- KICTANet - KICTANet

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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Re: Postponement
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Dear Alex Thanks for this. Though I am not too sure I understand the message. Is Michiel Leenaars bringing together all inventors of IP to our Kenya event? If so thank you Michiel. We look forward. alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke> To: "Michiel Leenaars" <Michiel(a)staff.isoc.nl> Cc: "Alex CORENTHIN" <corenthin(a)ucad.sn>; "Alan Levin" <alan(a)futureperfect.co.za>; "Emmanuel Njenga" <njega(a)apc.org>; <mucheru(a)wananchi.com>; "Victor Kyalo" <vkyalo(a)kenet.or.ke>; "S K Kibe" <kibe(a)cck.go.ke>; "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke>; "Kemei, Christopher" <Kemei(a)cck.go.ke>; "James Rege" <kenyaictpolicy(a)yahoo.co.uk>; "Dr. Juma Okech" <juma(a)treasury.go.ke>; "Damaris Kiuna" <tespok(a)tespok.co.ke>; "Constantine Obuya" <cobuya(a)acwict.or.ke>; "Chiiru Njogu - Yahoo" <luchiru(a)yahoo.com>; "Brian Longwe" <brian(a)inhand.co.ke>; "Alice Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 11:44 AM Subject: Fw: Postponement > Dear Colleagues, > > Michiel Leenaars, The Director, The Internet Society (ISOC) Netherlands > http://www.isoc.nl deserves our individual messages of appreciation and > encouragement in his efforts to seek the presence of the inventors of the > IP > protocol on the weekend of 22-23 October 2005, as we celebrate a decade > since first Internet connection in Kenya. > > Please send this message to your colleagues and ISOC KE enthusiasts. > > "It'd be the greatest technological honour, and the next best thing since > sliced bread to happen to Kenya" - Alex Gakuru > > Thank you! > > Alex Gakuru > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michiel Leenaars" <Michiel(a)staff.isoc.nl> > To: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke> > Cc: "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> > Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 10:33 AM > Subject: Re: Postponement > > >> Hello Alex, >> >> I was able to change the flight. Luckily the dates are not too >> problematic. I arrive at the 19th of october and fly back at the 25th at >> 10 in the evening. This leaves some time before the event to help you >> out with press releases, organisation of the meeting etc. >> >> It sounds like a good idea to make 10 years of internet the starting >> point of your chapter. I would try and approach Vint Cerf or Robert >> Kahn (the inventors of the IP protocol) to see if one of them would be >> willing to come over on this special occassion. This would help gain >> maximum attention. >> >> Best wishes, >> Michiel >> >> > >

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FEMNET Updates - August 2005
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Hi All Below communication etc events that some KIP and KICTANET members might be interested in participating thanks alice > > EVENTS > > International Conference, Bielefeld, Germany > Date: February 9th -11th 2006 > The conference is entitled: Cyberworld unlimited? Digital Inequality and > New > Spaces of Informal Education for Young People. > For more information visit the conference website: > http://www.kib-bielefeld.de/tagung/engl/ or contact Dr. Nadia Kutscher: > nadia.kutscher(a)uni-bielefeld.de > > Cultural Studies Workshop > Date: 23-26 January 2006 > Venue: R-1 Baihnabghata-Patuli Township, Calcutta India > The Centre for Studies in Social Sciences will host the workshop in > collaboration with Ford Foundation (India) and SEPHIS- the Netherlands. > The > theme of the workshop is Cultures of the Body. > For more information contact Susanta Ghosh at: csw(a)cssscal.org or > info(a)cssscal.org > > The 10th AWID International Forum on Women's Rights and Development: How > Does Change Happen? - Bangkok, Thailand > Date: October 27-30, 2005 | > Early Registration Deadline: August 15, 2005 > Registration Closes: October 14, 2005 > For more information visit: www.awid.org/forum > > International Conference - "Where are Girls and Women in Science and > Technology?" 