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Day 3 of 5:-Possible Interventions to overcome the Challenges
by John Walubengo 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Thanx all, it does seem we are getting somewhere in this discussion (even without the worthy services of K. Annaan ;-) Anyway, very interesting and captivating experience from both M Joseph (Safaricom) and Gilda (BPO/ISP). Ofcourse with Edith (IDRC) picking off a tangent from MJoseph contribution that treads the murky area between censorship and freedom. I would imagine that requires a whole new discussion on its own later... Bill (Mediacorp), Alex (Consumers) and Mike E.(Symphony)comments prepare us better for todays discussion. The idea of HR Counseling within organisations is a to me a frank and bold step towards admitting that theres a problem and it is being addressed. The idea of mobile broadcast SMS reminding citizens of their liability in wanton destruction of property is timely. I would add, that probably the TV broadcast should adopt a name and shame approach to this destruction. Methinks at times they broadcast this images with an angle of 'celebrating' the killings and destructions :-0( Anyway, the floor is open your contributions. 1 day only on possible interventions. But feel free to contribute on previous post (just keep correct Subject lines). walu. Share current interventions employed to overcome these Challenges (1day) -What short-term tactics are you using to work around the challenges -What are your long-term options with regard to the challenges ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Small Medium Entreprise Symposium in March.
by Jose' 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Kimathi Information Centre P.O BOX 57741-00200 Nairobi Contact People: Carthy Atieno carthy.atieno(a)kimathiinformationcentre.com Jose Njuki-Imwe jose.njuki(a)kimathiinformationcentre.com FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE Kimathi information Centre in its quarterly year calendar holds symposiums for Small Medium Enterprises that involve networking and exposing entrepreneurs to possible business partners, mentors and loan granters. Last year we brought in up to 187 Small Medium Enterprises with much emphasis on the youth fund. This year our focus is directed to emerging entrepreneurs with the theme; Emerging People, Emerging markets, Emerging technologies. We anticipate bringing about 300 registered Small medium Enterprises, in which 50 businesses will be exhibiting their products. They in return will have an opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs by forming new partnerships, getting new businesses and basically enjoying the moment. Small Medium Enterprises have a challenge in keeping track. This is due to high constraints on raising proper capital and lacking mentors to guide them through the process. It with this concern that we introduce a Mentoring Clinic Tent during the one day symposium in which we shall see Professional Jornalists, Lawyers, Bankers, Telecommunication engineers and Entrepreneurs come on board to take part in this Nobel initiative. With this situation in mind, we are asking professionals to get in touch with the event organizers and be part of the mentoring tent team in which we shall give certificates to the list of professionals. We crown the day by listening to the Key note speakers from Kenya Youth Business Trust whose mandate is to give loans to viable SMEs at a reasonable rate. The symposium date will be on the Saturday, 22nd March 2008 at the kenya assemblies Of God-Bahati Estate.(Nairobi) For more information, please contact: José- 0728878744 ngunjirijnr(a)gmail.com Carthy-0724940237 atienocarthy(a)gmail.com --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

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Weak Mobile Phone Signals
by Alex Gakuru 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

A mobile phone signals are very weak around the Upper Hill/Community area. As a result, for example, forced to step out of their offices subscribers at one building parking in that area constantly pace up-and down whenever they receive or have to make calls. Could the network providers check their signal strengths or explain. Or perhaps CCK should send their signal monitoring equipment to ensure service quality is constantly maintained? Are there other areas experiencing this problem? Regards, ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

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REMINDER
by nancy bosire 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Dear Members and Partners, This is to remind you of tomorrows KIF and Kenya ICT Board luncheon at Nairobi Safari Club from 12.30pm to 2.30 pm. Charges are Ksh.2,000 for Members and Ksh.3,000 for Non-members. see you there. -- Sincerely yours, Secretariat Manager Kenya ICT Federation Tel: 020 4440102 Mobile: 0721907995 secretariat(a)kif.or.ke, info(a)kif.or.ke http://www.kif.or.ke Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations
by Edith Adera 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Michael and Walu, Indeed the mood is dampened! Two points: *to Michael - I bought a scratch card this morning that gave me less money than printed on the card! What's happening? * Both of you have raised interesting issues that need further discussions - effects of the ban vs possible censorship of content by Safaricom as indicated by Michael. In a situation of media ban the only "live" coverage is informal networks and under these circumstances sms' come in very handy, so people are able to move "live" news quickly to family, relatives and friends. It worries me to hear Michael taut censorship of sms content. It raises many issues: - is there infringement of personal rights in reading people's sms content to determine which is suitable to censor? - who makes this decision? - should we feel exposed? In addition to discussing these issues, I strongly feel we need to do something practical to support those suffering..... kind regards Edith At / À 14:09 29/01/2008, Michael Joseph wrote / a écrit: >I think we are all trying to deal with the crisis which seems to grow >every day with no-one seemingly concerned enough to stop it. > >With regard to the scratch card prices, the problem was, and is still to >some extent, the disruption of our supply lines due to the violence and >the closing of the banking network for more than 10 days. In a, mostly, >informal economy, the impact of lengthy bank closures has a significant >impact on the economy and is even outlawed in some countries. The >problem is that stocks are kept to a minimum due to cash flow and >security problems. So if there is a minor blip this does lead to >significant shortages. We are looking, as are others, for alternative >solutions to deal with this problem. > >At one point we became a bank and collected billions of shillings in >cash (and stored them in our vaults) from dealers in order to get the >supply process going. > >Fortunately we never experienced severe disruption to our network except >for some areas in Western (where else) due to the inability to get >diesel fuel to some key sites. But the threat was always there. > >The other threat worth mentioning is the ever increasing hostile hate >SMSs which were circulating after the elections and continue to >circulate. We are introducing a filtering system which will hopefully >stop some of them, but we must realize that the communications networks >are vital in times of unrest and if we are forced to close down some >elements to stop these hate messages, the impact could be felt even more >widely and may even introduce panic. We must guard our freedom but we >must also act responsibly to protect that freedom. I know I am preaching >to the choir, and may even encourage some debate, but it is a fine line >in these critical times. > >Regards, > >Michael > >CEO >Safaricom Limited > > >-----Original Message----- >From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >[mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] >On Behalf Of John Walubengo >Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:45 AM >To: Michael Joseph >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed >byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations > >mmhh, looks like very few contributions. I understand the >dampened mood. But really, we have to talk. Unless you >guys want us to bring Koffi Anaan here to make us share... > >Anyway, Thanx Alex, Bill, and Brian for your contributions >so far. I was just thinking at a national level...the >impact so far. >1. Mobile Operators (earlier in the fracas I bought a >scratch card worth 250sh for 500sh, black market rates) >2. BPO projects (whats happening at Kencall and others?) >3. ICT Board (with World Bank threatening to hold back >funds, what happens to the Infrastructure projects that >were to provide Bandwidth to BPOs and Academia?) >4. Media (how are you coping with the live transmission >ban?) >6. ISPs, ASPs, Cybercafes (any impacts) >7. Our members in the region UG, RW (any impacts?) > >Plse talk, we have only four more days to go. It is >refreshing to talk about this things. It is part of the >healing process. > >walu. > >--- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Ok, I was silent because Brain Longwe had earlier > > asked that the list be what it was meant to be. Since > > that position has changed, I want to start with > > "funny" joke. We have a saying in this regard. > > > > Have you been one of those who have tried or struggled > > to guess the tribe of the person sending emails to > > mailing lists? Please own up:) Last week we considered > > assessing the psychological consequences the crisis > > was having on consumers with regard to email and blogs > > posts. > > > > It turned out that some tried to "align" their views > > on e-mail senders whom they perceived (or imagined?) > > to be of the same or "friendly" tribes. Our > > conclusion, listers were not tribal, yet the stress, > > politics and media had forced them to seek tribal > > alignments. We were happy to discover that. > > > > Next we discussed tensions at workplace Telkom Kenya > > being our sample. We learnt how badly it had divided > > staff there. We overheard employee conversations! We > > wished companies would hold extra parties to lessen > > tensions at work. I have just noticed a ke-users > > lister has posted a very positive message. Their HR > > department today held an organisation-wide > > counselling session. That was excellent. All companies > > should start similar initiatives. Thanks Saidimu! > > > > > > Terrible for us because when we engaging Telcos and > > ISPs we never ask for okuyu, jang or kale etc tariffs > > or quality of service standards. Our engagement covers > > coast to lake, Turkana to Namanga, Garissa to Busia. > > > > At such moments, Information and Communications > > Consumer protection is more than ever necessary. We > > are battling rights of the people know on one hand, on > > the other we are urging responsibility to accompany > > freedom of expression, fighting against ban on live > > broadcasts also aware of the dangers of misuse, > > against sms sniffing very aware of misinformation > > dangers. > > > > We noted and appreciated the media's own intervention > > early and responsibility but also appreciate the role > > of government to protect everyone. > > > > This thread is on the challenges hence I stop there > > for now to hear others' lest I be accused of > > monopolising on opinion. I will be back;) > > > > Regards, > > > > > > Alex > > > > > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > >________________________________________________________________________ >____________ > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. > > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > > > > > > >________________________________________________________________________ >____________ >Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. >http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mjoseph(a)safaricom.co.ke >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mjoseph%40safaricom >.co.ke >The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may >be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. >Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be >guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the >contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or >manipulated. >The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the >author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. >Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent >permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents >of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious >and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage >the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. >If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and >immediately delete this email from your system. > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/eadera%40idrc.or.ke -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Alari fundraiser
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Hi Just to let you know Alari Alare's fundraiser will be held tomorrow (Thursday) 6pm at Tanager bar and restaurant. Funeral arrangements will be availed during the fundraising. Please come or send your donations. I am sure Alari touched you in one way or another. -- Regards, Becky ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

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Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations
by Michael Joseph 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Re the scratch card - It is very unusual for that to happen. I would like to have more details about the card if you still have it. On sms we will not be censoring or reading any messages but propose to have a filter that could block messages that contain unacceptable words. Nothing has been decided but the new smsc has this option. We are committed to responsible marketing and this includes setting up systems to block pornography etc. We know this raises important issues and we will consult before deciding anything. Michael Joseph CEO Safaricom Limited BlackBerry powered by Safaricom ----- Original Message ----- From: Edith Adera <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> To: Michael Joseph Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tue Jan 29 15:04:41 2008 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations Michael and Walu, Indeed the mood is dampened! Two points: *to Michael - I bought a scratch card this morning that gave me less money than printed on the card! What's happening? * Both of you have raised interesting issues that need further discussions - effects of the ban vs possible censorship of content by Safaricom as indicated by Michael. In a situation of media ban the only "live" coverage is informal networks and under these circumstances sms' come in very handy, so people are able to move "live" news quickly to family, relatives and friends. It worries me to hear Michael taut censorship of sms content. It raises many issues: - is there infringement of personal rights in reading people's sms content to determine which is suitable to censor? - who makes this decision? - should we feel exposed? In addition to discussing these issues, I strongly feel we need to do something practical to support those suffering..... kind regards Edith At / À 14:09 29/01/2008, Michael Joseph wrote / a écrit: >I think we are all trying to deal with the crisis which seems to grow >every day with no-one seemingly concerned enough to stop it. > >With regard to the scratch card prices, the problem was, and is still to >some extent, the disruption of our supply lines due to the violence and >the closing of the banking network for more than 10 days. In a, mostly, >informal economy, the impact of lengthy bank closures has a significant >impact on the economy and is even outlawed in some countries. The >problem is that stocks are kept to a minimum due to cash flow and >security problems. So if there is a minor blip this does lead to >significant shortages. We are looking, as are others, for alternative >solutions to deal with this problem. > >At one point we became a bank and collected billions of shillings in >cash (and stored them in our vaults) from dealers in order to get the >supply process going. > >Fortunately we never experienced severe disruption to our network except >for some areas in Western (where else) due to the inability to get >diesel fuel to some key sites. But the threat was always there. > >The other threat worth mentioning is the ever increasing hostile hate >SMSs which were circulating after the elections and continue to >circulate. We are introducing a filtering system which will hopefully >stop some of them, but we must realize that the communications networks >are vital in times of unrest and if we are forced to close down some >elements to stop these