September 2012 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] SAP and Kenya ICT Board Partner on Skills Develeopment
by Paul Kukubo 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Areba This project is about jobs. 100 Kenyans will develop skills that are imediately required by the market. The installed base of SAP in Kenya is substantial from Nation Media Group, to Bidco, to many other large and medium sized business and some state corporations. This base is growing. The ICT Board intends to extend these partnerships to drive high talent development. This is the first. There are many areas and many projects that don't have the requisite skills and there are even more Kenyans who don't have jobs. Many parents will not agree to pay for a child to certify further once he is out of college. Indeed many can't afford it. Skinning this cat of ICT job creation requires many knives. Regards Paul KUKUBO CEO Kenya ICT Board On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Areba Collins [ @BrainiacKE ® ] wrote: > I wonder how this bodes with the recent discussion about the Government 's > Intention to go Open Source..... > > > > On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 4:26 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke<javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', 'pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke');> > > wrote: > >> >> >> Kenyan Government and SAP to expand skill set of local graduates >> >> Training aims at improving youth employability in the country’s robust >> ICT sector and is inline with vision 2030 >> >> >> >> Nairobi 20th September, 2012…The government of Kenya through the Kenya >> ICT Board and SAP has today announced a partnership that will see 100 >> bright but underprivileged studentsundergo training to become certified >> SAP Software engineers. >> >> Dubbed “SAP Skills for Africa”, the Programme commits to deliver >> professional training and certification to Kenyan university graduates. The >> programme will seek to substantially improve the employability of young, >> bright university graduatesand equally deliver on the government’s >> mandate to promote digital inclusion, to forge Kenya as an ICT hub for >> Africa and drive ICT skills development. >> >> >> “The SAP partnership is key in equipping our young professionals with >> high end ICT skills that are on demand in the Kenya and the wider East >> African Market. This effort provides amuch needed skillset for graduates >> who would otherwise not have had the privilege to be exposed to this specific >> set of world class skills", said Kenya ICT Board CEO, Paul Kukubo. >> >> >> The Kenya ICT Board and SAP are in partnership to deliver the latest >> skills and knowledge to the students. The Kenya ICTBoard will provide classrooms >> with >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', >> 'Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke');> >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of > great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of > corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of > protecting corporate power against democracy”* > > -- Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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Re: [kictanet] Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world
by McTim 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

hi, is there a link to the "africa region proposal"?? rgds, McTim On Sat, Sep 22, 2012 at 8:35 AM, <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: > http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposals-… > > Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world > Report author Dr. Rohan Samarajiva, founding chair and CEO of LIRNEasia and former telecommunication regulator in Sri Lanka, finds that proposals contributed by ETNO and the Africa region could artificially raise the cost of network interconnection, content delivery, and quality of service, and that these costs would ultimately be passed along to those least able to afford them or would result in exclusion from the Internet economy. > > http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposals-… > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dogwallah%40gmail.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