20th - 21st October 2005 in Berlin > The international conference "Where are Girls and Women in Science and > Technology?" is organised by Femtec. University-based Career Center For > Women Berlin Inc. (Femtec. Hochschulkarrierezentrum für Frauen in Berlin > GmbH) and the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. > For more information and registration visit: > http://femtec-konferenz.de/en/ > > RESOURCES > > Gender and Media Opinion and Commentary Service > GEM offers opinion and commentary articles to the media for use at no > cost. > For more information contact the editor, Jan Moolman at: > janine(a)genderlinks.org.za or visit the website: > http://www.genderlinks.org.za/gemcomm/gemcommindex.asp > Report on Aid Harmonization and the MDGs Available > > "Aid Harmonization: What Will It Take to Meet the MDGs?" > The report was released by the Development Gateway and is available at: > http://topics.developmentgateway.org/special/aidharmonization > > UN Report on Internet Governance > The Working Group on Internet Governance established by the UN > Secretary-General at the close of the first phase of the World Summit on > the > Information Society in December 2003, has completed it work and submitted > its report on internet governance. The report is available at: > http://www.wgig.org/ > > VACANCIES > > CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation > Deputy Secretary General - Programmes > The successful candidate will support the Secretary General of CIVICUS in > the overall leadership of the organisation. > For further information email: humanresources(a)civicus.org. > > CALL FOR SUBMISSION/APPLICATION/PARTICIPATION > > The Communication Initiative [The CI]: Priority Themes Survey and Call for > Abstracts and Proposals > The Communication Initiative together with The World Bank's Development > Communication Division and FAO are co-hosting and organizing the World > Congress on Communication for Development [WCCD] to be held in Rome, Italy > on March 15-17 2006. > As part of the preparation for this event and in order to help ensure its > relevance and value a priority survey will be conducted and abstracts and > proposals will be required from policy makers amongst other players. > For more information contact Chris Morry of the CI at: cmorry(a)comminit.com > or visit: http://www.comminit.com > > The Global Movement for Children-White Band Action Plans Written by > Children > and Youth > The global movement for children is planning a second year of the 'Lesson > for Life'; a 'lesson' on HIV/AIDS and the effect of the crisis on > children. > The key focus of the Lesson this year is getting treatment for all > children, > looking particularly at trade rules that protect the rights of children > rather than the interests of pharmaceutical companies. The 'lessons' will > start on World AIDS Day (December 1st) and finish on White Band Day 3 > (December 10). A selection of the 'white band' action plans written by > children and youth will be targeted to the WTO Ministerial Conference > accompanied by a report and some key policy calls. > For more information and the children's and NGO's activity and planning > packs see www.gmfc.org/hivaids > > TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES > University of London-Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street > Hospital for Children NHS Trust > The institute in partnership with other institutions is now offering the > European MSc in International Health (Erasmus Mundus). This programme > offers participants a choice of six specialisation tracks, with modules > followed in eight partner institutions around Europe. > For more information on the course, email: cichcour(a)ich.ucl.ac.uk or > visit: > www.cich.ich.ucl.ac.uk > > Galilee College, Israel-International Training for Agriculture > Professionals > Date: September 8th-26th, 2005 > The department of agriculture would conduct the course consisting of four > programmes for agriculture professionals from around the world. The > institution will grant tuition scholarships for eligible candidates. > For online registration and more information visit: www.galilcol.ac.il or > you may contact through fax: 972-4-9830227 or email: mailto:International > _Department(a)galilcol.ac.il > > The British Council-Nairobi, Kenya > The organisation has several training programmes for individuals and > corporate teams. The broader programmes include: Management Training, > Managers' Development Programme and Women's Development Programme. > For more information visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/kenya or contact > Jane on email: jane.onoka(a)britishcouncil.or.ke > > World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)-Short Term > Courses > AMARC will be conducting short-term courses at its regional offices in > Braamfontein, Johannesburg in September. For more details about the > courses > please contact Ms. Shingai Nyoka at: comofficer(a)amarcafrica.org > > E-Learning Course on European Human Rights System > The registration deadline for this course has been extended until 1 > September 2005. > Further information and application forms can be obtained at: > http://www.hrea.org/courses/9E.html > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ------------------------ > > > EVENEMENTS > > Conférence Internationale, Bielefeld, Allemagne > Date : Du 9 au 11 février 2006 > La conférence s'intitule : Cyberworld Illimité ? Inégalité Numérique et > Nouveaux Espaces pour l'Education Informelle des Jeunes. