March 2007 - KICTANet

CHAKULA: Opening access to Africa: Interviews and analyses
by A. Wanjira Munyua 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

CHAKULA Issue No. 16, February 2007: Opening access to Africa: Interviews and analyses CONTENTS 1. EASSy: MAPPING THE PLAYERS - EASSy stakeholder analysis by Abiodun Jagun - Interview with Edmund Katiti, the policy and regulatory advisor to NEPADs e-Africa Commission - Interview with Isidoro Pedro da Silva, CRASAs executive secretary - CIPESA speaks to Uganda Telecoms Donald Nyakairu - Whats in a name? The controversy over the EASSy name change 2. A CREDIBLE THREAT: Kenya in the drivers seat - Interview with Bitange Ndemo, Kenyas Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication - Wairagala Wakabi asks if too much competition is a bad thing - Its like waiting for a Matatu, says Russell Southwood - KICTANeT reports back on its online discussion and workshop - Rebecca Wanjiku spices up the debate 3. APC/UNDP WORKSHOP FOCUS - Interview with Ben Akoh, OSIWAs ICT programmme officer - Interview with Polly Gaster, head of the Centre for Information and Communication at the University Eduardo Mondlane (CIUEM) in Maputo, Mozambique - Links to workshop reports and presentations 4. LATEST ANALYSES - Satellite failure shows Africas underbelly, argues Russell Southwood - CIPESAs Vincent Bagiire questions whether open access will bear much fruit if universal access does not begin to create effective demand - Eric Osiakwan gets back to EASSy basics - Telkom SA under pressure from consumer activists 5. BACKGROUND READING - A selection of introductory content from www.fibreforafrica.net to get you going //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ INTRODUCTION: THE FIBRE RUSH FOR AFRICA If Kenya is anything to go by, the rush for cheap, effective broadband in Africa is moving fast: everyone from multinationals, to governments, to individual investors, both local and foreign, are involved, and they all seem to want a piece of the opportunity. A centrepiece of all the action is the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy), a much-maligned and delayed attempt to link up several coastal countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to other global submarine cables systems in the North (See: http:// fibreforafrica.net) The US$300 million plus project, which will result in about 9900km of fibre-optic cable being laid, is struggling, and a number of countries, like Kenya, have decided to go it alone. The project has the misfortune of raising several key issues about the fibre rush for Africa. Such as: Who is going to own and run the cable? Who is going to pay for it? And who will benefit and who will lose out? This issue of CHAKULA tries to offer some sense of direction. It maps out some of the players in the EASSy project, provides a taste of some of the recent controversies, asks questions about open access, and offers links to analyses, as well as background reading for beginners. Two useful links for those who need to orientate themselves to the discussions in this newsletter: In Saturating the marketplace (See: http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5057717) Wairagala Wakabi from Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) outlines some recent fibre-optic plans for the continent, and asks: Is too much competition a bad thing? It is a good place to get an overview of whats happening and some of the political and economic challenges involved. Some of these challenges are detailed, and technical in nature. Recently the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANeT) held an online discussion to talk about the various regulatory and institutional challenges to fibre-optic cables in Kenya. John Walubengo produced an excellent explanatory document on the ownership options to get the discussions going. (See: http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058919) This issue of Chakula has been compiled by Abiodun Jagun, Ory Okolloh and Alan Finlay. //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ 1. EASSy: MAPPING THE PLAYERS STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS This paper by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) ICT policy researcher for the African region, Abiodun Jagun, adopts a stakeholder approach to analysing EASSy. It provides a graphical illustration of the hierarchy of power and interest among the different stakeholder groups engaged in the EASSy process. The paper highlights how different stakeholder groups are able - through forming coalitions to influence the proposed ownership structure of the fibre-optic cable. The paper provides a graphical illustration of the current impasse within the EASSy project, which has been described as a disconnect between the commercial and political ends of the cable. The analysis of this impasse shows two competing groups; one the NEPAD Protocol coalition, and the other the Submarine Fibre Consortium. The analysis identifies that the powerful position initially held by the consortium has been diluted, and that the impasse has created high levels of uncertainty about the viability of the EASSy project. Download the stakeholder analysis: http://fibreforafrica.net/ main.shtml?x=5057715 WERE NOT TELLING ANYONE WHAT TO DO Edmund Katiti is the policy and regulatory advisor to the New Partnership for Africas Developments (NEPADs) e-Africa Commission. The e-Africa Commission is charged with the coordinated development of NEPADs ICT policies, programmes and projects. A top priority is to ensure that all African countries will be connected to one another by broadband fibre-optic cable systems that will, in turn, link them to global telecommunications networks through existing or planned submarine cable systems. CHAKULA asked Katiti some easy, and more difficult questions [Interview took place in January 2007] ************************************* The NEPAD process of conducting business does not permit any country to dominate the process or behave undemocratically. -- Edmund Katiti, policy and regulatory advisor to NEPADs e- Africa Commission ************************************* CHAKULA: What exactly is NEPAD's role in the EASSy project? EDMUND KATITI [EK]: On the 9th March, 2003, the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee adopted the development of a broadband ICT network linking all countries in Africa to one another and, in turn, to the rest of the world as a top priority NEPAD project. As a result, the NEPAD e-Africa Commission has been working towards the development of two regional networks, and a continent- wide satellite network. The first network is what we call the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network for Eastern and Southern Africa. This comprises a submarine (Eastern Africa Submarine Cable) segment, and a terrestrial segment. This network was agreed at a workshop of stakeholders (including telecom operators) held in Johannesburg in July 2004. The second regional network is the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network for Central, West and North Africa. Then theres the NEPAD e-Schools satellite network. As you can see from this, the submarine project is just part of a bigger ICT infrastructure programme for the African continent, and its the NEPAD e-Africa Commissions mandate to coordinate the structured developed of the ICT sector on the continent. CHAKULA: Youve also being working on regulatory barriers? EK: Yes. With a view to resolving policy and regulatory issues that may impede or prevent the realization of the rationalised network, the e-Africa Commission has worked with government ICT experts, ICT policy advisors, regulators, civil society, legal experts, executives of telecom companies, and development funding institutes to develop a policy and regulatory framework within which the network could be developed. The experts and policy advisors agreed that the integrated ICT broadband backbone should be based on several principles. These are: non-discriminatory open access; equitable joint ownership of the backbone infrastructure across the region; the separation of ownership of the infrastructure from its use; the use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to build, own and operate the broadband ICT network; and that the infrastructure should be viewed as a public good and operated on a cost-recovery basis. CHAKULA: Do these principles apply to EASSy? EK: The experts and policy advisors agreed that these principles would cover the submarine cable as well as the terrestrial network. In addition, they recommended that a Protocol should be signed between the countries of the region in order to underpin their collaboration in developing this network. A Protocol that encapsulates these principles in a policy and regulatory framework, as well as the details of the SPVs that will own, operate and maintain the NEPAD network, was developed and accepted by a number of governments in Eastern and Southern Africa. This Protocol has been signed under the auspices of the African Union, by 12 countries: Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe [As of January 2007]. The countries that have not yet signed the Protocol may accede to it in the future. The NEPAD e-Africa Commission is the implementing agency of the Protocol, and is also the Secretariat of the Inter- Governmental Assembly (IGA). CHAKULA: Of the countries that haven't signed, the sticking point seems to be differences over the IGA. I understand the IGA to be a government-run structure for the ownership and management of the cable's inter-connection points between countries. How flexible is this issue, if countries continue to refuse to sign the protocol because of it? Could the requirements for an IGA be dropped from the protocol or changed? EK: The IGA is not an issue with most of the countries that are yet to sign the Protocol. Most countries were unable to sign because of the internal procedures for approving the signing of a regional treaty. In some of the countries the Protocol has to be approved by Parliament before the Minister responsible for the sector can sign the Protocol, and this takes longer than the three months the countries had from the date the Protocol was finalized to the deadline for signing. The countries that did not sign the Protocol by November 30, 2006, will be able to accede to the Protocol when it comes into effect sometime in the first half of 2007, when it has been ratified by seven signatory countries. The IGA is not a government-run structure for the ownership and management of the cables interconnection points between countries. The IGA will ensure that the policy and regulatory aspects of the Protocol are upheld by the SPVs. The SPVs will have a Board of Directors and a Management Team and these are the structures that will be responsible for the ownership and management of the SPVs. There is therefore no need for the IGA to be dropped from the Protocol. CHAKULA: Some role-players say that NEPAD is asserting ownership of the project. Is this true? EK: As you can see from the above, NEPAD was created before the submarine project was started, and the NEPAD e-Africa Commission has been involved in the project right from the beginning. CHAKULA: Kenya recently said South Africa was behaving undemocratically. One can't help the feeling that some tensions around NEPAD more generally (and South Africa's role on the continent) are being reflected in this specific issue. Do you feel this may be true? EK: The inability of some countries to sign the Protocol within the three months window was due to legislative procedures within those countries and not resistance to the Protocol. Only one country has expressed reservations about a few aspects of the Protocol. The NEPAD process of conducting business does not permit any country to dominate the process or behave undemocratically. ************************************* WE ARE NOT GIVING UP ON NEPAD Kenyas sudden exit from the EASSy project has set tongues wagging and the controversy has not been helped by South Africa apparently unilaterally changing the projects name to The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN). CIPESA recently spoke to Uganda Telecoms Donald Nyakairu. Katiti is also canvassed by CIPESA for his views. