External communication

This is the first time this flagship model is being applied in Africa. As such, external communications about the ASToN network will focus on sharing insights about the network itself, and how the cities support and learn from one another.

We will also share insight about the experiences of the cities, directly from the cities. This could be about how local practitioners use tools and methods for digital innovation. Such information could be used to enable the local digital ecosystem and influence policy makers.

The main channels of communication online will be social media and the ASToN website. ASToN already has a Twitter account to provide broadcast updates of project activity – @ASToN_network. There is a project website – aston-network.org – that provides information about the project, calls for collaborators, and the latest reports and blogs. The website will continue to grow with content about the cities and the network activities as ther unroll.

Members of the network will speak at events, such as the World Urban Forum, to put ASToN on the global stage.

We will connect with other relevant networks, such as Smart Africa, relevant URBACT networks including DigiPlace, and other digital government or smart city networks.

The project communication strategy will be updated whenever needed and will be completed with other projecting documents such as an visual charter or editorial guidelines.