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter le Site Web de la conférence > : > http/www.kib-bielefeld.de/tagung/engl/ ou contacter Dr. Nadia Kutscher : > nadia.kutscher(a)uni-bielefeld.de > > Atelier sur les Etudes Culturelles > Date : Du 23 au 26 janvier 2006 > Lieu : R-1 Baihnabghata-Patuli Township, Calcutta, Inde > L'atelier sera organisé par le Centre d'Etudes en Sciences Sociales « > Centre for Studies in Social Sciences » en collaboration avec la Fondation > Ford « Ford Foundation » (Inde) et SEPHIS - Pays-Bas. L'atelier a pour > thème « Cultures du Corps » > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter Susanta Ghosh : > csw(a)cssscal.org ou info(a)cssscal.org > > Le 10ème Forum International de l'AWID sur les Droits de la Femme et le > Développement : Comment se passe le Changement ? - Bangkok, Thailande > Date : Du 27 au 30 octobre 2005 > Date de Début des Inscriptions : le 15 août 2005 > Fin des Inscriptions : le 14 octobre 2005 > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter : www.awid.org/forum > > Conférence Internationale - « Où se situent les Filles et les Femmes en > Sciences et Technologie ? » Du 20 au 21 octobre 2005 à Berlin. > La Conférence internationale « Où se situent les Filles et les Femmes en > Sciences et Technologie ? » est organisée par Femtec, le Centre de > Carrières pour les Femmes parrainé par l'Université à Berlin > (Femtec.Hochschulkarrierezentrum für Frauen in Berlin GmbH) et > Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V > Pour plus de renseignements et les inscriptions, veuillez visiter : > http://femtec-konferenz.de/en/ > > RESSOURCES > > Service d'Opinions et Commentaires sur le Genre et la Presse. > GEM fournit gratuitement aux médias des articles contenant opinions et > commentaires. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter le Rédacteur en chef, Jan > Moolman à l'adresse : > janine(a)genderlinks.org.za ou visiter le site Web > http://www.generlinks.org.za/gemcomm/gemcommindex.asp > Le Rapport sur l'Harmonisation de l'Assistance et les MDGs y est > disponible. > > > « Harmonisation de l'Assistance : Que Faudra-t-il pour Réaliser les MDGs > ? » > Le rapport a été publié par Development Gateway et il est disponible à l' > adresse : http:/topics.developmentgateway.org/special/aidharmonization > > Rapport des Nations Unies sur la Gouvernance de l'Internet > L'Equipe de Travail sur la Gouvernance de l'Internet mise en place par le > Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies lors de la clôture de la première > phase > du Sommet Mondial sur la Société de l'Information en décembre 2003 a > terminé > son travail et soumis son rapport sur la gouvernance de l'internet. Le > rapport est trouvable à l'adresse : http://www.wgig.org/ > > VACANCES DE POSTES > > CIVICUS : Alliance Mondiale pour la Participation des Citoyens > Secrétaire Général Adjoint-Programmes > Le candidat gagnant sera chargé d'aider le Secrétaire Général de CIVICUS > dans l'administration générale de l'organisation. > Pour des renseignements supplémentaires, veuillez contacter l'adresse : > humanresources(a)civicus.org > > APPELS EN FAVEUR DE SOUMISSIONS / DEMANDES / PARTICIPATION. > > L'initiative de Communication [L'IC] : Etude sur les Thèmes Prioritaires > et > Invitation à envoyer Résumés et Suggestions > L'Initiative de Communication et la Division Communication du > Développement > de la Banque Mondiale et la FAO vont conjointement accueillir et organiser > le Congrès Mondial sur la Communication pour le Développement [CMCD] qui > se > tiendra à Rome, Italie, du 15 au 17 mars 2006. Dans le cadre des > préparatifs de cet événement, et dans le souci d'assurer sa pertinence et > sa > valeur, une enquête sur les priorités va être effectuée et les résumés et > suggestions seront demandés aux décideurs politiques entre autres > partenaires. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter Chris Morry de l'IC à l' > adresse : cmorry(a)comminit.com ou visiter le site : http://www.comminit.com > > Mouvement Mondial pour les Enfants - Plans d'Action en Bandes Blanches > Ecrites par des Enfants et des Jeunes. > Le mouvement mondial pour les enfants est en train de préparer la deuxième > année de « Lesson for Life » (« Leçon pour la Vie ») ; une « Leçon » sur > le > VIH/SIDA et l'effet de la crise sur les enfants. La Leçon de cette année > sera centrée principalement sur l'accès de tous les enfants au traitement, > en ciblant particulièrement les lois commerciales qui protègent les droits > des enfants plutôt que celles qui favorisent les intérêts des compagnies > pharmaceutiques. Les « Leçons » commenceront le jour de la célébration de > la Journée Mondiale du SIDA (le 1er décembre) et se termineront le 3ème > Jour > des Bandes Blanches (le 10 décembre). Il y aura une sélection des plans > d' > action des « Bandes Blanches » écrites par des enfants et des jeunes en > fixant l'intérêt sur la Conférence Ministérielle de l'Organisation > Mondiale > du Commerce accompagnée par un rapport et certains appels relatifs aux > politiques-clés. > Pour plus de renseignements ainsi que les activités des enfants et ONG de > même que le déroulement des préparatifs, veuillez consulter le site > www.gmfc.org/hivaids > > CHANCES DE FORMATION > > University of London (Université de Londres) - Institute of Child Health > and > Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust. > En partenariat avec d'autres institutions, l'institut offre actuellement > la > MSc. Européenne (Maîtrise en Sciences) en Santé Internationale (Erasmus > Mundus). Ce programme offre aux participants un choix de six filières de > spécialisation, avec des modules suivis dans huit institutions partenaires > de par l'Europe. > Pour plus de renseignements sur le cours, veuillez communiquer par e-mail > à > travers l'adresse : cichcour(a)ich.ucl.ac.uk ou visiter le site web : > www.cich.ich.ucl.ac.uk. > > Galilée College, Israel - International Training for Agricultural > Professional > Date : du 8 au 26 septembre 2005 > Le département d'agriculture va dispenser le cours qui contient quatre > programmes à l'intention des professionnels en agriculture en provenance > du > monde entier. L'institution va accorder aux candidats éligibles des > bourses > pour payer ces cours. > Pour les inscriptions directes par Internet et pour plus de > renseignements, > veuillez visiter www.galilcol.ac.il ou bien envoyez votre fax au numéro > 972-4-9830227 ou envoyer un e-mail à mailto > :International_Department@galilcol.ac.il > > Le Conseil Britannique à Nairobi, Kenya > L'organisation dispose de plusieurs programmes de formation pour les > individus ou des groupes de gens appartenant à des agences. Parmi les > programmes les plus vastes se trouvent - le Programme de Formation en > Gestion, le Programme de Développement à l'intention des Gestionnaires et > le > Programme de Développement à l'intention des Femmes. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter > http://www.britishcouncil/.org/kenya ou contacter Jane par e-mail à l' > adresse : janeonoka(a)britishcouncil.or.ke > > Association Mondiale des Journalistes de Radios Communautaires (AMARAC) - > Cours de Courte durée > L'AMARAC organisera des cours de courtes durées dans ses bureaux régionaux > à > Braamfontein, Johannesburg, en septembre. > Pour plus de renseignements à propos de ces cours, veuillez contacter Ms. > Shingai Nyoka à l'adresse comofficer(a)amarcafrica.org > > Cours par voie électronique sur le Système Européen des Droits Humains > > La date limite des inscriptions pour ce cours a été reportée au 1er > septembre 2005. > Des renseignements supplémentaires ainsi que les formulaires de demande > sont > trouvables à l'adresse : http://www.hrea.org/courses/9E.html > > > > > African Women's Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) > Réseau de Développement et de Communications des Femmes Africaines > P. O. Box 54562, 00200, > Nairobi, Kenya. > Tel: +254 20 3741301/20 > Fax: +254 20 3742927 > E-mail: admin(a)femnet.or.ke > Website: http://www.femnet.or.ke > > > FEMNET aims to strengthen the role and contribution of African NGO's > focusing on women's development equality and other human rights, through > communications, networking, training and advocacy. > > FEMNET est un réseau qui soutient le renforcement des capacités des > femmes dans les domaines du plaidoyer et de la communication à travers le > travail en réseau. Il facilite également les échanges d'informations, > d'expériences et de stratégies entre les organisations féminines en vue > d'une véritable promotion des droits humains et particulièrement des > droits > de la femme. >

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KENYA YOUTH AND ICT CONVENTION - 12th and 13th August - YMCA - Nairobi
by Wainaina Mungai 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

