Tag Archives: Social Media

USING NEW MEDIA FOR PEER-BASED PARTICIPATORY POLITICS, BYPASSING POLITICAL ELITES AND INSTITUTIONS

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To be treated cautiously, but an interesting piece of research from the USA about young people and participatory politics. At the very least it poses some questions about the UK emphasis on drawing young people into ways of representing and organising – youth councils, youth parliaments – that mimic the deeply problematic institutions favoured by the political elite and the status quo.

IN ADVANCE OF 2012 ELECTION, NATIONAL SURVEY FINDS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE USING NEW MEDIA FOR PEER-BASED PARTICIPATORY POLITICS, BYPASSING POLITICAL ELITES AND INSTITUTIONS

The study report, Participatory Politics: New Media and Youth Political Action shows that contrary to the traditional notion of a technological digital divide, substantial numbers of young people across racial and ethnic groups are engaging in “participatory politics” — acts such as starting a political group online, circulating a blog about a political issue, or forwarding political videos to friends.  Like traditional political acts, these acts address issues of public concern.  The difference is that participatory acts are interactive, peer-based, and do not defer to elites or formal institutions. They are also tied to digital or new media platforms that facilitate and amplify young people’s actions.

KONY 2012 : QUESTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUTH WORKERS?

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Tania de St Croix writes:

By far the most popular political cause amongst the young people I work with right now is Kony 2012, the campaign against the Lord’s Republican Army and its leader Joseph Kony.

For youth workers it’s great when young people tell us about campaigns and political action they are involved with, or when they raise complex global political issues. Over the past fortnight I have had more conversations about forced child soldiers in Uganda than I’ve had in the rest of my life. But there’s something deeply questionable about this campaign.

I would love to hear what other youth workers are hearing, what you think and how you are responding. Most of the young people I spoke with are moved and upset, keen to get involved with the campaign. They are also excited to feel that online media can make a difference. This is certainly a big opportunity to talk with young people about politics, justice and power – but it raises many dilemmas.

Why is this campaign suddenly so big, right now?
How was the campaign funded?
What does it tell us about how new media is used in campaigning? What are the opportunities and dangers of this?
How can we as youth workers encourage critical thinking and questioning without dampening the spirits of young people, many of whom have been inspired to take action on an issue of global justice for the first time?
How do we respond if young people suggest getting involved with the Kony 2012 campaign as part of the activities of the youth group?

The official campaign video is 30 minutes long. I found it unsettling – it’s certainly persuasive and moving, but something seems too slick, something not quite right – am I just being cynical?
http://vimeo.com/37119711

Here’s one of the critiques, only 6 minutes, which raises good questions but leaves most of them unanswered:

And this carefully argued piece is from the Independent blogosphere.

Stop Kony, yes. But don’t stop asking questions

Your responses appreciated.

IN AND AGAINST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: CLARITY OF PURPOSE

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Responding to the post on Positive for Youth Steve Monaghan ponders his options.

As a long in the tooth operator I am fluid in my response to circumstances as I see them.

I draw on a range of opinion, although many would characterise me as having a utopian and leftist bent, to seek a way forward.

The staples of my life being work, play and occasional rest. My work being in the public sector, youth work, work with young people with a pro-democratic bent. My play being sport, running, latterly triathlon, watching footy nufc but all as a front to listen and chat to people about the Crisis of Capitalism. The very thing that supplies my staples.

How can you think about, discuss and criticise the hand that feeds you ?

Because the other option is to ignore it at your peril ! (or just have fun and hope or pray your fate is good).

In Paul Mason`s `Why is it kicking off everywhere?` he suggests the link between Arab Spring and Social Media is particularly Young People recognising that the staples are not being guaranteed by the system i.e. Capitalism. So, an education = a (good) job = good income = home – is no longer true. He suggests that the responses are tending to be fuelled by social media but not driven by social media. He suggests the responses are different but essentially individual and humanist not leftist. He suggests that the rich countries will have to take away minimum standards (wage) in order to support the systems recovery.

In Tony Taylor`s Delusion Dressed as Vision – P4Y he suggests the die is cast for youth work. The introduction of the market via `new` players such as Catalyst seems to be an inevitable consequence and we should be critical. He wonders how this late arrival of market capitalism can succeed when globally it is `clear` it has failed a whole generation of young people.

To engage with this dilemma can leave you feeling `depressed` , with a sense of loss and no hope. Thus when thrown a lifeline – social enterprise – it seems the only option. It may be an option but is it really the only one ? The current Derbyshire experience is offering this very lifeline. It seems I will be part of it, for now, but do I agree with it ? Can I practically be doing marketing capitalism whilst theoretically disagreeing with its `greatness` ?

To be continued …….

Follow my twitter @MonaghanSteve


Creating A Stormy Lobby!

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Kerry Jenkins, who is doing a great job in organising support for the Choose Youth Lobby, has circulated the following plea to use social media over the next few days.

Lobby of Parliament Social Media Storm

Every day up until the Lobby of Parliament on Tuesday 25th October, Choose Youth will be tweeting and facebooking about the event to create a social media storm so that young people, youth workers and politicians hear the event and come and get involved. We need your help. It would be fantastic if your organisation could tweet and facebook about the Lobby of Parliament as much as possible and to help you we’ve have sample ideas below.

Key Information

When & Where? Tuesday 25th October, 11am to 4.30pm, Central Hall Westminster, London.

Who by? The Choose Youth Coalition – an alliance of 30 national youth sector organisations and trade unions.

Twitter: @chooseyouth

Facebook: Choose Youth

Website: http://chooseyouth.org

Sample tweets:

Sample facebook updates:

  • We are supporting the Choose Youth National Lobby of Parliament on Tuesday 25th October (half term). Join young people from across the UK who want to tell their MP that supporting youth services is a sure fire way to improve young people’s lives for the better. Register for free today to come along. Some subsidised transport is available. http://tinyurl.com/chooseyouth
  • Be part of the Choose Youth National Lobby of Parliament on youth service cuts. Join hundreds of young people in Westminster for speeches, music and top tips on how to campaign and meet your MP to tell them what you think. Some subsidised transport is available. http://tinyurl.com/chooseyouth