Thanks to everybody who participated - both in person and online to make our Global Voices London Summit such a stunning success!
The conversation was so intense that few people noticed a movie star sitting quietly in the back of the room, listening intently to what bloggers from around the world had to say.
A full, real-time transcript of the meeting has been posted on the GV05 Conference Blog, courtesy of SJ Klein (who typed), 
(photo by Georgia Popplewell
MP3 audio files of the full meeting will be posted soon. (UPDATE: FULL AUDIO OF THE CONFERENCE IS NOW POSTED HERE.) Brendan Greeley of Radio Open Source and Ben Walker of the Theory of Everything also conducted some wonderful one-on-one interviews with many of the bloggers present. We hope to post those as podcasts over the coming week or two.
Meanwhile, the blog posts about the conference - by people in the room as well as by people who followed the discussion online - are popping up like mushrooms around the web. You can track them on Del.icio.us, on Blogpulse, the Technorati “globalvoices” tag, the Technorati “global voices” search, and on Flickr.
As many pointed out, one day was too short. It was really just the beginning of a conversation that needs to continue over coming year. We have three main online spaces in which to continue this conversation:
The e-mail list-serv: This will be used as a place to start conversations, make announcements and provoke discussions which can be continued on:
The post-conference brainstorm wiki: I have created several links for subjects people clearly have an issue in pursuing: translation, “bloglogue”, outreach, etc. Feel free to add more. When you add major ideas or want to get discussion going on these pages, please send and email to the list and ask everybody to join you there.
IRC: The globalvoices IRC is open 24/7 at irc://irc.freenode.net/#globalvoices If you haven’t been there before, click here for instructions on how to get on it. People can email the list and schedule “meeting times” to discuss specific issues, then post the transcript and follow-up summary notes on the wiki so we have a record of what was discussed and planned.
Above all, the important point here is that Global Voices will become what the community makes of it. GV’s future is not within the control of me, or Ethan, or our Regional Editors, or the Berkman Center Reuters, or any of our other sponsors or funders. We are really just trying to facilitate, support, enable, and draw attention to the conversations people want to have. The more initiative you as a community member take in shaping and contributing to GV, the more it will become what you want it to be.
Coming out of the 2005 Summit, it appears that commitment to our core mission - enabling and amplifying voices that otherwise wouldn't be heard - remains strong. But I learned something important on Saturday: Global Voices really is a Conversation Community, not a media organization in any sense that a conventional journalist or editor would recognize. GV exists as much to serve the interests of the contributors and their blogging communities as it does for our “viewers” or “users.” People may look at the website, hear about its 300,000 viewers per month, and think of GV as another form of media in the conventional producer-to-audience relationship. But that is to miss out on a great deal. Here's how I break things down, at least initially:
CROSS-BORDER DIALOGUE:
As Ethan points out, when this group of amazing people start to interact with one another, powerful things happen. Like a soul-searching dialogue between a Palestinian-born and Israeli blogger. These are two very influential voices in their communities. The fact that they have established a personal relationship will have long-lasting, positive impact on a lot of people who do not blog and who do not read GV.
As Curt Hopkins points out, powerful things can also happen when bloggers from vastly different parts of the world interact, even when their communities are not in conflict. Curt writes:
Global Voices Online (GVO) should encourage more conversations between groups that are not commonly seen as conversing. The Chileans and the Chinese, say. There is an implicit notion that a Chinese blogger involved with GVO and a Chilean who is involved may speak to one another via GVO. But what about encouraging direct, back-channel conversations, events, conferences, online actions? GVO is primarily a facilitator. It should attempt to facilitate these conversations overtly, then step out of the way.
I agree. We should help to enable conversations beyond the exchanges begun at or through GV.
FROM TALK TO ACTION:
In some countries (but not in others where it's too politically dangerous) people want tools like Pledgebank that can help them take action on issues they have been passionately blogging about. In other countries, the act of merely speaking is tremendously courageous. We must continue to support bloggers in such countries with the tools (like Ethan's anonymous blogging guide) that can enable them to continue speaking out despite governments' efforts to stop them.
OUTREACH:
Bloggers recognize they are early-adopting elites - and that the conversations happening on the blogs in most countries are not representative of the population as a whole. There was great interest expressed on Saturday in doing outreach to communities that currently have some internet access but are not currently blogging. People feel the need for better training materials and guidelines for outreach so that they can spread the blogging gospel more easily and efficiently.