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Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world
by Gideon 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Hi all, Overall i think the CCK's move made a good step to involve stakeholders, it means that there is concerted effort to involve every one in the discussion for the new ITR's. And yes we will be happy to know what has been presented on our behalf as Kenyans as well. Gideon Rop DotConnectAfrica On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 3:46 PM, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to > developing world (Walubengo J) > 2. Re: Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to > developing world (Grace Mutung'u (Bomu)) > 3. Re: Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to > developing world (Wambua, Christopher) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:07:25 -0700 (PDT) > From: Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > To: Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > Cc: World Conference on International Telecommunications > <WCIT-12(a)cck.go.ke>, KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, info <info(a)cck.go.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals > to developing world > Message-ID: > <1348488445.63373.YahooMailNeo(a)web160606.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Mich/Ali, > > I must also commend CCK on this process of vigorous engagement with > Stakeholders.? I think it is either the new broom (read DG) sweeps better > syndrome or the new constitution in action - but perhaps a mixture of both > factors... > > walu. > > nb: I do hope eventually they share what they will present at WCIT.? They > ofcourse are not compelled to take in everything from stakeholders but > stakeholders have a right to know what was picked/ignored from their input. > > > ________________________________ > From: Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: World Conference on International Telecommunications < > WCIT-12(a)cck.go.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; info <info(a)cck.go.ke> > Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 11:05 AM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to > developing world > > > Michuki > > I would have to agree with you on this. > > Ali Hussein > > > On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 10:37 AM, Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)swiftkenya.com> > wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > > > > > >I have to say that am impressed with the process that the GoK and CCK > >has taken on the WCIT-12 debate. IMHO this is a proudly Kenyan moment. > > > >Regards, > > > >Michuki. > > > > > >On 9/24/12 7:55 AM, Wambua, Christopher wrote: > >> TIM and Listers, > >> > >> The African Common Proposals (which Kenya through CCK has been involved > >> in their development)are available on the CCK website at > >> http://www.cck.go.ke/links/consultations/Public_Consultation.html > >> > >> CCK is inviting comments on the review to the ITRs to enrich the African > >> Common Proposals (ACPs), and where necessary, to develop national > >> positions ahead of the WCIT-12. > >> > >> The African region is meeting in Accra, Ghana, this week for third > >> African region preparatory meeting for the World Telecommunications > >> Standardization Assembly and the WCIT-12. > >> > >> The revised ACPs that will come out the Ghana meeting shall be uploaded > >> on the CCK website to keep the local ICT community and stakeholders > >> fully apprised on what is happening in this space. > >> > >> CCK is planning to convene a stakeholders meeting on WCIT-12 after the > >> Ghana meeting (and after compiling comments on the African proposals to > >> the review of ITRs) to discuss the final proposals that Kenya shall be > >> taking to WCIT-12 in Dubai. > >> > >> I hope this sheds light on this matter. > >> > >> > >> Christopher Wambua > >> Manager/Communications > >> Consumer and Public Affairs Division > >> Communications Commission of Kenya > >> P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800 > >> KENYA > >> > >> > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: kictanet > >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > >> Behalf Of McTim > >> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 3:34 PM > >> To: Wambua, Christopher > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to > >> developing world > >> > >> hi, is there a link to the "africa region proposal"?? > >> > >> rgds, > >> > >> McTim > >> > >> On Sat, Sep 22, 2012 at 8:35 AM, ?<alice(a)apc.org> wrote: > >>> > >> > http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposa > >> ls-to-developing-world/S > >>> > >>> Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world > >>> Report author Dr. Rohan Samarajiva, founding chair and CEO of > >> LIRNEasia and former telecommunication regulator in Sri Lanka, finds > >> that proposals contributed by ETNO and the Africa region could > >> artificially raise the cost of network interconnection, content > >> delivery, and quality of service, and that these costs would ultimately > >> be passed along to those least able to afford them or would result in > >> exclusion from the Internet economy. > >>> > >>> > >> > http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposa > >> ls-to-developing-world/S > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dogwallah%40gmail > . > >> com > >>> > >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder > >> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT > >> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform > >> in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth > >> and development. > >>> > >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > >> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect > >> privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > >> > >> > >> > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > >kictanet mailing list > >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > >Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com > > > >The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > > >KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > > -- > > Ali > Hussein > ? > Twitter: @AliHKassim > Skype: abu-jomo > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