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058257 WHATS IN A NAME? The recent announcement by South Africas communications minister that the EASSy had been renamed the NEPAD Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN) was as astounding as her assertion, during the same function, that the original model developed for the cable is not what international financial institutions such as the World Bank would have liked, writes Anthony Mugeere. http://www.cipesa.org/246 See also: NOTHINGS FIXED, SAYS NEPAD NEPADs e-Africa Commission issued a statement saying that the projects shareholders can chose any name they want at an up-coming meeting in April/May. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058917 OPEN ACCESS IS NO LONGER JUST A CONCEPT The Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) is a forum of communications regulators and other ICT services stakeholders in Southern Africa. CRASAs objectives include introducing effective competition through liberalization, and promoting an effective and efficient regulatory environment. CHAKULA spoke to its executive secretary, Isidoro Pedro da Silva. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058892 //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ 2. A CREDIBLE THREAT: Kenya in the drivers seat Kenya has become a vocal player in the drive for faster and cheaper connectivity in Africa, and the country is fast emerging as a spirited leader on the issue. It recently announced that it is pursuing no fewer than three major access initiatives in the country: The East African Marine System (TEAMS), a Kenya Data Network (KDN)/ Flag Telecom initiative, and EASSy. The countrys spiritedness has caused some controversy, with a representative from the World Bank adding fuel to the fire by stating that the Kenyan plans are a credible threat to the EASSy project. Indeed: it withdrew from EASSy a few months later. But, backed up by an open and inclusive policy development process, that involves a range of stakeholders and sectors through the countrys multi-stakeholder network KICTANeT, it looks like the countrys take no prisoners approach may yield results. Bitange Ndemo is Kenyas Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication which means, effectively, that hes the person who gets things done. CHAKULA asked him about TEAMS. ************************************* Bottom line we have real opportunity to change our country irreversibly. -- Bitange Ndemo, Kenyas Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication ************************************* CHAKULA: The Kenyan government is stepping up efforts to address the high cost of internet access in the country. Why has infrastructure become a priority for the government and your ministry, and what impact do you see these efforts having on the average Kenyan citizen? BITANGE NDEMO [BN]: Our national ICT Policy objectives include lowering cost of access to emerging technologies, including internet. Besides, unemployment in this country has reached chronic levels. To curb the problem the Government realized that we had an opportunity to utilize the highly educated youth in the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry. We had the first conference in February this year [2006] and by then there was only one 200- seat call centre. We then started to market our country as a BPO destination. It became apparent that in spite of the human resource capacity that we have, bandwidth, with acceptable levels of latency in the BPO sector, was the bottleneck. Nevertheless, we now have 4,000 Kenyans working in this new sector. The cost of accessing internet continues to hurt the growth of ICT in the country. Thus the frustration with the delays in the implementation of EASSy. CHAKULA: The government recently announced the launch of TEAMS. Can you tell us a bit more about the project and how it will be financed? BN: Kenya is a regional gateway and as such cannot wait to be guided on what to do in the region. Although TEAMS is being driven by the Government of Kenya, the aim of the project is to fast track connectivity to the East African region. The ultimate ownership of TEAMS would not be entirely Government, but by willing investors and Governments in the region. This project is like a road whose objectives are to open up the region and on this road you can have many buses competing. Therefore on TEAMS shall be many operators and other investors from the region. We consider TEAMS as a means to an end that would enable us compete with India and other parts of the world. CHAKULA: Will non-governmental actors have a role in the project and how will you ensure that access to the fibre will be truly open? BN: The Government will have a minimum role; probably not beyond regulation. The initial seed money will come from the Government and as more operators/users join, the Government would maintain minimum shareholding but leave the running of a special purpose vehicle to the private sector that will be eventually be listed on the stock exchange through an IPO. The Government, as well as other public institutions (e.g. universities), would buy their capacity requirement like all other users. Our model is more like the Swedish one that is probably the Gold Standard of open access with minimal impact on the environment. Whether you are Telkom Kenya Limited (TKL) or a newly registered operator, you will buy your capacity requirement at the same price as TKL CHAKULA: How do you see EASSy co-existing with efforts like TEAMS? BN: Africas problems emanate from monopolies (read National Telecoms; and note the problems being experienced with SAT-3). We must avoid these problems by encouraging a competitive environment in all infrastructure projects. Therefore EASSy or TEAMS have a role in maintaining low prices that would make the continent competitive. Kenya also has another fibre project being undertaken by the private sector, and we as a government welcome all these developments as they truly become a means to economic and social development. Fujairah, for example, has four cables that are benefiting the region enormously [Interview by Ory Okolloh] ************************************* SATURATING THE MARKETPLACE Marine cables could flood the east coast of Africa, but how viable will the competing cables be? asks Wairagala Wakabi. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5057717 THE FINAL FRONTIER The East African coast remains the only seabed in Africa yet to be covered by international submarine fibre-optic cable. An online discussion and face-to-face workshop hosted by KICTANeT charted the best way forward. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058762 ITS LIKE WAITING FOR A MATATU Its like waiting for a matatu. You wait for ages and none come along. But just when youre about to give up hope, three come along at the same time, all trying to come to a screaming halt in front of you. Balancing Acts Russell Southwood discusses Kenyas options. [Source: Balancing Act, www.balancingact-africa.com] http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5045073 SPICING UP THE DEBATE When Kai Wulff, CEO of KDN and Bitange Ndemo are in one room discussing issues of internet connectivity, you can be assured of fireworks. But the common denominator is that they are concerned about reducing internet connectivity charges, writes Rebecca Wanjiku. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058921 //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ 3. APC/UNDP WORKSHOP FOCUS OPENING UP ACCESS FOR ALL Open access, what it means, and how best to get communities connected came under the spotlight at a three-day workshop held in Johannesburg late last year. The workshop was billed a dialogue and exchange on promising options and critical issues and was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and APC. It aimed to share project success stories and innovations, and explore ways of supporting policy and capacity development initiatives that promote open access on the continent. Participants include community ICT practitioners, researchers, policy advocates, regulators, academics and donors from across Africa. http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=n30084e_1&x=504386 3 WORKSHOP REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS For a run down of the workshop proceedings and links to presentations visit: http://www.propoor-ict.net/content/view/21/1/ WE CANT STOP AND WAIT FOR MEGA-PROJECTS LIKE EASSy Polly Gaster is the head of the Centre for Information and Communication at the University Eduardo Mondlane (CIUEM) in Maputo, Mozambique. She has been involved in telecentre development in Mozambique for many years, and attended the Johannesburg workshop. CHAKULA asked her what she expected from the EASSy project. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058916 GETTING POLITICAL Ben Akoh is the ICT programmme officer at Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). OSIWA supports the creation of open societies in West Africa: societies marked by a functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. OSIWA is based in Dakar, Senegal. CHAKULA caught up with Akoh at the Johannesburg workshop. ************************************* Its about people talking to people for next to nothing, and its about encouraging my African brothers and sisters living outside the continent to return home and contribute in the building of our crumbled societies because there is cheap, affordable means of communication. --- Ben Akoh, ICT programme officer, OSIWA ************************************* CHAKULA: There were a number of definitions of open access put forward at the workshop. Yours struck me as having a distinctly political aspect to it, because it included the idea of media freedoms. What is open access to you? BEN AKOH [BA]: The concept of open access has been a tug-of- war within development circles. I have seen (or heard) definitions from 'open source' to 'open content' and then 'open access'. Pre- pending the word 'open' to any other word seems to automatically qualify that word to be included in what I will call the general 'open concept' framework or parlance. It becomes difficult to then define, and in turn accept as final, any one or the other definition of open access. I will also not attempt to define it, though at the workshop I managed to 'say' what it meant to me. And these are purely my thoughts on open access until it is subjected to scientific and social discuss, theorized and then proven - in scientific parlance. Russell Southwood and Eric Osiakwan [see below], in their open access infoDev paper say (carefully choosing my words) that open access is the separation of services from infrastructure and that the base infrastructure (which I will call the medium - and not to be confused with media) is the responsibility of those that have the means and power to build this. So in telecommunications it is the copper cable, fibre; in broadcasting it is the airwaves (frequency allocation, spectrum management and the associated speak - 'open spectrum') and the attendant last mile exchanges; in electricity it is the poles, transformers, substations; in mobile technology, the base stations, etc. And government usually has the means to build this type of capital-intensive infrastructure and should stick to it; although in recent years the private sector has entered into this space. The second component of the open access framework is the services which run on these mediums. The definition of open access has therefore been firstly the separation of this spectrum and secondly the advocacy for unrestricted access to any of the components of the spectrum (re: infrastructure - or mediums - and the services that run on these mediums). I have added the broadcast sector to this definition because of the sooner rather than later shift towards the convergence of technologies. It will become 'difficult' to separate what runs on the medium - difficult but not impossible to distinguish the type of traffic. And if convergence will 'force' all technologies towards a converged media then the broadcast sector should be included in the open' speak. Broadcast can be further subdivided into various little components - the content, the broadcaster, the human resource within the broadcast sector (re: journalists and his editor/publisher), the spectrum, base stations, policies that surround broadcast, public/private broadcasters, etc. This is a sector that is often held captive and tightly controlled by the state and/or ruling party in most countries of Africa, if not the world. Hence its political undertone. Advocating for open access in this sector (not known as that) has been a long-time struggle. Indeed media advocates have fought for some form of open access right back in the day with 'freedom of information' and 'freedom of expression' struggles. We should as well include the broadcast struggle in this fight. CHAKULA: How do