Do new information technologies advance democratization? Among the diverse countries with large Muslim communities, how do such technologies provide capacities and constraints on institutional change? What are the ingredients of the modern recipe for democratic transition or democratic entrenchment? Around the developing world, political leaders face a dilemma: the very information and communication technologies that boost economic fortunes also undermine power structures. Globally, one in ten internet users is a Muslim living in a populous Muslim community. In these countries, young people are developing their political identities-including a transnational Muslim identity-online. In countries where political parties are illegal, the internet is the only infrastructure for democratic discourse. And in countries with large Muslim communities, mobile phones and the internet are helping civil society build systems of political communication independent of the state and beyond easy manipulation by cultural or religious elites. With evidence from fieldwork in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Tajikistan and Tanzania, and using the latest fuzzy-set statistical models, I demonstrate that communications technologies have played a crucial role in advancing democracy in Muslim countries. Certainly, no democratic transition has occurred solely because of the internet. But, as I argue, no democratic transition can occur today without the internet. In the last 15 years, technology diffusion trends have contributed to clear political outcomes, and digital media have become a key ingredient in the modern recipe for democratization.
Philip N. Howard is associate professor of communication, information and international studies at the University of Washington. His books include New Media Campaigns and the Managed Citizen (Cambridge, 2005) and The Digital Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy (Oxford, 2011). Currently, he directs the NSF-funded Project on Information Technology and Political Islam.
Wallenberg Theater
Dr. Philip N. Howard
Associate Professor of Information, Communication and International Studies
Speaker
University of Washington
Abstract Consider three different worlds of poor network connectivity:
Scenario 1: A user in Africa uses a cheap mobile device with voice and SMS as the only data connectivity channel (140 bytes per message and each SMS costs money).
Scenario 2: A university in India has good connectivity which is shared simultaneously by 400 users. (Per user share = 2 Kbps)
Scenario 3: A school in Kenya has a computer but no Internet.
In this talk, I will describe a range of techniques we have developed to enhance information access in these three scenarios of poor connectivity. In Scenario 1, we have built an entire SMS-based protocol stack for mobile applications being used in India, Mexico and Ghana as well as a live SMS search engine in Kenya. We are also rolling out a data-over-GSM voice stack to support data connectivity over cellular voice.
In Scenario 2, I will describe why some of the fundamentals of network protocols break down in these regimes and why we need a completely new Web architecture for these types of networks. We have deployed early versions of our system in a few schools and universities in India, Kenya.
In Scenario 3, I will describe how we can use vertical search engines to deliver a vertical slice of the Web in a hard-disk and provide an offline searchable and browse-able Internet. This system has been used in schools in India and Kenya as an educational tool for students and teachers.
This is joint work with several others with Jay Chen being a primary leader for many of these projects.
Lakshminarayanan Subramanian is an Assistant Professor in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU.
His research interests are in the areas of networks, distributed systems and computing for development. He co-leads the Networks and Wide-Area Systems(NeWS) group (which investigates software solutions for distributed systems, wireline and wireless networking, operating system, security and privacy, technologies and applications for the developing world) and the CATER Lab at NYU ( which focuses on developing and deploying low-cost, innovative technology solutions to some of the problems in developing regions in terms of communication, healthcare and microfinance).
Recently, he has co-established a new Center for Technology and Economic Development (CTED) at NYU Abu Dhabi which brings together students from several disciplines (CS, economics, healthcare, education, policy). He is the recipient of several awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2009), IBM Faculty Award (2009, 2010) and C.V. Ramamoorthy Award. He has been at the forefront of several technological innovations for development that have been used in several countries around the world.
Wallenberg Theater
Lakshminarayanan Subramanian
Assistant Professor in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Speaker
University of New York
Information and communication technology platforms have transformed many aspects of modern life for many individuals around the world. They have revolutionized the realms of commerce, sociability, and even production. The realm of politics and governance, however, is more resistant to ICT revolutions. In this paper, we argue that there are fundamental dis-analogies between politics and these other realms that make the pace of innovation, and to the incidence of transformative ICT platforms, much lower. Instead of looking for "the next big thing," those who wish to understand the positive contribution of ICT to political problems such as public accountability and public deliberation should focus on incremental rather than revolutionary dynamics. We examine these incremental dynamics at work in six important ICT-enabled political accountability efforts from low and middle-income countries (Kenya, Brazil, Chile, India, Slovakia).
Archon Fung is the Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Citizenship at the Harvard Kennedy School. His research examines the impacts of civic participation, public deliberation, and transparency upon governance. His books include Full Disclosure: The Perils and Promise of Transparency (Cambridge University Press, with Mary Graham and David Weil) and Empowered Participation: Reinventing Urban Democracy (Princeton University Press). Current projects examine democratic reform initiatives in regulation, public accountability, urban planning, and public services. He has authored five books, three edited collections, and over fifty articles appearing in journals including American Political Science Review, Public Administration Review, Political Theory, Journal of Political Philosophy, Politics and Society, Governance, Journal of Policy and Management, Environmental Management, American Behavioral Scientist, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, and Boston Review.
