Public access venues and community empowerment in Mozambique: A social representation study

Authors: Rega, I. and Vannini, S.

Journal: Semiotica

Volume: 2018

Issue: 223

Pages: 199-217

eISSN: 1613-3692

ISSN: 0037-1998

DOI: 10.1515/sem-2017-0014

Abstract:

This article uses the theoretical construct of Social Representations to investigate how Community Multimedia Centers (CMCs) - venues that offer public access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to underserved communities - are perceived by communities in Mozambique, and it discusses how the local population understands these venues as means to foster community empowerment and socio-economic development. In total, 113 participants took part in the study, from six CMCs in different towns of Mozambique. Participants were represented from three different social groups, according to their use of the CMC: staff members, users of both CMC components - telecenter and radio - and radio-only users. The article analyses the Social Representations' structure, using a Prototypical approach. Findings show that CMCs are seen by local communities as places at which they can receive and exchange information, and also as learning spaces, with the telecenter part focused on the delivery of ICT training and the radio component engaging with educational activities and services in a broader sense. Furthermore, CMCs are perceived as places dedicated almost exclusively to children and young people. The results of this study can help policy makers, practitioners, funding agencies and other relevant stakeholders to improve Mozambican CMCs and leverage their community empowerment potential.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29173/

Source: Scopus

Public access venues and community empowerment in Mozambique: a social representation study

Authors: Rega, I. and Vannini, S.

Journal: SEMIOTICA

Issue: 223

Pages: 199-217

eISSN: 1613-3692

ISSN: 0037-1998

DOI: 10.1515/sem-2017-0014

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29173/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Public Access Venues and Community Empowerment in Mozambique: A Social Representation Study

Authors: Rega, I. and Vannini, S.

Journal: Semiotica

Publisher: Mouton de DeGruyter

ISSN: 0037-1998

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29173/

Source: Manual

Public Access Venues and Community Empowerment in Mozambique: A Social Representation Study

Authors: Rega, I. and Vannini, S.

Journal: Semiotica

Volume: 2018

Issue: 223

Pages: 199-217

ISSN: 0037-1998

Abstract:

This article uses the theoretical construct of Social Representations to investigate how Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs) – venues that offer public access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to underserved communities – are perceived by communities in Mozambique, and it discusses how the local population understands these venues as means to foster community empowerment and socio-economic development. In total 113 participants took part in the study, from six CMCs in different towns of Mozambique. Participants were represented from three different social groups, according to their use of the CMC: staff members, users of both CMC components – telecenter and radio - and radio-only users. The article analyses the Social Representations’ structure, using a Prototypical approach. Findings show that CMCs are seen by local communities as places at which they can receive and exchange information, and also as learning spaces, with the telecenter part focused on the delivery of ICT training and the radio component engaging with educational activities and services in a broader sense. Furthermore, CMCs are perceived as places dedicated almost exclusively to children and young people. The results of this study can help policy makers, practitioners, funding agencies and other relevant stakeholders to improve Mozambican CMCs and leverage their community empowerment potential.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29173/

Source: BURO EPrints