you understand open access in the context of West Africa: Do you think West Africa is ahead of East Africa in the access stakes, so to speak? BA: One thing for sure is that SAT-3 had greatly improved connectivity in West Africa in spite of its high cost of connectivity induced by the closed consortium model of its ownership. This sets West Africa far ahead - in communication terms - of East Africa. Although the individual cost of connectivity per country still impacts heavily on the consumer, it may have improved the social life and living standards of West Africans in terms of their ability and the ease of communication and access to information. Also, SAT- 3 has spurred or incentivized the growth of other regional inland, terrestrial fibre or submarine cables. While it is important to build terrestrial networks, it is unclear, especially amongst investors in East Africa, how much value such 'internal infrastructure' would have without a regional submarine cable that carries the generated internal content to other parts of the world. I believe this is the underlying, hidden issue that has negatively impacted the rapid development and deployment of regional terrestrial and regional submarine infrastructure in that part of the continent. While no-one would say it this directly, it is the reason why the interest in EASSy and its open access debate has led to no cable being laid up until the present moment. I however postulate that regions in Africa should not be compared against themselves. Its not a question of how far the West exceeds the East in regional infrastructure development terms. But rather, it is how Africa as a whole sees itself in the connectivity debate - perhaps against the rest of the world. It is about how much capital flight happens annually and how that could be curbed. Its about how Africans should encourage internal communication, which will, of course, lead to the development of our continent as a whole and not a certain part of it while the other suffers. (Indeed while technology growth is evident in West Africa, there are other aspects of development in which West Africa lags far behind its East African counterparts). Its about continental economics versus the poverty picture that the continent portrays to the rest of the world. Its about people talking to people for next to nothing, and its about encouraging my African brothers and sisters living outside the continent to return home and contribute in the building of our crumbled societies because there is cheap, affordable means of communication. Which, in my opinion, contributes greatly to the underlying reasons why the diaspora refuses to return and invest in the continent. Lets look at the fibre issue as a continental issue, from a holistic point of view rather than the sectored, fractured spectacles we have used up until now - of EASSy for East Africa and SAT-3 for West Africa. Then perhaps 'open access' would lose its meaning and become just 'affordable access.' Then we would have achieved our objective. CHAKULA: What are the key challenges in West Africa, as far as open access is concerned? BA: Firstly, the availability of SAT-3 gives us an illusion that all our communication needs have been met and hence we do not need to further research or invest into alternative or more available means of connectivity. Although there has been private sector activity in this area (for example, the GlobalCom fibre link to London, the Festoon cable, etc.) it may be insufficient to meet the future needs of communication especially, as I have already mentioned, that all services, including broadcast signals, would run on some of these channels. This is one amongst many reasons why this medium may not be sufficient in the near future. Secondly, the open access debate has not been an issue on the table of most West African connectivity discussions, because of - you got it right - SAT-3. "It ain't broke, don't fix it." Hence the struggle by civil society has been to lower the cost and improve connectivity as opposed to directly challenging the rather 'political' status quo and structure of the closed consortium; political in the sense that incumbents are tied to governments and, believe it or not, governments have closely guarded interests in the revenue generated by their cash cows - the telcoms. While we also advocate for the opening up of the 'governing' structure held tightly by the agreements countries (and their telcos) may have signed binding them to secrecy, we also advocate for the ease of accessing this infrastructure from whatever landing station one chooses. Could this be open access in another form? Or perhaps from a West African perspective? CHAKULA: During the workshop you suggested that technology can have a detrimental affect, and that in some instances customs and cultural habits may be lost. In this way, a different kind of 'access' is under threat - access to culture as it is being practiced. Could you elaborate on this? BA: I will put the discuss in context here, as the workshop focused on access at the rural community level. I believe it is very important that our rural folks should be reachable and should be within either fixed or mobile coverage areas, fall within the electricity grid, have running water, and information (either via broadcast channels - TV, radio or the internet), etc. Our specific debate focused on the use and proliferation of 'free networks' in the rural community. This is clearly useful as I would be able to reach my grandmother from across the world and she me if that network is connected to the larger national backbone. But should my grand mum use that tool to speak to her neighbor in the next commune of huts - 10 meters away, just like we are used to doing in the urban areas? (Research shows that more 'neighborhood' calls amount for a larger percentage of the entire household phone bill). We happen to always drop into a friend's place as we find ourselves 'in the neighborhood' without making any prior calls or appointments. This social dynamic, though unpleasant in some ways, is often appreciated. I may be myopic in my thinking here and perhaps be looking at this using the eye of my village, the rural community that shaped my being. 'In the neighborhood' is not the unlikely, but rather the norm, in the rural context. Does the introduction of technology and rural communication affect this very fabric of rural culture? I believe so. When my grandmother would rather speak to her neighbor on the phone than visit her seems to me to negatively affect communication within the rural community - communication being the basis by which African communities exist. Ours is an oral culture. CHAKULA: As a donor, what sorts of initiatives do you think need to be supported in the context of open access in West Africa? BA: Clearly, the price of access needs to drop. Not just become affordable, but way below the disposable income of the rural person. Secondly, barter trade still subsists in must parts of African communities. I would like to see, putting it plainly, the ability to exchange a basket of tomatoes for x hours of airtime for the rural community farmer. I would also like to see the government, private sector, etc. putting rural access on the forefront of connectivity discuss and not just talking about it, but ensuring that something is done - enough of the talk now. And finally, I would like to see empowered and organised consumers and their interests cutting across rural and urban communities in the open access debate; and subsequent implementation. While I believe that regulation may be 'evil' in some form, a structured regulatory framework for both rural and urban infrastructure should exist as self-regulation may be totally impossible in connectivity issues. There are too many interests at stake. Background reading: Anders Comstedt, Eric Osiakwan and Russell Southwood (Spintrack AB): Open Access Model, Options for Improving Backbone Access in Developing Countries (with a Focus on Sub- Saharan Africa), 2005. http://www.infodev.org/files/ 2569_file_OPEN_ACCESS_REPORT.pdf //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ 4. LATEST ANALYSES SATELLITE FAILURE SHOWS AFRICAS UNDERBELLY The cost of satellite bandwidth has rocketed as much as 50% following the failed launch of a satellite last January. The story shows just how vulnerable Africa is. Russell Southwood explores the issue. [Source: Balancing Act, www.balancingact-africa.com] http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5058882 ENABLING OPEN ACCESS THROUGH UNIVERSAL ACCESS In this paper, CIPESAs Vincent Bagiire questions whether open access will bear much fruit if universal access does not begin to create effective demand. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5056029 OPENING UP EASSy In the wake of what he calls the EASSy fallout", Eric Osiakwan goes back to the basics of open access to get the project's engines started again. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5042385 BLOWING THE WHISTLE ON TELKOM SA The Telecoms Action Group (TAG) has been making waves in South Africa. That's after it took out a full-page advert in two South African newspapers slamming Telkom SA for its higher-than-fair connectivity costs. CHAKULA spoke to Alastair Otter, founding editor of Tectonic, who is part of the TAG initiative. http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=he_1&x=5052971 See also: CONSUMERS SHOULDNT SUBSIDISE TELKOM argues APC Director Anriette Esterhuysen http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5057602 //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ 5. BACKGROUND READING WHY AFFORDABLE INTERNATIONAL BANDWIDTH MATTERS Currently Africa has amongst the highest international bandwidth costs anywhere in the world. Although it varies, the international element of the cost to the consumer is significant proportion of the overall cost he or she pays. The same is true for institutional users like governments or for companies in the private sector. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=4051584 FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURE Before markets were liberalised, telephone companies were in the main government-owned institutions. When they wanted to build undersea cables, governments financed this activity and the project was carried out by the government-owned telephone company. In the age of liberalisation, things get a bit more tricky. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=4051585 HOW FAR DOES DEMAND FOR LOW-COST CALLS GO? Up until relatively recently, making international calls from Africa has been expensive. People were less inclined or unable to afford to make an international call and the majority of international calling was either corporate or government. A number of factors have fundamentally changed this position. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=4051587 SATELLITE vs FIBRE: DIFFERENT COSTS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS Satellite is extremely effective in reaching places where the volume of traffic would not justify a fibre connection. However satellite connectivity is often costly. On the other hand, the comparatively low price of fibre connectivity for the consumer may not be sustainable over the long-term in some instances. http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=4051583 FLATTENING THE WORLD WITH FIBRE This paper aims to define fibre optic technology, how fibre-optic networks function, and explains how different this technology is from other communication infrastructures. The paper further outlines the prospects for fibre-optic technology in Africa, looks at some fibre- optic networks on the continent, as well as at how fibre-optic applications are being used to enhance technological and economic development. http://www.comminit.com/africa/strategicthinking/st2006/ thinking-1897.html //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ CHAKULA is a newsletter produced by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC)s Africa ICT Policy Monitor <http:// africa.rights.apc.org> which aims to mobilise African civil society around ICT policy for sustainable development and social justice issues. We welcome your opinions about this newsletter. Send your comments, feedback or contributions to chakula(a)apc.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe e-mail chakula(a)apc.org or go to: http://lists.apc.org/cgi- bin/mailman/listinfo/chakula _______________________________________________ Grace mailing list Grace(a)apcafricawomen.org http://lists.apcwomen.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grace

