- KICTANet - KICTANet

Fwd: Re: Call Centre in Nairobi
by Florence Etta 16 Aug '05

16 Aug '05

Hi all, >Some interesting work (if you have not seen it already) which was done by >USAID consultants for Ministry of Education is available >at <http://ict.aed.org/kenya>http://ict.aed.org/kenya Comments are >still welcome. The MoEST is reviewing the document at the moment. > Cheers, FE

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Fw: [DigAfrica] VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firms in Kenya
by alice＠apc.org 16 Aug '05

16 Aug '05

VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firms > The Nation (Nairobi) > > COLUMN > August 16, 2005 > Posted to the web August 15, 2005 > Pauline Wangui > Nairobi > > It is now official. The Communications Commission of Kenya last week > issued guidelines for the provision of voice over internet protocol > (VoiP). > > Going by the Commission's definition, VoiP is the transmission of > voice as packets over traditional switched networks or over internet > networks (a telecommunication service whereby voice messages are > transmitted as packets over the internet or other telecommunications > network). > > This means that VoIP is finally taking off and the prospect of > internet telephony displacing traditional telephony is now a reality. > > VoiP kills distance, and is of great interest within the telecom > industry. With VoiP service, subscribers have an opportunity to > significantly reduce their local and long-distance calling expenses, > while long-distance carriers have an opportunity to possibly avoid > sharing a large portion of their revenues with the local telephone > companies for use of their access links. > > Moreover, VoiP enables a rich array of services ranging from web-like > phone displays, information services, and data exchange. > > This is a transformative technology, that will redefine the phone and > the way people use it. > > As more businesses and consumers adopt the lower-cost alternative of > VoIP, the normal carriers will be forced to lower their wireline > intercarrier tariffs in order to compete. > > Already, large companies like Time Warner Cable have experimented VoiP > service within their various service territories over the past year. > > Although regulation for VoiP is still being defined, operators > including incumbent Telkom Kenya and new entrants can now incorporate > VoiP as long as they have been licensed. > > However there are key business issues to be addressed. > > The bottom line is that for this or any technology to flourish, there > must be a sustainable business model behind it. The door to the inner > core of telecommunications has just been opened to innovators willing > to expand on relatively simple technologies of digitizing and putting > voice in packets. > > This ability enables a new paradigm in the telecom sector that is > really just beginning. But are the traditional voice carriers ready to > deal with VoiP at operational levels, are they prepared and are they > capable of managing a successful migration?. > > Companies like Net2Phone and Vonage press ahead with new business > models. New comers like Skype and Free World Dial-Up drive innovation > and integration of new uses. > > Collectively such consistently reshape their markets by adopting new > business models that provide for layered services like voice, data, > video, audio and internet. Such innovators can and will erode the > revenue base that the telecom industry fights so hard to hang on to. > > Corporate strategy will have to be reconsidered and decisions made > about the new position in the new voice market. > > Flexible and effective management information systems have to be put > in place in the new environment. Migrations plans must be put in place > to ensure that the migration to VoiP is both operationally and > financially successful. > > Telcos must move fast to position themselves in the VoiP value chain. > They are used to focusing on maximizing returns from their current > infrastructure. > > However, with many new VoIP entrants expected in the market, the > traditional operators cannot afford to sit back as simple > infrastructure providers but need to effect strategies that maintain > their positions. They need to work out how best to position themselves > in this new IP-driven value chain and assess the impact this will have > on their already existing business. > > They also need to know how they intend to deal with new alliances and > partnership with applications and content providers as they maintain > customer s during migration. > > Among the main issues operators will face in the transition are costs > and success of customer migration. > > Extensive investment is required. Risks associated with migration need > to be addressed. > > VoiP-specific issues, such as voice quality and customer churn have to > be looked into. > > With VoiP, the market battle is expected to intensify. What IP > services do consumers want? Who can best deliver them? > > Who can build a sustainable business model, and who will continue the > evolution by keeping the pressure on all the players to innovate. > > These are just but few issues. In telecommunications, you lead, follow > or get out of the way. You can be a steamroller, or you can become > part of the pavement others walk on. > > But if you are, innovative, and creative, you can outrun the telecom > industry that is still slow in this region. > > The writer is a telecoms strategy analyst. > > http://allafrica.com/stories/200508151302.html > > > > > Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica > > Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group > click > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > a.. Visit your group "DigAfrica" on the web. > > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >

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Media Turmoil in UG
by John Walubengo 16 Aug '05

16 Aug '05

Hey, Folks in Uganda, give us a shout on what's on the ground regarding the media. What is coming out is that some FM stations aired rumours and speculation regarding Dr. Garang's death to the point where the President personally ordered them shut down. I have no problem with them being shut, my problem is HOW they got shut. My worry here is about institutional independence. I do believe that UG has an established ICT Policy, Regulatory Body and all the other nice things that Kenya is just beginning to move towards. And yet, suddenly out of nowhere, the 'S' word (Security) seems to be exceptionally supreme and deployable by the Executive - at the expense of any written regulatory framework... What can Kenya learn from this as it tries to finalise its ICT policy? walu.