KENYA YOUTH AND ICT CONVENTION When: 12th and 13th August 2005 Where: YMCA, Nairobi Theme: ICTs: Creating Opportunities for Young People Outputs: Youth Declaration on Implementation of the ICT Policy and the Launch the Network of Young ICT Changemakers Registration: Download one of the attached forms: 1. Delegate form or 2. Observer form and return to citronwood(a)yahoo.ca or <mailto:info@madeinkenya.org> info(a)madeinkenya.org Kindly note that there are limited spaces and interested parties are encouraged to register at earliest convenience and latest Wednesday, 10th August Cost of attendance: WSIS Youth Kenya will provide 20 sponsorships for attendance covering the cost of accommodation, meals and materials (but not transport) Option 1: Partial Registration (meals and materials): 1200/- Option 2: Full Registration (2 days accommodation, meals and materials): 3760/- =========================================== More information and updates on the WSIS Youth Kenya RYNICs visit: <http://www.madeinkenya.org/> www.madeinkenya.org or http://projects.takingitglobal.org/wsisyouthkenya The event is part of the Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign 2005 coordinated by WSIS Youth Kenya member organisations [Citron Wood, Radio Waumini, Goal-ICT and The Made in Kenya Network] .: WSIS Youth Kenya CAMPAIGN UPDATES :. Below are the activities of the campaign that will have its climax during the Harambee Youth Week/International Youth Day at the Kenya Youth and ICT Convention on 12th and 13th August. 1. Mapping and research of youth ICT 4 Development projects is ongoing [kindly provide feedback on the attached form] 2. E-Conference on Youth and ICT in Kenya - ongoing - and collection of youth input on the draft ICT policy; which was submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communication. 3. Radio Coverage of youth ICT 4 Development projects on 'The Break' on Radio Waumini every Tuesday. Next show will be on Thursday morning. 4. Youth representative accepted into the WSIS Pavilion subcommittee of the National WSIS Taskforce at CCK. 5. WSIS Youth Caucus represented in the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and in the official discussions on the draft ICT policy. 6. WSIS Youth Kenya hosted the WSIS Youth Global Facilitator - Ms. Titilayo Akinsanmi - in Nairobi and she spoke during "The Break" show on Radio Waumini in June. 7. WSIS Youth Kenya represented at The Africa Regional Youth Congress and Exposition in June. 8. Two youth representatives attended the "National ICT Stakeholders Conference" to finalise the ICT policy in Kikambala, Kilifi in June. 9. Youth and ICT Session at Onestop Youth Information Centre in July. 10. Young Women and ICT Session held at Onestop Youth Information Centre in July. 11. Promotion of the "Free SMS4theDeaf service" that seeks to be an ICT solution for people with hearing impairment to communicate and stay informed using mobile phones. *If you are deaf and need to receive SMS alerts send DEAF ON to the number 560 (Safaricom). The service is provided by Oneworld International. * * * * * * * * * * * The Coordinating team of the Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign in Kenya is made up of the individuals listed below: 1. Antony Wafula - of Radio Waumini and WSISYouthKenya 2. Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro - of Citron Wood, Oxfam International Youth Parliament and Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS 3. Lucy Wanjiru Njogu - of Goal-Information and Communication Technology (Goal-ICT) 4. Wainaina Mungai - of the Made in Kenya Network and Oneworld International as well as facilitator of WSIS Youth Kenya The Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign 2005 is supported by WSIS Youth Caucus with funding from Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) - <http://www.cta.nl/> www.cta.nl. Get Informed! Get Involved! Bridge the Digital Divide!

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Work plan and budget
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Dear All Attached is the work plan for KICATNET that was discussed during the monthly meeting held last week. I would like to urge all those organisations that took responsibility for the various activities to kindly work out the budgets and send them to me. For example, One world is organising the sms broadcasts Re; Consumer awareness. Wainaina please develop a budget for this. KIF for the 2006 national convention, etc etc thanks and kind regards Alice Wanjira National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws

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Autoreply: [Kictanet] Fwd: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues in the Tunis Phase
by lkraft＠idrc.or.ke 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

Thank you for your email. Sorry I am unable to respond until my return. I am away from 8/8/05 to 26/8/05. For any urgent requests/queries, please contact Florence Etta on email address fetta(a)idrc.or.ke, or call her on Tel: (254)20 - 2713160/61.

