- KICTANet - KICTANet

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:[email protected]> 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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Fw: ISOC Kenya Chapter
by alice＠apc.org 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

Hi All We had discussed ISOC during our planning meeting on 29th. Attached is a concept note seeking support from KICTAnet members. thanks alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> To: "Alice Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 1:42 PM Subject: ISOC Kenya Chapter > Alice, > > Kindly find attached herewith a request for support to launch the ISOC > Kenya Chapter event scheduled for 11th August 2005.KENIC is facilitating > the establishment of the ISOC chapter by providing the secretariat > functions. > > We sincerely apologize for the short notice and look forward to your > favorable response. > > > > Best Regards, > > -- > Michuki Mwangi > KENIC. >

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Info on VOIP in the USA
by Wainaina Mungai 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

http://www.state.gov/e/eb/adcom/47331.htm Voice Over Internet Protocol: Status and Industry Recommendations Presented as Guidance to the U.S. Department of State By the Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy (April 21, 2005)

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Fwd: Putting Technology to Work in the Community Sector
by Florence Etta 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

Hi all, Maybe the next ICT Convention (2006) should focus on the theme above; see below. Sorry for cross posting. Cheers, FE > >Putting Technology to Work in the Community Sector >Sydney, 14th - 15th November 2005 > >http://communityweb.ngogeeks.com/Abstracts2005.html > >A conference for community and non-government workers will show it's >not only corporate giants and dotcoms that can successfully harness >the power of the World Wide Web. > >Representatives from community agencies and NGOs around the country >will come together in Sydney in November to share their experiences >of employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) for >community building and improved service delivery. > >Making Links 2005 - "Putting technology to work in the community >sector"' will be held on 14 and 15 November 2005 at the University of >Technology Sydney (UTS). Participating NGO and community workers will >gain an understanding of the application of ICTs in community work, >as well as the fundamental tools for website development. > >Call for papers Papers are invited from community sector or NGO >workers with ICT successes - or lessons - to share within the themes: >NGOs and IT; >Community Building and Social Capital; >Web Development; and >hands-on technical workshops. >Registrations: Open 27 July 2005 > > >Jill Sergeant >Website Officer > >Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) > >PO Box 51 King St Newtown NSW 2042 > >Ph: 02 8568 1106 >Fax: 02 9557 9867 >Switchboard: 02 9557 9399 > >www.afao.org.au > > > >-- >Marcus Foth >MA(DigitalMedia) BCompSc(Hons) BMultimedia >m.foth(a)qut.edu.au - http://www.vrolik.de/ > >Research Associate >Creative Industries Research and Applications Centre >Queensland University of Technology (CRICOS No. 00213J) >Creative Industries Precinct, Brisbane QLD 4059, Australia >Phone +61 7 3864 3800 - Fax +61 7 3864 3723 >http://www.creativeindustries.qut.edu.au/

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Minutes KICTANET Planning meeting 29 July 2005
by alice＠apc.org 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

Dear All Please find attached minutes of our July planning meeting held on 29th July 2005 at the jacaranda hotel. If there any comments please send them to us. The minutes were prepared by Aida Kamau-CATIA 1C thanks all 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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Re: [Kictanet] Desired Structure
by Joseph Mucheru 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

