Cultural Identity, Climate Change Resilience and ICT

Angelina Valeria Ospina in a recent blog has helpfully explored links between cultural identity and ICT in sustaining resilience and promoting innovation in vulnerable communities in the face challenges such as those presented by climate change. 

She notes 'the notion of cultural identity is linked to the way in which we relate to the customs, practices, languages and worldviews that define a group or territory. It involves the conservation of social memory, the generational transfer of indigenous knowledge, the ability of a community to self-organise around common interests and shared values, and the maintenance of social networks that are based on trust and solidarity, among others.

All of these factors are pivotal in the capacity of vulnerable communities to deal with change and uncertainty, and to build resilience in the face of climate change.

She identifies a number of ways in which emerging social networking technologies can underpin adaptation to change by:

• archiving and disseminating collective memory;
• producing, accessing and applying new knowledge;
• fostering diversity by giving a voice to communties;
• strengthening social networks and self-organisation; and
• empowering youth.

Whilst her focus is on resilience in the face of climate change, it is interesting to extend these insights into the role of ICT to other aspects of community life when they are challenged by economic and social change.  There is clearly food for thought here for most of the themes and contexts being discussed within the PIE programme.  Recognising these roles for ICT should be part of city strategies in promoting social, cultural and economc innovation.