Towards an IEEE Strategy in Social Innovation Gertjan van Stam Worksgroup, Macha, Zambia Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa [email protected] 1

Introduction

IEEE has contributed to humanitarian efforts almost from the moment of its inception [28]. IEEE’s activities in the world-of-things are methodology devised to interact with the world-of-humans. The shrinking world, aided by unprecedented progress in travel and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), fuels hope for building a new, progressive social order. Thus, IEEE members start to question the role of IEEE in the so-called humanitarian arena. In that setting, many regard technology is instrumental in improving the human condition. IEEE volunteers seek to contribute to humanitarian activities, including, participation in application of technology in the developing world and the so-called Bottom of the Pyramid. The goal of this document is provide an oversight of the positioning of IEEE in the field of humanitarian technology and social innovation, with the purpose of informing on its progress in positioning in the realm. The methodology used is the study of available, publicly documented literature, augmented by insights from the work of the Ad Hoc Committee at IEEE since 2011, these also augmented with findings from the author’s twelve years of critical ethnography in rural Africa. So far, the involvement of IEEE in humanitarian activities has been relatively small, and largely haphazard. Anecdotal evidence drums up enthusiasm. IEEE presidents comment on the perceived benefits of humanitarian technology, for instance Terman in 2008 [51]. However, without proper guidance, IEEE’s humanitarian activities might threaten to drain its resources. This compounds IEEE’s challenges during times of large changes in the constitution of its revenue base. Further, it is unclear where to position humanitarian projects within the existing organisation, and how it interacts or interfaces with current activities [28], and how to foster scale

in line with IEEE’s relative size. The shrinking world provides for opportunities for growth. IEEE does not provide service to, nor represent, the whole range of engineers outside of its current member base [29][30]. Now it is possible to reach all these engineers.

1.1

A Global Development Vision

Worldwide, the Millennium Development Goals brought focus, hope, and accomplishment [55]. However, poverty, disease, and hunger will remain [59]. There are cases of comprehensive and organized communities of engineers and scientists deploying scalable, sustainable and long-lasting solutions on the ground. There is potential for rich local innovation, leading to indigenous enterprises. Engineering professionals could benefit from internationally recognized certification and accreditation. Such would demonstrate their capability and experience in appropriate engineering. Recognition enables stakeholders to identify relevant talent appropriately [16]. Local engineers can deal with local challenges, and are competent to assess and invite resources and expertise. The social construction of technology grew from complex theories enshrined in a history of intellectual tradition and global relationships. The particular dynamics of historical and geographical specifics and current particular configuration of power, technology and representation draws from a westerncentric legacy. It influences all its aspects, like education, management, and development co-operation [5][12][17]. This construct provides a compelling challenge to the attitude towards, and constitution of, new relationships, involving fundamental issues in ethics, pragmatism and conceptualization. Harnessing evidence from practitioners can inform

those in supporting roles. As autonomy is the sort of thing that cannot be externally supplied or provided, there exists a conundrum affecting all humanhelping relations. IEEE’s task includes facilitating the surfacing of discoveries, and giving voice to experience. It operates from the critical stance that technology has its role to play in providing for and supplying the needs of society.

1.2

Humanitarian Technology

The term Humanitarian Technology is a term coined by IEEE. It aims to provide concrete artefacts that address pressing humanitarian needs, and to develop a repeatable methodology for collaboration on a large scale [44]. It operates in the development space. There are a whole range of views about development, the role of engineering, and what approaches should be taken. There might be agreement about the following:

1. Technology is fundamental to human progress [40][60]. Throughout history, technology has been a critical enabler of change in society. It started with domestication of crops, including diverse technologies such as currency, guns, medicine, the printing press, the internal combustion engine, computers, internet, computer and mobile telephony [11]. 2. Technology impacts development through people and how they actually use the technology. Technology itself does not have an impact if people do not use it. New technology can emerge, but if people do not find it useful it is void. 3. The impact of use of technology is unpredictable, and the direction and pace of the subsequent use is often considerably different from the expectations of their inventors or promoters [7]. 4. The development, spread and use of technology is a huge field with lots of actors each playing their part, with plenty of room for different motives and philosophical or empirical approaches.

All people contribute to change that comes from collaboration, competition and even contradiction, within a complex adaptive system. Past technological spread resulted from the actions of multiple actors. They often had very different motives and philosophies. Inventors, entrepreneurs, governments, consumers, academics, not-for-profits, and others all shaped the way technology was used, both consciously and unconsciously [52]. The term Humanitarian relates to the characteristics of humanitarianism. A google search reveals websites mainly focusing on emergencies and relief, e.g. United Nations Humanitarian Affairs [58] or Harvard Humanitarian Initiative [15].