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KICTANet activities
by alice＠apc.org 13 Aug '05

13 Aug '05

Dear all Some of the activities that we had agreed upon during the planning meeting are due to begin soon. Among them under advocacy 1. Consumer awareness campaigns comprising: -Study consumer lobby groups in Kenya (James Nguo) -SMS broadcasts (One World) -Monthly public Forums (KIS) -Workshop for media people (Media ICT network) Some of the organisations have already begun discussions on the budget and activities. We are currently discussion the SMS broadcasts with One world. Other activities that KICTANet will support are ISOC public Forum TBC LinuxChix Career workshop for high school girls to be held in September 10 2005. We are hoping that this activity will linked to the breakfast meeting we had proposed for women parliamentarians. Members interested in supporting or getting engaged in any of the above activities please let me know. thanks alice

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Fw: [ipdet] experts in PRSP monitoring system and GBS
by alice＠apc.org 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

Dear all Any experts on PRSP out there can apply for this short term consultancy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paola Gosparini" <p.gosparini(a)drn-network.com> To: "IPDET Distribution List" <ipdet(a)lists.worldbank.org> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 7:27 PM Subject: [ipdet] experts in PRSP monitoring system and GBS Dear IPDETers, We are looking for 3 experts for a short term consultancy in Nicaragua to design an integrated PRSP and General Budgetary Support performance Matrix monitoring system. Here below a short background and profile of the experts. The consultancy should start by the end of August at the latest. It is requested good command of Spanish, and EU or Latin American nationality. For CVs and further information, please contact Mari Carmen Bueno : m.bueno(a)drn-network.com Thanks a lot for your cooperation, Best regards Paola Gosparini DRN - Development Researchers' Network Square E. Plasky 92- 1030 Brussels- Belgium tel. +32-2- 7361663 fax +32-2-7065442 <mailto:p.gosparini@drn-network.com> p.gosparini(a)drn-network.com <http://www.drn-network.com> www.drn-network.com Via I. Nievo, 62- 00153 Rome- Italy tel. +39-06-5816074/6107 fax: +39-06-5816390 Background The ERCEP (Nicaraguan PRSP) established a system of indicators and impact, and a great number of structural policies and measures to be implemented by the Government. Later on, a monitoring system of indicators and reforms was created. The main monitoring system is the annual ERCEP progress report, which has been published in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The SINASIP(Sistema Nacional de seguimientos a los Indicadores de la Pobreza) was created in order to carry out a continuous monitoring of the indicators and it is under the supervision of the SECEP (Secretaria de Coordinación y Estrategia de la Presidencia), who collect the data of the different sources, make the statistics and publish it in the Web so that the Government has access to recent data. The Sistema Integrado de Gestión Financiera y Auditoria (SIGFA), which is both under the supervision of the Public Finance Ministry and under the supervision of the SECEP through the Sistema de Inversión Pública (SNIP), manages also other financial indicators related to public finance and budgetary implementation. Also, in order to monitor these indicators, a certain number of official surveys are launched regularly. The actual monitoring and indicators system is therefore very complex and does not allow responding to the needs of the country. The system is quite expensive to handle and its sustainability is very doubtful. Last May a group of donors signed with the government a financing agreement for the provision of General Budgetary support aligned with the objective on the National Development Plan and monitored through a Performance assessment Matrix (PAM) which indicators are drawn from the PND. Objective of this consultancy To elaborate a strategy, a "road map", to obtain an integrated monitoring system of the PND (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo) with progress reports that incorporate in a single process, managed by the government, the economic and social progress reports made by the government to the assembly, the civil society, the donors and international institutions. This would allow to obtain also a higher level of coordination of the indicators systems both at sectoral and global level and at project/programme level. Profile of the experts Team Leader: Economist, senior category. Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Experience in statistics. Experience with budgetary support and PAM (Performance Assesment Matrix) matrices. Statistics expert: Specialist in national systems of statistic. Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Experience with budgetary support and PAM (Performance Assesment Matrix) matrices. Only backstopping activities in relation to statistic systems (up to 5 days of work) Senior Economist: Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Period of work 2 weeks and 2 for report revision. --- You are currently subscribed to ipdet as: alice(a)apc.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-ipdet-5022085V(a)lists.worldbank.org

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DIPLO: Call for Applications: Internet Governance Research Programme
by alice＠apc.org 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

> Internet Governance (IG) is an increasingly relevant issue in > international relations. The World Summit on the Information Society > (WSIS), held in Geneva in December 2003, officially placed the > question of Internet Governance on diplomatic agendas. Participation > in the global IG debate represents a significant challenge for all > countries, but especially for small and developing ones. Dealing with > IG issues in a comprehensive way requires multidisciplinary knowledge, > as well as a unique blend of diplomatic and technical skills. > > The Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme aims to assist > individuals involved in IG issues from countries with limited > financial and human resources to develop the skills and knowledge > required to participate meaningfully in the global debate on IG. > > To build on the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme that > was run earlier in the year, Diplo, in cooperation with the Global > Knowledge Partnership (GKP), the Internet Corporation for Assigned > Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Swiss Agency for Development and > Cooperation (SDC), is currently accepting applications for the > Internet Governance Research Programme. This programme aims at > improving Internet Governance (IG)-related knowledge and skills of > participants from developing countries, and facilitating > community-building among different national, cultural, and > professional groups. > > The programme, running from September 1 to October 30, 2005, will > consist of supervised collaborative online research for up to 12 > participants. The most successful participants may be invited to > attend the WSIS in Tunis in November 2005 or to present a paper at the > International Conference on Internet Governance in Malta in February > 2006. > > We are accepting applications for research on the following themes > related to Internet Governance: > > * Introduction of IPv6 and Future Governance of Internet Resources > in Relation to Bridging the Digital Divide > * The Role of Civil Society in WSIS: International and National > Level in Developing Countries > * The Internet as Common Heritage of Humanity: Analogies and > Regulation Strategy > * Alternative Economic Models for Internet Governance: Continental > and Regional Backbones for Developing Countries > > Applicants should submit a 400-word project proposal, a curriculum > vitae outlining their relevant experience and a letter of interest > explaining why they wish to be involved in this programme. The > application deadline is August 20, 2005. > > > PARTICIPANTS > > Target Group > The Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme is aimed at > professionals from developing countries who have an interest in > Internet Governance. > > http://www.diplomacy.edu/IG/phase2/ > _______________________________________________ > Plenary mailing list > Plenary(a)wsis-cs.org > http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary > > _______________________________________________ > Apc-wsis mailing list > Apc-wsis(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/apc-wsis >

