20170322-万博宣伟-INNOVATION_TRENDS_REPORT_CONSCIOUS_CROWDSOURCING_21页_8mb

Conscious Crowdsourcing Summary

Core Content

Conscious Crowdsourcing is a modern approach that leverages the collective intelligence and effort of individuals, organizations, and sectors to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and global health. It is an evolution of crowdsourcing, which traditionally focused on gathering ideas or resources, and now extends to generating awareness, action, and solutions for social and environmental issues. This concept is part of a broader series on macro trends shaping global society and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships for sustainable development.

Main Points

• Conscious Crowdsourcing involves using digital platforms to engage a broad network in co-creation and problem-solving, rather than just fundraising.
• It is not limited to social causes but is also increasingly used by brands to understand and manage their future in a global, interconnected marketplace.
• The network effect of conscious crowdsourcing is significant, with a small core group of activists often driving widespread awareness and participation through 'core-periphery dynamics'.
• Movements like the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, #BlackLivesMatter, and #LoveWins demonstrate the power of digital activism in mobilizing people globally.
• Slacktivism and Clicktivism are terms that describe the shift from passive online engagement to more active, digital-driven advocacy. These forms of engagement, when strategically managed, can transform into meaningful action.

Key Concepts

• Purpose-Driven Organisations are at the forefront of conscious crowdsourcing, using it to align with broader social goals and foster collaboration across sectors.
• Networked Smart Cities and Always-On Transparency are foundational elements that support effective conscious crowdsourcing by enabling efficient, inclusive, and accountable collaboration.
• Purpose-Driven Data plays a crucial role in ensuring that the insights gained from crowdsourced efforts are accurate, actionable, and verifiable.
• Corporate Crowdsourcing is emerging as a key player in conscious crowdsourcing, with companies using their platforms and resources to engage in social impact initiatives.

Case Studies and Examples

• Unilever Foundry is an example of a company using crowdsourcing to co-create sustainability solutions.
• Samasource is a social enterprise that connects people in developing countries to digital work, exemplifying impact sourcing.
• Open Government Partnership (OGP) and Project Everyone are initiatives that use crowdsourcing to enhance transparency and awareness of global issues.
• SDGfunders and United Nations Global Compact align philanthropy and corporate efforts with the SDGs through data tracking and reporting.

Lessons for Mobilising Networks

• Preparation is key to being ready to engage with emerging social issues.
• Agility in responding to social movements is essential to maintain credibility and relevance.
• Endurance is necessary to sustain the momentum of a movement beyond the news cycle.

Tools and Technologies

• Google News Lab and Internews support media in accessing and verifying data through crowdsourcing.
• Platforms like Global Voices, Grasswire, Newzulu International, and ProPublica are examples of crowdsourced journalism efforts that combine real-time information with fact-checking and analysis.

Quotes and Insights

"We designed our Innovation Trends Report series as an integrated approach to catalysing smart and sustainable social impact."
– Paul Massey, Executive Vice President and Global Lead, Weber Shandwick Social Impact

"As I've conducted my interviews with crowdsourcing entrepreneurs and experts, it's constantly hit me that your ability to do something big and bold is really a function of the size and quality of your crowd."
– Peter Diamandis, Founder and Chairman, X Prize Foundation

Conscious Crowdsourcing Roadmap

A six-step framework is proposed to guide purpose-driven organizations in aligning their communications with conscious crowdsourcing strategies:

1. Focus: Define a clear issue or problem to address.
2. Recruit: Identify the expertise and perspectives needed.
3. Facilitate: Set up a collaborative platform and manage the process.
4. Design: Frame a campaign with a clear message and content strategy.
5. Deploy: Activate the campaign across partners and channels.
6. Evolve: Analyse data, adapt messaging, and keep the initiative dynamic.

Conclusion

Conscious Crowdsourcing represents a powerful tool for creating and implementing tangible solutions to global challenges. It requires strategic planning, inclusive collaboration, and a commitment to transparency and data integrity. As the digital age continues to evolve, the potential for conscious crowdsourcing to drive meaningful social change is immense, provided it is managed with purpose, agility, and a long-term vision.