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articles
by Rebecca Wanjiku 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

hi, we are in the process of finalising the Kictanet newsletter, i had earlier asked for articles and updates but got no response, if you would like us to feature your organisation or any updates, please send them directly to me, not to the list, just cut and paste my email, dont hit the reply button, regards becky ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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{Disarmed} FW: Rwanda's Knowledge Revolution
by Harry Hare 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

Fyi.. _____ From: Harry Hare [mailto:harry@africanedevelopment.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:11 AM To: 'KICTanet Committee' Subject: Rwanda's Knowledge Revolution Very interesting reading, I think a lot of African countries can borrow a leaf from this. But what is probably evident in this article is the seriousness that leadership of the country has placed on ICT as an enabler to its development effort. It is the leadership that has facilitated the "from rags to riches" ICT development. Read on Harry (http://www.businessinafrica.net/tech_telecoms/633087.htm) <javascript:self.close()> <javascript:window.print()> Rwanda's knowledge revolution Andrew Mack and Jeremy Goldberg '28-FEB-07 23:00' There was again, the same look - a combination of concern and disbelief - when I told a colleague that I'd been working in Rwanda. After all, what do we in the outside world know about Rwanda? A small country with a history of unspeakable violence and ethnic division, perhaps, but a place of opportunity? A leader of Africa's march into the 21st century? Rwanda? For all its challenges, Rwanda is by nearly all accounts making tremendous strides, working to re-build into a modern, knowledge-based economy. In fact, a number of Rwanda-watchers these days see the country on track to become the hottest IT spot between Cairo and Durban, a kind of "Silicon Valley of East-Central Africa." But it certainly did not have to be this way. In a region where so much has gone wrong, what went right in Rwanda? Everything started with vision. While much of the development of IT and the Internet around the continent has historically been ad hoc, Rwanda decided early on to build IT into its strategic plans for the future - in tangible, not just rhetorical ways. Since coming to power, President Kagame had stressed his eagerness to move the country from an agriculturally-based economy to a creative, competitive and more knowledge-based system. So following extensive consultations with different groups across Government and society at large in and around the year 2000, Rwanda launched its Vision 2020, the country's roadmap for development, with a focus on IT as a crucial cornerstone. It was an unusual vision, one that looked over the horizon with a confidence rarely shown by developing nations. In a country that needed so much, it was easy to ask the question "Why Internet? Why tech?" But consider Rwanda's position: landlocked, with long distances to the sea, troublesome infrastructure in neighbouring countries, instability in bordering Congo and Burundi. Add to this crushingly expensive air rates - the Nairobi-Kigali route is believed to be the second most expensive flight per kilometre in the world - one can see how traditional, goods-focused export trade would be challenging to say the least. Building a knowledge economy was and remains more than a logical choice. It is an enlightened necessity. So to make this vision work, the Government decided to invest in people - especially teachers and the tools they needed. After the genocide in 1994, Rwanda needed to rebuild the country's tech infrastructure, but had a shortage of trained local people to get the job done. To address the issue, in 1997 the Government opened the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Since then, KIST has graduated thousands of Rwandan tech experts and is now recognised as a leader in the development of biogas technology and renewable energy. And the investment wasn't just limited to the capital, or to university-level students. As part of its IT outreach Rwanda focused on bringing computers and Internet access to young people across the country. Josh Kron, a Kigali-based journalist, recently recounted to me the story of a Danish IT consultant who came to Rwanda in 2002 with a container full of 57 computers to donate to schools. At that time it was one of the largest (if not the largest) shipments of its kind. Today over 1200 primary schools (not to mention secondary and university classrooms) have computers available. It's currently estimated that some 10 percent of all Rwanda's secondary schools already have wireless internet access, and plans are underway to expand this substantially. According to Musabayezu Narcisse, Secretary General in the country's Ministry of Education, "As of today (December 2006) [the Government has] given out 4 000 computers to secondary schools around the country." This combined with a proliferation of private access points - Kigali is home to literally dozens of internet cafes - has put Rwanda on a steep path to integrating IT into everyday life and development. Quite a change from 2002. At the same time, the country also set high goals for spending and investment in infrastructure to match the focus on training. In March of 2006 Rwanda committed to spend some $1bn to build and promote telecentres, specifically aimed at bringing rural areas online and promoting broader-based use of technology for business. This spending was part of an overall concentration in science. In January of this year Kagame reminded his fellow heads of state at an African Union summit that the country had set its science and technology spending at 1,6 percent of GDP, bringing it in line with typical OECD nations (as opposed to other African nations, which average less than 0.5%). He compared the IT future of Rwanda to that of Australia, as opposed to Kenya. Of course to make the kinds of big investments the country needed, Rwanda would need big support from the international donor community. And they got it, focusing a significant part of its donor-funded work on IT-related projects, among them a $20mn Public Sector Capacity Building project and in 2006, a $10mn e-Government project - both funded by the World Bank. The goal was to use technology to reach out over the head of logistics challenges, streamlining communications, and using video conferencing to facilitate work with district leaders in different parts of the country. As Albert Butare, Minister of State in Charge of Energy and Communications, explained simply, Rwanda wanted to use IT solutions to enable local government leaders to function "without them having to come to Kigali all the time". After all, e-government should be able to save time, promote accountability, efficiency and transparency and lower cost in Rwanda - if it can in Washington. Rwanda has also worked hard to re-design its business environment, promoting a new openness to investment and a series of reforms to create a business-friendly climate. The country was described as a top regional reformer in the recent World Bank Doing Business survey, noting some big changes in 2006. To ease company start-up, a presidential decree dramatically increased the number of authorised notaries, shrinking the time it takes to register a new business from 21 days to 16 days. Rwanda also decreased its corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 30 percent in 2005. The process of reform is far from complete, but international investors began to take notice. In fact, it didn't take long to attract telecommunications and software companies. Terracom brought wireless broadband internet to Kigali. Microsoft is bringing e-learning classrooms. Nokia set up a village phone programme, and just last month, a partnership was announced with the One Laptop per Child programme (the $100 laptop scheme). And these days Rwanda is saying the proof is in the fibre. Yes, fibre. Rwanda has become one of the most wired countries in the region. Terracom has laid more than 220 miles of fibre-optic cable. According to Christopher Lundh, Terracom's CEO, "Rwanda, through fibre-optic and CDMA technology, enjoys without question, the most advanced communications technology in Africa." And as a testament to this expertise, last year African countries unanimously voted Rwanda the headquarters of the East Africa Submarine Cable Project (EASSy). This $280mn project will serve Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Lesotho. A Rwandan will serve as the Chair of its Working Committee. Finally, Rwanda is taking steps to build its reputation - its brand - as an information hub for the long term. Just days ago Rwanda made public its offer to provide up to 100 ICT scholarships for students from East and Central African nations, starting in 2009. If East Africa were an IT village, Rwanda might now be seen as one of the village elders. So Rwanda is getting it right. But does that really matter for Africa as a whole, or for other emerging markets? Perhaps the most encouraging thing about this entire story is that the reasons for Rwanda's success are no mystery. Rwanda's IT-focused approaches work and can work elsewhere. If you don't yet believe me, believe The Economist - they recently reported that Rwanda is well on its way to achieving several of the Millennium Development Goals. And, Rwanda is not the only example of IT turning around an emerging market country. I could easily wave the Mauritian flag. Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, is now an IT powerhouse attracting growing numbers of foreign investors. Why shouldn't these new technologies be used to help modernise the government and infrastructure in Sierra Leone? Freetown is already looking to Rwanda as an example of the possibilities, with IT as one of the central objectives in their own Vision 2025. Could IT help trade for landlocked countries like Burundi and Uganda as they work to enhance exports through Tanzania and Kenya? The answer is of course yes. IT could help improve supply chain management, expedite port clearance delays, and increase the reliability of customs operations. all things that experts touched on at a recent World Bank Government seminar. In a region where so much has gone wrong, Rwanda is an example of how much can be accomplished with a focus on IT. Investment in people, clarity of vision and a focus on technology infrastructure have given the country new, entrepreneurial options for the future. Especially given the challenges of its past, we should recognise a country so focused on its potential, one that is looking over the horizon, beyond simple rebuilding. So, three cheers for Rwanda, the 'Singapore of Central Africa' - a model for post-conflict nations on the continent and beyond. Andrew Mack is a former World Bank official and the Principal of AMGlobal -Business <http://www.businessinafrica.net> in Africa Magazine _____

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2-Day eHealth Workshop closes with a suprise
by Jose' 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

Reality check, We all have to start from the grass roots.The only way Kenya can be seen implementing what they have policy made is for the government especially the ministry of Info and technology to work with E-learning centres,equip them with internet connectivity and fund them to implement what they(Government) have policy made. Thereafter its the duty of the E-learning centre(e.g Kimathi information cente),to train the communities on a certain level then another higher institution picks them up and takes them to a much higher level. The government has the capacity.All it needs is to slot in E-learning centres on the grassroots level.We are doing it in our Kimathi community.It surely works!! Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri ----- Original Message ---- From: Pauline Muthigani <pauline(a)nordic.co.ke> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:20:29 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] 2-Day eHealth Workshop closes with a suprise Hello, I too had a chance to attend the same workshop .And relate to what Walu is saying.I have studied many African countries and I can simply state that the difference between Kenya and the likes of Rwanda and Namibia is that Kenya we are GREAT In policy making BUT not as GREAT when it comes to implementation! Kenya got GREAT plans/policies but challenged when it comes to fast implementation. SA ,Namibia Morocco,Egypt, Tunisia and the Rwandas of Africa have their govt supporting ICT fully, same here our government does , but then why is the implementation speed so low. What must we do to expedite implementing of these.. WE NEED ACTION ACTION ACTION!! albest, Pauline > Last week on Wed 21st/Thrs 22nd, I had the opportunity to > attend the above regional (East African) meeting on eHealth > at the Nairobi Safari Club. Member states (Ke, Ug, Tz, Rw, > & Burundi) were showcasing their eHealth projects and > sharing experiences. > > As usual, Rwanda's experience was way ahead of the pack. > The chaps are pretty focused and have established eHealth > Task forces that have been on the ground for over five > years. The have a comprehensive (Vision, Mission, > Objective, Activities, etc) eHealth Strategy that is well > integrated into their National Health Plan (Solved their > Budget/Funding Wars that way). > > Amongst some of the acitivities they have implemented was > to link up their three National Referral Hospitals with > fiber and are running Telemedicine & Other applications > such as: Doctor-to-Doctor Consultations, Doctor-to-patient > consultations(e.g. sharing digitized X-rays), Drug > Inventory Control & Monitoring, Blood Bank Control & > Monitoring, Epidemic Surveillance amongst others. > > They are currently looking forward to mapping their Health > Information Systems (HIMS) onto a Geographical Information > Systems (GIS) in order to extract 'Health-Intelligence' > from their data. For example, using the two systems, they > would be able to 'see' why consumption of Malaria drugs is > higher in some locations as compared to the other - > probably due to the surrounding swampy conditions. This > would get their Health managers to intervene by way of > treating the swampy conditions rather than just increasing > the stock levels of Malaria drugs for that region. {I think > that is clever} > > It always beats me:- How comes we are having to learn from > Rwanda every now and then and yet we are supposedly the > 'big brother'? > > walu. > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast > with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. > http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/pauline%40nordic.co.ke > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > -- Pauline Muthigani Telecom/ ICT Strategy Analyst Nordic Consulting P.O Box 61191, 00200 Nairobi-Kenya Tel: 254 20 2736633 Cell: 254 7222614771 Fax: 254 202731194 ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing listc kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Re: [kictanet] 2-Day eHealth Workshop closes with a suprise
by A. Wanjira Munyua 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

