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Autoreply: [Kictanet] Re: F-Root Server goes live in Nairobi
by fetta＠idrc.or.ke 04 Oct '05

04 Oct '05

Thank you for your email. I am away until Wednesday 12th October. I am not sure that I can respond to you while on travel. For urgent messages please contact lkraft(a)idrc.or.ke Cheers, FE

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Autoreply: [Kictanet] Fw: [Chapter-delegates] Alternative root server network
by fetta＠idrc.or.ke 03 Oct '05

03 Oct '05

Thank you for your email. I am away until Wednesday 12th October. I am not sure that I can respond to you while on travel. For urgent messages please contact lkraft(a)idrc.or.ke Cheers, FE

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Fw: [Chapter-delegates] Alternative root server network
by Alex Gakuru 03 Oct '05

03 Oct '05

FYI, ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Vande Walle" <patrick(a)isoc.lu> To: <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 4:03 PM Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Alternative root server network > The Open Root Server Network (http://www.orsn.org/) just announced that > Paul Vixie has joined their project. It provides an alternative to the > ICANN/DoC/Verisign root server system. Unlike altenative roots like > New.net and others, the OSRN will not add new DNS hierarchies to its > root. It will closely follow the ICANN-approved TLDs. > > The ORSN operators describe their goals as follows: "Until now, the > administration is done by the USA and/or the ICANN. Therefor, a large > number of root-servers is located in America. A loss or the modification > of the root-server information could result in serious consequences for > all other countries concerning their internet use. It is for example > possible to stop a whole country from using the internet. In practice, > this scenario didn't happen so far but it can't be excluded either." > > Paul Vixie, who is the main designer of the Bind DNS server and the > author of numerous RFCs, is a well repected figure in the DNS community. > His support to the ORSN community will certainly help to boost the > project and launch the debate on the current root zone file issue within > the ICANN community. Paul explains his choice on CircleID > (http://www.circleid.com/article/1219_0_1_0_C/) > > Regards, > > Patrick Vande Walle > > <http://www.circleid.com/article/1219_0_1_0_C/> > > _______________________________________________ > Chapter-delegates mailing list > Chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates >

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Kenya Celebrates 10 Years of Internet
by Alex Gakuru 01 Oct '05

01 Oct '05

Hi Everyone, On the 23rd October 2005 Kenya shall officially mark 10-years of Internet. Would it not be nice to have an "multi-stakeholders" party to celebrate this National Achievement? Dr. Vinton G. Cerf (co-invented the IP protocol with Dr. Robert Kahn), has kindly written a letter to be read at such ceremony(ies). I am open to suggestions and contribution on how we could mark the Kenya Internet Birthday! Would you also let me know if you would like the letter to be read at your party! A very good "Internet History and Growth" PowerPoint Presentation by William F. Slater, III, Chicago Chapter of the Internet Society is available here http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/2002_0918_Internet_History_and_Growth.… Regards, __________ Alex Gakuru

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Africa’s Common Position on Internet Governance - The Dakar Resolution
by Dorcas Muthoni 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Information Africa’s Common Position on Internet Governance - The Dakar Resolution <http://africa.rights.apc.org/?apc=he_1&x=1500640> 09/20/2005 (WSIS) -- We, the African Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Ministers, gathered to consider “Africa’s Common Position on Internet Governance”, in Dakar from 5 to 6 September 2005, thank His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, for taking the initiative to organise this conference which has given us the opportunity to debate on building a fairer new world to improve people’s lives and eradicate poverty through the creation of opportunities to generate, use and share knowledge, Considering: - The Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), - The Accra Declaration for the Tunis phase of WSIS, 2005 - The African Regional Plan of Action for Economy and Knowledge (ARAPKE), initiated by the Bamako Bureau and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), - The Arab Plan of Action for the Information Society, 2005 - The African Partnership framework for Infrastructure Development - The Arab and African Joint Communiqué adopted in Cairo in May 2005, - The Recommendations of the Bamako Conference on «Multilingualism for cultural diversity and the involvement of all in cyberspace», - The Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) report, Considering that the Information Society would accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular for the developing countries. Considering that Internet Governance should be accountable, democratic and participatory; Given the general principles that should guarantee - A stable and secure functioning of the Internet; and - The open and decentralized nature of its architecture; Noting with satisfaction that the conclusions of WGIG reflect the concerns Africa expressed during the Accra Regional Conference (security, cultural and linguistic diversity, access, etc.); Recognising the need to reinforce the participation and association of developing countries effectively in the process of Internet governance; Convinced that, to arrive at practical solutions for the respective problems raised by Internet Governance, Africa should stand as one bloc at PrepCom3 and the second session of WSIS in Tunis 2005 and speak with one voice based on our interests; Convinced that the achievement of our priorities is an ongoing process requiring broad-based consensus among the international community on Internet Governance mechanisms associating States, civil society, the Private Sector, and international agencies; Considering that the creation of a World Internet Council (WIC), which reflects the recommendations of Chapter 48 of the Geneva Plan of Action and constitutes the final step that needs to be attained, can not be achieved immediately and necessitate the establishment of several different mechanisms; The Conference adopts, as follows: 1. The establishment of a global consultation framework to review in depth the general policies on Internet Governance. Such a framework should authorise equal participation for all stakeholders (Government, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations). 2. The expansion and reinforcement of the existing institutions for Internet Governance to enable all stakeholders to participate and ensure Internet Governance is efficient, accountable, and democratic, and that Internet services and resources are distributed in an equitable manner among all actors and all continents. The Conference also recommends: 1. Reinforcement of the role of the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in all Internet Public policy development issues; 2. Internationalisation of root sever management; 3. African Member States should set up root server instances to facilitate access; 4. Setting up of a regional high speed Internet backbone allowing the creation of national, sub regional and regional Internet exchange points 5. Participation of specialized African institutions in technical Internet Governance bodies; 6. Reinforcement of the Internet Resource Management Institution, African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), to guarantee the region’s independence in Internet resources; 7. Establishment in Africa of a reference framework for building a multi-stakeholder partnership at the national, regional and continental level, based on the basic principles of digital solidarity and in conformity with the spirit and provisions of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); 8. Contribution of African countries to the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) and utilisation of the Fund for building capacity, in particular for women and young people, and financing Internet-related projects in Africa; 9. Implementation of programmes that guarantee the presence of African languages on the Internet and use of free and open source software in order to fight against the linguistic digital divide and ensure the participation of all in the emerging new society; 10. The creation, in each African Member State, of a national structure responsible for the promotion and development of the Information Society, of knowledge sharing and the coordination of these structures at continental level; 11. The creation of Centres of Excellence around Africa for capacity development. Dakar, 7 September 2005 Date: 09/20/2005 Location: Senegal Theme: Internet Governance Source: WSIS Comments _______________________________________________ incom-l mailing list incom-l(a)incommunicado.info http://mail.kein.org/mailman/listinfo/incom-l

