- KICTANet - KICTANet

Fwd: [civilsociety] Fw: ICTeAfrica 2006 Conference
by Bill Kagai 27 Jan '06

27 Jan '06

Hi Henry, Is this conference recognised by Nepad?? Is the Nepad Council <www.nepadcouncil.org> recognised by Nepad?? Pls advise before we commit ourselves. Bill ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > -------Original Message------- > From: Alida Phielix <aphielix(a)nepadcouncil.org> > Subject: ICTeAfrica 2006 Conference > Sent: 25 Jan '06 17:28 > > Dear Sir/Madam, > > > Kindly see the attached Call for Participation and Final Call for Papers > for the ICTe Africa 2006 Conference. > > > FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS > > MAY 17-21, 2006 > > > KENYATTA, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE (KICC) > > [LINK: http://www.aace.org/conf/Cities/vancouver/default.htm] NAIROBI, > KENYA > > > The conference organizing committee for ICTe Africa 2006 is pleased to > invite the submission of biographies of potential speakers and abstracts > for presentations or publication on or before January 30 2006. > > > This conference and tutorial program will bring together engineers, > scientists, developers, government leaders, corporate managers, educators, > financiers and project representatives from all over Africa and abroad. The > conference will be organized into one common plenary session and three > tracks. > > > IMPORTANT DATES: > > Abstract submission: January 30, > 2006 > > Full Paper and Tutorial submission: February 6, 2006 > > Notification of acceptance: March 30, 2006 > > Camera-ready paper: April 15, 2006 > > > CONTACT US: > > > For all general questions about the conference and tutorials, please > contact: > > > Miss Alida Phielix > > Conference Coordinator > > NEPAD Council > > Port Elizabeth, South Africa > > [LINK: > http://b2.mail.yahoo.com/ym/nepadcouncil.org/Compose?To=aphielix@nepadcounc…] > aphielix(a)nepadcouncil.org > > [LINK: http://www.nepadcouncil.org/ICTeAfrica2006] > http://www.nepadcouncil.org/ICTeAfrica2006 > > > To take advantage of our online early registration and save up to $100, > please visit the registration site: [LINK: > https://icm3.ieee.org/eventmanager/onlineregistration.asp?eventcode=g1j] > https://icm3.ieee.org/eventmanager/onlineregistration.asp?eventcode=g1j > > > Kind regards, > > > Miss Alida Phielix > > NEPAD Council > > Conference Secretary 2006 > > Port Elizabeth, South Africa > > e-mail: [LINK: mailto:[email protected]] aphielix(a)nepadcouncil.org _______________________________________________ civilsociety mailing list civilsociety(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/civilsociety Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/civilsociety/billkagai%40gmail.com

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RE: [Kictanet] Reminder Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper an d Monthly Planning meeting
by James Nguo 25 Jan '06

25 Jan '06

Dear Alice Will attend the first two hours due to some committment James Nguo Regional Director Arid Lands Information Network-Eastern Africa (ALIN-EA), P.O. Box 10098, 00100 G.P.O. Nairobi, Kenya, AAYMCA Building, Along State House Crescent, Off State House Avenue. Tel +254 20 2731557 Telefax +254 20 2737813 Email: james(a)alin.or.ke Website: www.alin.or.ke ------------------------------------------------------------- Enriched livelihoods of the people in arid areas of Eastern Africa through targeted information support and facilitation of information exchange -----Original Message----- From: alice(a)apc.org [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 23 January 2006 20:31 To: james(a)alin.or.ke Cc: Sean O Siochru Subject: [Kictanet] Reminder Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper and Monthly Planning meeting Dear all A reminder On Thursday 26 the ministry InfoCom workshop to discuss the ICT strategy paper taking place from 2.00-5.00, Jacaranda hotel. On Friday 27th Workshop on Open Access/Pro Poor ICTs followed by KICTANet's planning meeting. Jacaranda hotel Tentative agenda below Meeting of Dec 5th 2005 members proposed the Kenya ICT Federation as chair of the January 2006 meeting. Marcel or any other KIF member could you kindly confirm attendance and willingness to chair. Thank you regards and see you all soon alice ---------------------------------------------- Agenda for KICTANET Meeting on 27th January 2006 Jacaranda Hotel Chair: KIF a.. Introduction to Open Access What is Open Access Sean and mureithi b.. UNDP Open Access project and KICTANET Mureithi c.. Review of last meeting minutes d.. Matters arising e.. ICT policy process and role of KICTANet Brian Longwe f.. KICTANet vision, direction, one day retreat? g.. AOB --------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 5:35 PM Subject: RE: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper >I will be there. > > Thanks > > --- > Wainaina Mungai > http://www.madeinkenya.org > > SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present > without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own > needs. > > >> -------Original Message------- >> From: Eric Aligula <Jairah(a)kippra.or.ke> >> Subject: RE: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper >> Sent: 23 Jan '06 17:13 >> >> Brian, >> I shall attend. >> Kind regards, >> >> Eric M. Aligula, PhD. >> Senior Policy Analyst >> Infrastructure and Economic Services Division >> Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) >> P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya >> Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4; Fax: +254-20-2719951 >> E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke; URL: http://www.kippra.org/ >> >> Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that >> readeth it. >> Habakkuk 2:2 >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Brian Longwe [mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 4:54 PM >> To: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke >> Subject: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper >> Importance: High >> >> Hi all, >> >> As part of the ongoing process, spearheaded by the Ministry of >> Information & Communication to define an ICT strategy to create >> 10,000 jobs in the next 6 months there is going to be a workshop to >> discuss and refine the attached ICT Strategy document. >> >> The workshop will take place at the Jacaranda Hotel, on Thursday 26th >> January from 2pm. >> >> Please Confirm attendance. >> >> Regards, >> >> Brian >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/james%40alin.or.ke