Okay Soberly now, having shared my frustrations, we need to seriously consider re-framing the way we advocate for ICTs for development. Perhaps linking them to concrete livelihood issues could be a start making it easier for policy makers to place ICTS within the broader development/poverty reduction frameworks. We could then lobby to ensure that ICTs as tools and the sector in general is taken seriously. Lobbying parliamentarians to remind them of the pending communications/ICT related bills/policies would not hurt. Luckily for us in Kenya we have a government that listens and accomodates! best alice A. Wanjira Munyua wrote: > Agree we talk a lot, write a lot of papers, develop many policies, form > committees that develop and submit comprehensive recommendations, etc but > never seem to have the drive/will or is it resources to implement. Look at > the IC bill, our impressive E-government strategy and many others. > Did you all note that none of the bills that affect the communications > sector were mentioned as priorities for parliamentary discussions. > well, I am sorry I am not offering any constructive suggestions just > sharing frustration here. > > best > alice > > > > Michuki Mwangi wrote: >> Walu, >> >> John Walubengo wrote: >>> It always beats me:- How comes we are having to learn from >>> Rwanda every now and then and yet we are supposedly the >>> 'big brother'? >>> >> Maybe we talk too much? ;) >> >> I first heard of tele-medicine back in 2001 - 2002, its been 5yrs since >> not sure how much has been done as a result of the forums and >> discussions held back then. >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org >

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Re: [kictanet] 2-Day eHealth Workshop closes with a suprise
by A. Wanjira Munyua 26 Mar '07

26 Mar '07

Agree we talk a lot, write a lot of papers, develop many policies, form committees that develop and submit comprehensive recommendations, etc but never seem to have the drive/will or is it resources to implement. Look at the IC bill, our impressive E-government strategy and many others. Did you all note that none of the bills that affect the communications sector were mentioned as priorities for parliamentary discussions. well, I am sorry I am not offering any constructive suggestions just sharing frustration here. best alice Michuki Mwangi wrote: > Walu, > > John Walubengo wrote: >> It always beats me:- How comes we are having to learn from >> Rwanda every now and then and yet we are supposedly the >> 'big brother'? >> > > Maybe we talk too much? ;) > > I first heard of tele-medicine back in 2001 - 2002, its been 5yrs since > not sure how much has been done as a result of the forums and > discussions held back then. > >

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[Fwd: PROJECT OFFICER: KNOWLEDGE COMMUNICATIONS position with IISD]
by A. Wanjira Munyua 26 Mar '07

26 Mar '07

---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: PROJECT OFFICER: KNOWLEDGE COMMUNICATIONS position with IISD From: "A. Wanjira Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> Date: Mon, March 26, 2007 12:16 pm To: kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke -------------------------------------------------------------------------- KICTANet Listers, Interesting position with International Institute for Sustainable Development. Please respond to the e-mail address listed at the end of this notice not to KICTANet list. best alice --------------------------------------------------------- PROJECT OFFICER KNOWLEDGE COMMUNICATIONS IISD is seeking a Project Officer to support the initiatives of its Knowledge Communications program. This position is located in Ottawa. Specific duties and responsibilities with respect to the Knowledge Communications program: Research policy linkages between the information society and sustainable development. o Develop a program of work on Internet Governance and its impact on sustainable development: monitor the Internet governance debates, within the IGF, ICANN, and other relevant arenas; prepare information briefs, research papers and organize workshops that contribute to an understanding of the importance of the Internet Governance debate to sustainable development practitioners and policy makers. o Liaise between the key actors (IGF, ICANN, ITU, IDRC, and others) and IISD. o Analyze ICT4D policies in developing countries and develop recommendations for policy coherence with sustainable development strategies, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Millennium Development Goals and other development frameworks and agendas. o Develop new projects and funding proposals to advance this work. Support capacity building initiatives with young people as leaders in using information and communications technologies to achieve more sustainable development. Contribute to the Knowledge Communications program of work on the operation, management and assessment of networks and other models for individual and inter-organization collaboration o Support evaluations of networks (interviews, surveys, etc.) as assigned o Conduct research on knowledge management and communications topics, as assigned. Other duties as assigned General The Project Officer supports all initiatives of IISD as assigned. General responsibilities include: managing assigned projects, controlling budgets, and supervising IISD or external staff associated with those projects; maintaining contacts with domestic and international project partners; identifying and initiating new projects through IISDs project planning and review mechanism; developing proposals and raising funds for new project initiatives; contributing to IISD projects under various strategic objectives; representing IISD at local, national and international fora; organizing meetings and holding discussions with appropriate persons/groups according to the needs of IISDs initiatives; participating on IISDs Planning and Review Committee as requested; other duties as assigned. The Project Officer reports to the Director, Knowledge Communications. Travel within and outside Canada may be required. Qualifications and Skills The Project Officer should hold a Masters degree in an appropriate field (such as international affairs, environmental studies or ICT policy), with two years relevant experience. S/he should be familiar with the literature and organizations within the fields of Internet governance, ICT for development, knowledge for development, communications for development and institutional collaboration. In particular, s/he should have knowledge of institutions involved in the WSIS (including WSIS follow-up processes) and IGF. S/he should also have a broad knowledge of sustainable development issues. S/he should understand accountability and transparency issues in governance processes and how they relate to sustainable development, be aware of issues related to security and stability of the Internet and their potential implications for the global South, and be able to draw on linkages between ICT and PRSPs. The Project Officer will have demonstrated capacity for managing projects and budgets, and for working with minimal supervision. S/he should be a team player with good interpersonal skills. Excellent writing skills, the ability to work virtually with distributed teams and the capacity to research and communicate via the Internet are essential. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other languages is desirable. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Closing Date: April 6, 2007 Reply in confidence to: Director, Human Resources & Administration International Institute for Sustainable Development 6th Floor, 161 Portage Avenue East Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4 Fax: +1 (204) 958-7710 E-mail: info(a)iisd.ca

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PROJECT OFFICER: KNOWLEDGE COMMUNICATIONS position with IISD
by A. Wanjira Munyua 26 Mar '07

26 Mar '07

KICTANet Listers, Interesting position with International Institute for Sustainable Development. Please respond to the e-mail address listed at the end of this notice not to KICTANet list. best alice --------------------------------------------------------- PROJECT OFFICER KNOWLEDGE COMMUNICATIONS IISD is seeking a Project Officer to support the initiatives of its Knowledge Communications program. This position is located in Ottawa. Specific duties and responsibilities with respect to the Knowledge Communications program: Research policy linkages between the information society and sustainable development. o Develop a program of work on Internet Governance and its impact on sustainable development: monitor the Internet governance debates, within the IGF, ICANN, and other relevant arenas; prepare information briefs, research papers and organize workshops that contribute to an understanding of the importance of the Internet Governance debate to sustainable development practitioners and policy makers. o Liaise between the key actors (IGF, ICANN, ITU, IDRC, and others) and IISD. o Analyze ICT4D policies in developing countries and develop recommendations for policy coherence with sustainable development strategies, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Millennium Development Goals and other development frameworks and agendas. o Develop new projects and funding proposals to advance this work. Support capacity building initiatives with young people as leaders in using information and communications technologies to achieve more sustainable development. Contribute to the Knowledge Communications program of work on the operation, management and assessment of networks and other models for individual and inter-organization collaboration o Support evaluations of networks (interviews, surveys, etc.) as assigned o Conduct research on knowledge management and communications topics, as assigned. Other duties as assigned General The Project Officer supports all initiatives of IISD as assigned. General responsibilities include: managing assigned projects, controlling budgets, and supervising IISD or external staff associated with those projects; maintaining contacts with domestic and international project partners; identifying and initiating new projects through IISDs project planning and review mechanism; developing proposals and raising funds for new project initiatives; contributing to IISD projects under various strategic objectives; representing IISD at local, national and international fora; organizing meetings and holding discussions with appropriate persons/groups according to the needs of IISDs initiatives; participating on IISDs Planning and Review Committee as requested; other duties as assigned. The Project Officer reports to the Director, Knowledge Communications. Travel within and outside Canada may be required. Qualifications and Skills The Project Officer should hold a Masters degree in an appropriate field (such as international affairs, environmental studies or ICT policy), with two years relevant experience. S/he should be familiar with the literature and organizations within the fields of Internet governance, ICT for development, knowledge for development, communications for development and institutional collaboration. In particular, s/he should have knowledge of institutions involved in the WSIS (including WSIS follow-up processes) and IGF. S/he should also have a broad knowledge of sustainable development issues. S/he should understand accountability and transparency issues in governance processes and how they relate to sustainable development, be aware of issues related to security and stability of the Internet and their potential implications for the global South, and be able to draw on linkages between ICT and PRSPs. The Project Officer will have demonstrated capacity for managing projects and budgets, and for working with minimal supervision. S/he should be a team player with good interpersonal skills. Excellent writing skills, the ability to work virtually with distributed teams and the capacity to research and communicate via the Internet are essential. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other languages is desirable. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Closing Date: April 6, 2007 Reply in confidence to: Director, Human Resources & Administration International Institute for Sustainable Development 6th Floor, 161 Portage Avenue East Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4 Fax: +1 (204) 958-7710 E-mail: info(a)iisd.ca

