It seems the term ‘Web 2.0’ suggests a new version of the World Wide Web (WWW). In fact it is misleading. Web 2.0 does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but to changes in the ways software developers and end-users utilize the Web. Web 2.0 refers to web development and design that facilitates interactivity, communication, information sharing, cooperation and collaboration on the internet. It includes web-based communities, hosted services, applications and platforms that support them, for example, social networking websites; audio, video, document (publication), presentation and photo-sharing websites; social bookmarking websites; RSS; wikis; blogs; and some VOIP services (IIED and CTA, 2009). “Web 2.0 applications based on the internet are also referred as ‘participatory’, ‘social’ or ‘read-write’ web” (IIED and CTA, 2009, p.8).

The mass media tools or channels commonly used for communication to support development, create awareness, and conduct advocacy are TV and Radio programs; public notices, information and news through newspapers, etc. The new boom in channels called “social media” could be the new age channel and means of content delivery such as pictures, sounds, videos, or text, but in different way. Social media may not follow the traditional way of information sharing on TV, radio and in newspapers that talk at you as an audience, but not with you. In fact, in social media everyone can participate, contribute content and be an active receiver of information and a sender. Everyone is an equal player with equal ability to share his or her perspective and be part of the conversation in social media.

Web 2.0 and social media, powered by the internet, allow people to form online communities according to their interests. This could minimize geographical limitations, allowing people to work together in ways never before possible. For example, video produced in Nepal can be watched in any part of the world within a second, text developed in North America could be edited and feedback received from any part of the world or vice versa.

Active use of Web 2.0 and social media for development purposes could be considered as Web 2.0 and social media for development. It enables developments actors to relate to and connect with other stakeholders, produce and publish their own materials, decide on levels of access to information and redistribute pieces of content released by others. It is also about integrating, combining, aggregating, generating, moderating and mediating development information, ideas and perspectives. For example Crisscrossed Blog (http://www.crisscrossed.net) explores and develops social change through communication and focuses on tools such as the internet - its impact, potential and the challenges it faces within different cultures around the world; Forest Connect (http://forestconnect.ning.com) is a social network site developed for sharing news about Small and Medium Forest Enterprises (SMFEs) around the world, tools and tactics that have worked to improve the prospects for SMFEs, and posts recent documents that others might find useful, as well as upcoming jobs, meetings or training events.

Reference

Ashley, H., Corbett, J., Jones, D., Garside, B. and Rambaldi, G. (2009), Change at hand: Web 2.0 for development, Participatory Learning and Action, IIED and CTA (edition 59), p. 8-20