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Fw: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC@WSIS Blog
by Alex Gakuru 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

FYI, Also Kenya's real connectivity situation! ACTION is needed urgently!!!! rgds, Alex ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke> To: "Christian de Larrinaga" <cdel(a)firsthand.net>; "Alan Levin" <alan(a)futureperfect.co.za> Cc: <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC@WSIS Blog > Christian, > > Kenya embraces help from any household from this global village brought > about by the IP protocol. > > Alex > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Christian de Larrinaga" <cdel(a)firsthand.net> > To: "Alan Levin" <alan(a)futureperfect.co.za> > Cc: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke>; <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> > Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:29 PM > Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC@WSIS Blog > > > Alan > > You are building up a big head of steam then. > just don't be standing too close when the pressure cooker blows. > > I guess help from uk is out of the question right now? > > Christian de Larrinaga > cdel(a)firsthand.net > > > > On 28 Sep 2005, at 14:54, Alan Levin wrote: > > > > Hi Alex and others, > > > > On 26 Sep 2005, at 3:36 PM, Alex Gakuru wrote: > > > > > > > >> I am glad to note our ISOC ambassadors have kept their focus on the > >> unconnected individual, and the problems facing the connected one. > >> > >> > >> > > > > Regards the 'unconnected individual' and for your interest... > > > > We have experienced some backlash from our first Internet Fiesta in > > March. Subsequent to the fiesta (fully reported at our website at > > http://isoc.org.za/fiesta) we heard some rumours that the local > > community was unhappy with the outcome. Initially they would not meet > > with us but after a couple months they finally agreed. When we were > > there, we were confronted with a barrage of complaints. Basically > > they were so impressed by the Internet access they experienced at the > > Fiesta, that they were equally unimpressed with the fact that there > > is no way that they can afford it. > > > > Initially we considered a few routes and communicated to them for > > follow up: > > - The Universal Service Agency (government) have a programme where > > they install telecentres > > - The local government installs free internet at all libraries > > - The Provincial (state) government provides free computer labs at > > schools > > - There are start-up entrepreneurs that set-up internet cafe's > > so in fact that there are many government programs that establish > > cheap or free access for poor communities, as well private sector > > opportunities. > > > > We also considered that a Fiesta objective was to create demand and > > establish broader support - from those who are still unconnected - > > for telecoms liberalisation (deregulation and/or competition). > > > > Unfortunately it's resulted in accusations that all we did was > > 'tease' these poor people, by showing them the wonderful world of > > technology, even though they cannot afford it. Unfortunately all the > > options above are not going to just materialise or do not provide > > them with a real solution. Which in turn has understandably > > demotivated our volunteers who spent hundreds of hours assisting with > > the fiesta. > > > > Having said this, we've come up with a plan to deal with this and > > we're still planning on doing another 50 fiestas over the next three > > years. Considering 75% of our population has never had an internet > > experience, I thought it would be interesting to hear. > > > > If you're interested in reading more about the facts (a few short > > current articles show that we're still under a monopoly for all data > > connectivity and now have some of the most expensive prices by many > > fold). I'm quoted here: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/ > > national.aspx?ID=BD4A92253 > > > > But our government keeps saying: > > "We must modernise the telecommunications sector, and achieve the > > best for all South Africans in terms of choice, quality, innovation > > and value for money,” and “This is essential to promote a competitive > > economy and achieve the target growth rate of 6%. Effective and > > competitive telecommunications services must be available to all.” > > see http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A96210 > > and not doing anything about it.... > > > > warm regards, > > > > Alan > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Chapter-delegates mailing list > > Chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org > > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates > > > > > > > Christian de Larrinaga > cdel(a)firsthand.net > > > >

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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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