1.3

Social Innovation

Social Innovation concerns innovative activities and services motivated by the goal of meeting a social need. They are predominantly developed and diffused through organisations whose primary purposes are social [42]. The essence of social innovation is the creation of new, innovative solutions for social good. Its scope is to seek transformational change in under-serviced, under-represented, and disadvantaged communities worldwide [18]. It endeavors to position activities to happen with people. The term ’social innovation’ signifies an inclusive and relative new approach for solving major problems, including those of people who consider themselves underprivileged, while ensuring that stakeholders are equal partners and without re-inventing the wheel. Possibly, social innovation supersedes the term humanitarian, which can be positioned as a subset of social innovation focused on action in disaster situations. Social innovation redirects focus on capacity building, where technical contributions are not the end result, but exist as part of the larger scope of achieving sustainable progress.

An integral view of engineering is desirable, so engineer from all over the world can all be included into the global body of knowledge and share the joy of practice and progress. Current status leads to dull expectations on how engineers can relate, with most discussions echoing lopsided reports, e.g. on technological determination or how one size should fit all. Acquisition of a global view of engineering is not yet

possible, as such necessitates practical understanding and recognition of (still) foreign ways to represent data and information. Current, dominant and singular definitions lead to reduced analyses of achievement, in turn further narrowing definitions and thus leading to science unaligned with the multi-faceted local realities and needs. Contextual issues like orality and relationality are not yet recognized as informing understanding. The almost exclusive discursive way of communicating within the engineering professions and the hegemony of western thinking seem to be especially huge barriers to inclusion of all engineers, worldwide. Social Innovation involves the engendering of innovative activities and services that are motivated by the goal of meeting a social need and that are predominantly developed and diffused through organizations whose primary purposes are social [42]. The essence of social innovation is the creation of new, innovative solutions for social good. The term social innovation signifies a relatively new approach to solving major problems while ensuring that stakeholders are equal partners and that wheels are not re-invented. Social innovation allows transformation of the positivist, technical, western-centric sciences to encapsulate the important information of culture and context. This includes deemed intangible and unquantifiable results of interventions, like social capital. Engineering is an engine of progress for humanity, as it methodically devises a world-of-things to interact with the world-of-humans. Social innovation augments engineering to address issues affecting us all. Social Innovation provides an inclusive and intrinsic multidisciplinary approach for sustainable progress for all engineers. It invokes innovations in engineering sensitive to human relationships, and has effects in education, management, development co-operation, and co-creation in general. As such, social innovation is instrumental in leading the way, enhancing and facilitating local capacity development. It thus opens up new venues for innovations and growth of knowledge, and mutually beneficial collaboration. Social Innovation Links Engineers Worldwide [62].

2

IEEE

IEEE’s purpose comprises scientific activities for the advancement of theory and practice, and professional support to advance the standing of the profession [19]. The IEEE constitution calls for enhancement of quality of life for all people in the world and promotion of the influence of technology for public welfare. During the recent years, IEEE’s leadership engendered and achieved growth of the institute. There is a conviction that only those able to develop collaborative strategic alliances can grow in the current world order. Thus, although IEEE is the largest professional institution in the world, collaboration will stimulate growth. Collaborations like Engineering for Change, UNESCO/IEEE, EPICS act as proof-of-concepts. IEEE recognizes the need for innovations in publishing technologies, markets, business models, and opening up of new technical areas, to assure quality, relevance and sustainability of its offerings. Also, IEEE prioritizes expanding its membership world wide. At the end of 2011, for the first time, there were more IEEE members outside of the United States than within [8]. Following earlier attempts, the 2011 IEEE Ad Hoc Committee on Humanitarian Activities focused on the goal of proposing IEEE’s positioning in this emerging space. Its brief includes: 1. to develop processes for funding 2. establish affinity groups 3. inform and educate IEEE members 4. provide plans to IEEE. Further, the committee is to foster appropriate technologies, develop technology policies, increase awareness, fundraising, and co-operation with responsible organizations outside of IEEE. The Ad Hoc Committee charged a subcommittee to develop a strategy, from which first proposals appeared during 2012.

