Report of Maharashtra: TechCamp in Mumbai 8-9 July 2017- To Counter Online Fanatic Indoctrination- Next TechCamp in New Delhi 5-6 August 2017
COVA Network
Friends,
Report
Maharashtra TechCamp was organized in Mumbai on May 8th and 9th, 2017 with 38 participants from four Cities viz- Mumbai, Pune, Sholapur and Aurangabad. The Participants were oriented by expert trainers from Hyderabad and Mumbai in gaining expertise in using social media to counter hate campaigns that are dominating the internet and to secure cyberspace for promoting understanding and peace.
Introduction and Background
The COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks Program of COVA in collaboration with US Consulate Hyderabad- India, aims to provide technical skills and ability in handling a range of social media platforms and tools to persons from different fields like religion, media, civil society and social media etc. and who are well versed in religious and social issues and who can therefore effectively counter online fanatic propaganda (against different religious groups and communities) in social and mainstream media spaces both as individuals and also through organised groups. Under the theme of “Countering Online Radicalization in Digital Age”, COFI Networks program was launched through a TechCamp jointly organised from November 27 to 29,2016 by COVA and US Consulate General, Hyderabad in association with the Bureau of International Information Programs of The U.S. State Department. Please Click Here for the detailed Report
As a follow up, COFI Networks are being initiated in five countries of South Asia and four countries of South East Asia viz. Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore by conducting TechCamps (of two days) and BootCamps (of one day). Please Click Here for Operations Note of COFI Networks and Concept and Contents of TechCamps and BootCamps.
TechCamp Maharashtra
The TechCamp Maharashtra was organized in Mumbai, India on 8th – 9th May 2017 was an interactive and fun experience to bring together civil organizations, religious scholars, academics, social media experts and journalists from 4 cities of Maharashtra India with leading technology experts to master the usage of some popular social media platforms and also co-create social media solutions and strategies to cope with the most pressing challenges faced by the participants in their work.
Welcome Address by Mr. Sabir Sayed with Dr. Saeeda Arif Khan, Ms. Ayesha Khan, Ms. Shaikh Shamina & Ms. Zaibunnisa Malik
Session One: BootCamp
The BootCamp comprised of gaining orientation and expertise in the usage of different popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Podcasting, Blogging, Email Mastering & Google Search.
This was followed by a Session very unique to TechCamps called Speed Geeking where the Trainers presented their Fast Paced presentations for five minutes to small groups who moved from one Trainer to the next quickly, covering four trainers and Six topics. This method allowed all participants to get to know all topics that are to be covered and select any two for the detailed Interactive Training Sessions.
The Topics and Trainers for the Speeding Geeking and Interactive Training Sessions were as follows:
Interactive Sessions - 1
Building mobile apps with zero coding Knowledge-Javed Khatri
Creating Compelling Content on Social Media-Ammar Kanchwala
Digital Security Tools – Zaibunnisa Mallik
Interactive Sessions - 2
Online Community building – Ammar Kanchwala
Creating simple website in WordPress– Javed Khatri Online Learning Tools & Technique – M A Sayeed
The Interactive Sessions are designed to provide hands on experience to participants in creating APPs, Websites, Blogs, and other social media tools that would prepare them to develop technological solutions to Challenge Statements they would identify on Day Two.
The Post Tea Session of Day One was the last engagement for the day and was devoted to Interactive Training Sessions-1 covering the topics of Building mobile apps with zero coding Knowledge, Creating Compelling Content on Social Media and Digital Security Tools
Understanding Trolling:
Mazher Hussain explained how trolling has come of age with full time professionals employed to bombard target persons on social media with negative and abusive content using multiple identities. One person can create and post messages from 50 different identities and even if 10 such persons are engaged in trolling, the receiver would think over 500 different people are attacking him and could easily get demoralized. The objective of trolling is to intimidate and force into silence anyone with whom you differ and the only solution is to realize the hollowness and ill intentions behind trolls, develop a thick skin and continue with our posts and writings to propagate correct perspectives and counter negative ideologies.
The floor was opened for discussion and a lively and informative discussion followed where the participants shared their experiences and proposed creative solutions.
9th July 2017: Day Two
Day two started with a recap of learning's of day one by all participants and was followed by Interactive Session 2 where the participants learnt in detail about Online Community Building, Creating simple website in WordPress and Digital Security
Trainer: Ms. Zaibunnisa Malik – Mumbai Trainer: Mr. Ammar Kanchwala – Hyderabad
Post Tea Session on Day One: Framing of Challenge Statement
Post Tea Session on Day One: Framing of Challenge Statement Armed with orientation to different social media platforms and equipped with knowledge of developing apps, tools and strategies for informed usage of social media, the participants were now ready to Frame Challenge Statements to identify and express the problems faced by them in their fields of work that technology might be able to address.
