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The real challenge of corporate governance: reinvent the board of directors!
by Grace Githaiga 04 May '12

04 May '12

Listers After the drama by the NHIF board on television, this story has relevance 8 years later. RgdsGG http://www.sunwords.com/2004/03/01/the-real-challenge-of-corporate-governan… The real challenge of corporate governance: reinvent the board of directors! by Sunny Bindra on March 1, 2004 · 1 comment in The East African Share inShare The EastAfrican announces a new management series by Sunny Bindra focusing on the key strategic issues facing senior executives in the region today. We start with the first part of a challenging look at a hallowed institution: the board of directors. The corporate board is on fire. Across the world, boards are under unprecedented pressure. Directors of listed companies are wilting under the glare of the spotlight of unrelenting public scrutiny. And many business thinkers now believe that this will be the decade in which we dramatically redesign the entire concept of the board of directors. That is entirely as it should be. The venerable institution called the board of directors has, in essence, remained unchanged for many decades. During this period, the business world has undergone dramatic upheavals. Information and communications technology has transformed the way business is done the world over. Globalisation has provided a quantum leap in the scale of operations of many corporations – whilst simultaneously opening them up to ferocious competition. Customers have used this new freeing of markets and the remarkable array of consumer technology now available to them to tremendous effect: to demand – and get – unprecedented choice and value for money. In response to this wave of unparalleled change, businesses have had to uproot their deepest structures. Organisational design has moved away from functional ‘silos’ to customer-facing processes. Companies have learned to define their ‘core competencies’ and narrow the scope of operations to doing that which they do unambiguously well – and outsourcing the rest. Information technology has penetrated every facet of the modern corporation. Reward and incentive systems have been transformed as the importance of attracting and retaining the best human talent is recognised in company after company. Yet the governance mechanism sitting right at the top of the corporation – the board of directors – has managed, by and large, to emerge unscathed from this turmoil. The structure is unchanged: a chairman and a dozen or so directors, some of whom are executives and others outsiders. Board composition is pretty much standard: retired (and tired) CEOs, politicians and professionals, mostly male. And board processes – how the board’s work is done – are largely as they were: quarterly meetings, following a rigid agenda; information provided by management in standard, predictable formats; a stage-managed annual general meeting where shareholders are wined and dined and thrown dividends. Is it really any surprise that this institution is in crisis? Where management teams have had to learn to be agile and nimble, boards have managed to remain slow and unwieldy. Where managers are being forced to rethink the fundamentals of their businesses every two years or so, board directors remain steeped in tradition and the business lore of yesteryear. Where managers rely on information that changes daily on the computer screens at their desks, directors receive carefully vetted, sturdily bound board papers that they have neither the time nor the inclination to peruse in any depth. This was a fire waiting to be lit. And once the first spark came, the flames exploded and spread right across the globe. We have seen a seemingly endless train of corporate scandals: from Enron, Tyco and WorldCom in the USA, to Marconi and Parmalat in Europe, and to the woes of HIH Insurance, Australia’s biggest insurer. Every time, the same message is rammed home: traditionally constituted boards of directors can do very little to prevent massive failures in management and ethics from taking place beneath their very feet. As billions of dollars of shareholders’ funds and employees’ dues have gone up in smoke, the reaction worldwide has undoubtedly been swift and emphatic. Presidents of nations have intervened, and committees and task forces have been convened. Grey heads have been asked to look at the failure in governance and recommend a way forward. And an apparently inexhaustible procession of codes of practice has emerged. Many years of weighty discussions and many acres of rainforest later, a consensus appears to be emerging with regard to ‘best practice’ in corporate governance. These things are good: a majority of ‘independent’ directors and an ever-tighter definition of ‘independence’; a separation of the roles of the CEO and chairman of the board; three core committees (audit, compensation and governance), all consisting of independent directors; board approval of company strategy; formal board evaluation of CEO performance; and, of course, handsome remuneration for directors for engaging in these arduous activities. These things are bad: an overly