The US Consulate General in Karachi recently sponsored Pakistan's first ever social media summit held in Avari Hotel from June 10-11 2011. Its partners include Intel, Apple, Newsweek Pakistan, PC World Magazine, IDG, iRaffles and Express, Pakistan's second largest media group. It also had representatives from Twitter and Wordpress skyped from the US to be part of the Summit.
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| Indonesian bloggers Heny and Dita talk about social media for community activism and community service in education and in combatting corruption. Photo from US ConGen Karachi/Facebook |
International participants included Mohamed El Dahshan (Egypt), Hanny Kusumawati and Anandita Puspitasari (Indonesia), Rebecca Chiao (Egypt), Ong Hock Chuan (Malaysia), Claire Diaz Ortiz (US) and Karim Osman (Netherlands), as well as other bloggers who participated via Skype.
Via The Express Tribune:
Watch this overview too on new media users in Pakistan.
The sessions include topics on Education & Good Governance: Going Digital, Women & Social Activism in the New Media Era, and Monetizing Your Social Media Space followed by some 20 breakout workshops. "The idea of the summit is to enable a collective gathering of people from the Pakistani Blogosphere and how to enable them as well as understand better on bringing about a positive change through social media."
The US Consul General in Karachi gets to open the event (video), and has an op-ed carried by Pakistan's Tribune newspaper, and republished in other media outlets online:
"Pakistan enjoys tremendous freedom of information and online expression. As a representative of the United States, I am keenly aware of the vibrancy of that free speech every time I log in to my computer or pick up a newspaper. Although a bit bruised sometimes, I welcome it! By amplifying the diversity of voices, social media is making life a richer experience for us all."
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| Consul General William Martin delivers opening remarks at Network!! Photo from US ConGen Karachi/Facebook |
It is not surprising to see some familiar faces involved in this event - Andie de Arment of CG Karachi and Tristram Perry of CG Lahore, both officers previously worked together in US Mission Indonesia, the Bigfoot in the State Department's social media footprint.
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| Rabia from CIO Magazine/PC World along with moderators, presenters, international bloggers, as well as IO Andie & IO Tristram from Lahore. Photo from US ConGen Karachi/Facebook |
More photos here from Tribune and here from US CG Karachi Facebook. Awesome work folks!
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