hate messages, the impact could be felt even more >widely and may even introduce panic. We must guard our freedom but we >must also act responsibly to protect that freedom. I know I am preaching >to the choir, and may even encourage some debate, but it is a fine line >in these critical times. > >Regards, > >Michael > >CEO >Safaricom Limited > > >-----Original Message----- >From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >[mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] >On Behalf Of John Walubengo >Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:45 AM >To: Michael Joseph >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed >byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations > >mmhh, looks like very few contributions. I understand the >dampened mood. But really, we have to talk. Unless you >guys want us to bring Koffi Anaan here to make us share... > >Anyway, Thanx Alex, Bill, and Brian for your contributions >so far. I was just thinking at a national level...the >impact so far. >1. Mobile Operators (earlier in the fracas I bought a >scratch card worth 250sh for 500sh, black market rates) >2. BPO projects (whats happening at Kencall and others?) >3. ICT Board (with World Bank threatening to hold back >funds, what happens to the Infrastructure projects that >were to provide Bandwidth to BPOs and Academia?) >4. Media (how are you coping with the live transmission >ban?) >6. ISPs, ASPs, Cybercafes (any impacts) >7. Our members in the region UG, RW (any impacts?) > >Plse talk, we have only four more days to go. It is >refreshing to talk about this things. It is part of the >healing process. > >walu. > >--- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Ok, I was silent because Brain Longwe had earlier > > asked that the list be what it was meant to be. Since > > that position has changed, I want to start with > > "funny" joke. We have a saying in this regard. > > > > Have you been one of those who have tried or struggled > > to guess the tribe of the person sending emails to > > mailing lists? Please own up:) Last week we considered > > assessing the psychological consequences the crisis > > was having on consumers with regard to email and blogs > > posts. > > > > It turned out that some tried to "align" their views > > on e-mail senders whom they perceived (or imagined?) > > to be of the same or "friendly" tribes. Our > > conclusion, listers were not tribal, yet the stress, > > politics and media had forced them to seek tribal > > alignments. We were happy to discover that. > > > > Next we discussed tensions at workplace Telkom Kenya > > being our sample. We learnt how badly it had divided > > staff there. We overheard employee conversations! We > > wished companies would hold extra parties to lessen > > tensions at work. I have just noticed a ke-users > > lister has posted a very positive message. Their HR > > department today held an organisation-wide > > counselling session. That was excellent. All companies > > should start similar initiatives. Thanks Saidimu! > > > > > > Terrible for us because when we engaging Telcos and > > ISPs we never ask for okuyu, jang or kale etc tariffs > > or quality of service standards. Our engagement covers > > coast to lake, Turkana to Namanga, Garissa to Busia. > > > > At such moments, Information and Communications > > Consumer protection is more than ever necessary. We > > are battling rights of the people know on one hand, on > > the other we are urging responsibility to accompany > > freedom of expression, fighting against ban on live > > broadcasts also aware of the dangers of misuse, > > against sms sniffing very aware of misinformation > > dangers. > > > > We noted and appreciated the media's own intervention > > early and responsibility but also appreciate the role > > of government to protect everyone. > > > > This thread is on the challenges hence I stop there > > for now to hear others' lest I be accused of > > monopolising on opinion. I will be back;) > > > > Regards, > > > > > > Alex > > > > > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > >________________________________________________________________________ >____________ > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. > > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > > > > > > >________________________________________________________________________ >____________ >Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. >http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mjoseph(a)safaricom.co.ke >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mjoseph%40safaricom >.co.ke >The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may >be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. >Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be >guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the >contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or >manipulated. >The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the >author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. >Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent >permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents >of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious >and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage >the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. >If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and >immediately delete this email from your system. > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/eadera%40idrc.or.ke -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or manipulated. The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and immediately delete this email from your system.