powerful CEO who has other directors in his thrall; non-executive directors with powerful incentives to influence board decisions in their own financial interest; large boards with unnecessary directors entrenched by history; boards that talk too much; boards that talk too little. So, out of the ferment of recent years, a consensus of sorts is forming. At its core are a couple of basic propositions: that boards need to be empowered to act on behalf of shareholders; and that board incentives need to be aligned with those of shareholders. The best way to achieve this, so the consensus thinking goes, is to ensure that board control is in the hands of directors who are independent of management. In short, the focus is on protecting shareholders from the nefarious designs of managers. And companies are at present falling over themselves to demonstrate their willingness to adopt these best-practice codes. Where are we in East Africa in this whole debate? Let us start by being quite frank: what does a position as a director in many of the region’s leading corporations entail? Firstly, one is generally invited to the board by one’s friends and allies in the corporate world, usually to join a particular political camp in that board. Secondly, one often actively seeks conflicts of interest: if one is a professional, one tries to sell one’s services to the company; if one is a politician, one marshals the company’s resources for personal use, particularly at election time. Thirdly, one really expects to have very little to do as a board member: a few tedious meetings every year followed by a sumptuous lunch; a board retreat or two at a beach hotel or 5-star lodge; a generally uneventful AGM where an occasionally troublesome shareholder livens up proceedings. Traditionally, local directors in eminent boards tend to be drawn from one of two sources. First, from the pool of retired CEOs who made their reputations in the boom years of the 1970s and 1980s (in Kenya at least), and who bring grey hairs, a certain fame and a stack of business stories from the monopolies of yesteryear to the table. Second, from the pool of politicians and political operatives who bring the possibility of putting the company on the inside track with regard to lucrative government procurement, or who can pick up the telephone to smooth out tricky problems that the company might face from time to time. I am generalising deliberately. Of course there are companies that are very competently governed, and directors who provide wise independent counsel through good times and bad. But there are very few. By and large, we are retaining structures that are totally irrelevant to the demands of the 21st century. We are appointing individuals that at best are invisible and at worst are subtracting value from the corporation. And we are stuck with information processes with that leave directors completely in the dark as to what is really happening within the company. In East Africa, executives are used to whining about the state of the region’s infrastructure, about what additional costs are imposed by insecurity and corruption, about the inconsistencies of fiscal and monetary policy. We are less used to taking a hard and honest look at the very structures and systems by which we manage and govern ourselves. If we start at the very top, we will see that the role and operation of the board of directors itself needs a fundamental overhaul. East African companies come in all shapes and sizes, from the large multinational to the small, rapidly growing trading companies located in the back streets of Nairobi, Kampala and Dar-es-Salaam. Good corporate governance is necessary in all of them. The interests of minority shareholders must be protected at all times, even in small family-owned companies. Society, too, increasingly expects responsible behaviour from all corporate entities. Not-for-profit organisations like schools, hospitals and NGOs must also account for themselves in a professional manner. No organisation is exempt from the need to take governance to a different level. Given that we are starting from farther back than the rest of the world, adopting the best-practice codes of conduct that are sweeping through boards everywhere would be no bad thing. We certainly need to protect shareholders from managers who have consistently and systematically denuded them. We certainly need to embed the idea of the independent director, in a corporate culture that has yet to grasp its import. And we certainly need to limit the often-ridiculous powers we grant to our chief executives. Yet the opportunity is far greater. We would limit ourselves severely if we went for wholesale adoption of codes of practice and then settled back to our cigars and brandies, our work done. The true frontier of change in corporate governance is elsewhere. The most enlightened corporations are looking far beyond best practice. They are looking at a fundamental redesign of the board of directors from first principles, a complete overhaul of structure, composition and processes. That is where leading East African corporations must settle their gaze. For a tour of what the reinvented board of directors might look like, see you here next week. --