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SOURCES OF GROWTH FOR THE KENYAN ECONOMY STUDY
by Eric Aligula 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

Colleagues, Good morning to you all! One of the problems that the ICT sector in Kenya faces is the question of its contribution to and its relationship with other sectors in the economy. To answer this question, KIPPRA in liaison with the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is working towards development of a sectoral Computable General Equilibrium Model for Kenya. This model will be applied to identify sources of growth for the Kenyan economy and the alternative strategies that can be pursued to achieve Economic Recovery Strategy Targets and the Millennium Development goals amongst others. This SOURCES OF GROWTH FOR THE KENYAN ECONOMY STUDY will essentially have two components. The first will be a set of quick sectoral surveys to identify specific areas where technology has changed and to estimate new input-output coefficients. The second essential component will be an analysis of the Labour Force Survey. The purpose of this e-mail is to let you know that this exercise is on and to solicit your input and participation. This exercise will be useful to the extent that it will provide numbers regarding the current and potential role that the ICT sector plays in the economy. Hopefully, this information can then be applied to further buttress efforts aimed at enhancing the role of the sector in the economy. We shall be conducting this survey with various formal and informal enterprises within the sector. In this regard, a questionnaire is being developed and will be circulated for your input and comment. Accompanying the questionnaire will be a more detailed summary of the project. I will provide clarifications, should any be required. Thank you, Respectfully yours, Eric M. Aligula, PhD. Policy Analyst Infrastructure and Economic Services Division Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4; Fax: +254-20-2719951 E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke; URL: http://www.kippra.org/ I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! (Ecclesiastes 1:13) Kenya Institute For Public Policy Research and Analysis Bishops Garden Towers, Bishop Road; PO Box 56445, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 2 2719933/4, 2714714/5, 2721654, 2721110; Fax: +254 2 2719951 Email: admin(a)kippra.or.ke; Website: http://www.kippra.org This e-mail contains confidential information belonging to KIPPRA and is intended solely for the addressees. The opinions therein, explicit or implied, are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of KIPPRA as an Institute. The unauthorized disclosure, use, dissemination or copying (either whole or partial) of this e-mail, or any information it contains, is prohibited. E-mails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. KIPPRA shall not be liable for this e-mail if modified or falsified. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please delete it immediately from your system and notify the sender of the wrong delivery and the e-mail deletion".

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APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No.12]
by alice＠apc.org 11 Aug '05