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PRESIDENTS ADDRESS AT THE INAUGURATION OF COMMONWEALTH CONNECTS: INTERNATIONAL E-PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT, 23RD MARCH 2007, NEW DELHI
by Harry Hare 26 Mar '07

26 Mar '07

Dear Colleagues, Below is President Dr Abdul Kalami's speech when inaugurating the first commonwealth connects International ePartnership Summit in New Delhi India last Friday. It is important to note that the President did not just read his speech, but he used a PowerPoint presentation to visualize his ideas. It was quite a trip for those who were there. Kindest Regards Harry PRESIDENTS ADDRESS AT THE INAUGURATION OF COMMONWEALTH CONNECTS: INTERNATIONAL E-PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT, NEW DELHI _____ Following is the text of the President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalami's Address at the Inauguration of Commonwealth Connects: International E-Partnership Summit here today: Evolution of Commonwealth Knowledge Grid "Connectivity enriches the societies" I am indeed delighted to participate in the inauguration of Commonwealth Connects: International e-Partnership Summit. I am happy that the summit is aiming to promote effective global partnerships between public and private sectors in developing and implementing strategies which will bridge the digital divide across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. My greetings to the ICT Ministers of the Commonwealth, CEOs, Managing Directors, Government Officials and Senior Representatives from Civil Society. Today when I am with you, I would like to share with you some of the Indian experience in connectivity for achieving the societal transformation. This along with the experiences of other participating Commonwealth countries can lead to evolution of a multi-lateral connectivity between and among nations. Hence, I would like to discuss with you on the topic "Evolution of Commonwealth Knowledge Grid". Broadband economy for prosperity The telecom revolution in India has opened multiple windows of opportunities and the benefits of this revolution are in the process of percolating to the vast majority of our villages. It is through this network that people living in the villages would be able to access modern education, healthcare services and employment opportunities. And I believe, this would be true for many countries in the Commonwealth spectrum. Broadband connectivity is key to realizing the stated socio-economic goals. Large scale utilization of local languages would enable people of the Commonwealth to create content with ease and authenticity which, when shared, would have a positive effect in the growth of economy of all the countries of Commonwealth through the benefits of telecom revolution and related Internet and multimedia tools. Bandwidth is demolisher of imbalance: The bandwidth is the demolisher of imbalances and a great leveler in the knowledge society. Making the bandwidth available is like the Government laying the roads. Movement of materials through these roads creates wealth in the industrial economy and the government recovers more than the investment on the roads by way of taxes and enhanced prosperity to its people. In the modern digital economy driven by knowledge products, bits and bytes traverse the network and create wealth and this will recover the cost of investments in the bandwidth. Thus, a singular action of making the bandwidth available to all our people will bridge the perceived divide. The free bandwidth will make economic sense if we appropriately cost the services offered using the bandwidth. We have the fiber infrastructure ready up to block level, last mile wireless technologies are being implemented and the VSAT technologies for the unreachable are in place in the form of Satellite services. Hence, we are well on course to bridge the digital gap. We are in the midst of convergence of digital technologies. The total installed bandwidth capacity in India, is in the range of 19-20 Terra bytes and lit-up capacity is progressively increasing with enhanced economic activity. Empowerment through Connectivity The total land area of India is around 3.3 million square kilometers with 7000 kilometers of coast line. The entire area is spread into deserts, hilltops, mountains, sea shores, islands, valleys and plains. Out of the billion plus population in the country 70% live in six hundred thousand villages. We are in the process of a societal transformation towards sustainable development for our growth. This we propose to realize in a time bound manner through a knowledge society for empowering the entire nation. Electronic and knowledge connectivity is the key to realize this goal. Connecting a billion people gives multiple challenges. Now, I would like to discuss about societal transformation. In the proposed model, the inter-connectivity among the three sectors of the economy is brought about by four grids: namely, Knowledge Grid, Health Grid, e-Governance Grid and the Rural Grid,. Each grid is a system of multiple portals. This system of grid will bring prosperity to 700 million people in the rural areas and 300 million plus people in the urban areas. In the process, it will ensure that the lives of 220 million people are transformed from below the poverty line. First let me discuss about knowledge grid. Knowledge Grid The endeavor is indeed to build and transform an information society into a knowledge society. The knowledge society will be a society producing, marketing and using products and services that are rich in both explicit and tacit knowledge, thus creating value-added products for national and international consumption. In the knowledge economy, the objective of a society changes from fulfilling the basic needs of all-round development to empowerment. The education system instead of going by textbook teaching will be promoted by creative, interactive self learning ? formal and informal with focus on values, merit and quality. The workers instead of being skilled or semi-skilled will be knowledgeable, self- empowered and flexibly skilled. We have rich knowledge institutions but what we have to add is connectivity. This connectivity today is technologically possible but would need creation of high bandwidth reliable network infrastructure to the extent of minimum 10 Gigabits per second all through the country to provide uniform access of knowledge in different regions leading to the creation of Knowledge GRID. Now, I would like to discuss on establishing the next network in the system of GRIDs across the country, namely Health Grid. Health Grid The mission of telemedicine with healthcare Grid is gaining momentum and it will spread to all the equipped Primary Health Centres in the country, medical colleges and research institutions. Connectivity between 35 urban super-specialty hospitals with 165 remotely located Healthcare Centres has been established through Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) telemedicine grid. This will enable unique case studies and experiences to be exchanged between the super specialists through this health grid. It will also be possible to conduct Conferences of specialist doctors from multi centers to discuss the critical disease patterns and provide treatment. Now I would like to take up e-Governance Grid. Connectivity for E-Governance Good governance is being recognized as an important goal by many countries across the world. They have taken up specific initiatives for open and transparent governance. Freedom of information is being redefined and supported by detailed guidelines. The internet revolution has proved to be a powerful tool for good governance initiatives. An important dimension of the internet potential is the possibility of providing services any time anywhere. Along with this there is a conscious effort to put the citizen as the centre of focus of the governance. Citizens are being perceived as customers and clients. E-governance has to be citizen friendly. Delivery of services to citizens is considered as a primary function of the government. Particularly in a democratic nation of a billion people like India, e-Governance should enable seamless access to information and seamless flow of information across the state and central government in the federal setup crossing the inter-departmental barriers. Typical scenario: I visualize an election scenario, where a candidate files his nomination from a particular constituency. Immediately the election officer verifies his/her authenticity from the national citizen ID database through multifactor authentication, through a multipurpose Citizen ID card. The education credentials of the candidate come from the university records. Candidate's track record of employment comes from various employers with whom the candidate had worked. His or her income and wealth resources come from the income-tax department, and other sources. Candidate's property record comes from the registration of land authority across the country. Candidate's credit history comes form various