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Tribute to Alare
by Paul Kukubo 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

A couple of days ago, the ICT community - indeed, Kenya - woke up to the shocking news that one of our own, Alari Alare had passed on. Members of the ICT community will particularly feel the loss of this great man, who was more than a journalist. Many of us especially those of us who have worked in Public Service will fondly remember the terse messages that he would send us saying that the public needed to know what we are doing. He constantly reminded of our responsibility not only to perform but also to inform the public of our work. As the board busies itself crystallising many years of thoughts and ideas from the wider ICT fraternity into concrete action plans in the form of ICT strategic plan, (which is now being finalised) I am very saddened that he has passed on. He input would have been very useful in validating our thinking. When I met members of the ICT Journalists team in December, we spoke about the need to carry along all Kenyans in what we did at the board. I am sure the other members of the ICT Journalists fraternity will maintain the pace. Alari went often well beyond the call duty to find out and demystify for Kenyans what ICT was about and clarify its place in their lives in simple language. I cannot forget the number of interviews when I heard him sardonically commend us for making a good pubic statement, and then ask, "Could you now translate that into normal-speak?" We shall miss Alari Alare. We shall miss his passion and commitment to the cause of ICT. We shall in steadfastly rededicate ourselves to our work and passions in ICT; try to remember what he stood for and what he taught us in the short time we had him: "if people understand what you are on about, people will jump on board." The Kenya ICT Board, on behalf of the ICT Fraternity, wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues, of our friend, Alari Alare and wish him, God's speed. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Celtel Kenya

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Alari Alare Passes on...
by John Walubengo 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Just read in today's East African standard (offline edition) that one of our KICTANet members and ICT journalist Alari passed on over the weekend. Some road accident along Mombasa Road. I ask that you observe a miniutes silence in memory of his contribution to the ICT community both online and offline. May God rest his soul in peace. walu. Becky (fellow journalist), plse keep the community uptodate on anything they may do to assist or join his family in this time of mourning. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Freedom of Information Training Programme
by Alex Gakuru 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Colleagues; All conflicts , including World Wars, come to an end some day. Therefore, our unfortunate ongoings will end sometime for some reasons one way or the other. I beg your pardon and allow me to briefly divert to a related but a major post-crisis issue. A peaceful future is guaranteed in our society when we "seek to empower the people with the economic, political and social structures that will prevent them from becoming pawns in a system that sees them as numbers, commodities and reservoirs of cheap labour, and violence when needed." Business Daily, 25 January 2008, 'The next movement after embers die out' Freedom of Information is the avenue to lasting peace and fairness for sustained prosperity. The systems for implementation of access to information held by public entities is greatly boosted by modern communication media and instruments (or ICTs). I suppose Reclaiming the future and our national aspirations by engaging ICTs forms the foundation of kictanet? The FOI-net coalition appreciates last year's firm confirmation by Information PS of government support to the enactment of the Freedom of Information law by the parliament. We look to kictanet to support it from policy to operationalisation. Information benefits will be tremendous to all citizens, the media, and businesses alike as they will better plan their economic and social activities from informed vantage points. For example, feelings of being "left-out" of official procurement, sharing of national cake, region development will be minimal if not eliminated. Corruption will be least where such information is readily available to all citizens. Towards building this information society, find below information on upcoming FOI training. There's little time left and sincerely hope the public officials onlist will pass on this information also to legislators and any other persons interested. ----- Training programme being carried out by Public Administration International on the 31st of March to the 4th of April in the U.K. The training is on Freedom of Information: achieving open and transparent government and the following are the programmes objectives: 1. to explore the purpose and key elements of FOI legislation 2. review infrastructure required to implement the legislation successfully 3. identify benefits and risks 4. confront challenges in achieving and maintaining compliance with the legislation 5. develop action plans to take forward initiatives in this area 6. discuss the effectiveness of the legislation from the perspective of the citizen and the media. For more information visit www.public-admin.co.uk ( Please Note: they have other training programmes for those interested.) ----ends---

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