11 Aug '05

Hi all This is It is quite a good update of telecommunication issues/news around the continent. Worth reading alice > > Dear all, > > Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates > No. 12, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy > Monitor > Website chosen by our editors. > > ON THE NEWS FRONT, telecommunications news have continued to dominate news > headlines in several countries mainly on issues of privatization and > liberalization in the > sector. Malawi took the centre of attention in last week or so following > the announcement that > the privatization of Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) would go > ahead only for the > President to turn around and suspend the proposed sale after 5 days citing > amongst > other reasons that the price was too low. Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria have > also been in the > news on the same issues of privatization of their fixed line telephone > operator and/or the mobile telephone operator. > > Liberalization issues have also taken a fair share of the news headlines > in the past two > weeks, with Namibia mentioned as lagging in ICT sector growth given the > lack of competition > in the sector. On the same note, we see the regulator announce the > suspension of > the second mobile operator licence process. > Kenya has finally legalised VOIP services, setting the stage for fierce > competition > while Botswana and Liberian parliaments have been discussing relevant > legislation > documents that would have positive effects into the countries > telecommunications sector. > > Finally, the five-year duopoly that gave MTN and Uganda telecom exclusive > rights > over the provision of telecommunication services in the country came to an > end > this week, with the new telecommunication policy still in parliament, > Ugandans may > have wait a little longer before full competition can be achieved in the > sector. > > > > ON INFORMATION RESOURCES, do remember to take a look at a new paper on the > role > of information and communication technologies in the development of > African Women. > The paper emphasizes on current issues and highlights key issues and > challenges faced > by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, globally. > > > ON UPCOMING EVENTS, August and September will be a busy month with several > events > taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on Community Informatics and WSIS. > There is also the upcoming preparation conference on WSIS to take place in > Geneva. > Do visit the links for more information on these events. > > > For these news, information resources and upcoming events, please visit > the > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website links below. > > > Editor > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website > http://africa.rights.apc.org/ > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - NEWS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > > News > Access > > Mozambique: Journalists Welcome Access to Information Bill > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=802367> > 09/08/2005 (IFEX <http://www.ifex.org>) -- ARTICLE 19 and the Media > Institute of Southern Africa-Mozambique (MISA) have welcomed a draft > bill that gives citizens in the country the right to obtain information > held by public authorities. After five years of consultations, the > government has introduced the draft Law of Mozambique on Access to > Official Sources of Information that press freedom advocates hope will > pave the way towards greater transparency and government accountability. > > *News > E-Governance * > > Kenya computerises lands records > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=823808> > 11/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- All land > records will soon be available at the touch of a button. "Kenyans can > rest assured that the question of missing files is now a thing of the > past," said Land and Housing minister Amos Kimunya yesterday. "This will > be a Christmas gift as all rent cards will be available online." > > Ethiopia connects all Federal Courts through a Wide Area Network > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=825472> > 10/08/2005 (ENA <http://www.ena.gov.et>) -- Vice President of the > Federal Supreme Court said activities are underway to connect all > Federal Courts with a centralized database through a Wide Area Network > (WAN). Menberetsehay Tadesse said all federal courts will establish a > database that would enable judges of the Federal Supreme, High and First > Instance Courts to work on near-final pending cases during their recess > period so as to prepare them for decisions. > > > > News > Laws and Regulation > > Ghana: Communications regulator revokes licenses of 34 companies > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=827651> > 11/08/2005 (Ghanaweb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- The National > Communications Authority (NCA) has revoked the licenses of 34 companies > who had earlier been granted licenses to operate as Internet Service > Providers (ISP), Fiber Optic, Public Data and Paging, as well as FM > Radio Services. > > Kenya: VOIP now Legalised > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=823732> > 10/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- The cost of > telephone calls is set to go down with new rules that allow voice > communication over the internet. Voice over internet Protocol has now > been legalised, setting the stage for fierce competition with fixed-line > and cellularphone services. > > Liberia: Government Submits Draft Telecommunications Bill > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=683018> > 02/08/2005 (Liberian Observer <http://www.liberianobserver.com/>) -- > Transitional Government Chairman (NTGL) Charles Gyude Bryant has > submitted a draft bill seeking to amend the Public Authorities Law > creating the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation and an Executive Law > creating the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to the transitional > legislative assembly for its consideration. > > Namibia: Second cell licence on hold > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=630123> > 30/07/2005 (Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- The Namibian > Government has put the granting of a second cellular phone operating > licence on hold. Jan Kruger of the Namibian Communications Commission > (NCC) speaking to the media this week that the Information and > Broadcasting Ministry had temporarily suspended the process to focus on > "more pressing issues". > > > News > National ICT Strategies > > Poor policies blamed for slow growth of ICT > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=682246> > 02/08/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net/>) -- > Africa's policy for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has > not kept pace with technological advancement, a regional stakeholders > forum heard last week. Top on the agenda of the meeting was integration > of ICT policies in the region to help bridge the digital divide. > > Namibia lagging in the technology race > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=630125> > 29/07/2005 (Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- NAMIBIA is > lagging behind other emerging economies in the development and usage of > telecommunications technologies, studies have confirmed. The Namibia > Economic Policy and Research Unit (Nepru) says in its latest report that > compared to other lower- to middle-income countries, Namibians are not > fully utilising Information and Communication Technology (ICT). > > Botswana: Draft competition policy presented to Parliament > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=773332> > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi <http://www.mmegi.bw/>) -- The long awaited draft > competition policy has been presented before Parliament. The document is > expected to help avert unfair business practises, uncompetitive > behaviour and conduct in the market place. > > > > > News > Training and Education > > Kenya: Ambitious ICT project for schools > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878ne_1&x=792581> > 09/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- Eighty per > cent of Form Four leavers should be computer literate by 2008 under a > new plan disclosed by Education minister George Saitoti. Prof Saitoti > has also said that Information Communication Technology (ICT) would be > taught in teachers training colleges to prepare them for the project. > > > News > Telecommunications > > Uganda: Expedite the telecom policy > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=823678> > 11/08/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug/>) -- Last month the > five-year duopoly period that gave MTN and Uganda telecom the rights to > offer countrywide telecommunication services expired. However, the > government decision to open the sector to more players or not, awaits a > telecommunications policy paper that is yet to be discussed and passed > by parliament and the cabinet. > > Namibia: Telecoms liberalisation 'essential' > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=825470> > 10/08/2005 (The Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- A