There is also a recognition that many people simply are never going to blog, but may be talking online in other ways. Offline speech in lectures, on radio call-in shows, etc., should also be collected and connected somehow. Farid Pouya hopes to develop his bloglogue idea toward this end. We need a lot more discussion of how discussions on blogs can better interact with conversations going on in otuer mediums.
Maybe in the third world where a lot more people access talk radio than the internet, Radio Open Source can be used as a model for how you get offline people interacting in conversations with online people?
THE LANGUAGE GAP:
As somebody pointed out, the most difficult barriers to communication between people are not national borders but language. How can GV help break down the barriers? Does the answer lie with some distributed translation system like Blogamundo or with various non-English versions of GV - which don't just translate GV material but which would aggregate content from a particular language's blogosphere, then make perhaps highlights available for translation and summary into English and other widely-spoken languages beyond the original?
RELATIONSHIP WITH MSM?
A number of people, especially several bloggers observing the proceedings from afar, expressed cynicism and skepticism about the fact that Reuters sponsored the conference and will sponsor parts of GV, and that we may be on the verge of turning ourselves into some kind of cheap stringer network. I think the discussion above shows this is not the case. Reuters will certainly gain new information and perspectives by being connected to the Global Voices conversation. It will also be able to offer its audience the ability to connect to that conversation, and I hope also to join the conversation. In exchange for this Reuters is giving us some modest financial support. I personally feel this is a fair exchange that will enable us to do more towards accomplishing the goals articulated above, and which is intended to benefit members of the community. I would not be in favor of the partnership if I didn't feel strongly that the people who will benefit the most from it will be bloggers themselves. (UPDATE/NOTE: I should also point out that we also get support from other institutions such as the MacArthur Foundation. The partnership with Reuters does not prevent the interaction of our community members with other media organizations. GV members have been appearing with growing frequency on the BBC, for instance, and there is no reason why that shouldn't continue.)
“CONTENT” IS ONLY THE MEANS TO AN END
Put it this way: for a conventional media organization, “content” is the end goal and “content creation” is the primary activity. For a Conversation Community like Global Voices, “content” and “content creation” are means to a larger end: conversation and dialogue. The first step towards conversation is having one's voice heard around the discussion table. By linking to people's blogs, our editors and contributors are in effect inviting people to the discussion table and moderating the conversation.
Nobody has ever done this before, so we're sure to make lots of mistakes. You don't learn any other way. In the coming year we will be working to figure out how best to bring more people to the conversation table, how to ensure that their voices are heard and not drowned out, how best to structure the conversations so that they can be meaningful, and how to maximize the impact of these conversations. It's an exciting project. Please help us figure it out!
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I have read all the reports on the GVO Summit in London and from all the indications, you know what to do and as they say practice makes perfet and experience is the best teacher. Your last paragraph sums up the total context of GVO, CONVERSATION AND DIALOGUE. So let it flow like the river and let it blow like the wind.
To put everything about the GVO community in one theme, please let me share the lyrics of the classic populist song of John Legend, “Ordinary People”. Because, the song says it all for me.
Ordinary People - John Legend
[Verse 1]
Girl im in love with you
This ain’t the honeymoon
Past the infatuation phase
Right in the thick of love
At times we get sick of love
It seems like we argue everyday
[Bridge]
I know i misbehave
And you made your mistakes
And we both still got room left to grow
And though love sometimes hurts
I still put you first
And we’ll make this thing work
But I think we should take it slow
[Chorus]
We’re just ordinary people
We don’t know which way to go
Cuz we’re ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow
[Verse 2]
This ain’t a movie no
No fairy tale conclusion ya’ll
It gets more confusing everyday
Sometimes it’s heaven sent
We head back to hell again
We kiss and we make up on the way
[Bridge]
I hang up you call
We rise and we fall
And we feel like just walking away
But as our love advances
We take second chances
Though it’s not a fantasy
I Still want you to stay
[Chorus]
We’re just ordinary people
We don’t know which way to go
Cuz we’re ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow
[Verse 3]
Take it slow
Maybe we’ll live and learn
Maybe we’ll crash and burn
Maybe you’ll stay, maybe you’ll leave,
maybe you’ll return
Maybe you’ll never find
Maybe we won’t survive
But maybe we’ll grow
We never know baby youuuu and I
[Chorus]
We’re just ordinary people
We don’t know which way to go(hey)
Cuz we’re ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Heyyy)
We’re just ordinary people
We don’t know which way to go
Cuz we’re ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we’ll take it slow
take it sloww
take it slow
this time we’ll take it slow
take
[...] Global Voices was founded by former CNN Tokyo and Beijing Bureau Chief, Rebecca McKinnon, and Geekcorps founder, Ethan Zuckerman, at the Berkman Center of Internet Society at Harvard Law School, and aims to amplify and broadcast the voices of individuals living in countries under-represented or often poorly reported in the international media. According to Zuckerman, when Global Voices went online in December 2004, it had 800 visitors per day. Now, it attracts more than 12,000, or over 300,000 visitors per month. [...]