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UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development releases first global broadband report
by Du Toit, Jaco 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development releases first global broadband report Broadband deployment accelerating worldwide, but prices still need to come down Paris, 24 September, 2012 - The Broadband Commission for Digital Development <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/> has released its first-ever country-by-country snapshot of the state of broadband deployment worldwide. The State of Broadband 2012: Achieving Digital Inclusion for All <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/bb-annualreport-embargo.pdf> report evaluates the roll-out of broadband around the world and tracks progress towards achieving the four targets <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/Broadband_Targets.pdf> set by the Commission in 2011 for boosting broadband affordability and uptake. It provides country rankings across up to 177 economies on affordability, national broadband policy, and connecting people and dwellings. The report was released at the sixth meeting of the Commission, which was held today in New York to coincide with the 67th session of the UN General Assembly. It was welcomed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzhzJteR8vM> , who called broadband a "transformative technology that has the potential to spark advances across all three pillars of sustainable development: economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability." The report reveals that while household Internet access has seen strong growth over the past year and is on track to achieve the Commission's target for Connecting Homes to Broadband, individual Internet use continues lag behind. ITU analysts believe that mobile broadband could prove the platform for achieving the boost needed to get progress back on track - at end 2011, there were already almost twice as many mobile broadband subscriptions as fixed connections. "Broadband networks and services are transforming our way of life. The Broadband Commission is committed to ensuring that the benefits of broadband are available to all. I am delighted by the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the many senior business leaders and top policy-makers on the Commission to advancing the global broadband policy agenda," said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I. Touré. The report notes a strong linguistic shift now taking place online. If current growth rates continue, it says, the number of Internet users accessing the Internet in languages other than English (predominantly, in Chinese) will overtake English language users by 2015. "Languages are people's most valuable asset. They allow us to be heard, to learn and to communicate," said the Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova. "Multilingualism on the Internet can be a great enabler for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and contributing to building knowledge societies," she continued referring to UNESCO's work to promote the production and access to all types of content - educational, scientific, cultural and recreational - in diverse formats and languages on the Internet." The Report goes on to outline a variety of ways in which broadband is improving the lives of people around the world, in m-health, distance education and m-learning, via m-payment systems, and in improving the lives of women, promoting innovation and fostering the acquisition of new skills. It also reinforces a clear need for policy leadership to facilitate the deployment of broadband around the world. Today, some 119 countries now have a national broadband plan or policy in place. The State of Broadband 2012 report draws on ITU's extensive statistical evidence base <http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/index.html> and is the result of close collaboration between Broadband Commissioners. Based on interviews, contributions and supporting material from more than 20 experts and their organizations, it highlights the importance of public private partnerships in accelerating change, presents twelve recommendations from the Commission to speed up the roll-out and deployment of broadband to accelerate progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and includes 24 'featured insights' from the Commission, which comprises 60 leaders <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/CommissionerListPage.aspx> from industry, government, international organizations and NGOs. How does your country rank? Download the full version of the State of Broadband report at: http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/bb-annualreport-embargo.pdf <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/bb-annualreport-embargo.pdf> View a short motion graphic on the report: http://www.broadbandcommission.org/work/events/6thmeeting.aspx <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/work/events/6thmeeting.aspx> Download a short 'highlights' document at: http://www.broadbandcommission.org/work/events/6thmeeting.aspx <http://www.broadbandcommission.org/work/events/6thmeeting.aspx> Photos from the meeting can be downloaded at: www.flickr.com/photos/itupictures/sets/72157631556083581/ <http://www.flickr.com/photos/itupictures/sets/72157631556083581/> For more information on the Broadband Commission, visit: www.broadband <http://www.broadband> commission.org Follow the Broadband Commission on Facebook: www.facebook.com/broadbandcommission <http://www.facebook.com/broadbandcommission> Follow the Broadband Commission on Twitter: www.itu.int/twitter <http://www.itu.int/twitter> For more information, please contact: Paris Sue Williams Chief, Media Relations UNESCO Email: s.williams(a)unesco.org <mailto:s.williams@unesco.org> Tel: +33 (0)1 4568n1706 Mobile: +33 (0)6 15929362 New York: Gary Fowlie Head, ITU Liaison Office E-mail: gary.fowlie(a)itu.int Tel: +1 917 367 2992 Mobile: +1 917 679 5254 Paul Conneally Head, Communications & Partnership Promotion E-mail: paul.conneally(a)itu.int <mailto:paul.conneally@itu.int> Tel: +41 22 730 5601 Mobile: +41 79 592 5668 In Geneva: Sarah Parkes Chief, Media Relations and Public Information E-mail: pressinfo(a)itu.int <mailto:pressinfo@itu.int> Tel: +41 22 730 6135 Mobile: +41 79 599 1439 ------------------------------------------------- Jaco DU TOIT Adviser for Communication & Information UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa United Nations Avenue, UNON, Gigiri (Room C-104) P.O. Box 30592-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 762 2346/2566 Fax +254 (0)20 762 2750 Mobile: +254 (0)728 610 912 Email:j.dutoit@unesco.org, Website: http://www.unesco-nairobi.org UNESCO DISCLAIMER ---------------------------------------------------------- Take a stand for teachers! Join us in celebrating 5 October, World Teachers’ Day - http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/education-building-blocks/tea… Agissons pour les enseignant(e)s ! Le 5 octobre, célébrons ensemble la Journée mondiale des enseignants - http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/education-building-blocks/tea…

