch the live stream will be available at http://www.howcast.com/youthmovements. This information will all be posted on Tuesday.
Q [kambo alex stephane]: how can young men are not connected with internet or are not available to have it can participate to your forum or become a member?
A [Jared Cohen]: In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the site so you can learn more about the summit, share it with your friends, and participate.
The purpose of the Alliance of Youth Movements is to build a network of movements utilizing online, mobile, and digital media to organize for non-violent causes, so as long as an individual can get access to the hub in order to make contact, they could potentially reach out for partnership with the existing network.
Q [angoran]: is it possible to have that project work in Cote d’Ivoire?
A [Jared Cohen]: Angoran, absolutely. All that is needed is one individual with a cause they believe in and access to a computer or a mobile phone.
Q [Dessi franck]: what did you experienced in the Islamic world about the position of youth in relation to violence?
A [Jared Cohen]: What I experienced was a youth demographic that was similar to me as a young America in that we desire a world where we have freedoms and civil liberties, a world absent of violence, and the opportunities to pursue our goals.
Q [kambo alex stephane]: many terrorist organization make propaganda through internet. how can we stop it and try to change the idea of the young, and drive them to have a good point of view about peace in the world and avoid violence?
A [Jared Cohen]: It is all about alternatives. Terrorists will continue to put out their propaganda, but you as young people with access to these tools have the means to put out alternative ideas, create alternative movements, forums, and voices. Again, a great example of this is in Colombia the FARC had put out their ideology for 40+ years and Oscar Morales create an alternative message of "No More FARC".
But, I think it is important to remember, this can also be done using mobile technology. If you have a mobile phone with SMS capability, create a message and send it to your friends and ask each of them to send it to 10 people.
Q [kambo alex stephane]: Ok, but how can those who are not always in touch with computer can do to promote non violence in their environment?
A [Jared Cohen]: You can also announce an event and use the same method, for instance, let's all meet on this date at this time to promote a particular cause.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Jared is addressing this concern now.
A [Jared Cohen]: A great example of this actually comes from Belarus, where there are serious restrictions on civil liberties. A group of young people used mobile phones to get all of their friends to come to the main square at a particular time and eat ice cream together so that they could show the government their ability to organize. Even though it was a very benign cause, they were demonstrating their freedom to assemble. http://www.smartmobs.com/2006/10/03/ice-cream-politics-flash-mob-in-belarus/.
Q [aya]: Don't you think hackers are dangerous for this project?
A [Jared Cohen]: Whenever you are forming a movement be it online or offline, there are always spoilers. So, yes, hackers could be a problem, but nothing is risk free.
Q [kambo alex stephane]: can you give the number or e-mail address of some members with whom i can exchange my knowledge about violence in the world?
A [Jared Cohen]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_mob
The best thing for you to do would be to first watch the live stream at http://www.howcast.com/youthmovements December 4 and 5 and then contact them through the Alliance of Youth Movements Hub located on the same site.
Q [rouamba]: what do governments do to help the youth associations who promote leadership?
A [Jared Cohen]: Rouamba, it really depends on which government. But, the interesting part about this new wave of civil society organizations is that government does not have as pronounced a role as had been in the past. The digital space allows for greater autonomy for young people.
Q [Dessi franck]: Have you got a special program for Africa? If yes, what does it consist of?
A [Jared Cohen]: Dessi franck, we have a policy toward youth, and youth does not have a national, ethnic, political, or religious face to it. It is a demographic and our policy is to engage with that demographic to leverage online, mobile, and digital media as a tool for empowerment against violence and oppression.
Q [TG-23]: What is the most popular tool for these movements? Social Networking? Virtual world? Online IM? something new??
A [Jared Cohen]: TG-23, I think this is a great question for me to conclude on. The answer is any and all of them. Any combination of these tools allows for a greater chance of civil society organizations coming to fruition regardless of how challenging the environment. Nobody understands these tools better than the youth who use them. You all will be the ones to push out the best practices. In conclusion, I encourage you all to help spread the world and get your friends to participate in the summit December 4-5 by visiting http://www.howcast.com/youthmovements.
Q [doumbouya]: what african people must do go against rebellion children exploitation
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks for your opinion, doumbouya. These are important causes to fight against.
Jared Cohen: Even if you are not in attendance in New York, you can be part of this historic event by visiting the site. Thank you all for the chance to chat with you today.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks to all of you for your questions. And thank you, Jared, for joining us today.
Comment [rouamba]: thank you.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: I hope that our Webchat today has been informative and inspiring.
kambo alex stephane: thank you.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Please go to our Facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov and let us know what you think. There are over 850 members from all over the globe with ideas and thoughts on how to create a movement.
Comment [Abidjan]: thank you and let behave for a new world for peace and development.
Comment [angoran]: thank u too.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: This chat is now closed.
We will have a transcript of today's chat up shortly. Please continue to go to our Facebook page as well as http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html for more information on upcoming programs.
Abidjan: thank you
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