2.1

Humanitarian Activities at IEEE

The humanitarian activities of IEEE have been getting increased attention. IEEE Presidents noticed

this trend explicitly [9][28][50][51]. During the last 5 to 7 years, IEEE organizational units found themselves under increased pressure to allocate resources to humanitarian efforts [28], with most pressure from young members in student groups and IEEE GOLD. In 2008, IEEE’s Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) and Engineers Without Borders organized the first IEEE Humanitarian workshop in Boston [25]. In general, these efforts appear driven by a philosophical framework of technological determinism. This stance is quite common among engineers, in line with the classic view of development as a fast-track to modernization, and of technology as an inevitable driver of social change [14]. One of the outcomes of the IEEE GOLD workshop of 2008 was the start of the Humanitarian Technology Challenge [44]. Although this activity started with enthousiasm, it struggled to organise local connections and to embed within IEEE. The Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) is a program that organizes university and high school students to work on engineering-related projects for local humanitarian organizations. The program provides grants and reports an impact, with 49 proposals received from 14 countries. 31 projects are approved, covering activities in 11 countries. Its total budget is in the range of USD 150k [20]. The Teacher In-Service Program (TISP) provides a forum for IEEE volunteers to demonstrate the application of engineering, science and mathematics concepts by sharing their real-world experiences with local pre-university educators. IEEE offers training workshops for its volunteers on how to provide inservice programs to local pre-university educators [22].

1. IEEE Committee (ICEO),

on

Earth

Observation

2. IEEE President’s Change the World Competition, aiming to recognize leadership development, and 3. E-Scientia, Museum Exhibits for pre-university students [27]. IEEE experimented with discounted access to IEEE Xplorer for some African countries. Since 2011, IEEE offers discounted membership fees for engineers in developing countries. In the area of IEEE conferences, there are a relatively few IEEE conferences organized in developing countries. The flagship conference for Africa is the biannual conference Africon. Further, Indicon features innovations in social and humanitarian engineering in India, and Region 6 (in the USA) organizes the yearly Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC) in Seattle.

2.2

Co-operations

Engineering for Change represents a sizable investment of IEEE with co-operating partners ASME and Engineers Without Borders (EWB). The platform aims to provide a forum to connect, collaborate, solve challenges and share knowledge among a community of engineers, technologists, social scientists, NGOs, local governments and community advocates. These users dedicate their efforts to improving the quality of life all over the world [13].

IEEE Special Interest Groups on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) endeavor to promote IEEE’s mission on Humanitarian Activities in all areas of IEEE. SIGHT groups attempt to connect IEEE members in their humanitarian efforts.

The UNESCO - IEEE co-operation outlines initiatives that support the common goal of mobilizing engineering education outreach for both students and educators in Africa. The combination of IEEE’s core strengths as a professional association paired with UNESCO’s overall objective to mobilize science knowledge and policy for sustainable development can contribute to the partnerships effectiveness [21].

Further, IEEE participates in Community Solutions Initiative and supported a project that provided 240 homes with electricity [34].

During 2012, IEEE initiated an International Engineering Societies Call on Governments [9][23]. This initiative is gathering momentum.

Other initiatives sometimes considered part of IEEE Humanitarian activities are:

IEEE affiliated IEEE Foundation is one of the vehicles for IEEE for fundraising. Continuous collabora-

tion primes IEEE Foundation for fundraising in social innovation. The foundation established the Humanitarian Technology Fund in 2009 [4]. The fund targets small projects between USD 1-40k. IEEE Foundation’s General Fund also funds humanitarian projects. All IEEE Foundation grants programs together involve an investment of about USD 1 million per year.

3

Developments in Development

Issues of development are complex, worldwide, and multi-national. They involve a stratiform array of issues, involving politics, academics, businesses and other issues, like those of national security. For various and diverse reasons there is wide international support for the need for development of leastdeveloped regions on the earth [57]. Traditionally, engines of change appear in the form of development aid or missionary work [38]. Development aid utilizes projects to disperse its funding, often bringing together experts in capacity building for a specific purpose. Development projects are part of thematic development programs, and they involve distinct phases like planning, grant writing, execution, reporting and assessment. During the assessment phase, measurements and evaluation matches outcomes with goals set for the project. Development projects are operational in a wide range of disciplines. Most operate in a vertical manner and link to international priorities like the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Goals set by funding agencies mostly define the development agenda. Priorities of funding agencies are set by international politics or individuals. Funding agencies are mostly bilateral or multilateral institutions, or private, philanthropy foundations. Beside institutionalized development projects, remittance of funding from diaspora abroad fuels separate development activities in developing countries [33]. This flow grows, with further growth expected through funding streams in social venturing. Literature shows that equal partnerships and inclusiveness in development of local interventions is a key requirement for long-term sustainability [24]. Issues of incorporating human values and culture are being recognized [39], and there is openness to explore with a socio-technical approach [3][31]. Al-