I too second the loose structure, it makes sense and has worked very well in the past, even in terms of sustainability, the various associations have supported each other in the various tasks and I would suggest that if each of the groups provides their calender of activities and then these are harmonised within KICTANet, there will be sufficient support from all to keep KICKTANet sustainable; this will also reduce duplications of resources and certainly ensure each objective is met an an even "mightier" way than if each group went individually. -- Joseph Mucheru Chairman Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) 14th Floor, Bruce House - Standard Street P O Box 27589 -00506 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254-20-245036 Cell: +254-722522135 Http://www.tespok.co.ke On 2 Aug 2005, at 12:42, Warigia_Bowman(a)ksgphd.harvard.edu wrote: > I agree completely with Harry and Waudo > > The looser the structure the better. > > But, I hope other people participate in this discussion too, so > that it is democratic. > > Yours, warigia > > I support Harry's view that the "loose" structure > of KICTANET is the key to its success. Please keep it this way. > > Waudo Siganga > > At 11:02 AM 8/2/2005, Harry Hare wrote: > >Hello Colleagues, > > > >Greetings from Dar es Salaam. Allow me to add my few cents to this > >discussion. Structured/Institutionalization is always good and the > "right" > >way of doing things. But this brings on board all language that > goes with > >any institution including overheads and bureaucracy and sometimes > even > >personalization. KICTANet has done well so far with its fluid > structure and > >probably that is what it's meant to be ...fluid. I would dare say > that the > >success of KICTANet today is because of its informal structure/ > nature which > >provides a platform for all and sundry. It is through KICTANet > that we saw > >the industry coming together as one! > > > >The moment you institutionalize it, then it could start looking like > >competition (for resources and attention) to some of the already > existing > >NGOs, looses its subscriptions, looses its fluidity and... I know > that > >volunteerism is not sustainable in the long run so probably we > should be > >looking for a cross-breed structure that will maintain the > fluidity and also > >bring in some form of order (for lack of a better word). > > > >Harry > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: bounce-kiplist-cl-98713(a)lyris.idrc.ca > >[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > warigia bowman > >Sent: 01 August 2005 16:52 > >To: KIPlist > >Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Desired Structure > > > >Dear all > > > >Florence and Waudo have given very helpful and thoughtful comments. > > > >Perhaps we need to have a two hour meeting or even more than one > meeting to > >discuss this. Perhaps people can bring or email concrete > proposals, even 1/2 > > > >page brief written suggestions? > > > >Issues I think people should worry about or reflect on include > > > >a) long term sustainability b) cost and what sources of funding > are c) the > >proliferation of NGOs in Africa and whether they serve useful > purposes (.i.e > > > >calcification of NGO sector) d) whether KICTAnet should be purpose > driven > >and what structure suits that goal best e) whether hierarchy > really helps us > > > >fulfil our goals or whether it just provides salaries and prestige f) > >whether having a paid secretariat diverts money from project based > >endeavors? > > > >I see three possible models. I assume others have others in mind. > > > >Model 1) Traditional NGO with hierarchichal structure and salaried > formal > >secretariat. Example, ATPS, Afri Afya etc. > >Model 2) Totally voluntary network with flat structure, no > salaries and no > >formal hierarchy. Example Kictanet now. > >Model 3) Mix the above forms, have very small staff, perhaps one > or two > >secretaries, but retain predominantly voluntary nature with minimal > >hierarchy and flat structure. > > > >In my view, the current structure works nicely for now. However, > there are > >some things a staffer could do, like a chronology of events and > organizing > >meetings. Other projects can be sorted out on a project basis. > Perhaps > >others can propose other models? Also structures can be used for a > few > >months (6) and then reevaluated for feasibility. M&E anyone? > > > >I hope this is not presumptuous but is instead helpful. > > > >Yours, Rigia > > > > >From: Lizette Kraft > > >Reply-To: "KIPlist" > > >To: "KIPlist" > > >Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Desired Structure > > >Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 16:25:17 +0300 > > > > > >Well Said Waudo. I think the motto sounds great and would be > something we > > >all can strive at. > > > > > >Lizette > > > > > > > > > > > >At / À 11:22 AM 7/30/2005, Waudo Siganga wrote / a écrit: > > >>Thank you Florence. Please record me as > > >>supporting the Kictanet objectives and structure. > > >>Hope this will lead to the attainment of two > > >>objectives that bother me: (1) transparency in > > >>the individual and combined ICT advocacy > > >>processes by stakeholders (i.e I sometimes become > > >>aware of advocacy processes that are carrying out > > >>under a cloud of "siri kali". It is like some > > >>advocacy programmes almost qualify for "copyright" status). > > >>(2) Facilitation of Inclusivity. I have come > > >>across cases where some believe that they are > > >>"the correct ones" carrying out some form of > > >>advocacy and others who may be offering > > >>"competition" should be excluded, sometimes by simply being > kept in the > > >>dark. > > >> > > >>I have always maintained that running any > > >>association, grouping, or other advocacy > > >>structure is a very difficult job that requires > > >>personal sacrifice and any colleagues who offer > > >>their services should be recognized accordingly. > > >> > > >>"Working together to achieve" much should be our motto. > > >> > > >>Kind Regards > > >>Waudo Siganga > > >>Chairman > > >>Computer Society of Kenya > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >>At 05:41 PM 7/29/2005, Florence Etta wrote: > > >> > Hi all, > > >> >Hi all, > > >> >At the KICTANET meeting held today it was agreed > > >> >that we start a discussion in respect of the structure > desired for > > >>KICTANet. > > >> >This is to serve as a welcome to this discussion > > >> >which will last as long as it is reasonably > > >> >clear what might be done but not exceeding 2 weeks. > > >> > > > >> >The question for today is this: Are the > > >> >objectives stated below ok? Please suggest additions and or > deletions. > > >> > > > >> >KICTANET is a loose network of organisations > > >> >involved with ICTs or share common/similar ICT > > >> >goals in Kenya to work together to achieve the > > >> >national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > >> > Objectives of the Kenya ICT Action Network will be: > > >> >· Engagement in mutually supportive activities for > lasting change > > >> >· Facilitation of effective dissemination > > >> >of the ICT policy and implementation processes > > >> >· Facilitation of effective implementation of the ICT > policy > > >> > Provision of access to varied and multiple resources/ > skills > > >> >· Pooling of limited resources for the common goal and > common good > > >> >· Linking of organisations and networks > > >> >working at the community level to those > > >> >specialised and working in the broader political space > > >> > > > >> >We hope that by forming this loose network, we > > >> >shall avoid multiplicity and unhealthy > > >> >competition or mutual suspicion while > > >> >encouraging synergies for activities as well as > > >> >initiatives by providing a platform for > > >> >collaboration among organisations and networks > > >> >interested in the fast developing ICT sector in Kenya. > > >> > Cheers, > > >> >FE > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> >--- > > >> >Submitted by: Florence Etta 2005-07-29 10:45:54 EDT4 > > >> >(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > > >> >--- > > >> >You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: > [csk(a)nbi.ispkenya.com] > > >> >To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% > > >> > > >> > > >>--- > > >>Submitted by: csk(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-07-30 04:26:20 EDT4 > > >>(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > > >>--- > > >>You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [lkraft(a)idrc.or.ke] > > >>To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% > > > > > > > > >--- > > >Submitted by: Lizette Kraft 2005-08-01 09:30:33 EDT4 > > >(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > > >--- > > >You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: > [warigiabowman(a)hotmail.com] > > >To unsubscribe, forward this message to > > >%%email.unsub%% > > > > > > > >--- > >Submitted by: Warigia Bowman - Lecturer - Kabarak University > > 2005-08-01 09:55:01 EDT4 > >(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > >--- > >You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: > [harry(a)aitecafrica.com] > >To unsubscribe, forward this message to > >%%email.unsub%% > > > >-- > >Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > >Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > >Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/55 - Release Date: > 21/07/2005 > > > > > >-- > >Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > >Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > >Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/55 - Release Date: > 21/07/2005 > > > > > > > >--- > >Submitted by: harry(a)aitecafrica.com 2005-08-02 04:05:48 EDT4 > >(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > >--- > >You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [csk(a)nbi.ispkenya.com] > >To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% > > > --- > Submitted by: csk(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-08-02 05:12:12 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: > [Warigia_Bowman(a)ksgphd.harvard.edu] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist- > cl-100947H(a)lyris.idrc.ca > > > --- Submitted by: Warigia_Bowman(a)ksgphd.harvard.edu 2005-08-02 > 05:39:52 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private > communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: > [mucheru(a)wananchi.com] To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-kiplist-cl-99183W(a)lyris.idrc.ca !DSPAM:42ef3ee4289306224611110!

