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Fwd: CIPESA Commentary writing competition: publication plus $100 cash prize
by Brian Longwe 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Begin forwarded message: > > > Commentary Writing Competition > A competition to support writers and encourage reflection on > international > ICT policies that affect East and Southern Africa > > COLLABORATION ON INTERNATIONAL ICT POLICY FOR EAST & SOUTHERN > AFRICA (CIPESA) > -------------------------------------------- > > CIPESA commentaries are short informative articles or essays on > current > issues affecting East and Southern African stakeholders. They focus > specifically on international policy-making processes related to > information and communications technology (ICT), and the use of ICT > for > poverty reduction. Commentaries present basic facts, explain points of > tension, and highlight areas of concern, and they stir discussion by > presenting strong views and raising provocative questions. The > objective is > to spark thinking and dialog around the topic, rather than just to > present > expert opinions in an authoritative way. Commentaries are > disseminated via > the CIPESA website and our Stakeholders email list, and > readers are encouraged to respond to the points raised by submitting > comments that are also published. > > COMMENTARY WRITING COMPETITION > We are holding this writing competition to spur writers from the > East and > Southern African region to share their perspectives on the issues and > initiate discussion and debate. > > => Eligible participants must be from countries that fall within the > CIPESA mandate (see list below). > => Participants are invited to submit 2-3 page articles on one of the > themes listed below. > => Our panel of judges will select 5 winners. > => The winning articles will be edited by a CIPESA staff member > who will > work with each author to fine-tune the piece, and the final > commentary will > be published on the CIPESA website and newslist by the end of the > year. > => In addition to publication, the 5 winners will receive a $100 > cash prize. > > Deadline for submissions is 15 October 2005. > Winners will be announced 30 October 2005. > > PARAMETERS FOR SUBMISSIONS > Themes to choose from: > * Interconnection costs for telecommunications and Internet > * Intellectual property rights > * Harmonization of e-government strategies in view of regional blocks > (such as the East African Community or Southern Africa Development > Cooperation) > * Trade agreements and ICT in the context of the World Trade > Organization > > CIPESA countries include: Angola, Botswana, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, > Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, > Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, > Zambia, > Zimbabwe > > The following tips can greatly increase your article's chances of > winning: > * Use a catchy title that frames the main point or question of > your article > * Make the first paragraph a good summary of the rest of the article > * Explain the background to the issues before launching into > opinions on > them > * Include appropriate references to the work or opinions of others > that > have informed your views > * Describe points of controversy or disagreement > * Raise unresolved questions > * Try not to write in the first-person voice using "I" or "we" > > The criteria we will use for judging winners: > * Issue has a direct impact on East and Southern Africa stakeholders > * Issue is relevant to the field of information and communications > technology policy > * Issue is timely and falls within the context of the designated > themes > * Article has an international dimension > * Argument is presented well with flow from one point to the next > * Grammar and writing style is appropriate to a commentary format > > To submit commentaries or for more information contact: > Vincent Waiswa Bagiire > Email: vincent(a)cipesa.org > > The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East & Southern > Africa > (CIPESA) is an initiative to help Africans to better understand the > policy-making processes that affect them, especially in the area of > ICT and > development. Our objectives are to raise awareness about key issues, > provide useful information to assist African participation in > policy-making, and stir debate by sparking discussion and convening > productive gatherings. Decision-making related to the use of ICT for > poverty reduction is a primary area of interest. > > CIPESA was established under the Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa > (CATIA) initiative, funded by the UK Department for International > Development. CIPESA is a program of bridges.org. > > For more information see www.cipesa.org. > > -------------------------------------------- > Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East & Southern > Africa (CIPESA) > Plot 30, Bukoto Street, Kamwokya, P.O. Box 26970 Kampala - Uganda > Tel: +256 31 280073, +256 41 533057, +256 41 533054, Website: > www.cipesa.org > >