though successes have been reported for development projects, many reports depict failure. Most development projects do not reach set goals, not even close. There is a growing resentment towards traditional approaches to development: there are many critics with as many diverse positions, e.g. Khoza [32], Moyo [41] or Adamson [1]. The word humanitarian might give the impression of an imbalance in relationship between the parties involved, where ’interventions happen to people’. Thus, humanitarian activities are not necessarily linked to development. Hard questions involve who benefits from humanitarian work and who pays the long term consequences [64]. Indications of such appear from so-called failfaires at conference and fail reports like from Engineers Without Borders Canada [36]. The development field is rife with issues and questions like the issue of the link between social benefit and technology [1]. There exists a rift between dominant economic views and engineering assumptions regarding socially beneficial technologies. Barriers to success are not readily known. They encapsulate multi-disciplinary issues. Challenge remains to find good outcomes in the context of limited resources and community priorities, and to incorporate societal concerns in technologies in disempowered communities [49]. Kam [28] lists the requests for IEEE humanitarian engagement as 1. development of specific derivatives of the technology specialized for the needs of underprivileged societies 2. related demonstration projects for industry and government 3. collaboration with other organizations in global humanitarian efforts The social web and world wide collaboration introduce their own challenges in paradigms [7][47]. Technology augments social interaction, and coproduction of knowledge and involves new sociocultural constructs and issues [10][43][48]. Resnyansky [47] postulates that technology is an active participant in facilitating genuine collaboration. Thus technology can be recognized as being a social activity.

Curran [7] signals the following hurdles:

use technology. When technology is constructed to be appropriate, that is, to meet people’s needs, it can be helpful. Mastered and controlled by people, technology’s utilization can be purposeful and innovative. Technology facilitates; it cannot not drive. Technology amplifies; it cannot initiate. Technology assists; it cannot lead. Technology neither determines, nor dictates: it serves. Technological Servanthood [63].

1. existence of enormous disparities of wealth and resources, that seem to be increasing [65] 2. issues of language (e.g. only 15% per of the world population understands English [26]) 3. the use of language as a medium of power [2][5][37] 4. conflicts of value, belief and interest 5. embedded nationalist cultures in most societies 6. authoritarianism, and

4

Discussion

7. inequalities within countries (see Figure 1). There appear to be a lot of discrepancies between western knowledge and its application in the disenfranchised context. Frameworks can be culturally inappropriate and locally impractical. Discrepancies include: a) nonalignment of locally relevant topics with available (international) research

Figure 1: Differences in national income equality around the world as measured by the national Gini coefficient [6].

b) lack of accessibility of research findings in varied culturally adapt manners c) issues of language (English versus local language) d) representation of knowledge, e.g. in literal format versus an oral format

When outcomes are ascribed to technology people might deem it the cause. This instills false dogma. Although technology is valuable, it remains an inorganic artefact. Life’s focal point is people. They are the dazzling subjects, the centre of earthly existence. Here the amoral submits to the morally-able, and thus technology submits to people. Living people’s interactions are fruitful when empathy and compassion are facilitated in an ethical setting, while serving other’s well discerned needs, in peace. Within their context and culture, people do experience joy, discern wisdom, and recognize knowledge. Technology never does. Everywhere inanimate technology can assist in absolutely wonderful and stunning ways, or it can obstruct and even destroy. Through distinct phases of bewilderment and amazement we reach out to master and

e) relationality, e.g. writings by foreign research versus dissemination by local research f) cultural positioning, e.g. linear categorization versus mediatory positioning g) contextuality, e.g. described for an audience referencing to the resource-abundant environment versus a local audience referencing to a resourcelimited environment h) validation, e.g. international-peer-reviewed versus local-community-reviewed. The almost exclusive discursive way of presenting results in engineering is providing a huge barrier to its use in other regions of the world, where discursive thought is scarce. Current academic discourse has little connection with realities and topics of interest in developing countries. Such topics center on, for instance:

a) people b) analyse of affects of interventions in social relationships c) the empowerment of individuals or communities d) sense of accomplishment and feelings of being part of the world e) effects of interventions to the social cohesion of the community f) opportunities to strengthen local culture and archive events in the past g) abilities to interact as a community at a collective level. Issues involve issues of agency, security and peace. Results of this misalignment fuels inaccurate and misleading stories in disenfranchised areas. This, in turn, discourages the use of engineering. Only through local expression of the (engineering) intervention can real embrace of the findings by the local community possibly take place. There is no established scientific community in engineering in most disenfranchised regions of the world. Further, engineering research mainly takes place in the western environment, and financing focuses on such Western based research. No significant funding mechanisms for science exist in most developing countries. In engineering, foreign partners are often excluded from funding. Much research in engineering incorporates a quantitative and technological perspective. Literature biases towards quantifiable responses, and aims at prioritization of needs, focused on Western topic listings, and conceptualization of solutions. Work often lacks long term contextual evidence [35]. In positivistic, technical sciences there seems to be little regards for culture and context. There is no localized science-reporting in most developing countries, and certainly little reporting in the local languages. All this hampers communities from being able to learn about engineering developments in a meaningful way. There appears to be little regard for the potential difference in meaning of the (technical) artefact in a different context. Reports invariably focus on tangible, quantifiable and instrumental impacts following Western methodology. Lack of long term, longitudinal research on use of technologies in disenfranchised

