The main point of my approach to TH!Nk 3 competition is the statement, assumption rather, that new technologies can support development issues greatly. The organizers of Safeguarding 2.0 follow the same thinking looking at ways how technological solutions could help specifically social workers:
"FutureGov has joined forces with the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) to lead a project team that will research safeguarding and find ways for social technology to contribute to keeping children safe.
The project team includes FutureGov, the LGIU, Think Public, Headshift and Barnardos. Collectively we have significant experience and expertise in the application of social technology for business, social innovation, collective social action and institutional change.You can see how the project is progressing on this group, and we’ll be keeping you informed about ways to get involved. We’ll be looking for people to contribute to our research; people to help shape, run and host a pilot; plus some friendly challenge. We’re keen to hear from senior managers and practitioners from childrens social services, teachers, police and health workers, social web technologists, public service designers, funders, people who have a personal passion for this area, and of course young people themselves.
This project has the potential to transform the way in which professionals and non-professionals alike might better share information and form the kinds of relationships that might prevent tragedies."
After initial mapping of actual needs of social workers, the project is now moving to next phase looking at building best model to use web technologies to increase productivity, transparency of social work, as well as avoid tragical mistakes.
It's still work in progress, but I already like few elements of this initiative.
1. Working together across different organizations.
2. Transparency of the process, which helps to develop good models.
3. Openness to new ideas, solutions and members of community.
4. Insightful articles on the project website - creating great knowledge pool across related sectors.
With this approach they must succeed, so I suggest we keep on reading them!;)
It’s great to read a blog that looks at how social media can make a difference. lots of blogs on this site ignore the very vehicle that we’re trying to use!!!
I’ll forward it round some friends who are teachers/social workers etc and see if they’re interested in getting involved.
Thank you, Ian, I really appreciate it. Back from Global Voices Summit now, so I hope to spend more time on TH!NK3 meeting people and reading other stuff too. I like your visuals - keep them coming:) Will comment shortly too, just have few things to post before I forget - I missed out on UK elections, for instance!
Let’s meet up for a coffee sometime!
Thank you for this post! And welcome back Syl
@sylwia - definitely should meet up for coffee - I’ll tell you all about my new campaign. Will post about it tomorrow.
Just getting over disappointment of UK elections!
@Andrea hola! que tal? I am glad to be back and see you here:) big hug!
@Ian if you are free next Thu, 7PM, Jam Factory - I am organizing a tweetup;)
Jealous that I can’t attend your Tweetups. Networking with social media types is always enlightening. Hope you guys have a great time.
Clare
I am sure that if you tweet it, someone will appear to meet up with you - so do one;)