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 60, Issue 21
by Angela Nganga- Mumo 04 May '12

04 May '12

----- Original Message ----- From: kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 11:37 PM To: Angela Nganga- Mumo Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 60, Issue 21 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: #140Friday Policy Paper Draft - collaboration Edition (Brian Munyao Longwe) 2. Re: #140Friday Policy Paper Draft - collaboration Edition (Kivuva) 3. The real challenge of corporate governance: reinvent the board of directors! (Grace Githaiga) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 15:57:36 +0300 From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> To: Muchiri Nyaggah <muchiri(a)semacraft.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] #140Friday Policy Paper Draft - collaboration Edition Message-ID: <CAHSdPfZjdySM2YmZt=5aTuZ4E_6XoKiZAD9AR75-NdYqQzV4bA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Oops - seems like team members who can updated have to be added - please send me an offlist email if you are interested so that I can add you. Thanks for pointing this out Muchiri! Best regards, Brian On Thu, May 3, 2012 at 3:31 PM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Seems that the free version of document collaboration on Sync.in had a > limit of 8 simultaneous users - which restricted some from posting their > comments. > > I have found another site that uses the same Etherpad technology (which is > a Google Code project) and allows unlimited team members to collaborate. > > I have transferred the content to date to the "new" tool. To participate, > go to http://140friday.titanpad.com - you will be asked to create an > account, which will then allow you to login and work on the document. > > Apologies for the changes - no goalposts are being moved - looking forward > to your comments/input. > > Best regards, > > Brian > > > On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 6:28 PM, Muchiri Nyaggah <muchiri(a)semacraft.com>wrote: > >> Brian, >> >> Many thanks for this. >> >> >> Kind regards, >> >> Muchiri Nyaggah >> >> >> On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 5:03 PM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> It has been a challenge finding an appropriate tool for the >>> collaboration and coordination of multiple inputs needed on the #140Friday >>> Policy Paper. We have tried to use Google Docs but that hasn't worked out >>> very well. >>> >>> I have found a lighter, and seemingly more appropriate tool called >>> Sync.in - please find the current draft at http://sync.in/uQhr7V3IO4(which I am continuing to update with scattered inputs gathered over the >>> past 6 weeks from here and there). >>> >>> Please type in your name in the field on the right so that we can be >>> able to make attributions when the time comes. >>> >>> Let's hope this works! >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> Brian >>> >>> >>> "Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand >>> for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/muchiri%40semacraft.com >>> >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >>> >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >>> >> >> > > > -- > Brian Munyao Longwe > e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com > cell: +254715964281 > blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com > meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com > > "Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand > for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." > > -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: +254715964281 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com "Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."

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#140Friday Policy Paper Draft - collaboration Edition
by Brian Munyao Longwe 03 May '12

03 May '12

Hi all, It has been a challenge finding an appropriate tool for the collaboration and coordination of multiple inputs needed on the #140Friday Policy Paper. We have tried to use Google Docs but that hasn't worked out very well. I have found a lighter, and seemingly more appropriate tool called Sync.in - please find the current draft at http://sync.in/uQhr7V3IO4 (which I am continuing to update with scattered inputs gathered over the past 6 weeks from here and there). Please type in your name in the field on the right so that we can be able to make attributions when the time comes. Let's hope this works! Best regards, Brian "Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING?
by Edith Adera 03 May '12

