BUSINESS: Giving feedback in the digital age
Youths can have their say with G8 leaders
A Toronto youth could help provide some valuable feedback to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other world leaders at the G8 summit this month without leaving the comfort of his or her home. 
Thanks to online video technology provided by Toronto's mDialog, young people around the world aged 13 to 17 can participate in a discussion at UNICEF's Junior 8 Summit or the J8 Summit. The J8 Summit provides a forum for youth to discuss with G8 leaders their opinions and ideas on topics that are part of the G8 agenda, which is taking place until July 9.
Using mDialog technology, participants from around the world can submit videos on the various issues at the J8 Summit.
"It's a great thing to be involved with. It's nice when you can do something good and at the same time use your product," said mDialog founder and president Greg Philpott.
The "What would you say to world leaders?" section the plan is for youths at the conference to view the videos and use those ideas at the summit.
Viewers from around the world can comment on videos with text comments, chat and videos, creating a worldwide discussion on the issues.
This interactivity is something that was missing from traditional broadcast video such as TV or movies.
"Until recently, the consumption of moving pictures has strictly been a walk-away conversation, a very passive experience and a very broadcast experience," Philpott said. "What we're seeing is people want to have a two-way conversation, a dialogue around whatever the subject is."
While services such as YouTube provide similar features, mDialog offers a service to upload high-resolution video to mDialog's website of a better quality than most online videos, Philpott said. The company has also specialized in technology allowing viewers to download or watch videos on mobile devices such as an iPhone or iPod.
At this time the majority of the video entries appears to be from youths in Africa.
"It would be great to see local kids submitting into the channel. Who knows? Maybe they'll ask our prime minister questions that are relevant and good," Philpott said.
Anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 interested in sharing their thoughts with one of the G8 leaders can upload a video at www.mdialog.com.