areas particularly affect the knowledge base. Not many projects extend over multiple years or beyond project implementation phase. Further, the intangible and unquantifiable results of interventions receive little attention. Literature consecutively flies at a generalist, mostly macro-economical altitude. The discursive expressions of scientific knowledge, reduced to abstractions in English texts, seem to have little discernible effect on - or even defacto prohibits the inclusion of - oral societies. The foreign academic appropriation of local information for private, foreign profit, does alienate the local community and renders it objectified and possibly exploited. There are hardly any engineering studies on activities and results in disenfranchised areas from the perspective of disenfranchised areas. Reports base conclusions on short periods of observation. Validating the research with those in the areas under review hardly ever results in participation by, and/or recognition of the efforts and their worth by local people. There is a clear need for conceptual frameworks applicable to context and culture to be in equilibrium with local culture and heritage [54], taking into account locally important aspirations and paradigms [56]. There is much room for locally developed models and locally enshrined research, performed on the basis of local tradition, possibly involving local indigenous institutions to assure good grounding, especially when dealing with rural communities.

Lessons Learned

The proof-of-concepts in IEEE show that activities in this field involved activities well beyond the current reach of IEEE, both in participatory activities as well as demographics. Also, measurements of success are prone to differ, with different understanding of welfare and intangible achievements [14]. In the mean time, the impact of humanitarian activities have had limited impact on IEEE. Many organizations act in the field of disaster relief (which is by definition humanitarian work). IEEE is not well equipped, nor positioned to facilitate in this field. Geographically born initiatives like GHTC or

SIGHT challenge regional boundaries from the outset. When something happens in any part of the world, it influences the perception of IEEE worldwide. This is the result of the inter-connectedness in the world, and the growing pervasiveness of communication devices, certainly in the hands of professionals. New insights through the work of the committee show that IEEE’s definition of Humanitarian Activities as ’Activities by IEEE Volunteers and staff members geared towards improving the quality of life for underserved populations’ needs reconstitution to provide better connection to institutional targets aligned with the insights provided from activities world wide. IEEE has recognized the presence of multiple actors and factors, all interconnected in ways which make the outcome of any specific action very hard to manage or predict. As such, IEEE is only one of multiple actors in the system. However, IEEE is well positioned to instil action and make an impact, even if the exact nature and scale of the impact cannot be easily predicted in advance. Therefore the following lessons can be drawn: 1. There is a need for reasonable approaches based on information like what has worked elsewhere, what partners say, from a position of local insight, and instinct. 2. There is room for adaptation of approaches over time, in light of experience and results, for modifying and improving the approach continually, based upon what actually happens rather than what theory or history tells us. 3. Actions that are not working can be discontinued. 4. Data and information on actions and results must be shared widely, to solicit feedback from beneficiaries. 5. Diverse activities can be implemented; there is no single approach to solve all. 6. Compare different methods and then scale up the most promising one(s). 7. Unintended outcomes are possible, both negative and positive. There must be room for the unexpected, with acknowledgement that small changes can sometimes have large impacts.

This all calls for participatory methodologies like action learning, continual learning and evaluation [53].

5

Inputs for IEEE’s Strategy for Social Innovation

In view of the developments within IEEE’s membership and supporting staff activities, an approach to the issues is needed from the highest abstract level. This assures growing awareness and guides the discussion, putting real issues on the table for inclusive debate. Such a process guides the development of a widely supported strategy that harnesses and amends programs and initiatives, while providing for input to shape of IEEE’s portfolio of services and activities to position IEEE well for the opportunities ahead. The strategy takes into account global developments and a shrinking world. Also it recognizes the worth of the three billion people at the Bottom of the Pyramid [45] and the changing role of the established Western institutes [46]. It builds engineering capacity to provide for appropriate technologies to improve the quality of life. Also it recognizes the mutual benefit of a world wide exchange of engineering and a level playing field. Due to its size, IEEE focuses on high and measurable impact, scale and cross-sector partnerships. Further, IEEE recognizes strength in local presence, with membership in all countries in the world. Current strategy proposals boil down to building local engineering capacity through education, thought leadership/advocacy, and community engagement.