03 May '12

Emmanuel, I would suggest electronic payment (via mPesa type....), no cash transactions. I hope the developers are listening. ICT Board could run a competition for such an app development - Paul? Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist Climate Change and Water Program Agriculture and Environment International Development Research Centre Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Liason House 2nd floor, State House Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya +254-20-2713160/1 | Fax: +254-20-2711063 | Mobile: +254-733-624345 eadera(a)idrc.ca | www.idrc.ca | www.crdi.ca From: Emmanuel Khisa [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 12:00 PM To: Edith Adera Cc: oloo.khisa(a)gmail.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions; Director General Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING? Washy, Please add the good Director General. I think in addition to Thika road, Kenha and indeed government agencies must begin to be abit more proactive and I dare say abit more reactive. I would particularly want to know from Kenha if continous monitoring and review of roads under their watch is part of their mandate (i.e classes A,B,C). If it is, I believe we need to see abit more monitoring. Thika road is a symptom of a larger malaise, lack of monitoring and review. So we dismiss everything roads as just normal complaints by Kenyans. I think as a people we just must style up for how do we explain someone doing 100kph on a rainy highway with poor visibility. Regarding the app, we could built an mwallet into it and have the arresting officer collect the cash and push the payment into the system through this mobile app. He can then bank the money later. This way the cop gets to issue a ticket (fine) and the offense also get booked. My two cents I think this is just plain IRRESPONSIBLE. On Thu, May 3, 2012 at 10:57 AM, Edith Adera <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Meant to add. I have been reliably informed that Eng Kidenda, in-charge of Kenyan roads has been alerted to this Thika road issue raised on KICTANET. Can we have him enlisted on KICTANET (administrators?) so he can respond to issues raised and his statement should also go to all Kenyans as Thika Road is a major problem and something needs to be done urgently. Lets not wait for it to claim the live of a prominent person to act! The app idea could also be supported by KENHA Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist Climate Change and Water Program Agriculture and Environment International Development Research Centre Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Liason House 2nd floor, State House Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya +254-20-2713160/1 | Fax: +254-20-2711063<tel:%2B254-20-2711063> | Mobile: +254-733-624345<tel:%2B254-733-624345> eadera(a)idrc.ca<mailto:[email protected]> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca> From: Edith Adera Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 10:53 AM To: 'harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke<mailto:[email protected]>' Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' Subject: RE: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING? Great ideas - how will corruption be stemmed to avoid people bribing their way out of traffic offences? The app needs to make the information transparent and any fines paid automatically registered in the system and within public domain. After all our President lauded the use of ICTs (and social media) to address development challenges yesterday. I say yes to this app. Call it eBarabara! Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist Climate Change and Water Program Agriculture and Environment International Development Research Centre Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Liason House 2nd floor, State House Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya +254-20-2713160/1 | Fax: +254-20-2711063<tel:%2B254-20-2711063> | Mobile: +254-733-624345<tel:%2B254-733-624345> eadera(a)idrc.ca<mailto:[email protected]> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca> From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera<mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Beadera>=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:[email protected]>] On Behalf Of Harry Delano Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 6:54 PM To: Edith Adera Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING? Thanks for the responses. I believe we can put all these lovely ideas together and move to address the issue. Am thinking of a mobile app, to deal with this and a host of other issues around us. One that is freely accessible and available to everyone. Some discussion points:- I need to know - * How can I proceed - I've a no. of ideas and need to work with some developers on the prototype - incubate and develop it. * How can such idea be funded, for public good. Are there avenues..? * How can we have the idea ( if viable), facilitated with relevant structures such as the legal framework for it to work..? * What would be the ideal procedure, taking the above into account, in order to arrive at a National app to make Kenya & beyond a better place..? Regards, Harry From: skunkworks-bounces(a)lists.my.co.ke<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>] On Behalf Of Barrack Otieno Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 9:34 PM To: kris njoroge Cc: Skunkworks Mailing List Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] [kictanet] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING? I think we are taking this matter casually yet it presents an opportunity for innovators, any time i have been driven around europe i have noted that the drivers are very weary of cameras, most of the GPS systems even detect cameras in the vicinity, this deters any drivers who are tempted to speed or commit any traffic crimes, Cameras are very effective in that they can capture a cars number plate, with these police can go after the owners of the vehicles who will in turn produce the people who were driving the car or take responsibility for the crime. In simple times technology can help the police enforce the law since human beings have a natural affinity to break the law. My 2 cents On Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 9:09 PM, kris njoroge <krsnjo(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: In my view we need a total overhaul of the whole system a change of attitude by everybody drivers, pedestrians cart pusher everybody. Technology cannot operate in a vaccum so was caught on camera speeding so how do you follow up. I think we should all be forced to go back to school and made to understand what it entails to be on the carriageway. Had asked earlier what distance would be appropriate to keep between cars when traveling at 100kph? You were never taught that in school and nrever tested on it so why would you be surprised when there is a multiple pile up. We generally don't value human life is driving under the influence legal? Road signs are required everywhere not just on Thika road basically we just need to change how we relate with the road. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277<tel:%2B254721325277> +254-20-2498789<tel:%2B254-20-2498789> Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:[email protected]> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/oloo.khisa%40gmail.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. -- "One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do." Earl Nightingale1921-1989 Oloo Khisa P.O. Box 24324-00100 Nairobi 0721321086/0734321086 http://ke.linkedin.com/in/olookhisa

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING?
by Harry Delano 03 May '12

03 May '12

Thanks for the responses. I believe we can put all these lovely ideas together and move to address the issue. Am thinking of a mobile app, to deal with this and a host of other issues around us. One that is freely accessible and available to everyone. Some discussion points:- I need to know - . How can I proceed - I've a no. of ideas and need to work with some developers on the prototype - incubate and develop it. . How can such idea be funded, for public good. Are there avenues..? . How can we have the idea ( if viable), facilitated with relevant structures such as the legal framework for it to work..? . What would be the ideal procedure, taking the above into account, in order to arrive at a National app to make Kenya & beyond a better place..? Regards, Harry From: skunkworks-bounces(a)lists.my.co.ke [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Barrack Otieno Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 9:34 PM To: kris njoroge Cc: Skunkworks Mailing List Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] [kictanet] DEADLY THIKA ROAD - WHO IS LISTENING? I think we are taking this matter casually yet it presents an opportunity for innovators, any time i have been driven around europe i have noted that the drivers are very weary of cameras, most of the GPS systems even detect cameras in the vicinity, this deters any drivers who are tempted to speed or commit any traffic crimes, Cameras are very effective in that they can capture a cars number plate, with these police can go after the owners of the vehicles who will in turn produce the people who were driving the car or take responsibility for the crime. In simple times technology can help the police enforce the law since human beings have a natural affinity to break the law. My 2 cents On Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 9:09 PM, kris njoroge <krsnjo(a)gmail.com> wrote: In my view we need a total overhaul of the whole system a change of attitude by everybody drivers, pedestrians cart pusher everybody. Technology cannot operate in a vaccum so was caught on camera speeding so how do you follow up. I think we should all be forced to go back to school and made to understand what it entails to be on the carriageway. Had asked earlier what distance would be appropriate to keep between cars when traveling at 100kph? You were never taught that in school and nrever tested on it so why would you be surprised when there is a multiple pile up. We generally don't value human life is driving under the influence legal? Road signs are required everywhere not just on Thika road basically we just need to change how we relate with the road. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Fwd: [REGISTER NOW] WCIT 2012 World Tech Jam – A Global Digital Brainstorming
by waudo siganga 02 May '12

