Publishing for a Cause: the Political Economy of Humanitarian Diplomacy in the Digital Age

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Liebig

The global digital publishing upheaval is being fueled by commerce. So what about publishing for a cause?

In the context of social change work, the purpose of publishing should be to produce “tools for change”. Investment in publications should support frontline efforts to change minds and save lives.

Does “going digital” necessarily mean deepening the divide between iPad- and Kindle-carrying elites and the rest of the world? Can publishing technology that relies on ever-more-sophisticated electronics and networks be relevant to emergency and humanitarian workers and local communities in times of crisis?
What kinds of partnerships can be build by non-profit organisations to engage digital media stakeholders?

In this session, Reda Sadki, will examine his own organisation’s non-profit publishing activities.

With 750 publications given away each year in print and on the web, he has initiated an effort to rewire a traditional publishing workflow into a digital one, including the use of XML for layout automation, print-on-demand (POD) and e-books.

The Speaker

Reda Sadki is the Senior Officer for Design and Production of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation.

For over 15 years, Reda Sadki has worked with U.N. organisations and international and local NGOs to improve visual communication by implementing high-impact design and cost-effective production workflows.

The premise for his design work is that visual design and brand management for a cause are fundamentally different from mainstream advertising whose sole motive is profit.

Reda has overseen design and production for numerous high-profile global reports on public health issues, including seven successive editions of the World Health Report (2001-2008).

In addition, he has helped organisations improve how they organise publishing activities through careful planning and cost management of all aspects of production.

Sadki holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree from Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH, USA).