5.1

Relevance

Fostering and including engineers worldwide is a challenge that IEEE embraces. IEEE wishes to be instrumental to the global technical community and to technical professionals everywhere, and to be universally recognized for the contributions of technology and of technical professionals in improving global conditions. For instance, there are engineers trained and grown

in remote areas of emerging countries. Their trade is much unknown, grown from traditional rural-torural exchange where transfer of engineering and expertise takes place. These engineers also look for supporting alliances, for empowering through a growing base of unique communications (e.g. participatory video, reports, and studies on various and wide ranging subjects). Such communication at the grassroots level relies on shared information. The challenges are real: e.g. how to designate ideas and understanding of how engineers in resource limited environments can have productive and rewarding careers. How should governments of engineering-deprived countries seek input from an institute like IEEE as an unbiased source of technical information, validator of expertise, and mobilizer of support? How can entrepreneurs and industry in emerging countries recognize and value an organization like IEEE and how can associates of industries participate in a professional society like IEEE? How could the IEEE shape research in developing countries? How can technology support the emergence of formal economies in deprived settings? How can curricula, in line with a vision for future universities, be accredited? How can continuous education and research in fields of engineering be implemented in education deprived and researchlow countries? Engineers in emerging countries have contributions to make. Thus IEEE aims for tangible outcomes for IEEE’s goal to be essential to all professionals. Engineers need each other worldwide. There is need for inclusion of all brain power and expertise. Science and technology face huge challenges and in its quest to include all engineers worldwide, IEEE plays a major role in fostering the needed co-operation between and among scientists and engineers for the benefit of all humanity [61].

5.2

Refined Purpose Statement

The following is an exercise to provide an innovative purpose statement, focused on incorporating social innovation. It incorporates lessons from traditional leadership systems. IEEEs is to be the heritor of engineering. It does so by exercising a system of governance reflecting the hopes and aspirations of engineers. This integrates members’ intellectual, ideological, and emotional at-

tachments in an institute that engineers consider as their own and which they protect and defend. IEEE guards engineering values, ideals, goals, experiences, and aspirations. Members nurture, refine, and modify IEEE to reflect their wishes, desires, and experiences. This happens through processes that facilitate consultation, accountability, choice, and freedom of expression. IEEE assures its existence is being respected, protected, and promoted; that resources for appropriate support and capacity building come forth in recognition of its role in the world. IEEE’s operations are in harmony with international values and ethical behavior, so that the advancements of an open and connected world are promoted. IEEE exists as validator only insofar as it is the mouthpiece of the engineering interest, and by consent. As such IEEE exercises its activities with the greatest judiciousness and wisdom. It aims for adaptive capacity, as the leading engineering community institution, through engineers, by engineers and for engineers and humanity. Through good guidance, IEEE implements flexible, multi-faceted, and adaptive administrative mechanisms, being a translator of new ideas through reference and contrast with pre-existing ones. IEEE provides a foundation which enables engineers to incorporate new ideas into engineering without losing the essential elements of history and humanity. It relies on kinship units, which are instruments for change and processes of reconciliation, to mediate the strenuous dilemmas facing the international community. As such, through consultations, IEEE exercises are based upon symbiotic relationships. IEEE validates those who are qualified to work in engineering, and will co-create information and communication exchange and education platforms. Initiatives like Engineering for Change enable the creation of on-the-ground solutions and their replication and scaling in underprivileged communities.

5.3

How could this play out in practice?

Social Innovation in disempowered regions is aided by [12]

1. avoiding rhetoric of center and periphery

2. engagement with people on their own terms 3. recogition of the historical specificities of sites of technology production and use 4. seeking solutions that resolve local details without translating everything into the global 5. embrace diversity and multiple perspectives. A diverse approach involving multiple actors and friction between them allows different models to coexist, compete and learn from each other, and it allows then to be judged in the market and the marketplace of ideas. Despite strong convictions in the field, no one knows the right (or even partially right) way, and only through doing, and adapting can one find out what works best, and what the (currently unknown) potential of social innovation will be. Convening and debating is useful to help reframe ideas and approaches. In the current, connected world, the real test is not in who makes the best argument but in what actually happens on the ground when these approaches intersect [52].

