Academy Module on Social Media, Development, and Governance

This module aims to define social media and describe the various kinds of social media; raise awareness among policymakers and government officials of how social media affects society; describe best practices in the use of social media to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; develop understanding of the role of social media in governance and discuss its implication for national policy and program formulation; and produce a capacity development resource that can help bridge the knowledge gap between the effective use of social media in development and governance.

Length: 1.5 hours / 6 Sessions

Abstract

Overview

GoverSocial media is a form of online, many-to-many, and interactive communication that affords collaborative action. It is a digital platform that transmits user-generated content. All social media share the following elements: Participation; Openness; Conversation; Community; and Connectedness.

Social media is growing worldwide regardless of political system, economic development, culture and even level of internet access. Social media engagement – the average number of hours per visitor spent on social networks – is also increasing. For the first time, ordinary citizens can access a global, collaborative communications platform at the price of internet access.

Module Objectives

The module aims to:

  1. Define social media and describe the various kinds of social media;
  2. Raise awareness among policymakers and government officials of how social media affects society;
  3. Describe best practices in the use of social media to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals;
  4. Develop understanding of the role of social media in governance and discuss its implication for national policy and program formulation; and
  5. Produce a capacity development resource that can help bridge the knowledge gap between the effective use of social media in development and governance.

Learning Outcomes

After working on this module, readers should be able to:

  1. Explain what social media is and the different types of social media;
  2. Discuss how social media, positively and negatively, affects society;
  3. Understand the role of social media in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals;
  4. Recognize the significance of social media in governance; and
  5. Develop a government approach to oversee social media and become its model user

About the Author

Dr. Emmanuel C. Lallana is Chief Executive of ideacorp – an independent, non-profit organization focused on Digital Development (ICT for Development) based in the Philippines.

He is also author of APCICT Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders modules on ICT for Development (ICTD) Policy, Process and Governance (M2) and Social Media and Development (M11).

Dr. Lallana has worked with academic/research institutions, civil society organizations, and international organizations. He served the Philippine government as Deputy Director General, Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs, (1993-1996) and Commissioner, Commission on Information and Communications Technology, Office of the President (2004-2007). He was also consultant at the National Privacy Commission and the Department of Education.