[...] I had always planned to encourage young Armenians to blog upon my return, but the recent Global Voices Summit in London has given me more ideas of how to do that, and where to take it next if it succeeds. Thanks guys! Filed under: Armenia, Youth, Freedom of Speech, Blogging, Internet, Globalvoices [...]
Global Voices has done an excellent job in creating the citizen-based journalism of the future.
BRAVO
[...] Global Voices Summit: Emergence of a Conversation Community (Rebecca MacKinnon, Global Voices Online) (tags: globalvoices blogs) [...]
[...] While in London, I bumped into Dan Gillmor, the blogger, journalist and of the author of the book, We the Media, which, chronicling how the Internet is helping independent journalists combat the consolidation of traditional media. The good news is that he is putting together a nonprofit Center for Citizen Media. The center will live virtually at citmedia.org. The goals are to study, encourage and help enable the emergent grassroots media sphere, with a major focus on citizen journalism. A project co-sponsored by University of California and Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University Law School. I’m looking forward to meet the guy again next month in Qatar, where we both are participating in some international media conference, which I’ll talk about then. All the best, Dan! Post Keyword(s): Citizen Media. Tag(s): Good News, Asides, Media, Blogging, Citizen Media. Contextually Related Posts: [...]
[...] This will be my second interview with Have Your Say team in less than a month (first one here). Here is some photos that I toke with Rabiya and Steve, last time I was with them in Studio, live from BBC World Service while I was attending Global Voices 2nd annual conference in London few weeks ago… [...]
[...] This will be my second interview with Have Your Say team in less than a month (first one here). Here is some photos that I toke with Rabiya and Steve, last time I was with them in Studio, live from BBC World Service while I was attending Global Voices 2nd annual conference in London few weeks ago… [...]
[...] I said this during our last GVO meeting last month in London, the media has been neglecting the blogsphere of the Arab world in general when comparing to American, for example. Or, if I want to be more specific, then I should say confidently that majority of Arab media don’t know what is blogging or never heard of it yet. Therefore, I don’t blame the western media, after all that is not their job to watch Arab blogs, but blaming our media and our journalists. In fact, if we search the Internet, we will find that apart from two or three Arab media corporation mentioned bloggers a couple of time, its been only the western media which went around meeting Arab bloggers and linking to their blogs and posts, even rewarding some. [...]
[...] Keterlibatan Dalam Global Voices - Global Voices adalah sebuah proyek amal global terkait perkembangan blogger dunia yang disponsori oleh Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Salah satu tujuannya adalah melakukan proses advokasi demi menjamin kebebasan berekspresi dan melindungi hak tiap orang untuk menyuarakan pendapatnya tanpa rasa takut terhadap sensor dan hambatan lain (profil lengkapnya bisa dibaca di sini). Pada awal Desember lalu mereka mengadakan Global Voices Summit di London. Dan coba tebak? Bapak blog kita jauh-jauh dari Bangkok ke London (dengan meninggalkan si Gala pula), menyempatkan hadir dalam acara tersebut. Selintas saya baca, banyak oleh-oleh menarik yang di bawa kang Enda dari acara tersebut, cuma sayang belum sempat saya catat, blognya sekarang lagi mengalami Bandwidth Limit Exceeded. Ealah kang…. [...]