Senior > Namibian researcher has called on Government to seriously consider > liberalising the telecommunications sector, saying competition would > allow for improved service delivery. Christoph Stork, of the Namibian > Economic Policy and Research Unit (Nepru), says liberalisation of the > telecommunication sector would allow more players to wrestle it out for > market leadership, allowing for efficiency and more affordable prices to > consumers. > > Malawi halts privatization of telecom > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773607> > 08/08/2005 (BusinessWeek <http://www.businessweek.com>) -- Malawi > President Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday (6th August) ordered the > immediate suspension of the privatization of the state-run > telecommunication firm after critics said the proposed sale price was > too low. > > Botswana upgrades network > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773266> > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi <http://www.mmegi.bw/>) -- Botswana Telecommunications > Corporation (BTC) has embarked on a number of projects to improve the > capacity and reliability of its network. The Minister of Communications, > Science and Technology, Pelonomi Venson told Parliament this week that a > reliable, high capacity national telecommunications network is essential > to creating an environment capable of attracting high value investors in > the information and knowledge management sector. > > Malawi: Telecoms board against privatisation process > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773491> > 05/08/2005 (The Nation <http://www.nationmalawi.com/>) -- Malawi > Telecommunications Limited (MTL) board of directors on Thursday (4th > August) accused the Privatisation Commission (PC) of misleading the > nation when it indicated that the privatisation process of the company > is in its final stage. > > Botswana Telecoms connects 40 lines in Barolong > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=773644> > 03/08/2005 (BOPA <http://www.gov.bw/news/index.html>) -- Botswana > Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) completed over 40 landline > connections in Barolong constituency as part of its Nteletsa rural > telephone connection project. > > Malawi's telecoms firm on sale > <http://www.businessinafrica.net/news/southern_africa/467983.htm> > 01/08/2005 (BusinessinAfrica <http://www.businessinafrica.net/>) -- > Malawi leader Bingu wa Mutharika has given a nod for the Malawi > Privatisation Commission to finally sell the country's sole fixed-line > telephone company, Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), which is > Malawi's statutory cash cow. > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ -*INFORMATION & RESOURCES *- //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the > Development of African Women > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=685166> > 03/08/2005 -- This paper sets out to look at the question to information > and communication technologies (ICTs) in relation to women's development > in Africa. The emphasis is on current issues and the paper highlights > key issues and challenges faced by women in Africa and to a smaller > extent, globally. > Appendix A - Community-based Access Points > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixA_access_points.pdf> > Appendix B - Recommendations to Civil Society Organisations > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixB_recommendations.pdf> > Appendix C - What are ICTs? > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixC_icts.pdf> > Appendix D - Recommended Resources > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixD_resource_list.pdf> > > Stories from the field - Examples of using ICTs for women's development > in Africa. > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=685362> > 03/08/2005 -- STORIES FROM THE FIELD - Examples of using ICTs for > women's development in Africa - for the paper "The Role of Information > and Communication Technologies in the Development of African Women". > There are many examples of how women are using ICTs for development on > the continent. Here we profile only a few in order to highlight how ICTs > can be used for gender justice and social change. > > > New Book Launched: Gender Digital Divide in Francophone Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=554532> > 26/07/2005 -- In preparation of the African Woman Day, 2005, the Gender > and ICT Network (a joint initiative ENDA-ART-OSIRIS) publicly launched a > book "Fracture numerique de genre en Afrique francophone : une > inquietante realite" (Gender digital divide in Francophone Africa : a > harsh reality". > > > > ITU and infoDev Launch New Online Regulation Toolkit > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=777232> > "This new ICT Regulation Toolkit will provide ICT policy-makers and > regulators with practical approaches and instruments to support their > decision-making," said infoDev Programme Manager Mostafa Terrab. "It is > a unique resource designed around three key features: it is an > interactive, on-line tool allowing for user feedback and enhancement; it > is dynamic in that its contents will evolve to reflect new developments > in the sector; and it is forward-looking, foreseeing and anticipating > policies and regulations that fully leverage the potential of new > technologies to maximize access for all throughout the developing world." > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - *UPCOMING EVENTS* - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > *11/08/2005*, Tanzania > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> > > World Youth Development and ICT (WYDI 2005) Conference (Aug 11-12 2005) > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34214> > This conference is being organised with a theme of "Young People > Creating Global Culture". The conference aims to bring together more > than 250 young professionals, community leaders, non-governmental > organisation (NGO) leaders, university students, information and > communication technology (ICT) professionals, among others. > > *22/08/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Building Partnerships for the Information Society (Aug 22-27 2005) > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34216> > The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with the support of the > Cape Town City, the Centre for e-Innovation in the Provincial Government > of the Western Cape and the South African Department of Communications, > will be organising and hosting the "Information Society" event. > > *24/08/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=29325> > The Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 Conference is > open to receive research, policy and praxis based papers around the > major theme of 'partnerships'. > > *31/08/2005*, Botswana > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21811e_1> > World Information Technology Forum (Witfor) 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=31388> > The Government of the Republic of Botswana, in collaboration with the > International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) will host the > second World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone from > August 31 to September 2, 2005. WITFOR is a state-of-the-art, high-level > international forum, aimed at ICT policy-makers and practitioners. > > *05/09/2005*, Cameroon > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21850e_1> > CTO Forum 2005 - Yaounde, Cameroon, 5 - 6 September 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=136150> > Organised in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the CTO will > host this unique gathering of opinion leaders and decision-makers in > response to the growing need for access to ICT in emerging markets in > the Commonwealth and beyond. > > *12/09/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Highway Africa Conference 2005 'Reinforcing journalism in the > information society'** > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=33696> > The Highway Africa 2005 will explore the above issues and seek to assist > in overcoming the challenges. Highway Africa's programme includes a > unique mix of plenary and keynote presentations, panel discussions and > hands-on workshops where delegates acquire practical skills and expertise. > > *19/09/2005*, International > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s30084e_1> > PrepCom-3 of the WSIS Tunis phase to take place in Geneva > <http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html> > The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3 of the Tunis > phase) will take place in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) from > 19-30 September 2005. > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > ABOUT APC > > The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international > network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and > supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of > information and communication technologies, especially internet-related > technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer > practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an > international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and > related concerns, in both policy and practice. > APC: http://www.apc.org. > > APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa > > APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute > to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive > policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT > Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations > to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society > based on social justice and human rights. > > APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org > > The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the > International Research Development Centre (IDRC). > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes, > get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa > Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list: > > http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public > > or send an email to > > africa.rights(a)apc.org > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > > -- > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna > Africa Policy Monitor Project > Association for Progressive Communications (APC) > Email: africa.rights(a)apc.org or njenga(a)apc.org > Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-aisi-l-84914M(a)lyris.bellanet.org > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > FYI > > apologies for cross posting.. > > NN > > -------- Original Message -------- > > Dear all, > > Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates > No. 12, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy > Monitor > Website chosen by our editors. > > ON THE NEWS FRONT, telecommunications news have continued to dominate news > headlines in several countries mainly on issues of privatization and > liberalization in the > sector. Malawi took the centre of attention in last week or so following > the announcement that > the privatization of Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) would go > ahead only for the > President to turn around and suspend the proposed sale after 5 days citing > amongst > other reasons that the price was too low. Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria have > also been in the > news on the same issues of privatization of their fixed line telephone > operator and/or the mobile telephone operator. > > Liberalization issues have also taken a fair share of the news headlines > in the past two > weeks, with Namibia mentioned as lagging in ICT sector growth given the > lack of competition > in the sector. On the same note, we see the regulator announce the > suspension of > the second mobile operator licence process. > Kenya has finally legalised VOIP services, setting the stage for fierce > competition > while Botswana and Liberian parliaments have been discussing relevant > legislation > documents that would have positive effects into the countries > telecommunications sector. > > Finally, the five-year duopoly that gave MTN and Uganda telecom exclusive > rights > over the provision of telecommunication services in the country came to an > end > this week, with the new telecommunication policy still in parliament, > Ugandans may > have wait a little longer before full competition can be achieved in the > sector. > > > > ON INFORMATION RESOURCES, do remember to take a look at a new paper on the > role > of information and communication technologies in the development of > African Women. > The paper emphasizes on current issues and highlights key issues and > challenges faced > by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, globally. > > > ON UPCOMING EVENTS, August and September will be a busy month with several > events > taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on Community Informatics and WSIS. > There is also the upcoming preparation conference on WSIS to take place in > Geneva. > Do visit the links for more information on these events. > > > For these news, information resources and upcoming events, please visit > the > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website links below. > > > Editor > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website > http://africa.rights.apc.org/ > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - NEWS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > News > Access > > Mozambique: Journalists Welcome Access to Information Bill > 09/08/2005 (IFEX) -- ARTICLE 19 and the Media Institute of Southern > Africa-Mozambique (MISA) have welcomed a draft bill that gives citizens in > the country the right to obtain information held by public authorities. > After five years of consultations, the government has introduced the draft > Law of Mozambique on Access to Official Sources of Information that press > freedom advocates hope will pave the way towards greater transparency and > government accountability. > > > > > News > E-Governance > > Kenya computerises lands records > 11/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- All land records will soon be available at > the touch of a button. "Kenyans can rest assured that the question of > missing files is now a thing of the past," said Land and Housing minister > Amos Kimunya yesterday. "This will be a Christmas gift as all rent cards > will be available online." > > Ethiopia connects all Federal Courts through a Wide Area Network > 10/08/2005 (ENA) -- Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court said > activities are underway to connect all Federal Courts with a centralized > database through a Wide Area Network (WAN). Menberetsehay Tadesse said all > federal courts will establish a database that would enable judges of the > Federal Supreme, High and First Instance Courts to work on near-final > pending cases during their recess period so as to prepare them for > decisions. > > > > News > Laws and Regulation > Ghana: Communications regulator revokes licenses of 34 companies > 11/08/2005 (Ghanaweb) -- The National Communications Authority (NCA) has > revoked the licenses of 34 companies who had earlier been granted licenses > to operate as Internet Service Providers (ISP), Fiber Optic, Public Data > and Paging, as well as FM Radio Services. > > Kenya: VOIP now Legalised > 10/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- The cost of telephone calls is set to go down > with new rules that allow voice communication over the internet. Voice > over internet Protocol has now been legalised, setting the stage for > fierce competition with fixed-line and cellularphone services. > > Liberia: Government Submits Draft Telecommunications Bill > 02/08/2005 (Liberian Observer) -- Transitional Government Chairman (NTGL) > Charles Gyude Bryant has submitted a draft bill seeking to amend the > Public Authorities Law creating the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation > and an Executive Law creating the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications > to the transitional legislative assembly for its consideration. > > Namibia: Second cell licence on hold > 30/07/2005 (Namibian) -- The Namibian Government has put the granting of a > second cellular phone operating licence on hold. Jan Kruger of the > Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) speaking to the media this week > that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had temporarily suspended > the process to focus on "more pressing issues". > > > > > > > > News > National ICT Strategies > > Poor policies blamed for slow growth of ICT > 02/08/2005 (East African Standard) -- Africa's policy for Information and > Communication Technology (ICT) has not kept pace with technological > advancement, a regional stakeholders forum heard last week. Top on the > agenda of the meeting was integration of ICT policies in the region to > help bridge the digital divide. > > Namibia lagging in the technology race > 29/07/2005 (Namibian) -- NAMIBIA is lagging behind other emerging > economies in the development and usage of telecommunications technologies, > studies have confirmed. The Namibia Economic Policy and Research Unit > (Nepru) says in its latest report that compared to other lower- to > middle-income countries, Namibians are not fully utilising Information and > Communication Technology (ICT). > > > Botswana: Draft competition policy presented to Parliament > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi) -- The long awaited draft competition policy has been > presented before Parliament. The document is expected to help avert unfair > business practises, uncompetitive behaviour and conduct in the market > place. > > > > > > > > > News > Training and Education > > Kenya: Ambitious ICT project for schools > 09/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- Eighty per cent of Form Four leavers should > be computer literate by 2008 under a new plan disclosed by Education > minister George Saitoti. Prof Saitoti has also said that Information > Communication Technology (ICT) would be taught in teachers training > colleges to prepare them for the project. > > > > > News > Telecommunications > Uganda: Expedite the telecom policy > 11/08/2005 (NewVision) -- Last month the five-year duopoly period that > gave MTN and Uganda telecom the rights to offer countrywide > telecommunication services