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from WIPO general assembly proceedings..
by Emmanuel Njenga 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Hello all, Just reporting back of a detour from the WSIS process where I went to the WIPO Meeting General Assembly: today (29/09/2005 3.30 - 4.30 pm) The main focus of the meeting is around the ICG ( intergovernmental committee) on Intellectual property, Genetic Resources, Traditional-Indigenous knowledge and folklore. The relevant document under discussion was WO/GA/32/7 - and can be found on the WIPO website. Among some of the items discussed is the extension of the intergovernmental committee (IGC) tenure to continue its work for two more years in keeping with its present mandate. Most governments seem to support this statement. There is also the issues of establishment of a voluntary fund to support participation of indigenous communities to attend relevant decision making forum. Many governments delegates presented statements with regard to these issues.. I just noted some of items from the statement presented by Kenya. ---- That a consultation process/committee was set up under the office of the Attorney General regarding the development of policies on intellectual property, genetic resources, traditional -indigenous knowledge, culture e.t.c...The outcomes of this process will be expected to present its results at the end of the year. The consultation process/committee is comprised of a multi stakeholder process with govt, private sector and NGOs - civil society. ---- It would be good for all interested to follow up regarding this process, interact with those involved and especially find out which civil society organizations/NGOs and thus participate in the process to make contributions on the policy development. Regards, Njenga

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New Strategies for MSP in Kenya
by Wainaina Mungai 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Heres a clarification from someone else in the fraternity. It may guide our discussion on what is the real issue. QUOTE: Kenya is coming from situation where communication services have been provided by a monopoly - consequently most of the MSP including the civil society were involved with lobbying the Government to liberalize the telecommunication sector. Here is the transition: Liberalization has now happened! The next phase is to ensure the protection of consumers in a competitive environment. I therefore feel that MSP need to change strategies. Firstly there are no active communication consumer lobby groups in Kenya...this I believe could constitute the new role for civil society! Secondly, MSP should be lobbying relevant organisation to reduce communication costs, this would include telecommunication operators, service providers and government agencies. END QUOTE -- Technical and Product Development Manager Oneworld International 4th Floor, Kimathi House Nairobi. Kenya. Tel: +254-20-316800 Fax: +254-20-241920 ----- Free SMSNews4theDEAF: SMS the text DEAF ON to the number 560 and you will receive FREE SMS News on issues relevant to people who are deaf or have Hearing Impairment. To stop the messages, send DEAF OFF to the number 560.

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[Fwd: <incom> MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS – LESSONS FROM THE KENYA ICT FRATERNITY!!]
by Dorcas Muthoni 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

I think we should sit together first and iron out our local issues before broadcasting them to the world. I am sorry but i feel disapponted when we fail to see that any positive change will come from our own efforts, not by fighting each other, but listening to our different opinions. Regards, Muthoni

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RE: List Merger/amalgamation
by Wainaina Mungai 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

My question to Mucheru & Florence is why should KIPlist continue to exist in any form (kiplist.or.ke or other) if as was initially suggested, it could be absorbed into KICTANet as the KIP project has come to an end in 3 weeks? Wouldn't that progress the duplication? Or is it that KICTANet should be absorbed into KIPList and not the other way round? Forgive my ignorance but I thought we were all working to build KICTANet and I fail to see why we cannot just move KIP into KICTANet and move on. Wainaina

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Using Yahoo mail within your usual eMail client?
by Alex Gakuru 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Hi, Ever needed to use you yahoo mail in your usual client seamlessly? · YPOPs! and IncrediMail Xe (40650 Reads) · YPOPs! and Calypso 3.x (6085 Reads) · YPOPs! and Outlook 2003 (42794 Reads) · YPOPs! and Mozilla Mail (60975 Reads) · YPOPs! and nPOP (10073 Reads) · YPOPs! and Outlook Express (217579 Reads) · YPOPs! and Outlook XP (140911 Reads) · YPOPs! and Forte Agent News/Mail Reader v1.93 (2802 Reads) · YPOPs! and Outlook 2000 (76728 Reads) · YPOPs! and Pegasus Mail 3.12c (7124 Reads) · YPOPs! and Eudora 5.x (19735 Reads) · YPOPs! and Lotus Notes R6 (6355 Reads) · YPOPs! and Netscape Mail 4.x (12888 Reads) · YPOPs! and Outlook Express 6 (78646 Reads) · YPOPs! and Opera M2 (8945 Reads) · YPOPs! and Mozilla Thunderbird (27880 Reads) OS Versions: Linux (4) Linux versions of YahooPOPs! These are currently delivered in source form. Mac OS (2) YahooPOPs! for Mac OS. Source Code (2) Source code downloads Sun Solaris (1) Sun Solaris version of YahooPOPs! Windows (2) Win32 versions of YahooPOPs! These versions will work on Windows 9x, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP. An opensource program with very small memory footprint is available here http://yahoopops.sourceforge.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=… Regards, Alex