02 May '12

----- Original message ----- From: Anders Halvorsen <[1]ahalvorsen(a)witsa.org> To: Jim Poisant <[2]jpoisant(a)witsa.org> Subject: [REGISTER NOW] WCIT 2012 World Tech Jam – A Global Digital Brainstorming Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 10:43:46 -0400 May 2, 2012 TO: Members of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) FR: Anders Halvorsen, VP Administration RE: [REGISTER NOW] WCIT 2012 World Tech Jam – A Global Digital Brainstorming _________________________________________________________________ ________ Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce that the World Tech Jam platform is now open for freeregistration and we count on your help to promote the Jam to your membership! The [3]World Tech Jam, from June 5 to 7, isa large-scale digital brainstorm session where IT users and stakeholders willdiscuss innovations and actions that our governments, businesses and society can adopt to [4]improve healthcare, [5]education, [6]smart cities & transportation, [7]energy & sustainability as well as [8]media & culturein the digital age. The goal: develop a Digital Society Action Plan that will create prosperity and social development for everyone. For the first time, IT users will lead the conversation! [9]Contribute your ideas and your vision - Register to the World Tech Jam now: it's free! [cid:70E928C6-7024-4075-8FD4-FA6AE39D9A65] NB! Please note that registration is available and free to everyone and is separate from any WCIT 2012 registration. Additional Information on the Global Digital Society Action Plan: Fulfilling the Promise of the Digital Age First and foremost, the Global Digital Society Action Plan is about establishing the principles that will maximize the many benefits that digital technologies can unlock across diverse sectors and institutions. The Action Plan will inform, inspire, and guide decision-makers in sectors ranging from public administration, healthcare, and education to environment, transportation, media, and science. The fundamental goal of the Global Digital Society Action Plan is to equip people and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to fulfill the promise of the digital age. An Open and Inclusive Process If it is to realize its full potential, the Global Digital Society Action Plan must be perceived as legitimate by a broad cross-section of [10]stakeholders, including [11]young digital natives. Therefore, the process for developing the Action Plan must be open and inclusive, involving as many organizations, interests, and regions as possible. In order to achieve this legitimacy, WCIT 2012 and its [12]sponsors will host a World Tech Jam on June 5, 6, and 7, 2012. Creating such an open, non-hierarchical space for generating ideas and solutions will tap into incredible sources of creative energy, and WCIT 2012 believes that broad participation in the [13]World Tech Jam will lead to: · better ideas, and perhaps a greater diversity of ideas; · a greater sense of ownership, which is critical when it comes to implementing action items. Establishing a Global Agenda for Addressing Global Challenges During fast-paced breakout sessions that will be held in October 2012, Congress delegates, speakers, moderators, representatives of the ICT industry, and stakeholders will add their views to the output of the World Tech Jam, share their experiences, discuss best practices, and prioritize action items in order to create the Global Digital Society Action Plan. The ultimate measure of success of WCIT 2012 will be the number of commitments made by companies and stakeholders to undertake new collaborations that will advance digital innovation and help to [14]address societal and economic issues. Unveiling the Action Plan The Global Digital Society Action Plan will be unveiled to the Congress delegates, ICT stakeholders, and government, academic and civil society leaders who are assembled in Montreal during the closing ceremony of [15]WCIT 2012. The [16]WCIT 2012 Program Chair will publish the Global Digital Society Action Plan and present it to the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), which will promote the use of the Action Plan as a tool for policy development, educational curricula, corporate citizenship programs, and much more. References 1. mailto:[email protected] 2. mailto:[email protected] 3. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam 4. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam/collaborative-… 5. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam/closing-the-gl… 6. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam/smart-cities-a… 7. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam/energy-environ… 8. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam/media-arts-a-c… 9. https://www.collaborationjam.com/jam4/jam/index.action?jamId=17239#registra… 10. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/wcit-2012/about-wcit-2012/participants 11. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/one-vision-for-a-global-digit… 12. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/sponsors-a-partners/sponsors/private-sector 13. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/world-tech-jam 14. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/program-a-schedule/one-vision-for-a-global-digit… 15. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/wcit-2012/about-wcit-2012/highlights 16. http://www.wcit2012.org/en/wcit-2012/organizers/organizing-committee

