On 26-28 April 2011, IT for Change organised a Review Workshop for the CITIGEN research programme in the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. The objectives of the workshop were:

1. Review and reflect upon the emerging insights from each research project in relation to the questions and core concepts of the programme

2. Build a big picture that speaks to the theoretical imperatives of the programme as a whole

3. Anchored in emergent theoretical formulations of the programme, explore the elements of a 'Southern' discourse on women's citizenship in the information society and implications of the same for practice and policy at national and global levels.

The workshop aimed at facilitating the articulation of emerging concepts and tentative theories from the ongoing work in the CITIGEN network and channel these into a debate on the larger questions of democratic structures and institutions, and their shifting meanings for marginalised women's participation in the information society, as equal citizens. In order to expand and deepen the debates and discussions, a few scholars working on feminist frameworks from a Southern perspective, and who are potential contributors to the network's research, were invited to comment and present their perspectives on the project's ongoing work.

Spread through three days, the workshop began on the 26^th with presentations of the research undertaken by the six country teams. On the 27^th, a presentation by the CITIGEN Co-ordinator, Anita Gurumurthy, delineating the conceptual directions emphasised by the programme so far was followed by thematic sessions. A milieu of researchers, scholars and practitioners presented their views on themes of: democracy and women's participation - ICT-mediated processes for making institutions work for women , feminist spaces in the network society – engendering resistance, forging community and creating identity – new articulations of citizenship in the information society and issues at stake – the nature of participation in virtual reality / real virtuality. The second half of 28^th was dedicated to discussion and reflection, pulling together the thoughts from the workshop and deciding on the next steps of the network.

A detailed account of CITIGEN discussions and work can be found at the links below:

For the complete CITIGEN: April 2011 Review Workshop Report

For video excerpts from the Review Workshop

For interviews of some participating scholars