Dignity in Difference

We are deeply grateful to the jury, researchers, and partners of the Rebalance consortium. This award validates DiD's approach of pursuing systematic reforms to address the challenges of South Asia's information ecosystem.

@hpanday.bsky.social

We are humbled and proud to share that Dignity in Difference has been awarded the Rebalance Project’s “Businesses that Support Democracy” prize, chosen from a global pool of finalists.

However, businesses can & must do better by championing equity, amplifying voices of marginalized communities, and fostering civic participation. The Rebalance Observatory critically examines this intersection and provides evidence, resources, and insights to help rebalance democracy & capitalism.

Democracy is under threat from capitalism. With profits overshadowing rights and lobbying replacing accountability, businesses have too often become complicit in eroding the very systems that enabled them to thrive.

Swipe to read insights from the preliminary data. Record your voice on the platform here: pol.is/8r58ukcjps

@dridhata.bsky.social @hpanday.bsky.social

1. VOTE: Quickly vote "Agree", "Disagree", or "Pass" on statements from fellow citizens.

2. ADD: Is your perspective missing? Add your own statement for others to vote on.

3. EXPLORE: Instantly see where we agree and disagree on a real-time opinion map.

Use the link down below to record the collective imagination of what the country’s future can look like. You can also vote on their behalf.

The platform is a live conversation in three simple steps:

But this is only the beginning. We aim to reach 100,000 voices, bringing their insights to the decision-making table. Not everyone is online and that is where we need you.

Ask your friends, classmates, or neighbors in Nepal: What should Nepal’s interim administration do next?

That is why our community in Nepal has taken the lead in capturing every perspective with a stake in the country’s future. Already, a consensus has emerged: the interim government must be held accountable and prioritize delivering fair elections.

“There are decades when nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen.”

September 8 was one of those weeks in Nepal. A new movement broke through years of inertia, opening space for a wide range of possibilities.

Read key insights from featured speakers and experts. The full recordings are now available here: techandsocialcohesion.org/asia-pacific...

The Asia Expo of the Council on Tech and Social Cohesion brought together 150+ technologists, peacebuilders, academics, and policymakers to unpack what it means to design technology that fosters trust, social cohesion, and constructive dialogue in South Asia.

Presented by: Himanshu Panday, co-founder of Dignity in Difference.

Together, these demos ask: What would it mean to listen with accountability? And how can peacebuilders, not platforms, lead the digital future?

Less than 12 hours to go! Register now: lnkd.in/g-wapmCY

The second presentation is by Dignity in Difference. Their work demonstrates how natural language processing and digital anthropology can be used to build safer, more inclusive online spaces, particularly in contexts marked by identity-based violence and polarization.

Presented by:
Allan Cheboi, digital forensics specialist at Build Up, with deep expertise in tracking disinformation, online extremism, and influence operations, in conversation with Lena Slachmuijlder, Senior Advisor at Search for Common Ground, Co‑Chair of the Council on Tech and Social Cohesion.

How can digital listening reshape peacebuilding?

The first presentation features the Phoenix platform, developed by Build Up; an open-source, non-commercial tool designed for peacebuilders and mediators to ethically monitor and interpret social media conversations.

Join us to explore what prosocial technology could look like in Nepal, Asia, and beyond. Check the link here to register:
lnkd.in/g-wapmCY

The session will be moderated by Himanshu Panday, a digital anthropologist and co-founder of Dignity in Difference. His work focuses on empowering policymakers, non-profits, citizens, and youth through research, advocacy, and capacity-building.

Dr. Dovan Rai is a computer scientist, educator, and writer. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Body & Data, a nonprofit organization advocating for digital rights and a feminist internet.

Prince Shah Chaudhary is a passionate social innovator and CEO of SpeakUp Nepal, Nepal’s first civic tech petition platform, empowering citizens to amplify their voices and hold institutions accountable.

Dr. Pitambar Bhandari is an expert in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies, heading the Department at Tribhuvan University in Nepal. With over a decade of experience, he adeptly navigates discussions on power dynamics and political intricacies through thorough research and insightful teaching.

Salina Dangol is currently serving as the IT Director at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, where she leads the strategic development and implementation of technology-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing education systems and administrative efficiency.

This session brings together local expert voices to explore the potential of deliberative technology, and the structural, cultural, and political challenges it brings. The panel will conclude with reflections on how to bring deliberative technology in Nepal and Asia.

Cancel your other plans and join us tomorrow at the CTSC Asia Expo for a hybrid firebrand panel on Deliberative Technology for Asia and Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges for Participatory and Citizen-Centric Decision Making.

Join us to explore what prosocial technology could look like in Nepal, Asia, and beyond. Check the link here to register:
lnkd.in/g-wapmCY

The session will be moderated by Himanshu Panday, a digital anthropologist and co-founder of Dignity in Difference. His work focuses on empowering policymakers, non-profits, citizens, and youth through research, advocacy, and capacity-building.

Dr. Dovan Rai is a computer scientist, educator, and writer. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Body & Data, a nonprofit organization advocating for digital rights and a feminist internet.

Prince Shah Chaudhary is a passionate social innovator and CEO of SpeakUp Nepal, Nepal’s first civic tech petition platform, empowering citizens to amplify their voices and hold institutions accountable.

Dr. Pitambar Bhandari is an expert in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies, heading the Department at Tribhuvan University in Nepal. With over a decade of experience, he adeptly navigates discussions on power dynamics and political intricacies through thorough research and insightful teaching.

Salina Dangol is currently serving as the IT Director at the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, where she leads the development and deployment of secure, technology-driven systems to strengthen financial transparency, regulatory compliance, and digital oversight.