Translating written legislation into indigenous languages that do not have an alphabet is clearly problematic and creates a significant barrier for indigenous communities to access information on laws relevant to them and their rights. Open Institute creatively tackled this challenge by developing an interactive voice response (IVR) system that individuals can use to listen to voice recordings in indigenous languages that can be accessed via a menu on a mobile phone (i.e. “to learn about..., press/say 1”).
Across Asia, mobile phone ownership continues to grow, and prices are dropping. This has led to an increase in mobile phone access writ large, and the potential to integrate mobiles into development projects to improve development outcomes clearly exists. In an effort to catalyze conversations and actions aimed at creating a more holistic and inclusive approach to M4D, USAID and FHI 360 hosted the second annual Mobiles for Development Forum Asia in Bangkok on January 20-21, 2015.
The U.S. Government, in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), launched the inaugural ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology (S&T) Fellowship in April 2014. Over the next several years, the Fellowship will place emerging science leaders into government ministries to strengthen evidence-based policy making. The Fellowship also empowers young leaders to engage in policies that drive national priorities and impact the lives of citizens in ASEAN.
2015 ASEAN‐U.S. Science and Technology Fellows
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