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Linda Raftree
MERL Tech Initiative Founder, NYC Tech Salon Convener, Certified Privacy Professional, Trust and Safety Advisor
Linda Raftree is a prominent figure in the fields of digital development and responsible data use, serving as the Founder of The MERL Tech Initiative since 2014. Based in the Greater New York City area, she has extensive experience at the intersection of community development, gender issues, youth participatory media, and rights-based approaches to digital development. Raftree is also recognized for her work on ethical digital data governance and digital safeguarding in humanitarian and social impact sectors.123
Professional Background
- The MERL Tech Initiative: This platform focuses on enhancing the understanding and application of technology in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL). It aims to facilitate discussions on the responsible use of digital tools in these areas, emphasizing equity and justice while mitigating potential harms associated with technology.23
- Previous Roles: Raftree has held various advisory positions with organizations such as UNICEF, Mastercard Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation. She has contributed to developing responsible data policies and practices for numerous NGOs and foundations.134
Current Projects
Raftree is involved in several key initiatives:
- Supporting the Mastercard Foundation in tech-enabled MERL strategies.
- Developing guidelines for safe group moderation with Save the Children.
- Advising The Asia Foundation on responsible data governance.13
Expertise
Linda Raftree is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP & CIPM) and has authored multiple reports and toolkits related to digital safety and responsible data practices. Her work emphasizes not only the practical applications of technology but also the ethical implications of its use in vulnerable contexts.234
Through her leadership at The MERL Tech Initiative and other collaborations, she continues to influence the discourse around technology's role in social impact work, advocating for safe and inclusive digital practices.
Highlights
I'm going to be on a virtual panel titled "Protecting Girls Online: Are We Doing Enough?" co-hosted by Plan International and CNN As Equals on Sept 12, 9-10.15 am ET.
We'll discuss the findings of a report by Plan and CNN As Equals that asked girls and young women about online safety. We'll also discuss the effectiveness of current legislative measures, including the US' proposed Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
Agenda: Opening remarks: by Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President and Director, White House Gender Policy Council
Moderator: Eliza Anyangwe, Managing Editor, CNN As Equals
Panelists: -Cailin Crockett, Senior Advisor, White House Gender Policy Council -Shanna Marzilli, President & CEO, Plan International USA -Linda Raftree, MERL Tech Initiative Founder, NYC Tech Salon Convener -Hiqmat Saani, Digital & Creative Entrepreneur, Tech, and Gender Activist -Meera Senthilingam, Editor, CNN As Equals
RSVP now to save your seat! https://lnkd.in/e8QfFhJg
Check out the interactive story: https://lnkd.in/exkBXMeK
Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eEQBA6vD
Take a look at CNN's year-long series called "System Error": https://lnkd.in/e474HU7J
On September 20, 9-11am, the New York City Tech Salon will meet in-person for “How can Global Public Deliberation Shape AI?” At this closed-door conversation, we’ll discuss the potential of, and practical steps towards, inclusive global citizen deliberation on AI.
We'll be joined by: Tim Davies, Director of Research and Practice at Connected by Data; Helene Landemore, Professor of Political Science, Yale University & Fellow of Ethics in AI Institute, University of Oxford; Aish Machani & Richard Wilson, ISWE Foundation / Coalition for a Global Citizens Assembly; Kiito Shilongo, Senior Tech Policy Fellow, Mozilla; and Lina Srivastava, Founder, Center for Transformational Change
Key discussion points will include: -Why do we need global citizen deliberation to guide the future of AI? -How can we learn from existing practice on AI and related topics such as climate governance? -Which questions could be put to global publics? -Who should set the agenda and participate in an assembly? What forms can an assembly take? Where are opportunities to advance practice designs?
RSVP now! https://lnkd.in/gRzVeZK8