The Two Challenge Statements Framed by Participants:
1- How to Facilitate parents monitor their children on Social Media?
2- Why students drop out? And Why don’t they study?
Developing Solutions for the Challenge Statements:
The Post-Lunch Session of Day Two was devoted to develop workable solutions for the Challenge Statements identified in the previous Session. Participants divided into groups, teamed with Trainers and spend time till evening Tea to evolve strategies, develop solutions and identify appropriate social media platforms for workable solutions for the Challenge Statements selected.
The Solution Matrix developed by the two groups to their respective Challenge Statements are listed below:
Solution Matrix for Challenge Statement 1
Project Title: Rehbar2technologies
Trainer(s) Name: Mr. M. A Sayeed
Team Members: Ms. Shaikh Shamina, Ms. Shaik Fauzia, Ms. Farha Zabeen, Ms. Sannah Mulani and Ms. Heena & others
Summary of the problem
Orienting parents to monitor & guide their children in proper usage of social media.
Proposed Solution:
Develop a Website in WordPress and develop Podcast, design e-learning courses to deal with the problem statement.
Please click the link below to see the prototype prepared as a Solution to this Challenge Statement:
Please click the link below to view the prototype
This prototype will be developed as a full scale Project in the next three months.
Solution Matrix for Challenge Statement 2
Project Title: Don’t Want 2 Study
Trainer(s) Name: Ms. Zaibunnisa Malik & Mr. Ammar Kanchwala
Team Members: Dr Azimuddin (MHW President), Aijaz Shaikh, Ahmed Ashfaq, Arshad Mahmood, Ghanshyam Budage, Sayyed WaseemAkram, Zaid Jumani ,Naeem Nakhwa, Khalid Fateh (AIITA – vice President), Naseem Shah Sameer Roshan, Mohammed Merchant, Suhaib Shaikh & Sohail Ahmed
Summary of the Problem
To motivate dropouts to rejoin study and facilitate students to choose proper option to continue study.
Proposed Solution:
Develop a Website in WordPress
Please click the link below to see the prototype prepared as a Solution to this Challenge Statement:
Please click the link below to view the prototype
https://dontwant2study.wordpress.com/contact/
Valedictory Session:
Mr. Iqbal Shaikh, ACP (Retd), delivering the Valedictory address highlighted the impact of social media on society today and stressed the importance of its positive use to check discord and promote peace.
Distribution of Certificates:
All Trainers and Participants were given certificates.
Vote of Thanks:
Proposing the vote of thanks, Ms. Shamina Shaikh, Principal Al Barkaat School acknowledged the valuable support extended by Mr. Suhail Khandwani Managing Trustee Pir Makhdum Saheb Charitable Trust, and the untiring efforts of Mr. Sabir Sayed organizer of the TechCamp, Mr. Imran Karnekar Coordinator Al Barkaat School and the support of the staff of Al Barkaat School and volunteers that immensely contributed to the success of TechCamp Maharashtra. She acknowledged the contribution of COVA in making the program possible and requested continued collaboration.
Feedback from Participants:
· All the sessions provided good knowledge of Social Media. Most interesting session was creating Website using WordPress & Mobile App. - Juveria Shaikh
· COFI Network is really taking a remarkable initiative and it should continue on its course. – Fauziya M. Shaikh
Feedback from Trainer:
· Great Job. May be we can allocate more time for building project solutions. Also WordPress session must be compulsory for every participant so they know the basics of building a Website. – Ms. Zaibunissa Malik
Annexure I
Venue: Al Barkaat Malik Muhammed Islam English School, Kurla (W), Mumbai-70
Agenda
Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination
Two Day Program
DAY 1
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Sign-in
9:00 AM – 09:45 AM
Welcome Address & What is TechCamp
- Welcome Address by Mr. Sabir Sayed
- Overview of TechCamp and COFI Networks by Mazher Hussain
- Inauguration of the TechCamp by : Dr. Saeeda Arif Khan- Chairperson of Rehbar Foundation Trust
BootCamp
- Participants in small groups of 10 to 12 go around to different trainers understand features and applications of Popular Tools and Platforms;
Round 1- 09.45 AM to – 11:00 AM
Tea- in between Round 1
Round 2- 11.00 AM to 12.15 PM
Round 3- 12.15 to 1.30
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Blogging
Mr Javed Khatri
Google Search
Ms Zaibunnisa Malik
Email - Mastering
Mr M A Sayeed
Mr Javed Khatri &
Mr. Ammar Kanchwala Joint session
Ms Zaibunnisa Malik
Podcasting
Mr M A Sayeed
Mr. Ammar Kanchwala
You Tube
Ms Zaibunnisa Malik
Mr M A Sayeed
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Group Photo | Lunch | Buddy Up
(2 Partners are Teamed up as they enter for lunch- with a member they are not acquainted with
A Note on How to Buddy Up is given to all Partners
Partners are requested to share the following info about themselves with their Team Members● Share an interesting experience with social media
● Share a memorable experience from your professional field
Apart from these, they can share anything under the sun!