expired. However, the government decision to > open the sector to more players or not, awaits a telecommunications policy > paper that is yet to be discussed and passed by parliament and the > cabinet. > > Namibia: Telecoms liberalisation 'essential' > 10/08/2005 (The Namibian) -- A Senior Namibian researcher has called on > Government to seriously consider liberalising the telecommunications > sector, saying competition would allow for improved service delivery. > Christoph Stork, of the Namibian Economic Policy and Research Unit > (Nepru), says liberalisation of the telecommunication sector would allow > more players to wrestle it out for market leadership, allowing for > efficiency and more affordable prices to consumers. > > Malawi halts privatization of telecom > 08/08/2005 (BusinessWeek) -- Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika on > Saturday (6th August) ordered the immediate suspension of the > privatization of the state-run telecommunication firm after critics said > the proposed sale price was too low. > > Botswana upgrades network > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi) -- Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has > embarked on a number of projects to improve the capacity and reliability > of its network. The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, > Pelonomi Venson told Parliament this week that a reliable, high capacity > national telecommunications network is essential to creating an > environment capable of attracting high value investors in the information > and knowledge management sector. > > Malawi: Telecoms board against privatisation process > 05/08/2005 (The Nation ) -- Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) board > of directors on Thursday (4th August) accused the Privatisation Commission > (PC) of misleading the nation when it indicated that the privatisation > process of the company is in its final stage. > > > Botswana Telecoms connects 40 lines in Barolong > 03/08/2005 (BOPA) -- Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) > completed over 40 landline connections in Barolong constituency as part of > its Nteletsa rural telephone connection project. > > Malawi's telecoms firm on sale > 01/08/2005 (BusinessinAfrica) -- Malawi leader Bingu wa Mutharika has > given a nod for the Malawi Privatisation Commission to finally sell the > country's sole fixed-line telephone company, Malawi Telecommunications > Limited (MTL), which is Malawi's statutory cash cow. > > > > > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ -INFORMATION & RESOURCES - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the Development > of African Women > 03/08/2005 -- This paper sets out to look at the question to information > and communication technologies (ICTs) in relation to women's development > in Africa. The emphasis is on current issues and the paper highlights key > issues and challenges faced by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, > globally. > Appendix A - Community-based Access Points > Appendix B - Recommendations to Civil Society Organisations > Appendix C - What are ICTs? > Appendix D - Recommended Resources > > Stories from the field - Examples of using ICTs for women's development in > Africa. > 03/08/2005 -- STORIES FROM THE FIELD - Examples of using ICTs for women's > development in Africa - for the paper "The Role of Information and > Communication Technologies in the Development of African Women". There are > many examples of how women are using ICTs for development on the > continent. Here we profile only a few in order to highlight how ICTs can > be used for gender justice and social change. > > > New Book Launched: Gender Digital Divide in Francophone Africa > 26/07/2005 -- In preparation of the African Woman Day, 2005, the Gender > and ICT Network (a joint initiative ENDA-ART-OSIRIS) publicly launched a > book "Fracture numerique de genre en Afrique francophone : une inquietante > realite" (Gender digital divide in Francophone Africa : a harsh reality". > > > > ITU and infoDev Launch New Online Regulation Toolkit > "This new ICT Regulation Toolkit will provide ICT policy-makers and > regulators with practical approaches and instruments to support their > decision-making," said infoDev Programme Manager Mostafa Terrab. "It is a > unique resource designed around three key features: it is an interactive, > on-line tool allowing for user feedback and enhancement; it is dynamic in > that its contents will evolve to reflect new developments in the sector; > and it is forward-looking, foreseeing and anticipating policies and > regulations that fully leverage the potential of new technologies to > maximize access for all throughout the developing world." > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - UPCOMING EVENTS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > 11/08/2005, Tanzania > > World Youth Development and ICT (WYDI 2005) Conference (Aug 11-12 2005) > This conference is being organised with a theme of "Young People Creating > Global Culture". The conference aims to bring together more than 250 young > professionals, community leaders, non-governmental organisation (NGO) > leaders, university students, information and communication technology > (ICT) professionals, among others. > > 22/08/2005, South Africa > Building Partnerships for the Information Society (Aug 22-27 2005) > The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with the support of the Cape > Town City, the Centre for e-Innovation in the Provincial Government of the > Western Cape and the South African Department of Communications, will be > organising and hosting the "Information Society" event. > > 24/08/2005, South Africa > Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 > The Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 Conference is open > to receive research, policy and praxis based papers around the major theme > of 'partnerships'. > > 31/08/2005, Botswana > World Information Technology Forum (Witfor) 2005 > The Government of the Republic of Botswana, in collaboration with the > International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) will host the > second World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone from August > 31 to September 2, 2005. WITFOR is a state-of-the-art, high-level > international forum, aimed at ICT policy-makers and practitioners. > > 05/09/2005, Cameroon > CTO Forum 2005 - Yaounde, Cameroon, 5 - 6 September 2005 > Organised in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the CTO will > host this unique gathering of opinion leaders and decision-makers in > response to the growing need for access to ICT in emerging markets in the > Commonwealth and beyond. > > 12/09/2005, South Africa > Highway Africa Conference 2005 'Reinforcing journalism in the information > society'** > The Highway Africa 2005 will explore the above issues and seek to assist > in overcoming the challenges. Highway Africa's programme includes a unique > mix of plenary and keynote presentations, panel discussions and hands-on > workshops where delegates acquire practical skills and expertise. > > 19/09/2005, International > PrepCom-3 of the WSIS Tunis phase to take place in Geneva > The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3 of the Tunis > phase) will take place in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) from > 19-30 September 2005. > > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > ABOUT APC > > The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international > network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and > supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of > information and communication technologies, especially internet-related > technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer > practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an > international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and > related concerns, in both policy and practice. > APC: http://www.apc.org. > > APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa > > APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute > to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive > policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT > Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations > to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society > based on social justice and human rights. > > APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org > > The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the > International Research Development Centre (IDRC). > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes, > get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa > Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list: > > http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public > > or send an email to > > africa.rights(a)apc.org > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > > > > > -- > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna > Africa Policy Monitor Project > Association for Progressive Communications (APC) > Email: africa.rights(a)apc.org or njenga(a)apc.org > Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--- > You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-aisi-l-84914M(a)lyris.bellanet.org