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Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
by Wainaina Mungai 25 Jan '06

25 Jan '06

Hi Brian, My input would be on the role of civil society organisations under "Roles and Accountability". The main roles may be listed as; -> Accountability & Transparency: Keep political and market forces accountable to the needs of society and encourage social responsibility & good governance. -> Awareness raising & capacity building (especially to the unreached) -> Ensure a social justice & human/consumer centred approach -> Universal access/last mile solutions such as community-based and community-run initiatives. -> Implement and encourage non-market-led interventions (poor, disability, gender etc) Put another way, CSOs must be the "conscience" that keeps both market and political forces on the path of social justice and intervenes where the two cannot adequately meet the needs of the people. Regards, Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: John Walubengo <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> > Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper > Sent: 24 Jan '06 07:37 > > Hi Brian, > > I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day. > > The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are > good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised > within the Kenyan environment. > > For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing > projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal to market > Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006. > > My worry is that if we market Kenya from this dimension, > when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to > handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing > campaign, then we create a disaster. The first 3 or 5 > investors would get in, get burned and get out. And then > the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the > first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3 BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown} > > In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be > in 5-10years time but tries to set milestones for the same within a 1year bracket. So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years. > > The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the > 'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to want to do. > This includes, but is not limited to: > > i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the > Regulator is effectively independent to monitor and regulate the > industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection, remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid. > > ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the > Government plays its role as far as enacting the > appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such > as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc. > > iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will > definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in > sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure > (particularly the Fixed Line Network). > > iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country. Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content. Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites. eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought. > > To me these are some of the immediate things to put in place and > they are the ones to be milestoned within a year. The rest would then automatically fall in place. > > walu. > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
by Brian Longwe 24 Jan '06

24 Jan '06

Hi all, As part of the ongoing process, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information & Communication to define an ICT strategy to create 10,000 jobs in the next 6 months there is going to be a workshop to discuss and refine the attached ICT Strategy document. The workshop will take place at the Jacaranda Hotel, on Thursday 26th January from 2pm. Please Confirm attendance. Regards, Brian

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Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
by John Walubengo 24 Jan '06

24 Jan '06

Hi Brian, I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day. The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised within the Kenyan environment. For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal to market Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006. My worry is that if we market Kenya from this dimension, when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing campaign, then we create a disaster. The first 3 or 5 investors would get in, get burned and get out. And then the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3 BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown} In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be in 5-10years time but tries to set milestones for the same within a 1year bracket. So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years. The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the 'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to want to do. This includes, but is not limited to: i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the Regulator is effectively independent to monitor and regulate the industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection, remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid. ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the Government plays its role as far as enacting the appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc. iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure (particularly the Fixed Line Network). iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country. Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content. Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites. eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought. To me these are some of the immediate things to put in place and they are the ones to be milestoned within a year. The rest would then automatically fall in place. walu.