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: The Size of this Elephant (from my blog)
by Muchiri Nyaggah 02 May '12

02 May '12

Paul, There's a possibility that within this list lies a great deal of wisdom that, when included in the #140friday conversation, would result in a document the PS would be glad to put before the Cabinet. Is it possible to have the working policy document on here for discussion? It is an ICT policy issue after all, isn't it? Paul, capability and capacity problems are solved in part through education. Is the KICTB consulting with the MoE on ways to improve this? Is there anyway KICTANET can contribute to help the conversation along? Kind regards, Muchiri Nyaggah On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 10:13 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Paul, > > I prefer public responses to public discussions to remain as such, > maintaining the same spheres of intended audiences i.e. as policy opposed > to the practice of public responses in certain tones 'compensated' through > private messages in a different tone, unless the parties publicly agreed to > take their conversation off list. > > Alex > > On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 10:08 PM, Paul Kukubo <paulkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: > >> Alex >> >> Don't mean to be dismissive. On the contrary, I am curious as anyone else >> on this. >> >> While that is going on, we must keep our eyes on the wider issues that >> merit the discussions we have been undertaking. >> >> Asante. >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >> On May 1, 2012, at 9:55 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 9:34 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: >> >>> >>> As for the #140Friday debate, if you care to share what you heard, I'd >>> be happy to understand what the conspiracy was about. It would not change >>> the substantive arguments in any way. >>> >> >> I notice you forgot to include my message on the same on this forward. >> But as stated, received that information in confidence therefore not at >> liberty to share. Curious you immediately dismiss it as "consipracy" so >> quickly? Shouldn't we be patient and wait to see how that one unfolds? >> >> regards, >> >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > >

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Safaricom’s failure to invest in fiber may be slowing its competitiveness
by Grace Githaiga 02 May '12

02 May '12

http://www.wanjiku.co.ke/2012/05/safaricoms-failure-to-invest-in-fiber-may-…

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Re: [kictanet] IF CCK CHOOSES TO MONITOR INTERNET TRAFFIC, WILL IT ALSO MANAGE TO BLOCK TORRENTS THAT CONSUME BANDWIDTH?
by Michelle Tongo 02 May '12

02 May '12

@ Victor I think consumer education has always been there but people ignore the fact that it exists. But what can work is when Companies make their IP easy to get hold of. On 2 May 2012 13:27, Michelle Tongo <shivumich89(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > @ Victor > I think consumer education has always been there but people ignore the > fact that it exists. > But what can work is when Companies make their IP easy to get hold of. > > On 2 May 2012 13:10, Victor Kapiyo <vkapiyo(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> I think that what's needed is consumer education to help people >> understand the effect of such download sites on copyright etc., and at the >> same time, a call on the copyright owners to reduce the prices of their >> products and also to make them readily available so as to reduce the >> incentives for people to use torrent sites, or better yet find better ways >> of using P2P sites. While blocking sites such as piratebay may be options, >> i think such measures need to be balanced with the right of citizens to >> access information freely, without unnecessary restrictions, since i >> believe that there is legitimate 'copyright free' information that is >> transmitted in peer networks. >> >> >> Victor >> >> >> -- >> Victor Kapiyo, LL.B >> >> ==================================================== >> *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig >> Ziglar* >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shivumich89%40gmail.com >> >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > > -- > *Regards,* > *Michelle T.* > *Cell: +254-734-695-532* > * > * > > -- *Regards,* *Michelle T.* *Cell: +254-734-695-532* * *

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KIE, Intel and Microsoft
by Evans Ikua 02 May '12

02 May '12

Dear Listers, I recently read in the local press that there is a partnership formed between KIE, Intel and Microsoft. Is there anyone on this list from KIE who can shed some light on this partnership and where we can get the details of the same? Regards, Evans

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