MI's 5 Minutes of Fame – Week 45, 2024 explores… One Person, One Vote: Reinventing Democracy in a Decentralized World as Government's Role in Currency Diminishes: As the influence of traditional governance over currency fades, how will democracy evolve to empower individuals in a new era of financial freedom?
But first… Tuesday 5 November 2024 and what will it bring to the US, to the world?
The significance of voting in a democracy cannot be overstated, particularly as the U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024, will shape not only the country's future but also influence global dynamics. This election, the 60th quadrennial U.S. presidential election, gives American voters the power to select their electors for the Electoral College, who will in turn determine the next president and vice president for a four-year term. The outcome could be pivotal for countries around the world, including Somalia, which depends on U.S. foreign policy to support its security, economic stability, and humanitarian initiatives. The U.S. administration's approach toward aid, counter-terrorism, and international cooperation, especially against groups like Al-Shabaab, can affect Somalia's progress toward stability and peace.
Additionally, shifts in U.S. policies on aid, immigration, and international cooperation can directly impact Somali communities both within the country and in the diaspora. Therefore, U.S. leadership choices resonate beyond borders, influencing Somalia's trajectory toward sustainable development and security. And I will leave it there for this week, I may come back to this topic after we know the outcome of the US election.
My personal interest and focus of this week’s post is about elections in general and Somalia in particular. Let me start with the notion that voting is important for democracy to function. Reflecting on the importance of civic engagement, it’s worth noting the etymology of the term "idiot," which originally referred to a private individual disengaged from public life. Ancient Greeks coined the term idiotes (ἰδιώτης) for those who abstained from voting and community participation, emphasizing the democratic expectation of active involvement in civic duties. Particularly in Athens, Idiotes referred to a private person who did not participate in public affairs or civic life, including voting. So over time, the word "idiot" evolved in modern language to mean someone perceived as foolish or lacking judgment, but in its original context, it was simply a descriptor for those uninvolved in political life.
Noting the above preamble, let me proceed and localise the discussion. At the current state of play in Somalia, it is very unlikely for any meaningful election to happen. However, that should not stop us working harder and supporting our government towards achieving one person one vote. I have covered this issue in other fora in a direct and frank way, and now made my position clear.
Somalia, though not yet positioned for a full democratic election, must continue striving for one-person, one-vote elections. Establishing such a system will help ensure broader representation and legitimacy within the government, reinforcing Somali democracy and accountability. My commitment to advancing civic knowledge, particularly through educational initiatives, aims to elevate political awareness, focusing on educating local MPs and the general public on civic duties. I have decided to dedicate and use my presence on the social media to campaign for sharing educational content with all. And specifically more on civics related topics. I have mentioned here and elsewhere about https://somsog.org/ an initiative to educate all and more specifically our local MPs.
Before leaving the above topic let me briefly mention that I wrote about events that took place on the 31st October (of many years ago), here goes:
Reflecting on impactful historical events, Satoshi Nakamoto's 2008 release of the Bitcoin white paper on October 31 (Halloween Day!) marked a transformative moment in financial autonomy and decentralization. The Bitcoin white paper was released 16 years ago today is only 9 pages including graphics and references. Satoshi also registered Bitcoin.org domain1 anonymously just two months earlier, symbolizing a break from centralized control similar to Martin Luther's revolutionary stance in 1517. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church door in #germany, challenging the Catholic Church and advocating for a separation of religious and state affairs—an idea now widely recognized globally. In a similar spirit, Satoshi’s creation sparked discourse on decentralizing financial systems, promoting transparency and independence from governments and traditional financial institutions.
ITU’s Global Innovation Forum (GIF) at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta, from 28 to 30 October 2024.
Last week I was in Malta for the https://www.itu.int/itu-d/meetings/gif-24/ and it was interesting, the event was amazing. Below is short clip showing the president of Malta H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono joining to open the the event, she told us “No one can be left lagging behind due to a lack of access to digital tools and resources,". I agree.
I had the opportunity to discuss South-South cooperation with my friends at the conference and also learnt about the South-South triangular cooperation, a newer collaboration supported or implemented with the help of a Northern partner. This offers a strategic framework for developing countries but I always felt often lacks specificity. Enhancing the inclusivity and balance of such frameworks could make them more effective, ensuring that no region is left behind due to a lack of resources. Looking forward for the outcomes, the output of the deliberations. See clip below… I would have liked to see a more balanced participation and delegates from all regions.
This week’s reflections span centuries and regions, from the foundation of democratic principles to contemporary global cooperation, underscoring how both historical and modern events shape our current social, economic, and political landscapes. I look forward to revisiting these themes after the U.S. election results, as their global impact is likely to resonate for years to come.
On tangent note, as someone involved in the domain world and involved in #icann, #auda and #itu issues, this is a concern and will write more about this next week when I cover the Somali TikTik story that was trending on the web recently.
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