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Fw: JOB OPENING - APC-Africa-Women
by alice＠apc.org 23 Jan '06

23 Jan '06

**Please respond to jobs(a)apc.org** > > READVERTISEMENT - Applicants who had previously applied need > NOT re-apply as we have kept their applications on file for > consideration. > > JOB OPENING: Co-Cordinator APC-Africa-Women > > The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) has an > opening for a co-coordinator of our APC Women's Networking > Support Programme (APC WNSP) in Africa. As our project > commitments have expanded over the past few years, we are > looking to employ a co-coordinator to work with the current > coordinator with a view to taking responsibility for certain work > areas. The position would require consolidating the network by > ensuring that the membership is actively involved in projects and > that linguistic diversity is catered for. The co-coordinator will > participate in building on the capacity and interest of our members > and the women who participate in our work. > > At present we have a specific focus on Free and Open Source > Software (FOSS), gender and ICT policy, research capacity > development and Gender Evaluation Methodology. Other areas > include outreach and networking, information gathering and > dissemination, membership consolidation and engagement, and > training and capacity development via our bi-annual Women's > Electronic Network Training (WENT Africa) workshops. > > Nature of employment: Part-time (.5 FTE) one-year contract > following a three-month probationary period. There is a possibility > that this may be extended to a full-time contract. > > Application deadline: Monday 6 February 2006 24h00 GMT > > Details on how to apply are found below. > > ABOUT APC-AFRICA-WOMEN > > APC-Africa-Women is an active network of over seventy > organisations and individuals that work to empower African > women's organisations to access and use Information and > Communication Technologies (ICTs) for equality and development. > APC-Africa-Women is the Africa regional programme of APC's > Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP). > > Since its first official activity in 1996, APC-Africa-Women has made > impressive progress in raising African women's awareness of ICTs, > and in broadening the strategic use of ICTs by women in important > social justice and development processes. > > Working with women in Africa and all over the world, APC-Africa- > Women focuses on African women's empowerment through > information facilitation, regional support, lobbying and advocating > around gender and ICTs, delivering ICT training, conducting > research into gender and ICTs and participating in regional and > global events. > > > TASKS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE: > > Network Building > § Engaging APC-Africa-Women members and building on the > capacity and interest of our members and the women who > participate in our work > § Facilitating the online workspaces and information sharing > platforms of the network > § Updating online information sharing platforms such as > website, wiki and intranet > > Project Management > § Managing and implementing identified AAW project > activities > § Liaising with APC WNSP and other APC programme areas > to ensure synergy between programmes > > Policy Advocacy > § Engaging with current policy issues, networks and > structures on issues relating to gender and ICT in Africa > § Keeping up-to-date on current activities and processes such > as CEDAW, MDGs, PRSPs that relate to gender and ICTs > > Networking > § Liaising with AAW partners as well as related initiatives, > organisations and networks > § Promoting and representing APC-Africa-Women at > workshops and events > > THIS POSITION REQUIRES: > > § Understanding and experience of gender and ICT issues in > Africa from a feminist perspective > § Knowledge and understanding of women's movement and > issues affecting women in Africa > § Basic technical skills such as HTML and familiarity with > email mailing lists > § Willingness and capacity to immerse herself in ICT and > gender issues > § Willingness to travel in Africa and globally > § Experience in writing and research > § Sound administrative and organizational skills > § Ability to work in an online environment > § Ability to coordinate women from diverse cultural and > geographic contexts > § Able to work as part of a team > § Creative, energetic and flexible > § A willingness to accept a one-year contract > > The ability to speak French would be an advantage. > This position is only open to women based in Africa. > > ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: > > The co-cordinator will report to the APC WNSP's Programme > Manager and work on a day-to-day basis with the current APC- > Africa-Women coordinator as well as APC WNSP global staff team. > Most of the work will take place in online discussion spaces, email > and via Yahoo Messenger. > > REMUNERATION/WORKING CONDITIONS > > As the project has a virtual project management team with > members based in different cities in Africa and globally, the > successful applicant can be based anywhere in Africa but must be > able to work in a virtual environment. The successful applicant must > have her own computer with access to the Internet. > > The remuneration package depends on experience. > > For more information on APC go to www.apc.org > For more information on APC WNSP go to www.apcwomen.org and > www.genderit.org > For more information on APC-Africa-Women go to > www.apcafricawomen.org > > HOW TO APPLY Your statement of interest is of utmost > importance. Your CV must be included as an attachment. Your > statement of interest must include the following information: > > * A description of your interest in working with APC in this position > * Your experience related to the job requirements listed above > * Where you live > * A rating of the languages you speak and write > * A description of your computer skills > * Other information you think might be of importance to our > assessment of your application > * Two references: names, relationship, contact details; at least one > of these should be related to an online information and > communication initiative you have coordinated. > > Please send this information via email to jobs(a)apc.org with the > subject line APC-Africa-Women Co-cordinator position. > > Application deadline is Monday 6 February 2006 24h00 GMT. > Commencement of position as soon as possible. > > --- > You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-aisi-l-84914M(a)lyris.bellanet.org > > --- > Submitted by: alice(a)apc.org 2006-01-23 11:44:59 EST5 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-kiplist-cl-100946B(a)lyris.idrc.ca