[...] Jeremy Druker, Editor-in-Chief of Transitions Online, has just sent an interesting article from The Economist’s World in 2006 print edition to the Global Voices mailing list. Interestingly, and especially after Global Voices Online’s recent conference in London at Reuters Headquarters, it’s on blogging. It’s also significant enough to post here. [...]
[...] Global Voices Summit: Emergence of a Conversation Community [...]
[...] Jeremy Druker, Editor en jefe de Transitions Online, acaba de enviar a la lista de correo de Global Voices un interesante articulo de “The Economist’s World” en su edición impresa 2006, En realidad interesante después de la conferencia en Londres en las oficinas de Reuters, el correo trata sobre bloggeo. Y es suficientemente relevante como para ser publicado aquí. [...]
[...] Global Voices Summit: Emergence of a Conversation Community [...]
[...] After returning from the recent Global Voices 2005 Summit in London I set about evangelizing the potential of blogs for civil society in Armenia, and I’m glad to announce that Tamar Palandjian, a visiting 22-year-old Fullbright Scholar at the Civil Society Institute (http://www.csi.am) has set up the first. Her last post is on the latest scandal to hit the Armenian army. For those people who have served in the Armenian army or know someone who has already served, they are all too familiar with these stories and instances of abuse and torture within this institution. Young men are required to serve at least two years once they graduate from secondary school or university. Some young men decide to continue their education. Yet for those who may not be able to afford going to school after university and receiving a master’s or “magistratura” or even an “aspirantura” or doctorate degree, they simply deal with this fact and serve the country. [...]
Hoder Fatwa
It’s not going to be long before we hear another fatwa, well; we never fall short of them, did we?
This time, I’m sure it will be titled; “Kill Hoder The Kafer”. But who is Hoder, and why this fatwa?
Hoder is an Iranian blogg…
[...] Hoder is an Iranian blogger (based in Canada) which I meet in London during last GVO meeting. He is also a member of our Global Voices - Middle East & North Africa team. He is a very well known peace activist, especially when it comes to issues related to Iran. Yet, he is not one that American regime likes. [...]
[...] We’re thrilled to announce an alliance between Global Voices and global media company, Reuters. Reuters has been supporting Global Voices efforts since late last year, when they hosted our annual conference at their global headquarters at Canary Wharf in London. [...]
[...] Global Voices 2005 London Summit: Here is our summary of last year’s meeting in London. Read articles about it in the Guardian and openDemocracy, an academic paper about us by the Center for Social Media, and a video titled “Many to Many” which includes footage from our London Summit. [...]
[...] Mkutano huu utafanyika katika ukumbi wa the India Habitat Center. Bonyeza hapa usome kwa undani juu ya mkutano huu na mada zitakazozungumziwa. Pia ukipenda unaweza kusoma muhtasari wa mkutano wa mwaka jana kwa kubonyeza hapa. [...]
[...] At last year’s summit in London, it was clear that Global Voices is much more than a citizens’ media website or international bloggers’ network. It is a community. And it is a movement of people who are united by the values of free speech, tolerance, dialogue, and inclusiveness articulated in the manifesto. [...]
[...] One year ago, to the day, I was flying to London to take part in the first-ever Global Voices Summit held at Reuters. The room was filled with journalists and bloggers from around the world. In just six months we had already established [...]
[...] Sunday’s meeting was a closed-door session for Global Voices editors and authors only. We rolled up our sleeves and discussed how Global Voices authors and editors can do an even better job at amplifying citizen voices from around the world. Our tech team is working on a major re-design of the site to make it more user-friendly (and less overwhelming). We are also developing a new public aggregator of all the blogs that our editors and authors watch in order to compile their daily links and features, and this aggregator will include a mechanism by which anybody can suggest blogs that we ought to be following and linking to. As we realized last year, GV is not just a media site but a conversation community. Many of our authors and editors discussed strategies for community building: specifically, how to support communities in their own countries, regions, and language groupings comprised of people who want to communicate with a broader global community of conversation. [...]
[...] primera vez que conocí Georgia en Londres, ella me explicó su estilo de poppletrotting (su appellido es Popplewell y [...]
[...] editor, covering Latin America. More funding came from Reuters, and in 2005 Global Voices held its first summit in London. The 2006 summit took place in New Delhi, India, leading up to this summit in Budapest, Hungary. [...]