Apps4Africa: A new State Department public diplomacy initiative

Milam, Lacey; Avery, Elizabeth Johnson

doi:https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272104/1-s2.0-S0363811112X00031/1-s2.0-S0363811111002086/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2011.12.013

Apps4Africa: A new State Department public diplomacy initiative

Date Issued

January 1, 2012

Author(s)

Milam, Lacey

Avery, Elizabeth Johnson

DOI

https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272104/1-s2.0-S0363811112X00031/1-s2.0-S0363811111002086/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2011.12.013

Permanent URI

https://trace.tennessee.edu/handle/20.500.14382/53172

Abstract

In 2010 the U.S. State Department funded an “Apps4Africa” contest to encourage develop- ment of socially conscious mobile applications for Africa. The initiative marked a significant departure from traditional public diplomacy efforts to expand diplomatic outreach beyond traditional government-to-government relationships. This case study analyses Apps4Africa to reveal its appropriateness as a model for future efforts and concludes Apps4Africa suc- ceeded primarily because it responded to the changing dynamics of the 21st Century