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Re: List Merger/amalgamation
by Joseph Mucheru 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

Dear Florence, Many thanks for taking the time to provide the information as you did. If you remember as TESPOK, we registered the domain name kiplist.or.ke and that is still available for any eventuality. We certainly do not lay claims to that and as you are also aware we also registered and provided the KICTAnet.or.ke list services for FREE to the everyone. I would just like to add that even though Bill has this view that we in private sector were out to get donor funds, this is purely an isolated view and that most people that have interacted with TESPOK know that we have played a partner support role rather than as implied. National ICT issues are not necessarily for only civil society. I therefore strongly feel we need a list where all stakeholders can discuss issues of national interest. As is already stated, each group should have it's own list but we must have a central common list to discuss common issues. be they price or quality of service. The fact that am in private sector (in the Internet business) does not mean I do not have a view on say GSM or other services. I would therefore like to propose an even wilder view - let us get use one list that is Kenyan based kiplist.or.ke and get that hosted by KENIC who are the closest thing to a truly multi-stakeholder body. The list should also be moderated by KENIC - Sorry Victor/Michuki for not consulting you first. This way KICTANet can continue with it's advocacy activities. My two cents worth. -- Joseph Mucheru Chairman Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) 14th Floor, Bruce House - Standard Street P O Box 27589 -00506 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254-20-245036 Cell: +254-722522135 Http://www.tespok.co.ke On 27 Sep 2005, at 19:23, Bill Kagai wrote: > Dear Florence, > > I also salute you for taking time to respond to the queries > raised...(mostly mine). > The bottom line unfortunately remains that Civil Society was > short-changed by 3 factors; > 1. Inactive CS leaders who we feel have to go and a new crop to > take over. > 2. Some stakeholders mostly private sector organisations masquerading > as civil society domineering and sucking CS organisations out of the > process. > 3. Lack of support (mostly donor funds) which went to the > organisations mentioned in (2) and thus rendering real Civil Society > inactive. > > All the same I'm happy it is all out in the open and hope > recommendations suggested on improving the Civil Society sector will > be taken seriously in the projects currently being developed. We look > forward to Wainaina leading Civil Society into true engagement in the > multistakeholder activities. > > Guess mine was to 'inspire then expire'. > > -- > With Kind Regards, > Bildad Kagai > CEO - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd > Coordinator - Free Software & Open Source Foundation for Africa > (FOSSFA) > Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue > P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 > Nairobi, Kenya > Tel. 254 20 2728332 > Fax. 254 20 2726965 > Cell. 254 722 379409 > E. fossfa(a)gmail.com > URL. www.fossfa.net > > --- > Submitted by: Bildad Kagia <billkagai(a)gmail.com> 2005-09-27 > 12:27:59 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [mucheru(a)wananchi.com] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist- > cl-99183W(a)lyris.idrc.ca > > !DSPAM:43397228375961234514069! > >

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$100 Laptop moves closer to reality
by Brian Longwe 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