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A TOP NOTCH M1 LEVEL SOFTWARE GURU IS RETURNING TO KENYA
by charles nduati 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Hi cooleagues, Kinldy take a look at this profile below and see if you can use Steve in your organisation. He looks to me like a pretty good brain gain who is returning to Kenya in September, 2005 Charles Nduati STEVE'S PROFILE BELOW Among my key accomplishments: - Ability to manage and coordinate teams for multiple projects and initiatives. - Created a IT team and implemented best practices. - Maintained and documented all defects, feature requests, and general feedback from customers, internal sales, customer service, and marketing staff. - Taught IT team members test automation integrity, reusability and maintainability. - Created testing schedules, ensured guidelines and policies were adhered to and met project budget levels. - Created cost-effective test processes that drastically reduced testing effort while generating a high return on investment. - Lead tester for large scale, high-risk complex applications through system development life cycles. - Managed and assigned team members in all phases of product testing including data gathering and business analysis efforts. - Conducted training sessions for application and test tools to users, managers and engineers. - Researched industry test tools and made purchase recommendations to management. - Conducted comprehensive test analysis to ensure peak application performance, server performance and load balancing on various systems primarily web-based applications. - Developed quality assurance and implementation plans for new systems as well as upgrades. - Comprehensive knowledge of information management principles and their applicability to business processes, products and services. At Monster I have successfully completed multiple projects through the QA phase conducting manual and Automated testing for a .Net application. Currently one of the applications is being used as Monsters primer application for new business. In first month revenues in excess of $1 million was generated and projected at $150M/yr. Usability was reported at an all time high for the organization. As one of the QA leads of the project I ensured that the QA process as an integral part of the process. The defects written both functional and usability were welcomed and addressed by the Development and Business teams and incorporated to enhance the product. Another application was released end of January and is targeted for 100,000 pre-selected customers. The targeted revenue for this application is $500,000 to $1 Million per month. I was the QA lead in this project. While at Evare I conducted research and development of test harnesses that greatly reduced testing efforts for the QA team. These sophisticated harnesses were developed with particular attention to program functionality and appropriate cases. In addition to being utilized in future testing, these harnesses have since been integrated into Evares testing cycle and are standard practice before the release of new products to the market. Additionally, I have extensive experience creating, maintaining and performing test scripts, regression tests and utilizing automated tools to improve business efficiency. I was appointed to the Rational Automated Software Quality Customer Advisory Board, where I participate in discussions on the future of automation tools and provided feedback on various Rational products. Consequently, I have significant experience implementing and using automated testing tools. At New River, I created the organizations first QA test team and managed offshore resources while establishing testing procedures. In addition, I worked with senior management to coordinate testing strategy, usage of automation tools, schedules and manage resources. I therefore have the ability to effectively interact with all levels of management and to excel in an aggressive-schedule environment. Finally, I offer excellent communication and organization skills. Given the opportunity I am confident that I have the requisite experience and skill-set to make a valuable contribution to the IT team at your University. I have attached a copy of my resume and look forward to talking with you about the position. Sincerely yours, Stephen Mwangi wasteven(a)yahoo.com CHARLES N. NDUATI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KENYA ICT FEDERATION (ICT BOARD OF KENYA PRIVATE SECTOR ALLIANCE) 11th FLOOR, BRUCE HOUSE, KAUNDA STREET P. O. BOX 79324-00200 NAIROBI KENYA TEL: 254020-317996/251438/253847 FAX: 254020-221091 MOBILE:254-722728815 EMIAL:[email protected] OFFICE EMAIL:[email protected] www.kif.or.ke ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

