ePartizipation – Jugend aktiv
The ICT&S Centre at the University of Salzburg hosted a lecture on “eParticipation” (slides and the study available in German at www.icts.sbg.ac.at).
The study was presented by Ursula Maier-Rabler; it was motivated by the three aspects “Lowering of the voting age”, “disenchantment with politics” and the (technological) development of “Web 2.0″.
The study presents some interesting details, see e.g. the list of themes that generally is of interest to young people (page 19 of a 213 pages document at http://www.icts.sbg.ac.at/media/pdf/pdf1316.pdf): love, your (own) body, job, mobility, lifestyle, money, environment, events, school (yes! It is on the list), politics, Europe, immigrants and residents, religion. An interesting study!
During the discussion I learned about the term “digital provide”: “Das Handy macht den Sardinenpreis: Einfluss von Handynetzen auf die Mikroökonomie” (see Der Spiegel). A long term study of local fisher markets in southern India investigated the economical effects of the use of mobile phones. Fishermen benefit from mobile phones the following way: before approaching a harbour with their ship load they phone and ask about the (local) need there. If there are too many (other) fishermen already there, they approach another harbour. Overall this results a better distribution of demand and supply, i.e., prices are more average overall (which helps the fishermen).
Add comment May 25th, 2007
