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Undocumented Black Migrants Build an Informal Organizing Network

Carla Pineda

November 06, 2018 |

Law at the Margins |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Grassroots organizers use mobile technology to spread information and resources to underserved immigrant communities. Groups like the Haitian Bridge Alliance and UndocuBlack mobilize legal and social resources for immigrants who belong to groups often characterized as “invisible” in the public discourse, because they represent such a small percentage of the migrant population. Mobile tech enables these nonprofits to publicize individual cases and quickly connect immigrants to appropriate social networks.

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These election tools are here to help you make sense of your long, complicated ballot

Adele Peters

November 02, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Easy-to-use web apps provide information about candidates and referendums, gathering information all in one place for voters. BallotReady and We Vote are two such tools.

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The Pirate Cell Towers of Rural Mexico

Martha Pskowski

November 01, 2018 |

New York Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Talea de Castro, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities in rural Mexico have typically faced challenges accessing internet and cell phone service. This is changing thanks to TIC, a nonprofit cell service provider. Lower costs, local community management, and open source technology keep the service affordable. After overcoming several legal battles, the nonprofit cell model is spreading to other areas in Mexico, Brazil, and more.

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Sexual-Harassment-Reporting Apps Help Stop Abuse in Global City Streets

Sonia Weiser

October 12, 2018 |

New York Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India

Using data collection and visualization, apps like SafeCity, HarassMap, and #WalkFreely are crowdsourcing locations where individuals have been sexually harassed or assaulted so that others know to take precautions. Some operate on a global scale, others locally, but what they all offer is a platform for people to share their story and hopefully prevent it from happening again. Such apps have led to action from community members, the media, and officials who have taken notice of the high rates in certain places and taken action.

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Thousands of South Africans join GovChat

Vernon Pillay

October 04, 2018 |

IOL Business Report |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa

GovChat is the world's first platform that connects citizens with politicians via WhatsApp. It allows citizens to rate public services and report issues, submit service requests, and donate to community organizations. Thousands of people registered and began using the platform within the first 72 hours.

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How to help homeless people – without feeding a habit

Stephen Moss

August 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Oxford

It's not uncommon for people to hesitate to give money to homeless because of an uncertainty of how the money will be spent. To address this, as well as an increasingly cashless society, an app known as Greater Change is being piloted in Oxford that "allows passersby to make donations via their phones using the QR code."

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Students are dropping out of college before even starting. Here's how educators are trying to stop the trend.

Nick Anderson

August 25, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

A Harvard study found that, in Boston, 10 to 20 percent of college-bound high school graduates weren't actually ending up enrolling in college. Researchers think they might have found a partial solution to what is known as the "melt trend" - in this approach, mentors send text messages throughout the summer reminding students of upcoming financial aid and registration deadlines and offering general encouragement.

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How having space — even small enough to hold a cellphone — is helping Chicago's homeless

Alison Bowen

August 01, 2018 |

Chicago Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Though homelessness is an entrenched and complex problem, small solutions can make a difference in the daily life of homeless individuals. Lockers for overnight cell phone storage in a homeless shelter in Chicago are significant: people can wake up with a sense of security, knowing their phones will be available to help find jobs or stay in touch with loved ones. This is part of the Chicago Youth Storage Initiative, which as since funded 755 storage unites at homeless shelters across Chicago.

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Check the Back Seat! Alerts Remind Drivers About Children

Ellen Byron

July 28, 2018 |

Wall Street Journal |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Nissan and GM plan to make warning systems standard in many of their vehicles that alert drivers there are occupants in the back seat to address the persistent issue of children dying in hot cars. Other new products, apps and education efforts are underway as well to tackle this problem. These potential solutions represent a societal shift that seems to acknowledge this can happen even to the most conscientious parents.

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Somaliland Uses Phones to Help Improve Schools

Doreen Aijambo

July 16, 2018 |

Al-Fanar Media |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Somaliland

Similar to other countries in Africa, Somaliland is using technology to better education. There, an estimated 150,000 parents use a free-mobile messaging tool to communicate about school conditions with the government. The capital of Somaliland engages in “community scorecards,” a mobile survey of thousands of students and their parents regarding their schooling.

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