Community & Society
I am 22. I like to dream about what an ideal world will look like for me. Then I realize that dreaming is one thing but putting dreams into action is another. When I imagine my perfect world, I think about what steps are needed to get there and what are some of the most important things in that world.
— Aliya
What is an Individual?
An individual is a distinct person with needs, goals, rights, freedoms, and responsibilities.
What is a Community?
A community is a social unit with things in common: norms, religion, values, customs, or identity.
A community can mean a group of people living in the same place or sharing a virtual space through communication platforms like Facebook.
A community can have a particular characteristic in common — for example, being part of the community of people living with a disability.
Members of a community can feel a togetherness with others because they share common attitudes, interests, and goals — for example, being part of a religious community.
I am part of the community of people living with a disability. What communities do you belong to? How are they important to you? What do you share in common with your communities? What about your communities is different or the same?
— Jok
What is an Internet Community?
As internet availability continues to increase in South Sudan, more and more young people are visiting sites like Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.
It is an exciting opportunity to connect with people, not just in our physical communities, but around the world.
With new opportunities and positive outcomes, we also must be aware of the negative consequences.
What are some consequences of internet / social media experiences?
Good Consequences
Excellent ways to keep connected to communities and to create new ones.
Bad Consequences
There are ways for people to take advantage or represent themselves falsely online.
How can I use the Internet safely?
NEVER REVEAL PERSONAL INFORMATION
Would you share personal images with a stranger on the street?
Remember that the Internet is filled with more strangers than friends.
Don’t reveal personal information to anyone you meet online, unless they are a trusted friend. Be wise.
CHECK YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
You can choose who sees what.
Take the time to look at the privacy settings for all the social media platforms you use.
REMEMBER THAT POSTING IS PERMANENT
Many people think that deleting something online means removing it from the internet forever. This is not true.
Think carefully about what you post, BEFORE you post it.
CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS
Create passwords only YOU will remember.
NEVER use birthdates, mother’s names, addresses or phone numbers.
BE AWARE OF FAKE NEWS
Some online stories may seem true, but they are actually false. Don’t always believe everything you read on the Internet.
Remember to ALWAYS check your sources.
BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS
Always be respectful when communicating online, even when you disagree with others.
It’s important to report disrespectful behaviour if it’s directed at you or at someone else.
REMEMBER THAT OUR LIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AREN’T THE FULL STORY
We are more complex than a photo or a few words. We only show a small part of ourselves when posting.
People’s actual lives are often very different from the way they present themselves online.
KNOW HOW TO BLOCK AND REPORT CONTENT
When you receive material that is harmful or upsetting, block the associated person, phone number or email address.
Be sure to report content that is damaging and dangerous.
What is a Society?
A society is a diverse group of communities with diverse needs and goals involved in social interaction or sharing the same geographic or social territory.
Societies live under the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.
South Sudan is a society.
We are all part of a community made up of individuals, and a group of communities makes up a society.
— Kojoki
Different Kinds of Societies
In an Inclusive Society, differences of ethnicity, gender, class, generation, and geography are considered equal.
The society ensures, or works towards ensuring, equal rights and opportunities for all.
In an Exclusive Society, certain rights, opportunities, and resources are only available to some individuals, while others are blocked from or denied full access to them.
Some people are excluded from employment, healthcare, civic engagement, democratic participation, and economic and legal rights.
In a Segregated Society, some groups are placed outside of normal society and not allowed to fully participate or participate at all.
The segregated groups usually have fewer rights, opportunities, and resources, and are not equal to the dominant groups.
In an Integrated Society, newcomers or minorities are incorporated into the social structure of the host society.
The society makes room for newcomers to keep their identities, while also inviting them to adopt the culture of where they now live.
What is Diversity?
Diversity describes people from different social and ethnic backgrounds, different genders, orientations and beliefs.
The phrase “cultural diversity” can also refer to having different cultures in communities and societies respect each other’s differences.
