Openness or Inclusion? Challenges with Implementing Openness in Global South Cities and Communities.

[ UUID ] 920ec1c8-8d9a-4d05-832d-8e2279589ceb

[ Session Name ] Openness or Inclusion? Challenges with Implementing Openness in Global South Cities and Communities. [ Primary Space ] Openness [ Secondary Space ] Digital Inclusion

[ Submitter's Name ] Richard Gevers [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Open Data Durban [ Submitter's GitHub ] @richardgevers

What will happen in your session?

In my session, I will engage with the fact that openness has historically largely been defined (by white men) in the global north, and despite these being some amazing individuals, it has created problematic framing for implementing openness (especially with digital tools) in the global south. I want the session to engage with how this leads to undesirable outcomes including exclusion, lack of buy-in, and distortion when trying to implement openness in global south cities and communities. I want the participants to engage with the dynamics of openness, inclusion and equality as we seen to explore how the open web and open knowledge facilitates or in fact, hinders openness, especially within local government and "smart" cities, and within vulnerable communities.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

I would like to collaboratively come up with a framing and potentially a set of principles for applying openness (especially with digital mechanisms and the web) in two overlapping areas: creating 'open cities' and 'inclusive communities' that seen to understand and mitigate for the negative and distortive impacts of well-intentioned but misplaced efforts in driving openness. In our work in South Africa, we have created an open data toolkit (https://intact.gitbook.io/intact/) for South African cities, I would like to engage with tools such as this and see if they are useful, and can incorporate the learnings from the session. I would like to discuss other practical ways we can ensure the outcomes of openness are inclusion instead of just being self-serving.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

Sticky Notes, Wall Space, Paper

Time needed

90 mins