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
Speed Geeking | Fast-paced Project Presentations
Trainers present Fast paced presentations that last for 5 mins where small Partner groups move from one Trainer to the next quickly, to learn about four opportunities and applications of digital tools and techniques to advance their missions. Partners can choose any two of the four Interactive Training Sessions on offer in the post Tea Session and the First Session on Day 2.
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Coffee & Conversations
3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Interactive Training Sessions-1
Interactive small group training on low-cost, easy to implement tech based tools and approaches -
Each Participant attends One Session of choice:
Three Parallel Sessions
Table-1: Building mobile apps with zero coding knowledge-Javed Khatri
Table-2: Creating Compelling Content on Social Media – Ammar Kanchwala
Table-3: On line Learning – Tools & Techniques – M A Sayeed
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Understanding Trolling: By Dr. Mazher Hussain
TechCamp Hyderabad 2016
6:00 PM
Conclude for the Day
Day 2
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Sign-in
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Announcements + Day 1 Recap
9:15 AM- 10:45 AM
Interactive Training Sessions-2
Interactive small group training on low-cost, easy to implement tech based tools and approaches –
Each Participant attends One Session of choice:
Three Parallel Sessions
Table-1: Online Community Building- Ammar Kanchwala
Table-2: Creating simple website in WordPress– Javed Khatri
Table-3: Digital Security Tools– Zaibunnisa Malik
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Coffee & Conversations
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Framing ‘Challenge’ Statements- Explanation
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Trainers & Partners Frame Challenge Statements
Small group discussions to identify specific challenges faced by Partners in their fields of work that technology might be able to address, both by looking at options available, and by focusing on specific topic areas
12.30 PM- 1:00 PM
Partners Choose a Challenge Statement to Solve and get into Partner Groups
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Lunch
1:50 PM- 3:00 PM
Small Group Work on Identifying Solutions to Challenges
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Developing Project Solutions & Preparing Presentations
Partners sit with the allocated Trainer for their selected Challenge and work to come up with Solutions with the group
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Coffee & Conversations & Feedback
4:30 PM- 5:00 PM
Final Presentations
- 10 min per team
-- Presentations to be creative
– Should explain the challenge & the solution developed at TechCamp5.00 PM- 5.30 PM
Formation of COFI Networks
5.30 PM- 6.00 PM
Valedictory Session
1 Trainer + 1 Partner to be invited to speak
Closing remarks by Mr. Mazher Hussain
Valedictory Address by: Mr. Iqbal Shaikh –ACP (Retd) – Colaba, Mumbai
Vote of Thanks by: Ms. Shamina Shaikh ( Principle of Al Barkaat School ).
Close of TechCamp
TechCamp Topics Covered by Trainers
TOPICS
TRAINER
Blogging- How to launch your own blog
Javed Khatri
Twitter- Understanding the micro blogging platform and its applications
Javed Khatri
Instagram- Unleash the power of visuals & live videos via Instagram
Ammar Kanchwala
Google Search - Google search and other social media
Zaibunnisa Malik
Facebook- Facebook Basics and Building an engaging community
Zaibunnisa Malik
YouTube -how to make your presentation upload, download & visible publicly
Zaibunnisa Malik
Email- Mastering Emails & Sending out periodic Newsletters using Email Marketing Techniques
M A Sayeed
Pod Casting- Tools & Techniques
M A Sayeed
WhatsApp- Opportunities and features on the WhatsApp messenger
M A Sayeed
Proposed List of Topics for Interactive Sessions Level 1 (Beginners)
TOPICS
TRAINER
Creating a simple Website for your organization using WordPress
Javed Khatri
Building Mobile Apps with Zero Coding Knowledge
Javed Khatri
Creating Compelling Content on Social Media
Ammar Kanchwala
Online Learning Tools and Techniques
M A Sayeed
Online Community Building
Ammar Kanchwala
Digital Security Tools
Zaibunnisa Malik
Coverage in Newspapers
Saamna
Mumbai Urdu News
Pudhari Marathi News
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COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations), is a national network of voluntary organisations working for communal harmony and community empowerment in India and peace in South Asia and South East Asia through formation of COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks in 12 countries of the region. COVA is also engaged with multilateral bodies like the United Nations Organisation, G20, BRICS, OIC and others for structural transformations of the world order to make society more equitable, sustainable, just and peaceful.