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Freedom on the Net 2012, Report Release - Monday, September 24
by Grace Githaiga 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Good morning Listers Freedom House has released the Freedom of the Net 2012 Report (see message below and the links). Kenya was moved from 'partially free' in 2011 to 'free' in 2012 where freedom of the internet freedom is concerned. Rgds GG [Description: logo] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mary McGuire<mailto:mcguire@freedomhouse.org> in Washington, +1-202-747-7035 or mobile, +1-202-683-0909 *Embargoed until September 24, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) New Report: Governments Grow Increasingly Repressive Online, Activists Fight Back Washington – September 24, 2012 – Brutal attacks against bloggers, politically motivated surveillance, proactive manipulation of web content, and restrictive laws regulating speech online are among the diverse threats to internet freedom emerging over the past two years, according to a new study<http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTN%202012%20summary%20of%…> released today by Freedom House. Despite these threats, Freedom on the Net 2012: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media found that increased pushback by civil society, technology companies, and independent courts resulted in several notable victories. “The findings clearly show that threats to internet freedom are becoming more diverse. As authoritarian rulers see that blocked websites and high-profile arrests draw local and international condemnation, they are turning to murkier—but no less dangerous—methods for controlling online conversations,” said Sanja Kelly, project director for Freedom on the Net at Freedom House. The battle over internet freedom comes at a time when nearly one third of the world’s population has used the internet. Governments are responding to the increased influence of the new medium by seeking to control online activity, restricting the free flow of information, and otherwise infringing on the rights of users. The methods of control are becoming more sophisticated, and tactics previously evident in only the most repressive environments—such as governments instigating deliberate connection disruptions or hiring armies of paid commentators to manipulate online discussions—are appearing in a wider set of countries. Freedom on the Net 2012, which identifies key trends in internet freedom in 47 countries, evaluates each country based on barriers to access, limits on content, and violations of user rights. The study found that Estonia had the greatest degree of internet freedom among the countries examined, while the United States ranked second. Iran, Cuba, and China received the lowest scores in the analysis. Eleven other countries received a ranking of Not Free, including Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Thailand. A total of 20 of the 47 countries examined experienced a negative trajectory in internet freedom since January 2011, with Bahrain, Pakistan, and Ethiopia registering the greatest declines. Several downgrades, particularly in the Middle East, reflected intensified censorship, arrests, and violence against bloggers as the authorities sought to quell public calls for reform. In Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, and China, authorities imposed new restrictions after observing the key role that social media played in the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. At the same time, 14 countries registered a positive trajectory, with Tunisia and Burma experiencing the largest improvements following dramatic political openings. The remaining gains occurred almost exclusively in democracies, highlighting the crucial importance of broader institutions of democratic governance in upholding internet freedom. Countries at Risk: As part of its analysis, Freedom House identified a number of important countries that are seen as particularly vulnerable to deterioration in the coming 12 months: Azerbaijan, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. Key Trends * New laws restrict free speech: In 19 of the 47 countries examined, new laws or directives have been passed since January 2011 that either restrict online speech, violate user privacy, or punish individuals who post content deemed objectionable or undesirable. * Bloggers and ordinary users increasingly face arrest for political speech on the web: In 26 of the 47 countries, including several democratic states, at least one blogger or ICT user was arrested for content posted online or sent via text message. * Physical attacks against government critics are intensifying: In 19 of the 47 countries assessed, a blogger or internet user was tortured, disappeared, beaten, or brutally assaulted as a result of their online posts. In five countries, an activist or citizen journalist was killed in retribution for posting information that exposed human rights abuses. * Paid commentators, hijacking attacks are proliferating: The phenomenon of paid pro-government commentators has spread over the past two years from a small set of countries to 14 of the 47 countries examined. Meanwhile, government critics faced politically motivated cyberattacks in 19 of the countries covered. * Surveillance is increasing, with few checks on abuse: In 12 of the 47 countries examined, a new law or directive disproportionately enhanced surveillance or restricted