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Fwd: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues in the Tunis Phase
by Florence Etta 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

fyi and participation Cheers, FE >X-Spam-Score: 1 >X-Spam-Score: 1 >Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2005 11:26:25 -0400 >X-MS-Has-Attach: >X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: >Thread-Topic: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender >issues in the Tunis Phase >Thread-Index: AcWbTUCJIVF1Z1xzSROpi81oZBZ0ow== >From: "Gurstein, Michael" <gurstein(a)ADM.NJIT.EDU> >To: <communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net> >Reply-To: communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net >X-Loop: communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net >X-Sequence: 1104 >X-no-archive: yes >List-Id: <communityinformatics.vancouvercommunity.net> >List-Help: <mailto:sympa@vancouvercommunity.net?subject=help> >List-Subscribe: ><mailto:sympa@vancouvercommunity.net?subject=subscribe%20communityinformatics> >List-Unsubscribe: ><mailto:sympa@vancouvercommunity.net?subject=unsubscribe%20communityinformatics> >List-Post: <mailto:communityinformatics@vancouvercommunity.net> >List-Owner: <mailto:communityinformatics-request@vancouvercommunity.net> >List-Archive: <http://vancouvercommunity.net/lists/arc/communityinformatics> >Subject: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: >Gender issues in the Tunis Phase > >"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns:st1 = >"urn:schemas:contacts"> > >-----Original Message----- >From: plenary-admin(a)wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org] On >Behalf Of Susana Fernandez >Sent: July 20, 2005 7:27 PM >To: plenary(a)wsis-cs.org >Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues >in the Tunis Phase > >Dear Colleagues, Partners and Friends, > > > >The WSIS Gender Caucus is organizing an email-based discussion forum on >identifying and integrating gender perspectives into the WSIS >deliberations at PrepCom3 in September and the Tunis Summit in November. > > > >BACKGROUND INFORMATION > >========================== > >This discussion, organized and moderated under the Electronic Networking >Project component of the WSIS Gender Caucus, will be for a period of three >weeks, from July 25th to August 13th 2005. > > > >This online discussion is aimed at furthering the efforts of the Gender >Caucus to integrate gender perspectives and concerns into the WSIS >deliberations, and to further explore the concrete measures that will >enable us to achieve this integration. > > > >As we move towards Tunis 2005, we call for your participation to help >create a collective understanding of gender perspectives in four critical >areas: > > > * Internet Governance: >There is a general agreement that we need to adopt a multi-stakeholder >approach to Internet Governance. The recently released WGIG report also >underscores the importance of gender balanced representation in all >aspects of Internet Governance, if we are to have a system that is >equitable and democratic. In addition, the gendered construction of all >technology makes it imperative that we embed gender concerns in the >evolution of the Internet. Hence it is vital that we engage in the current >debates on a multi-lateral vs. multi-stakeholder approach, and public >versus private leadership in Internet Governance. These issues are raised >in the WGIG report and will form the backdrop of our discussions as the >report raises many questions How does Internet Governance concern the >interests of women? What do gender equality advocates think about these >issues? What are the important issues related to Internet Governance with >which gender equality advocates and women s rights activists must be engaged? > > > * Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and WSIS: >Many argue that the WSIS process reflects a strong technologically >deterministic approach to development. In this scenario we have to bring >development agenda back into WSIS. Some suggest that an MDG focus, for >which the WSIS was in fact mandated by the UN General Assembly, is a good >peg to achieve this. However, there are others who feel that such a focus >on MDGs is limiting and constraining on ICTD opportunities presented by >WSIS. Such debates raise interesting questions - Do investments in >technology and structural changes implied in ICTD frameworks provide a new >way to look at global debates on development priorities and development >assistance? Can MDGs be achieved without such investments in enabling >technologies and consequent structural changes? Are such opportunities for >structural and institutional change the best time to get gender >perspectives and concerns considered? > > > * Funding and Financing Mechanisms for ICTD: >Markets and the private sector have rightly taken much of the credit for >the IT revolution. The question however, is Are market mechanisms adequate >to take the benefit of