credit institutions like banks. Candidate's civic consciousness and citizenship behaviour comes from the police crime record. Candidate's legal track records come from the judicial system. All the details arrive at the computer terminal of the election officer within few seconds automatically by the act of e-Governance software agents which crawls across the various state and central government web services directories through the network GRID and collects the information automatically and presents the facts in real-time without any bias. Artificial intelligence software analyses the credentials of the candidate and gives a rating on how successful he or she will be as a politician. Election officer sitting at the remote block of the country decides on the spot and the election process starts. All the voters vote from their home through virtual polling booths. If we consider the breakthroughs and expansion in telecommunication and internet in the last five years, this visualization is no longer a dream and is possible to be achieved by many nations. To establish a system what I have visualized, we need a high bandwidth broadband connectivity across the many Government departments such as State and District Administration, Election commission, Universities, Banks, Home/Police Departments, Insurance companies etc., This scenario requires vertical and horizontal e-Governance grid established across various institutions and the Government. Hence, we can draw information and feed information from these GRIDs for seamless flow of data to achieve the goal of good governance. Now let me discuss the significance of the sustainable development through establishing Rural Grid. Rural Grid India with six hundred thousand villages and seven hundred million people living in the rural areas needs an unique rural development model called PURA. PURA envisages provision of three connectivities namely physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity leading to economic connectivity. For providing the knowledge connectivity to the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) complexes, Village Knowledge Centers will act as frontline delivery system. The Village Knowledge Centre should provide the essential data required for the targeted population such as farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, traders, businessmen, entrepreneurs, unemployed youth and the students. Now the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is in the process of establishing 100,000 Common Service Centre (CSC?s) across the country through public-private partnership model. We have so far discussed all the four connectivities at the national level required for the societal transformation leading to empowerment. Now, I would like to share with you the experience of establishing a Pan African e-Network for providing connectivity among 53 African nations. Pan African e-Network During the year 2003-04, I visited African countries such as Sudan, Tanzania, Zanzibar and South Africa. I addressed the Pan African Parliament on 16 Sept 2004, at Johannesburg, South Africa which was attended by Heads of 53 member countries of the African Union. Based on my study of the communication, healthcare and education needs of the African countries, I proposed the concept of Pan African e-Network for providing seamless and integrated satellite, fiber optics and wireless network connecting 53 African countries. The Pan-African e-Network project is estimated to cost around US$100 million. As part of the project 12 universities (7 from India and 5 from Africa), 17 Super Specialty Hospitals (12 from India and 5 from Africa), 53 tele-medicine centers and 53 tele-education centres in Africa will be connected. The pilot project on tele-education and tele-medicine in Ethiopia has already been commissioned. One of our Indian Universities has taken up the MBA Course for 34 Ethiopian students of Addis Ababa and Harmaya Universities. As regards, tele-medicine, the specialists from CARE Hospital, Hyderabad are providing one-hour live tele-consultation to doctors in Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa in Cardiology and Radiology since November 2006. The Pan African e-Network will primarily provide Tele-Education, Tele-Medicine, Internet, videoconferencing and VOIP services. It also supports e-Governance, e-Commerce, infotainment, resource mapping and meteorological services. Each remote location will be able to access the Internet through the network by linking the HUB to Internet backbone. Using this network the Heads of the State in all the 53 countries will be connected for instant communication. The network is designed to have 169 terminals and a central hub to deliver tele-education and tele-medicine services. The proposed network will utilize state-of-the-art technology and can be integrated with the latest broadband technologies like Wi-Fi and Wi-Max. The network is scalable to support different applications catering to increased number of users. I am happy to inform you that 22 countries will be connected in the first half of 2007 and the rest will be operationalized by early 2008. RB Multimedia Studio Now, I would like to share with you another experience when I delivered 2006 Phillip Tobias Lecture on 27th September 2006 from Rashtrapati Bhavan Multimedia studio using Multimedia tele-conferencing. After the lecture, I was interacting with Prof Tobias and his team at Durban, Johannesburg in South Africa and Sanfrancisco in USA. This experience made me realize the power of technology as an integrator of minds leading to a borderless world without geographical barriers ? a symbol of universalisation. Based on these interactions, I have suggested one of our leading scientific institutions to collaborate with specialists in South Africa in Anthropology for promoting conservation of certain types of endangered species. I am sure many Commonwealth countries participating in today?s summit have several experiences to share and Commonwealth connects programme can formulate a plan to integrate the core-competence of nations for mutual benefit. This power of networking can definitely be used by Commonwealth countries for sharing their core competencies and building a knowledge platform for serving the development aspirations of the individual nations through collective wisdom. Suggestions I would like to give few suggestions for the consideration of the Commonwealth Connects 2007: International e-Partnership Summit. 1. Evolving guidelines for common telecommunication policy to share resources, network, infrastructure, without any barrier and facilitate implementation through a Commonwealth co-ordination centre. 2. Evolving guidelines for Common Information Security policy in IT. 3. Modernizing education through state of the art skill development programmes among the Commonwealth nations leading to skill certification and acceptance among the countries for global employment opportunities. 4. Undertaking study of e-governance implementations across the Commonwealth nations and suggest the best practices for the G2G and G2C implementations. 5. Creating a mechanism which will facilitate pooling of core competence of nations for developing knowledge products and systems for serving the global market in education, healthcare and e- governance. 6. Identifying gaps in educational standards of IT professionals in the Global business scenario in IT, ITES and BPO services and creating institutional mechanisms for training, accreditation and grading based on performance. Creating a common web portal for sharing information and knowledge among Commonwealth countries. 7. Creating a Commonwealth Connects Fund and Institute a Commonwealth committee to address the above mentioned suggestions. Conclusion The 53 countries of Commonwealth constitute a population of 2 billion i.e. one third of the population of the Planet. This network of independent nations in the past has taken up many initiatives for interconnecting their heritage in art, culture, science and technology, history, sports and way of living. Such a strong base of relationship and the core competence of the countries can be further integrated into a very useful partnership by providing connectivity through the Evolution of a Commonwealth Knowledge Grid. This can address many common challenges for development such as developing a knowledge society through quality education, providing affordable quality healthcare to all, sustainable rural development through cluster approach, providing transparent people-friendly-governance and above all evolution of an enlightened society for improving the National Prosperity Index of all the partner countries. The model developed by the Commonwealth Nations will have the potential to be extended to the entire Planet. With these words, I inaugurate the Commonwealth Connects: International e-Partnership Summit. My best wishes to all the participants of the Summit for success in their mission of creating a productive e-Partnership between and amongst all the Commonwealth countries. May God bless you.