user anonymity. In authoritarian countries, surveillance often targets government critics, while in middle-performing countries, safeguards for user rights and oversight procedures are lagging far behind governments’ technical capacities and legal powers, leading to abuse. * Citizen pushback is yielding results: A significant uptick in civic activism related to internet freedom, alongside important court decisions, has produced notable victories in a wide set of countries. Advocacy campaigns, mass demonstrations, website blackouts, and constitutional court decisions have resulted in censorship plans being shelved, harmful legislation being overturned, and jailed activists being released. In 23 of the 47 countries assessed, at least one such victory occurred. Other Significant Country Findings: * China: China is home to the world’s largest population of internet users, but also the most advanced system of controls—one that has become even more restrictive. In 2011, the authorities abducted dozens of activists and bloggers, holding them incommunicado for weeks and sentencing several to prison. The government also tightened controls over popular domestic microblogging platforms, pressuring key firms to more stringently censor political content and to register their users’ real names. Meanwhile, China’s influence as an incubator for sophisticated restrictions was felt across the globe, with governments such as Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Iran using China as a model for their own new internet controls. * Iran: The Iranian authorities used more nuanced tactics in a continued campaign against internet freedom that began after disputed elections in 2009. These tactics included: upgrading content filtering technology, hacking digital certificates to undermine user privacy, and moving closer to establishing a National Internet. Iranian judicial authorities also meted out some of the harshest sentences in the world for online activities, including imposing the death penalty on three bloggers and IT professionals. *Russia: The internet is the last relatively uncensored platform for public debate in Russia. However, since January 2011, massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and smear campaigns to discredit online activists have intensified. After online tools played a critical role in galvanizing massive anti-government protests that began in December 2011, the Kremlin signaled its intention to further tighten control over internet communications. * Pakistan: Disconcerting recent developments in Pakistan include a ban on encryption and virtual private networks (VPNs), a death sentence imposed for transmitting allegedly blasphemous content via text message, and a one-day block on all mobile phone networks in Balochistan province. Several other initiatives to increase censorship—including a plan to filter text messages by keyword and a proposal to develop a nationwide internet firewall—were officially shelved in response to civil society advocacy campaigns, although some suspect that the government is still working on them behind closed doors. *Egypt: The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) maintained many of its predecessor’s tactics of internet control, while intensifying others. Mobile phones, the internet, and social media remained under vigorous surveillance, bandwidth speeds were throttled during specific events, and SCAF-affiliated commentators manipulated online discussions. Several activists and bloggers were intimidated, beaten, shot at, or tried in military courts for “insulting the military power” or “disturbing social peace.” Despite recent elections, the future trajectory of internet freedom in Egypt remains precarious and uncertain. *United States: Internet access in the United States remains open and fairly free compared with the rest of the world. Courts have consistently held that prohibitions against government regulation of speech apply to material published on the internet, but the government’s surveillance powers are cause for some concern. In early 2012, campaigns by civil society and technology companies helped to halt passage of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), which were criticized for their potentially negative effects on free speech. *Azerbaijan: As the host of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in November 2012, the government of Azerbaijan has been eager to promote itself as a leader of ICT innovation, but has also slightly increased restrictions on internet freedom. Rather than significantly censoring online content, the government has employed tactics such as raiding cybercafes to gather information on user identities, arresting politically active netizens on trumped-up charges, and harassing activists and their family members. In a worrisome development, the authorities ramped up their surveillance capabilities of mobile phones in early 2012. To view the full report, click here<http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTN%202012%20FINAL.pdf>. Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights. Join us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/freedomhousedc> and Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/freedomhousedc> (freedomhousedc) and stay up to date with Freedom House’s latest news and events<http://www.freedomhouse.org/news> by signing up for our RSS feeds<http://www.freedomhouse.org/news/feed> and our blog<http://www.freedomhouse.org/blog>.

