It is undeniable that social media has become a powerful ComDev tool, able to reach and engage people in development initiatives. In agriculture, for example, social media has helped to increase farmers’ access to timely and relevant information and marketing advice. It has also helped improve the delivery of public services by facilitating two-way communication between government and citizens.
The United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT-ESCAP) held a Regional Workshop on Social Media for Development in Incheon, Republic of Korea, from June 30 to 2 July 2, 2014. The workshop targeted regional leaders and university students.
During the workshop, experts and practitioners from governments, development organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, including representatives from the non-profit development organization FHI360, shared their knowledge on social media and development.
The event also marked the official launch of the Module on Social Media for Development under the UN-APCICT’s flagship ICT capacity building programme for government officials and policymakers: the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, ESCAP includes four sub-regional offices and five regional institutes, of which APCICT is one.
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