the new ICTs to everyone, especially disadvantaged >groups, such as women? Is it enough for the role of public institutions to >be restricted to providing a regulatory environment that enables private >investment in meeting goals of social equity? What is the role of public >and community finance in providing for not just cheap/free connectivity >but also appropriate technology (telecom, software, hardware) and >capacity? Does the basic technology infrastructure and capabilities >represent a global public good, like education, that needs to be provided >to all as a public responsibility? Or will such efforts of extensive >public investments undercut the innovation-incentive system represented by >market-based strategies, and thus be counter productive? How are issues of >costs and coverage of rural/far flung areas of special significance for >women? How critical are interoperability and interconnection of >infrastructure at regional, sub regional and national levels for reducing >cost of access? > > > * Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS: >For gender equality advocates it has been easy to adopt a gender sensitive >approach at the level of ideals and principles. But it seems that there is >a difficulty in pushing for this approach into specific plans of action. >In the WSIS documents as one moves on from the preambles and opening >statements through plans of actions and to actual implementation, the >references to lofty ideals of gender equality rapidly diminish. It is >therefore important for us to discuss which organizations should play a >pivotal role in the implementation stage, and which other organizations >should play necessary supplementing roles? Which ones are poised to take >up the responsibility, and what is their record on gender issues? Which >ones can be expected to represent the interests of women better/ what >should be the role of specialized agencies representing women s interests >like the UNIFEM? What principles should be laid down to ensure a >gender-equal representation in any multi-stakeholder body, which will have >an implementation/ follow up role? > > > >WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE > >============================= > >Our discussions have a two-fold objective: > * We hope that this discussion will enable us to identify, discuss and > integrate gender perspectives into the upcoming WSIS deliberations in > Geneva (prepcom 3) and Tunis. > * We would like to create a space for wider participation of women in > the WSIS process. >We hope that our discussions will provide us with deep and significant >insights that will enable the Gender Caucus to develop well-articulated >position papers on crucial issues at stake at WSIS which can be used for >advocacy-based activities at WSIS. > > > > > >HOW TO PARTICIPATE > >=================== > >Joining this discussion list is very easy! > > > >Just send a blank email to ><mailto:mailadmin@genderwsis.org>mailadmin(a)genderwsis.org > > > >You will automatically be subscribed to the 4 discussion lists running >concurrently (one for each theme namely, Internet governance; Millennium >Development Goals and WSIS; Funding and Financing Mechanisms for ICTD; >Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS). > > > >CONTACT US > >=================== > >The discussion list is being moderated by Anu Mundkur from IT for Change. >Email: <mailto:anu@ITforChange.net>anu(a)ITforChange.net > > > >If you face any subscription problem, please contact the WSIS Gender >Caucus Electronic Consultant Taran Rampersad at ><mailto:cnd@knowprose.com>cnd(a)knowprose.com or the WSIS Gender Caucus >Manager Susana Fernandez at ><mailto:sfernandez@genderwsis.org>sfernandez(a)genderwsis.org > > > >For more information about the forum, visit the WSIS Gender Caucus website ><http://www.genderwsis.org>www.genderwsis.org > > > >We would be grateful if you could help us disseminate this call for >participation to your networks, organizations or to individuals that may >be interested to engage in these issues. > > > >Thank you, and looking forward to some interesting and useful discussions >soon. > > > >Susana Fernandez > >WSIS Gender Caucus

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Who employs the deaf?
by Wainaina Mungai 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Does any of you know who would employ a deaf person? We run free SMS broadcasts to people with hearing impairment and would love to get info that would help them secure employment..or other relevant info. Is any other KIPList/KICTANet member offering ICT solutions to people with disabilities? For instance, ITAC Consulting has software solutions for the blind. Regards, Wainaina ==== Technical and Product Development Manager Oneworld International 4th Floor, Kimathi House Nairobi. [SMS4theDEAF] : If you have hearing impairment or are deaf, type the words DEAF ON and send to the number 560 on your Safaricom line. You will then receive free News alerts via SMS. To stop receiving the news, please send DEAF OFF.