Wallenberg Theater
Archon Fung
Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy & Citizenship
Speaker
Harvard Kennedy School
The Gov 2.0 movement, centered on open public data and low cost communications tools, is making an impact on public life in the US and UK. To what extent do these tools matter for the increasing proportion of the world's population living in urban poverty? This talk explores the case of Map Kibera, a project in Nairobi's largest slum, that utilizes open data combined with new and traditional advocacy tools, to fight for improved social services and increased accountability for public officials. Map Kibera helps us think about the role a robust Gov 2.0 eco-system can play in supporting grassroots leaders as the fight for the future of their communities.
Joshua Goldstein (@african_minute) is a PhD candidate at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School, where he works with the Center for Information Technology Policy. He serves on the Board of the Ugandan software consultancy Appfrica Labs, and has worked extensively in East Africa, most recently consulting with UNICEF Innovations, and working on projects such as Map Kibera and Apps4Africa.
While completing his masters degree at the Fletcher School, Tufts University, he interned with Google Inc. on technology policy in Africa and with Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society, exploring the effect of Internet on democracy. Before graduate school he worked extensively in Uganda.
Wallenberg Theater
Joshua Goldstein
Phd Candidate, Woodrow Wilson School, Center for Information Technology
Speaker
Princeton University
The Stanford Program on Regions of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SPRIE) will host China 2.0 in Beijing on October 18-19, 2010 at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Beijing's central business district. (This event builds on the successful inaugural China 2.0 conference in Silicon Valley at Stanford University on May 24-25
China 2.0 will focus on the leaders driving China's continued ascendance as a "digital superpower" and analyze the strategies they are adopting for success.
China 2.0 is the preeminent new media forum about the dynamic PRC digital landscape that combines the right mix of strategic thinking, practical application and networking. Fritz Demopoulos, CEO, Qunar.com
The agenda is available here. Please note this event will utilize simultaneous Chinese-English interpretation for the convenience of all participants.
China 2.0 Beijing will feature Internet & e-commerce CEOs and senior executives from China and the US, including members of Stanford's alumni network.
The conference will open with a special session reuniting the two scientists who established the first connection between China and the Internet in 1993: Xu Rongsheng, Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing and Les Cottrell, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC).
Keynote addresses will be given by:
James Ding, Managing Director, GSR Ventures
Bill Huang, General Manager, China Mobile Research Institute
The China 2.0 event was bang up-to-date with content and stimulating debate from key players in the Chinese market. The organization was very professional bringing together China players and interested parties from the Bay Area. --Graham Kill, CEO, Irdeto and CTO, Naspers
Format
China 2.0 is a highly engaging and interactive forum, featuring extensive video material, dynamic panel presentations and Q&A. We also have developed a China 2.0 application which is available now at the Apple Application store, for both iPad and iPhone/iTouch devices.
Welcome Remarks from China 2.0 Co-Chairs Short video of China 2.0 themes, with highlights from inaugural (May 2010) event at Stanford University Marguerite Gong Hancock, Associate Director, Stanford Program on Regions of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SPRIE) Duncan Clark, Visiting Scholar, SPRIE at Stanford University/Chairman, BDA China
9:15 - 9:45
Special Feature: How the Internet Came to China—and China to the Internet Short video and reunion (via Cisco TelePresence) of the two scientists who established the first connect between China & the Internet in 1993.
Les Cottrell, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), Stanford University Xu Rongsheng, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Beijing Moderated byMarguerite Gong Hancock, Associate Director, SPRIE
9:45 - 10:25
Keynote Speech: Victor Koo, CEO, Youku (Stanford MBA '94)
10:25 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 12:00
Mobile 2.0: Apps & Ads Bin Shen, Vice President for Product Development-Asia, Motorola Ye Xin, CEO, CASEE Bertrand Schmitt, CEO, AppAnnie Justin Mallen, CEO, Silk Road Technologies Moderated byDuncan Clark, Visiting Scholar, SPRIE at Stanford University/Chairman, BDA China
12:00 - 12:40
Keynote Speech: James Ding, Managing Director, GSR Ventures
12:40 - 1:45
Hosted Lunch: CBD International Restaurant(lobby level of Grand Millennium Hotel)
1:45 - 2:25
Keynote Speech: Bill Huang, General Manager, China Mobile Research Institute
2:25 - 3:45
Shopping 2.0: Consumer e-Commerce in China Short Video Introduction Brandon Lin, Partner, SAIF Partners (Stanford BA '91) Chen Yu, Co-Founder, Yeepay Alan Hellawell, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank (Stanford MA '97 MBA '97) Moderated byLoretta Chao, Technology Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal Asia (Beijing)
3:45 - 4:05
Break
4:05 - 4:35
Global Media Industry Outlook: Joel Budd, Media Editor, The Economist (London)
4:35 - 5:55