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FW: Panos-GKP journalism awards 2005
by Brian Longwe 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Begin forwarded message: > > > FYI... > > PANOS-GKP JOURNALISM AWARDS 2005 > > > > Where is the money for bridging the digital divide? > > > Panos and GKP are pleased to invite submissions for the 2005 > “Reporting on the Information Society” awards. The topic for this > year is “Where is the money for bridging the digital divide?” > > > Four awards of $1,000 each will be made for the best journalism on > this topic produced by journalists in developing and transition > countries. The winners will also be invited to participate in the > World Summit on the Information Society, in Tunis, in November 2005. > > > These awards, which were launched by Panos and GKP in 2003, aim to > encourage and bring to international recognition thoughtful and > incisive reporting that goes beyond merely describing information > projects or new investment initiatives, but also analyses their > social and political impacts and policy implications. > > > We welcome submissions from print, radio, TV and web journalists. > Previous winners are not eligible to apply. > > > To submit a piece of work for consideration, send a clipping, audio > or video tape, transcript or web reference by email to: > PanosGKPawards(a)panos.org.uk or by post to: > > Murali Shanmugavelan, Panos London, 9 White Lion Street, London N1 > 9PD, United Kingdom. > > > The work submitted must have been published/broadcast after 1 > January 2005. To see previous award winning stories, please go to: > > http://www.panos.org.uk/global/projectdetails.asp? > ProjectID=1045&ID=1002 > > > > Deadline for submissions: 15 September 2005 > > > > This year’s theme: Where is the money for bridging the digital divide? > > > > New information and communication technologies (ICT) are > transforming most aspects of modern life – including business, > customer and financial services, politics, entertainment and social > interaction. Terms like “the knowledge economy” and “the > information society” have become commonplace. But, as with other > resources, access to ICT is unevenly distributed between rich and > poor, north and south, giving rise to the concept of a ’digital > divide’. > > > Some development analysts see the digital divide as a cause of > poverty and underdevelopment: they believe that as the global > economy becomes more and more dependent on ICT, those countries and > people who are not able to use the technologies will be > increasingly excluded. > > > Other experts think the digital divide is just a symptom of > poverty, similar to lack of education or poor housing, and that as > people and countries get richer their access to ICT will naturally > increase. As the Economist argued (12 March 2005), “Fewer people in > poor countries than in rich own computers... [and have] access to > the internet simply because they are too poor…or have more pressing > concerns, such as food, health care and security”. Others point out > that the digital divide is now part of an overall development > divide and therefore opportunities for increasing communication > channels should be seen as a core activity of development. > > > Another significant debate is over what – if anything – should be > done by development agencies and governments to close the divide. > During the preparations for the first part of the World Summit on > the Information Society (Geneva, 2003) a proposal to set up a > special international fund to support ICT development projects, the > Digital Solidarity Fund, was hotly disputed. No agreement was > reached, and the issue is likely to cause controversy again in the > second stage of the Summit. > > > Opponents of the proposed Digital Solidarity Fund (who include many > northern governments) believe that sufficient funds are already > available, and that private sector investment is often more > successful than development project funding in providing ICT that > meets people’s real needs. In any case, they believe that lack of > money to spend on ICT is not the main issue for developing countries. > > > Supporters of the Fund argue that private investment is not > bridging the gap. They point out that the telecommunications > revolution in Africa has mostly favoured urban areas and left > villagers behind. Bridging the digital divide will be expensive, > and poor countries need additional funds. > > > Despite the lack of international agreement, a number of African > countries joined together after the Geneva Summit to set up the > Fund and look for innovative ways of raising money for it. One > suggestion is to levy a 1 per cent tax on global sales of ICT > software and hardware. > > > The key question is: Are poor nations genuinely in need of setting > up a new Fund to bridge their bridge the digital divide affecting > their citizens? > > > This question should be widely debated by governments, private and > public communication service providers, development organisations > and the general public, ahead of the November WSIS meeting. > > > Some questions journalists might consider investigating include the > following, and there are many more: > > > · What are the innovative ways through which poor people manage > to join in the information revolution? (e.g. sharing a mobile phone) > > · How have externally-driven (government, donor agencies) ICT > projects increased opportunities for poor people to access > information? (e.g. farmers accessing crop prices from a public kiosk) > > · Have externally-driven projects lasted after the initial > funding support came to an end, or have they proved unsustainable > and