7. facilitation of the participation of engineers in programs and education, in nations, regions, and global spheres of government 8. promoting the ideals of engineers, their responsible use, integrated and holistic planning, sustainable development, and service delivery 9. promoting appropriate and indigenous engineering, and systems for sustainable progress and disaster management 10. alerting any relevant body to any hazard or calamity that threatens the world, region, or nation, or the well-being of people, and contributing to disaster management in general 11. sharing information and co-operation with all engineering associations and other engineering bodies 12. performing any function that can be expected to go with IEEE’s high calling

Practice

5.4

Goals and Practise

Through social innovation, IEEE can reflect a rapidly changing and shrinking world by: 1. administration of the affairs of engineering in accordance with standards and national tradition 2. assisting, supporting and guiding engineers in the performance of their art 3. supporting the international community in the identification of engineering needs 4. facilitating the involvement of the engineering community in the development or amendment of plans of international institutions that will contribute to sustainable progress and service delivery for all people in the world 5. recommending, after consultation with relevant governing bodies, appropriate interventions based upon use of technology to benefit the international community, and support of regional, national, and local leadership 6. participation in the development of engineering standards and communities of practice at all governing levels (national, regional, global)

Positioning IEEE as a leader in convening and activating engineering communities is possible, as it has the depth and the strength to make a significant impact from multiple angles. IEEE thus can: 1. facilitate research agendas 2. facilitate engineering education (both curriculum, and brokering) 3. guard the direction of emerging technologies 4. facilitate program implementation 5. engender social movements, and partnerships. This requires true commitment to discuss and incorporate new ideas, and a deep commitment to partnerships. Further it must be recognized that 1. member-centered models assure relevance 2. successful activities start small 3. success flows from a focus on what the local section, regions and members want - not what a headquarters deems needed to provide, nor managed from thousands of kilometers away

4. active engagement in provider-user feedback loops is a necessity, assuring engineers that IEEE provides what is requested, and to avoid mistakes that have been made by so many institutes in international co-operation

would imply a move from focus on technology solutions towards a broadened focus on capacity building.

5. local sections lead and represent IEEE’s presence where members seek to make a difference, and are ultimately responsible for local activities

References

6. focus is on long-term embedding. Explicitly, IEEE is no funding organisation. However, IEEE is a catalyst and brokers training projects, accreditation, and volunteer engagement.

5.5

Partnerships

[1] Adamson, G. Socially Beneficial Technology: Can It Be Achieved in Practice? IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2012). [2] Ahearn, L. M. Language and Agency. Annual Review of Anthropology 38, 1 (Oct. 2001), 299–137. [3] Amadei, B., and Wallace, W. A. Engineering for Humanitarian Development. A Socio-Technical Approach. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2009). [4] Bogdanowicz, A. New Fund Takes On Humanitarian, 2009. [5] Canagarajah, A. S. Material Resources of Periphery Scholars, and the Politics of Knowledge Production. Written Communication (1996). [6] CIA. The World Factbook, 2012.

The world is moving away from a competitionmodel towards a co-operation-model. The concept of Being Together encompasses this move. Partners think, want, and act interdependently, subscribe to true partnerships and jointly-managed endeavors, from conception to reality, share the lead, connect firstly peers, then administrators, implement workable financial balances, consider bilateral arrangements as well as multilateral connections, value diversity of cultural experience, deal with risks without compromising social interaction, replace shortterm stints with longterm (professional) development, and treat all interactions as a learning experience [17]. Partners do in the nations as the nationals do, adapt to culture and context, which emerged from centuries of struggles, trials and victories by those that went before, adapt to local ways of communications, adhere to national and traditional rules and other regulatory facts of life. Partners target friendship, peace and co-operation, trust, mutual respect, grow relationships through thick and especially thin, and share experiences.

[7] Curran, J., Freedman, D., and Fenton, N. Misunderstanding the Internet. Routledge, 2012. [8] Day, G. 50.2% 49.8%, 2012. [9] Day, G. Engineering Societies Support UN Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, 2012. [10] Dempere, L. A. Understanding Sustainability Through Reverse Engineering. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2010). [11] Diamond, J. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. W. W. Norton & Company, 2005. [12] Dourish, P., and Mainwaring, S. D. Ubicomps Colonial Impulse. In UbiComp’ 12 (Pittsburg, USA, 2012). [13] E4C. Engineering for Change, 2012. [14] Gomez, R., and Pather, S. ICT Evaluation: Are We Asking The Right Questions? EJISDC 50, 5 (2012), 1–14. [15] Harvard. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, 2012. [16] Hislop, R. Q&A: Professor Moshe Kam, 2012. [17] Holm, J. D., and Malete, L. The Asymmetries of University Partnerships between Africa and the Developed World: Our Experience in Botswana. In Going Global 4 - The British Council’s International Education Conference (2010). [18] IDEO. IDEO Social Innovation, 2012. [19] IEEE. IEEE Constitution, 2005. [20] IEEE. Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) in IEEE, 2012. [21] IEEE. Extending Global Reach: IEEE Signs a Partnership Agreement with United Nations UNESCO, 2012.