Games Market Outlook Short Video Introduction Andy Tian, Head of China Studio, Zynga Andy Lee, Managing Director–Asia, Watercooler Jay Chang, CFO, Kongzhong Moderated byBill Bishop, Start-up Investor/Advisor & Co-Founder CBS MarketWatch
5:55 - 6:00
Wrap and Day 2 Outline by China 2.0 Co-chairs, Marguerite Gong Hancock and Duncan Clark
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
8:30 - 9:00
Registration
9:00 - 9:05
Welcome Remarks by China 2.0 Co-Chairs, Marguerite Gong Hancock and Duncan Clark
9:05 - 9:45
Keynote Speech: John Liu, Vice President, Google
9:45 - 10:45
The Outlook for Trans-Pacific Entrepreneurship and Innovation—Indigenous & International? William Weinstein, Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy Beijing Alex Lee, VP, Collaboration and UC, Greater China Region, Cisco Systems (China) John Chiang, President & Managing Director, US Information Technology Office (USITO) Mark Baldwin, CEO, Oxus China Moderated by Duncan Clark, Visiting Scholar, SPRIE at Stanford University/Chairman, BDA China
10:45 - 11:00
Break
11:00 - 12:00
Marketing 2.0 Angel Chen, General Manager, OgilvyOne Beijing Silvia Goh, Managing Director, LiquidThread China, Starcom MediaVest Scarlett Li, CEO & Founder, Ourebo Moderated byThomas Crampton, Asia-Pacific Director, 360 Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
12:00 - 12:40
Keynote Speech: Brian Wong, Head of Global Sales, Alibaba
12:40 - 1:45
Hosted Lunch: CBD International Restaurant(lobby level of Grand Millennium Hotel)
1:45 - 3:00
Social Networking David Liu, Founder, Jiepang Dan Brody, former VP of Tudou, first employee of Google China Frank Yu, Chief Product Officer, Bokan; Advisor, TEDx Beijing Gady Epstein, Beijing Bureau Chief, Forbes Moderated byJeremy Goldkorn, Founder, Danwei
TV 2.0: The Future of TV & Three Network Convergence in China Caroline Pan, Director-China Strategy, Intel David Wolf, President & CEO, Wolf Group Asia Shan Phillips, VP Greater China Practice, The Nielsen Company Moderated byJonathan Landreth, Senior China Correspondent, The Hollywood Reporter (Beijing)
5:00 -6:15
Fueling China 2.0 Hurst Lin, General Partner, Doll Capital Management, Co-Founder of Sina (Stanford MBA '93) Daniel Quon, Managing Director, SVB Global, Asia, SVB Financial Group Olivier Glauser, Managing Director, Steamboat Ventures Richard Hsu, Managing Director, Intel Capital Hans Tung, Partner, Qiming Ventures (Stanford BS '93) Moderated byKathrin Hille, Technology Correspondent, Financial Times Beijing
6:15
Apple iPad Lucky Draw & Close by China 2.0 Co-Chairs Marguerite Gong Hancock and Duncan Clark
The first China 2.0 provided a great selection of topics and speakers who knew their specialties and made focused presentations--with very little overlap and repetition among panels, always a challenge at such conferences. Well-organized, well-moderated, with a smart audience that asked good questions. -Gady Epstein, Beijing Bureau Chief, Forbes Magazine
Sponsors
The China 2.0 Beijing conference is made possible by its generous sponsors:
China 2.0 achieved the balance of giving a clear overview to the China newcomers but still bringing insights to market participants about other sectors. Great conference and surely the start of a successful series. --Olivier Glauser, Managing Director, Steamboat Ventures
The abrupt fall of an authoritarian regime often surprises the world with apparent suddenness. Given the right moment of opportunity, skillfully applied pressure can prove a thuggish regime surprisingly brittle. However, these moments are prepared through a long struggle for democratic rights within a closed society. Technology can help create these openings, organize activists, document abuses and share information in the moment that the eyes of the world are watching.
Being prepared to seize the day requires more than tech, though: activists and citizens are most effective in political groups, using good organizing approaches. International development organizations, funders, academics, tech companies and others can help, but must consider the entire terrain - political, human, social and technical - in their efforts because liberation technology can land people in jail - or worse. Savvy authoritarians have inherent advantages in this "cat-and-mouse" game.
This talk addresses the role of technology in fragile democracies and closed societies from NDI's perspective as implementers of democracy strengthening programs.
Chris Spence is Chief Technology Officer at the National Democratic Institute. In this capacity he manages NDI's work in employing the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to promote and strengthen democracy around the world through NDI programs, and has done so since 1996. Mr. Spence was the first staff person to specialize in ICTs for democratic development at NDI, and during his tenure with NDI has overseen ICT programs in dozens of countries around the world in all of NDI's program areas and positioned the Institute as a leader in the use of ICTs in democratic development. Areas of specialization include ICT and e-governance projects, including working with legislatures, local government, election monitoring, political parties and civil society organizations in developing countries and emerging democracies.
Mr. Spence brings to NDI a combination of information technology and international relations expertise. He started his technology career in 1986 in Silicon Valley with positions in several companies including Oracle Corporation, Netscape Communications and Triad Systems.
Hakan Eriksson speaks on infrastructure at China 2.0