Digital and mobile technology is changing the world but some effects may be less obvious than what you see every day. A selection of talks and presentations from niche companies to big telecoms will cover some innovative trends and techniques at the 2014 Global Media Forum.

A presentation hosted by big-data experts, Flowminder, and the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), focuses on how collecting and analyzing mobile data can be used in determining the extent and real effects of mass displacement following major environmental catastrophes. The presentation titled Big data, big insights: Mapping climate-induced displacement with mobile data, takes a unique look at how mobile data can be used to get accurate assessments of where people go, if they return and if proper aid is being provided to affected areas. The group will present the results of data analysis from five million anonymous cell phone users in the wake of Cyclone Mahasen that struck Bangladesh in May 2013.

Also exploring the effects of mobile technology on society and social development is a discussion hosted by the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communication titled, M-powering society: How mobile technology is changing society. The panel will discuss how mobile technology is being applied to create mobile health, mobile education and mobile government, emphasizing what makes mobile solutions more effective and the positive impact of mobile technology in developing areas of the world.

A talk hosted by the Grimme Institut will cover how digital technology is changing the way people express themselves and share narratives. The session titled See YOU in the future – new ways of digital storytelling, looks at how digital technology has given everyone a voice and has broken down social and cultural barriers. The discussion will explore future tools and platforms and introduce how digital stories are used in different areas of society.

In the final installment next week before the Global Media Forum begins, we will highlight some events covering the main issue at the conference – how digital technology is enabling increased participation in media and governance.

Asia
Asia Television Hong Kong (ATV) agreed in February to include even more magazines from DW-TV ASIA+ in its programming palette. The new additions include "Drive It", "In Good Shape" and "Global 3000". ATV is one of the most popular channels in Hong Kong and has a technical reach of more than 7 million viewers. ATV now carries seven shows from Deutsche Welle, including “European Journal” which is broadcast with subtitles in traditional Chinese.

Europe
DW-TV has now been included in the IPTV line-up from Optimus – one of the three largest mobile operators in Portugal. Optimus uses the so-called “RF Overlay” technology, along with Vodafone Portugal. This offers Vodafone subscribers access to Optimus programming and vice-versa.

Latin America
The state-run telecommunications firm Grupo ICE in Costa Rica will now include DW-TV in its IPTV line-up. ICE is responsible for the entire telecommunications infrastructure and power in Costa Rica and has already laid fiber optic cable in the country to connect residents to the international digital cable network. The IPTV service began this month and DW-TV will be included in the basic package.