6

Conclusion

This paper provides a variety of inputs towards a strategy in Social Innovation, that, among others,

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[25] Isaak, J. IEEE Humanitarian Workshop Five Steps for a Humanitarian Project. Tech. rep., 2008. [26] ITU. ITU calls for broadband Internet access for half the worlds population by 2015, 2010. [27] Kam, M. A Small Miracle in Hyderabad, 2011. [28] Kam, M. How Should We Proceed with IEEEs Humanitarian Efforts?, 2011.

[49] Shah, R., and Kesan, J. P. Incorporating Societal Concerns into Communication Technologies. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2002). [50] Steacker, P. Statement, 2013 IEEE President, 2011. [51] Terman, L. For the Benefit of Society. How the Envisioned Future strategy addresses societal issues., 2008. [52] Thorpe, I. ICT4What?, 2011.

[29] Kam, M. IEEE in Africa: Ke Nako! (Its Time!), 2011.

[53] Thorpe, I. Whos afraid of complexity in aid?, 2011.

[30] Kam, M. Thoughts on IEEE in Africa. In Africon 2011 (2011).

[54] Ulimwengu, J. What we learn, How we learn it, and for What? In eLearning Africa (Dar Es Salaam, 2011).

[31] Kam, M. Engineering as Liberal Art. In Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, 14 Aug 2012 (Edinburgh, 2012).

[55] UN. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2012. United Nations, 2012.

[32] Khoza, R. Let Africa Lead: African Transformational Leadership for 21st century Business. VezuBuntu, South Africa, 2005.

[56] UNESCO. Convention for the Safguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 32nd Session of General Conference UNESCO (2003).

[33] Kozul-Wright, Z., and al., E. The Least Developed Countries, Report 2010. United Nations (UNCTAD), New York and Geneva, 2010.

[57] United Nations. Trends in Sustainable Development, Africa Report. United Nations Publication, New York, 2009.

[34] Lacourciere, M. Sirona & IEEE’s Electricity Solution for Rural Haiti is Launching, 2012.

[58] United Nations. UN Humanitarian Affairs, 2012.

[35] Lee, P. Putting Problems Before Solutions in Development, 2011. [36] Lewis, S. E. Failure Report 2011. Engineers Without Borders Canada, 2011. [37] Mazrui, A. A. Towards Re-Africanizing African Universities: Who Killed Intellectualism in the Post Colonial Era? Turkish Journal of International Relations 2, 3 (2003), 135–163. [38] Meganck, M. From Boy Scouts and Missionaries, to Development Partners. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2010). [39] Miller, K. W., and Larson, D. K. Agile Software Development: Human Values and Culture. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2005). [40] Morris, I. Why The West Rules, For Now. Profile Books, 2010. [41] Moyo, D. Dead Aid. Penguin Group, London, 2009. [42] Mulgan, G., Tucker, S., Ali, R., and Sanders, B. Social Innovation. University of Oxford, 2007. [43] Oram, D. Designing for Sustainability: Negotiating Ethical Implications. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2010). [44] Perusich, K., Tepper, H., De Marca, J. R. B., Lefevre, R., and Baseil, R. IEEE/UN Foundation Humanitarian Technology Challenge. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2009). [45] Prahalad, C. The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, Revised and Updated 5th Anniversary Edition: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. [46] Prahalad, C., and Lieberthal, K. The End of Corporate Imperialism. In Harvard Business Review (2003). [47] Resnyansky, L. Global ICT-Mediated Collaborations: Thinking Beyond Networks. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2011). [48] Robbins, J. Sustainable Future vs. Sloth, Genes, and Entropy. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2010).

[59] Unwin, T. No End to Poverty. Journal of Development Studies 43, 5 (2007), 929–953. [60] van Oortmerssen, G. Sustainable Progress. In CAETS (2007). [61] van Stam, G. An Inclusive World. IEEE GOLDRush (2008), 4. [62] van Stam, G. Social Innovation Links Engineers Worldwide, 2012. [63] van Stam, G. Technological Servanthood, 2012. [64] Vandersteen, J. D. J., Baillie, C. A., and Hall, K. R. International Humanitarian Engineering; Who Benefits and Who Pays? IEEE Technology and Society Magazine (2009). [65] Woolcock, M. Global Poverty and Inequality: A Brief Retrospective and Prospective Analysis. Political Quarterly 79, 1 (2008), 183–196.

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