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Summary of the WSISYouthKenya EConference
by Wainaina Mungai 11 Aug '05

11 Aug '05

Attached is the Summary of the WSISYouthKenya EConference held between 2nd and 10th August 2005. We would appreciate your feedback on issues. It will also be used as an advisory document in the Kenya Youth and ICT Convention to be held from 8am tomorrow to 4pm on Saturday at YMCA, Nairobi. For those attending the Convention, kindly input your comments and carry a copy to be handed in as you register. Regards, Wainaina

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Toolkit for free/open sourcesoftware policy inAfrica
by alice＠apc.org 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

(Apologies for cross posting) > INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA > > bridges.org, 10 August 2005 > > TOOLKIT TO HELP GOVERNMENTS NAVIGATE THE MINEFIELD OF FREE/OPEN > SOURCE SOFTWARE POLICY IN AFRICA > > Over the last few years free/open source software (FOSS) has emerged > as an alternative to proprietary software and -- many hope -- a > solution to Africa's digital divide. FOSS comes with a number of > rights that distinguish it from proprietary software, including the > right to access the source code and make modifications; the right to > use and share it freely; and it is usually available without license > costs. > > A variety of interest groups such as the local ICT industry, > multinational software vendors, industry associations, academia and > civil society are increasingly lobbying their governments to take > action. The suggestions that are being put forward range from > mandating the exclusive use and procurement of free/open source > software to an unregulated free-market approach. In addition, African > governments are urged to define their positions regarding the > inclusion of FOSS in the official proceedings leading up to Phase II > of the World Summit for the Information Society in Tunis. However, a > practical overview of the areas in which governments can make > interventions, and the strategic approaches they can take have been > missing, and many advocacy efforts fail to address the link between > FOSS and broader social and economic development goals. > > The bridges.org report, "Free/open source software (FOSS) policy in > Africa: A toolkit for policy-makers and practitioners" is targeted at > governments that are investigating whether and how they can integrate > FOSS into their strategies for social and economic development. It > provides a broad overview of how FOSS fits into national ICT policy- > making, outlines the areas where governments can take policy decision > related to FOSS as well as some of the possible approaches, and lists > activities related to FOSS policy from across Africa. It recommends > an approach to FOSS policy-making linked to national development > goals and discusses some example development goals and how FOSS > policies could be shaped to address them. In addition, a set of > annexes provides a collection of useful resources that complement the > report, including a background reading list of key documents and > reports and a list of organisations working in the field. > > One of the annexes and an important part of the toolkit is a table > containing country-specific information on FOSS policy activities for > Africa. It is intended as a starting point for a resource that is > owned by the community. The annex is provided as a separate document > under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license > to allow modifications and extension. > > The development of the Toolkit was supported by the UK Department of > International Development Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) > programme. > > The full report and policy table are available at http:// > www.bridges.org/foss/index.html > > > ENDS ### > > Contact: > > Philipp Schmidt > research(a)bridges.org > > ------------------------------------------ > > About bridges.org > > Bridges.org is an international non-profit organisation with a > mission to promote the effective use of ICT in developing countries > to improve people's lives. One area of focus is informing policy > decisions that affect people's access to and use of ICT. Bridges.org > also conducts technology research and provides social consulting > services to ground-level projects using ICT, helping with project > planning and evaluation and relaying lessons learned. It brings an > entrepreneurial attitude to its social mission, and is committed to > working with, instead of against, government agencies and the > business community. For more information please see http:// > www.bridges.org. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > news mailing list > news(a)bridges.org > https://www.bridges.org/mailman/listinfo/news > > > > _______________________________________________ > Catia_team mailing list > Catia_team(a)catia.ws > http://catia.eyecon.co.za/mailman/listinfo/catia_team >

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