The $100 laptop moves closer to reality Published: September 28, 2005, 8:55 AM PDT By Mike Ricciuti Staff Writer, CNET News.com CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--A low-cost computer for the masses moved one step closer to reality on Wednesday. Nicholas Negroponte, the co-founder of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, detailed specifications for a $100 windup-powered laptop targeted at children in developing nations. Negroponte, who laid out his original proposal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, said MIT and his nonprofit group, called One Laptop Per Child, is in discussions with five countries--Brazil, China, Thailand, Egypt and South Africa--to distribute up to 15 million test systems to children. In addition, Massachusetts is working with MIT on a plan to distribute the laptops to schoolchildren, Negroponte said. "This is the most important thing I have ever done in my life," Negroponte said on Wednesday during a presentation at Technology Review's Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT. "Reception has been incredible. The idea is simple. It's an education project, not a laptop project. If we can make education better--particularly primary and secondary schools--it will be a better world." He said a goal of the project is to make the low-cost PC idea a grassroots movement that will spread in popularity, like the Linux operating system or the Wikipedia free online encyclopedia. "This is open-source education. It's a big issue." Negroponte said the idea is that governments will pay roughly $100 for the laptops and will distribute them for free to students. The proposed design of the machines calls for a 500MHz processor, 1GB of memory and an innovative dual-mode display that can be used in full-color mode, or in a black-and-white sunlight-readable mode. The display makes the laptop "both an electronic book and a laptop," he said. One display design being considered is a flat, flexible printed display developed at MIT's Media Lab. Negroponte said the technology can be used to produce displays that cost roughly 10 cents per square inch. "The target is $12 for a 12-inch display with near-zero power consumption," he said. Power for the new systems will be provided through either conventional electric current, batteries or by a windup crank attached to the side of the notebooks, since many countries targeted by the plan do not have power in remote areas, Negroponte said. The machines, which will run a version of the Linux operating system, will also include other applications, some developed by MIT researchers, as well as country-specific software. "Software has gotten too fat and unreliable, so we started with Linux," he said. For connectivity, the systems will be Wi-Fi- and cell phone-enabled, and will include four USB ports, along with built-in "mesh networking," a peer-to-peer concept that allows machines to share a single Internet connection. "In emerging nations, the issue is not connectivity," Negroponte said. "That was the issue, but there are many people working on it, (thanks to) global competitiveness. But for education, the roadblock is the laptop." Five companies are working with MIT to develop an initial 5 million to 15 million test units within the year: Google, Advanced Micro Devices, News Corp., Red Hat and BrightStar, Negroponte said. He said the current plan is to produce 100 million to 150 million units by 2007. Negroponte admits that his goals are ambitious. Currently, the world production of laptops is just under 50 million, he said. While the initial goal of the project is to work with governments, Negroponte said MIT is considering licensing the design or giving it to a third-party company to build commercial versions of the PC. "Those might be available for $200, and $20 or $30 will come back to us to make the kids' laptops. We're still working on that," he said. Others have launched low-cost PC ideas in the past, though MIT's project may be the most ambitious. Last year, Advanced Micro Devices announced plans for its Personal Internet Connector--a prototype with a price tag of at least $185, with no display. And an Indian company called Novatium said it plans to offer a stripped-down home computer for about $70 or $75. In addition, Microsoft's antipiracy-minded Steve Ballmer last year called for a move toward the $100 PC for developing nations.

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What is civil society?
by Wainaina Mungai 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

1. Definition on BBC 'A civil society is a public space between the state, the market and the ordinary household, in which people can debate and tackle action'. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/highlights/010705_civil.shtml 2. Definition by Centre for Civil Society Civil society refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market, though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. Civil societies are often populated by organisations such as registered charities, development non-governmental organisations, community groups, women's organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, trades unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy group. (LSE Centre for Civil Society - http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/CCS/what_is_civil_society.htm ) 3. Definition from DfID http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/intheuk/workwithcs/cs-how-to-work-what. asp

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FW: [governance] ALERT: new "terrorist" paragraph 50bis introduced
by Wainaina Mungai 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

FYI: Here's part of what is going on in Geneva....terrorism seems to have found it's way into the discussions and might find it's way into the final documents. WM -----Original Message----- From: governance-bounces(a)lists.cpsr.org [mailto:governance-bounces@lists.cpsr.org] On Behalf Of Ralf Bendrath Sent: 28 September 2005 18:40 To: wsis-cs-plenary; WSIS Internet Governance Caucus Subject: [governance] ALERT: new "terrorist" paragraph 50bis introduced Hi all, a disturbing development occured this afternoon: In the working group chaired by Canada from 13:30-15:00, Isreael at the very end introduced a new paragraph proposal (50bis). Other delegations said they have to consult before discussing it, and they will discuss it this evening, I think. The paragraph reads: "New 50bis. We underline the importance of countering the manifestations of terrorism at all its forms in the Internet. In particular, we condemn the use of the internet for purposes of financing of terrorist acts, radicalization towards terrorist acts, recruitment for terrorist acts, and glorification of terrorist acts that may incite further terrorist acts." The Privacy & Security Working Group and the Human Rights Caucus will issue a statement this evening. But in the meantime, talk to your delegations and tell them we don't like this at all. As much as we hate terrorism - formulations like "glorification" etc. are way too ambigous and vague and may easily lead to restrictions of freedom of speech. Best, Ralf PS: The drafting group was open to observers for the whole time, but I did not ask for the floor. _______________________________________________ governance mailing list governance(a)lists.cpsr.org https://ssl.cpsr.org/mailman/listinfo/governance

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