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Re: [kictanet] SYMPOSUIM FOR THIS WEEKEND."MUST HAVE ATTEND"
by Jose' 26 Mar '07

26 Mar '07

I understand.Thank you.Tho you may order a recorded tape you get to hear what the speakers said.Its not all lost.I am sorry. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:55:44 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] SYMPOSUIM FOR THIS WEEKEND."MUST HAVE ATTEND" Sorry Jose', On behalf of the Chix....please give ample notice in the future. Kind Regards, On 3/23/07, Fatma Bashir <fbashir(a)cyberschooltech.com> wrote: hi Jose' I'll have to post my regrets and for my team as well, we are off to the field today for the whole weekend...perhaps the next time around...but good luck. Fatma ----- Original Message ----- From: Jose' To: fbashir(a)cyberschooltech.com Cc: CATHY ATIENO ; Goria Lilian ; FRANCIS MWANGI Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 10:42 AM Subject: [kictanet] SYMPOSUIM FOR THIS WEEKEND."MUST HAVE ATTEND" Dear Colleague, Financing is one of the setbacks that the youth face to start up there small businesses enterprises. It with this concern that,Kimathi Information centre in collaboration with the Ministry of youth,Ministry of Information and technology,IMAC/KAYE,KWFT,business consultants,Investors,UN Habitat,GEEP,CFSK and Faulu Kenya have organized a Symposium that shall bring together up to 250 youth delegates be able to address the need of financing and how the delegates are going to get hold of the resources/finances to see the SME businesses get a kick start. I also attach the program for your perusal.Come see also the youth show case and what they sell in the exhibition tables. "THIS IS A MUST HAVE ATTEND SYMPOSIUM" DATE:24th March 2007 TIME:0900hrs to 1400hrs VENUE:KENYA ASSEMBLIES OF GOD MULTI PURPOSE HALL-BAHATI ENTRANCE FEE:50ksh(FIFTY SHILLINGS ONLY) Including all taxes Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/fbashir%40cyberschooltech.com -------------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -------------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there." _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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