died? > > · What development outcomes has your country so far achieved by > bringing new ICTs to the people? (e.g. distribution of land titles > to the poor without corrupt intermediaries) > > · In your country are there examples of private investment > providing ICT access that poor people really find useful? Did the > government do anything to help these private sector initiatives get > established? > > · Does your country need more money to bridge the divide? Are > existing resources properly managed? What do people, policy > experts, and politicians in your area think as to who should pay > for bridging the digital divide? > > Panos London is currently producing a more detailed briefing paper > on this issue as part of its Information and Communications > Technologies (ICTs) toolkit for journalists. If you would like to > receive a copy please email C4D(a)panos.org.uk > > > > About us > > > Panos London (www.panos.org.uk) is an NGO which exists to stimulate > debate on global development issues, including media and > communication issues. Panos works with journalists in developing > countries to produce news, features and analysis about the most > critical global issues of today. Panos London is part of a network > of Panos Institutes in eleven countries. > > > The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) (www.globalknowledge.org) is > a worldwide network of organisations committed to harnessing the > potentials of information and communication technologies (ICT) for > sustainable development. GKP is the world's first multistakeholder > ICT for Development (ICT4D) partnership at the global level, with > members comprising governments, donor agencies, private sector > companies, civil society, networks and international institutions. > > > Submission criteria and instructions > > > § Only journalists who are citizens of, or living in, developing > or transition countries may apply. > > § The work submitted can be a piece of print, radio, TV or online > journalism. > > § A journalist can submit as many pieces as s/he likes. > > § Types of print/web article that will be considered include news > reports, features, analysis, interviews, opinion/think pieces, and > editorials. Broadcast pieces can also include debates and phone-in > programmes. > > § There is no maximum or minimum length. > > § Submitted works should be stories or features relating to the > question of whether additional development project funding is > important in bridging the digital divide and enabling development. > The story can focus on any technology-assisted communication > medium, but it must extend beyond merely reporting an event to > analysing its significance in the light of the wider development > issues and the concept of the information society. > > § We are interested in stories that take account of gender aspects > of this debate. > > § The work must have been published or broadcast between 1 January > and 15 September 2005 (or publication/broadcast must be confirmed > to take place before 30 September 2005) and you must provide > evidence of this – a newspaper clipping, web reference or > broadcasting schedule (or details of broadcast – station, time, > date, name of programme). > > § Video material should be submitted in PAL format. Audio material > can be submitted on cassette, or as MP3 files. > > § Print and online submissions can be in English, French, Spanish > or Portuguese. Radio and audiovisual submissions in languages other > than English must be accompanied by a full transcript in English. > > > Please give the following information with your submission: > > > Name > > Sex > > Employment (eg “Business reporter with the Zambia Daily News”) > > Postal address > > Email address > > Telephone number > > > Your covering letter (in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese) > should give some information about the medium in which your > submission was published e.g. national or local newspaper, national > or community radio. > > > If your submission was originally in a non-European language, > please state what language it is in, and give some information > about the status and users of this language (eg “It is the language > of the xx people, who live in xxxx. This language is not the main > language of the state, but there is one newspaper and two radio > stations that use it.”). > > > Please indicate briefly some other stories about communication > issues that you would like to research and report on, for which you > might use the award if you received it. > > > Reports that were commissioned by Panos are not eligible for this > award. > > > Panos will acknowledge email entry/ies from each contestant. If you > do not receive a response within 48 hours, please send your entry/ > ies again. > > > Selection criteria > > > We will seek to make one award to a journalist from Africa, one to > a journalist from Asia and one from another region; we will seek to > award at least one woman journalist. > > > We are looking for journalism that builds understanding of the > importance of communication for development, and that stimulates > awareness of the impact of national and global communication > policies on development. > > > > > ActionAid's vision is a world without poverty in which every > person can > exercise their right to a life of dignity. Registered > Charity No. 274467 > www.actionaid.org > > > > **DISCLAIMER** > This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and > intended > solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are > addressed. > If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the > postmaster at > mail(a)actionaid.org.uk > >

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