What's happening at Praekelt Foundation...
Praekelt Foundation has been selected by UNICEF to set up and manage a mobile component of their 'Speak Africa' campaign, in 7 countries across the African Continent. This mobile component of 'Speak Africa' was launched in Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda on the 16th of June 2009 - the Day of the African Child.
Who is UNICEF?
UNICEF is the United Nations' Children's Fund. UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social, and economic development of their communities. Click here to read more about Unicef.
What is 'Speak Africa'?
Speak Africa is UNICEF's Pan-Arican media-focused communication strategy and platform. It is designed to work in partnership with young people to improve opportunities for their expression, exchange and meaningful participation in advocacy, decision-making and development using multi-media tools and channels (i.e. TV, Radio and Print) as well as visual and performing arts and culture.
Prior to this mobile component, youth across Africa could mainly interact with Speak Africa, and make their voices heard. via traditional forms of media. UNICEF realized that a mobile component is needed to broaden the reach of the campaign and enable more young people to raise their voices. Click here to read more about Speak Africa.
What is this partnership all about?
Praekelt Foundation was tasked by UNICEF to set up mobile services (SMS and Voice lines) in 7 African Countries which would enable youth (15 - 25 year olds) to SMS or leave voice answers to certain campaign questions. The campaign questions covers two main topics: Food Security / Agriculture and Climate Change. These topics coincide with the theme of the 2009 African Union Summit which took place in Liberia in early July. The aim of these questions was to enable the youth to discuss issues around food security, climate change and agriculture by sending their SMS answers to a weekly question. These questions are promoted via printed fliers, radio announcements and through bulk SMSs and "Please Call Me"-SMSs. Each country has a unique shortcode that was set up specifically for this campaign, and in Egypt and South Africa, a IVR (voice) line was also set up to enable voice responses.
Where are the inputs going?
SMS and voice inputs from children and youth in the seven participating countries are fed into the Speak Africa website, where young people can read the responses of their peers in other African countries. This SMS feed was also shared with the African Leaders at the AU Summit in Liberia in July 2009. Click here to read the SMS inputs and listen to some of the voice inputs we have received.