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Electricity Bills
by James Kagwe 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

KPLC have come up with a most efficient way of letting you know your outstanding bill. To get your current bill, email the first part of your account number i.e for account number 12345-01, type 12345 in the subject field and email it to <mailto:bill@kplc.co.ke> bill(a)kplc.co.ke. Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Ltd 9th floor, Nation Centre, Kimathi Street P. O. Box 52439 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20 - 216 986 Fax: (254) 20 - 219 519 Confidentiality Warning ======================= The contents of this e-mail and any accompanying documentation are confidential and any use thereof, in what ever form, by anyone other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify actuaries(a)aforbes.co.ke and delete it immediately from your system.. Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Limited from whom this e-mail originates accepts no responsibility for losses or damage as a result of any viruses and it is your responsibility to check attachments (if any) for viruses.

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Fw: [DigAfrica] Telkom Kenya won't last 2 years?
by alice＠apc.org 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

----- Original Message ----- From: "Chifu" <chifu2222(a)msn.com> To: <DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 9:36 PM Subject: [DigAfrica] Telkom Kenya won't last 2 years? With losses upto $64.9m, firm won't last 2 years JAINDI KISERO The EastAfrican Telkom Kenya is in dire straits. That is the conclusion of PKF Consulting, which was appointed by the government in March to conduct a due diligence into the financial affairs of the troubled giant parastatal. The report, obtained exclusively by The EastAfrican, says that if Telkom were to be left in its current state, there would be adverse financial implications for both the company and the government. The consultants found that Telkom is in distress, with losses ranging from Ksh3 billion ($38.9 million) to Ksh5 billion ($64.9 million) per year. The report says that if nothing is done, the shareholders' funds will eventually read negative, rendering the company technically insolvent. It adds that the cash flow position will deteriorate, predicting that in its present state, Telkom will not be able to sustain its operations beyond two years due to operating losses, cash flow crunch and inability to borrow any further funds. Without quick action to address its problems, government guarantees may be required for the company to attract funding from the financial sector. A financial analysis of Telkom's operations conducted by the consultants showed that revenues have been on decline since the year 2001, mainly as a result of a rapid decline in the number of new landline connections, a clear sign that Telkom is losing to the two mobile phone operators. The state-owned company's problems have been compounded by the fact that its fixed costs have been increasing exponentially, mainly as a result of a bloated workforce and the costs associated with large fixed asset investments. While the company's gearing ratios (debt to total capital) have remained relatively low, averaging 11 per cent, the report by PKF says that it is only so because the company's accounts have not adequately recognised additional liabilities including stocks and debtors provisions, additional tax and pension liabilities and investment revaluation, and the continuing loss making patterns. The consultants also found that key financial ratios of the company have deteriorated, mainly because of Telkom's inability to collect debts on a timely basis, as a consequence of which the company has been experiencing difficulty in settling its short-term outstanding obligations. The company is owed hundreds of millions of shillings by some its subsidiaries. For instance, the report notes inter-company and related debtor accounts include an amount of Ksh964 million ($12.5 million) for the Gilgil Telecommunications Institute (GTI). Yet the evidence is that itself GTI is broke and relies on Telkom to finance its operational activities. The report also notes that there exists a corporate tax liability of Ksh1.6 billion ($20.7 million) on the books of Telkom relating to the defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunications (KPTC). The consultants say the government lent Telkom $33 million in 2000 to facilitate the acquisition of the Safaricom licence, which will have to be paid within two weeks of its privatisation, according to an agreement signed with the government. >From a review of the company's long term loans, the consultants note that, although a "Paris Club" debt rescheduling arrangement between the company and the government was arrived at, to reschedule Telkom's long term loans where Telkom would only pay 40 per cent of the loans, the agreements have yet to be signed. Based on an actuarial valuation conducted on the scheme by Alexander Forbes as at June 30, last year, on the pension scheme for Telkom employees, the total actuarial deficit amounted to Ksh8.1 billion ($105 million) after excluding the outstanding contributions to net assets. The total pensions liability as per Telkom's balance sheet as at June 30, 2004 - excluding the impact of potential retrenchment of - staff amounts to Ksh4.2 billion ($54 million) resulting in a shortfall of Ksh3.8 billion ($49 million). In the report, PKF has proposed that a provision be made to adjust Telkom's liability to the actuarial position. The consultants also found that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had issued tax assessments for corporation tax amounting to Ksh28.2 billion (including interest and penalties amounting to Ksh20.3 billion). However, these assessments are being contested by Telkom and their tax advisers. The report says that the management of Telkom believes that there is a possibility that the government may waive the penalties. Source: East African 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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