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Re: [kictanet] ISACA Kenya AGM and elections ongoing...
by Walubengo J 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

As the outgoing Vice-Chair for www.isaca.or.ke am very plsed to be witnessing the ongoing elections at the Lillian Towers. Very promising candidates volunteering to step into what i hope were our 'big'shoes :-) Which reminds me, Dr. Waudo, when did you say you shall hold the AGM for Computer Society of Kenya? I know Yawe has been probing but you have kept this data close to your heart...:-) walu.

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Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world
by alice＠apc.org 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposals-… Harm caused by ill-thought out WCIT proposals to developing world Report author Dr. Rohan Samarajiva, founding chair and CEO of LIRNEasia and former telecommunication regulator in Sri Lanka, finds that proposals contributed by ETNO and the Africa region could artificially raise the cost of network interconnection, content delivery, and quality of service, and that these costs would ultimately be passed along to those least able to afford them or would result in exclusion from the Internet economy. http://lirneasia.net/2012/09/harm-caused-by-ill-thought-out-wcit-proposals-…

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Reminder : Deadline for submitting your contribution on ICANN Africa Strategy is 28th Sept
by Alice Munyua 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Dear All, This is a gentle reminder as we are approaching the deadline for your contributions to the ICANN Africa strategy working documents as posted on http://www.afrinic.net/en/community/icann-aswg. Deadline is 28th September 2012 Thanks for those who have already submitted their comments.. Best regards Pierre -- Pierre Pierre Dandjinou Cotonou - 229 90 087784 / 66566610 Dakar 221 77 639 30 41 www.scg.bj <http://www.scg.bj/> skype : sagbo1953

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Re: [kictanet] CCK gets a new Board chairman
by Walubengo J 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

Wambua, Congrats to the new CCK chairman... and wish him all the best. Meanwhile, get him to register on the list so that he can also lurk in the background like many of his colleagues :-) walu. ------------------------------ On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 11:46 AM AST (Arabian) Wambua, Christopher wrote: > > >Listers, > > > >CCK gets a new Board Chairman > > > >President Mwai Kibaki has appointed Mr. Ben N. Gituku Chairman of the >CCK Board of Directors. > > > >The three-year appointment, effective September 14, was announced vide a >Kenya Gazette notice dated September 19. > >Mr. Gituku takes over from Hon. Eng. Philip O. Okundi who left the CCK >Board last month to pursue other personal interests. > > > >Mr. Gituku joined the CCK Board in February 2012. He has previously >served on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Kenya Pipeline Company >boards. > > > >A professional marketer, Mr. Gituku spent most of his working life in >the local media industry where he served in various capacities. He later >left formal employment to pursue business interests in newspaper >distribution and real estate development. > > > >An Ardent golfer, Mr. Gituku is married with four children- two boys and >two girls. > > > > > >Christopher Wambua > >Manager/Communications > >Consumer and Public Affairs Division > >Communications Commission of Kenya > >P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800 > >KENYA > > >

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Strange letter to ICANN
by Brian Munyao Longwe 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

I recently came across this letter written by Ms. Sophia Bekele to ICANN regarding the recently vacated position held by Anne-Rachel Inne at ICANN. Letter from Sophia Bekele to Akram Atallah<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/bekele-to-atallah-07aug12-en> While everyone is entitled to have their own opinion I find it extremely distasteful that Ms. Bekele would go as far as to allege that AFRICANN and for that matter AFTLD, AFRINIC, AFNOG, AFRISPA, AFRALO are made up of people who have sinister agendas. I take it as a personal affront that such an aspersion would be cast on myself as I not only consider myself an interested party in AFRICANN but I have also been involved in the founding and establishment of some of the above organizations and believe them and the individuals associated with them to be above reproach. I continue to find DCA's sustained divisive and millitant attitude quite troubling, What do other community members think? Brian

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