LEARN10

The future of Evoke – an interview with an Evoke agent:

Which great challenges and social problems should the Evoke network tackle next?

I would like to see issues such as human trafficking, child soldiers and drug addictions being dealt with on the Evoke network. These are big challenges which require a lot of help from people all over the world. My hope is that through collaboration with people all over the world, enough force will be generated to solve big issues such as these.

Where in the world should the network try to build up new Evoke communities?

I would imagine that the biggest constraint faced by the Evoke network is the lack of internet access faced by many communities all over the world. This is especially the case in the developing areas. If the Evoke network could get internet access to these areas - which incidentally face many social challenges – and educate the people in the area on how to use the internet, then they could build up new Evoke communities.

Who would you encourage to play Season 2?

I would have to say that the youths of today need to all be encouraged to play the second season of the game. The youths make up the generations which are going to be most affected by the challenges of the future. Therefore, it would be advisable for them to get involved at an early stage, so that they are aware of these challenges from an early age and can participate in actions taken to prevent these future challenges from occurring. It is their future and they need to protect it!

How would you change the game for Season 2?

Well I must say that I like how the game is set up, i.e. a mission is released each week and there are different quests and mission instructions which need to be fulfilled. I might change the layout of the website and make it a bit more user friendly. I would also change the game from an individual focus, to a group focus. So I would encourage more group participation, whether it be groups of people who make up an agent, or groups of people on the network working together. I would encourage more collaboration with other Evoke agents. I know that this collaboration was possible, but it relied on one’s own initiative. I think alchemy should encourage more collaboration on the network itself.

What new tools would you want as an Evoke agent?

Definitely live chat. Installing a live chat messenger system on the network, evoke agents would be able to chat to one another at all times. This will not only enable the evoke agents to get to know one another better, but it will also encourage collaboration and agents can share information with one another instantly.

Why would you come back for a second season? What more would you want from the experience?

I would come back simply because I believe that it is important to participate in solving the world’s challenges. I believe you could never know enough, there is always something new to learn about and what better way than through the Evoke network. As the Tanzanian proverb says, ‘That which is good is never finished’. I do not seek anything great from the experience. As long as I can look back and feel a sense of pride in having participated in solving the problems, then I am happy.