SMS Engagement in Pakistan: A Practical Guide for Civil Society, the Humanitarian Sector, and Government

Author(s)
Williams, J.L. and Gilchrist, A.
Publication language
English
Pages
49pp
Date published
01 Jun 2011
Type
Tools, guidelines and methodologies
Keywords
Accountability and Participation, Participation, Comms, media & information, Coordination, Innovation
Countries
Pakistan
Organisations
Popular Engagement Policy Lab

This document is intended to provide an understanding both of the range of technical options available for SMS-based communications, and of the waysin which campaigns should be conceived and executed in light of the scope and character of both SMS use and phone use in Pakistan.
It also makes the argument that SMS provides an opportunity to do more with mobilebased communications than simple announcements and polling, useful activities though they are. It argues that the conversational nature of SMS, in Pakistan and elsewhere, allows for sustained, two-way communications with ordinary people.