On Wednesday, 29 October, which also happened to be the International Internet Day, Making All Voices Count opened the South to South Lab in Nairobi. The lab shall foster learning and shorten the learning curve for implementers everywhere, particularly in the global south, as further explained here. The guest of honour, Anders Rönquist, Head of Development Cooperation Kenya at the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, led the way by engaging the boxing ball named 'corruption', wearing the boxing gloves of 'transparency' and 'accountability', later stating that;

"We need to get a boxing ball in the Swedish embassy as well"

[caption id="attachment_16473" align="aligncenter" width="720"] "Watch out, corruption fights back"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16467" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The assembled guests, including the tech community in Nairobi, colleagues from Ushahidi and its board, as well as Making All Voices Count's supporters Sida and Omidyar Network got a walk through of Making All Voices Count by Innovation Director, Daudi Were.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16480" align="aligncenter" width="720"] "The creation of the South to South Lab is about finding opportunities for change and the betterment of our world. It optimises everything we strive to achieve as development partners. Your work with innovation is inspiring and you are creating links with people in the Southern hemisphere. I feel very humble and proud to be part of this launch."[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16468" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Declan Ottaro, South to South Lab Manager, sharing the vision. How the South to South Lab shall focus on sharing learning across the globe, collecting experiences of innovators to build an evidence base and how this will result in more effective project implementation of innovative initiatives everywhere.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16469" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Guests including Ushahidi board members Sally Chin and Nora Denzel as well as Ushahidi founders Juliana Rotich and David Kobia listening attentively.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16470" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Monica Nthiga, Programme Officer, speaks of Making All Voices Count's Research and Learning component.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16474" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Mathias Antonsson, Programme Manager, speaks of the Innovation components goals for the coming year, including the upcoming Pitching Session together with AkiraChix, fittingly with Judith Owigar (left), AkiraChix co-founder, listening in.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16471" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Guest of honour, Sida's Anders Rönquist, cutting the ribbon together with Omidyar Network's Penny Handscomb and Ushahidi CEO Juliana Rotich.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16472" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Every launch needs a cake, and a ceremonial cutting of said cake.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16475" align="aligncenter" width="720"] While some enjoyed cake and refreshments, others fought corruption. Finally, below is a short video capturing the festive spirit of the launch. Contact the South to South Lab online through @AllVoicesCount and #S2SLab.[/caption] [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83l9XzS2hkw&feature=youtu.be[/embed]