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RE: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
by Wainaina Mungai 23 Jan '06

23 Jan '06

I will be there. Thanks --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: Eric Aligula <Jairah(a)kippra.or.ke> > Subject: RE: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper > Sent: 23 Jan '06 17:13 > > Brian, > I shall attend. > Kind regards, > > Eric M. Aligula, PhD. > Senior Policy Analyst > Infrastructure and Economic Services Division > Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) > P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya > Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4; Fax: +254-20-2719951 > E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke; URL: http://www.kippra.org/ > > Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that > readeth it. > Habakkuk 2:2 > -----Original Message----- > From: Brian Longwe [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 4:54 PM > To: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke > Subject: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper > Importance: High > > Hi all, > > As part of the ongoing process, spearheaded by the Ministry of > Information & Communication to define an ICT strategy to create > 10,000 jobs in the next 6 months there is going to be a workshop to > discuss and refine the attached ICT Strategy document. > > The workshop will take place at the Jacaranda Hotel, on Thursday 26th > January from 2pm. > > Please Confirm attendance. > > Regards, > > Brian > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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RE: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
by Eric Aligula 23 Jan '06

23 Jan '06

Brian, I shall attend. Kind regards, Eric M. Aligula, PhD. Senior Policy Analyst Infrastructure and Economic Services Division Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4; Fax: +254-20-2719951 E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke; URL: http://www.kippra.org/ Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2:2 -----Original Message----- From: Brian Longwe [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 4:54 PM To: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke Subject: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper Importance: High Hi all, As part of the ongoing process, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information & Communication to define an ICT strategy to create 10,000 jobs in the next 6 months there is going to be a workshop to discuss and refine the attached ICT Strategy document. The workshop will take place at the Jacaranda Hotel, on Thursday 26th January from 2pm. Please Confirm attendance. Regards, Brian

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Fw: UNDP/ICT/KICTANet Pro Poor ICT Scoping mission 23 to 28 January 2005
by alice＠apc.org 23 Jan '06

23 Jan '06

Dear All You are all invited to KICTANET's planning meeting. Please let me know how many of you will be in a position to attend the meeting of Friday 27 January 2006 at 13.00 hrs at the jacaranda hotel JCC room at the Pizza garden. We have a UNDP/CATIA delegation joining us to discuss Open Access/pro poor ICTs kind regards alice

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IDLELO2 CONFERENCE ON THE DIGITAL COMMONS
by Bill Kagai 23 Jan '06

23 Jan '06

THE SECOND IDLELO CONFERENCE ON THE DIGITAL COMMONS www.fossfa.net/idlelo2 [ENTRENCHING THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY IN AFRICA] 23RD-25TH FEBRUARY, 2005 SAFARI PARK HOTEL The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) in collaboration with The Kenya e-Government Directorate in the Office of the President together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are pleased to announce the Second IDLELO Conference on the Digital Commons to be held at the Safari Park Hotel from 23rd to 25th February 2006. IDLELO is derived from a Zulu word for a common grazing ground. Software has become an integral part of modern life. Today, basic items such as Mobile Phones, Computers and TVs to complex equipment such as Motor Vehicles, Industrial Plants and Telecommunication infrastructure all rely on software to run their core functions. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) E-Commerce 2004 Report estimates the software industry generates yearly revenues in excess of US$300 billion. Developing Countries now have a real chance in participating in the industry using community shared software commonly referred to as Free & Open Source Software (FOSS). FOSS is software that has made its source code free and public and allows - perhaps even motivates - users to change the source code and redistribute the derivative software. While liberating the source code is a goal in itself, FOSS encourages, or even obliges, programmers to give other programmers and users those same freedoms and opportunities. The increased use of FOSS is sustainable development, because FOSS is a technology that the local people (in Africa or anywhere) can understand, maintain, and adapt to their needs. It also creates new opportunities for employment and wealth creation. To demonstrate how FOSS can generate revenues especially for the youth, the IDLELO Key Note Speaker will be Mr. Mark Shuttleworth from Ubuntu/Canonical, UK, a renowned youthful entrepreneur who made his fortune through FOSS based business. He will also present a motivational speech on how he achieved his childhood dreams of going to the outer space by paying US$20 Million to become the First Space Tourist to the NASA Space Station. Other Confirmed High Level Speakers will include inter alia; • Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under Secretary General, Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, Ethiopia • Dr. Juma Oketch, ICT Secretary, Directorate of e-Government, Office of the President, Kenya • Sir John Daniel, the Director General of Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada • Ms. Zaheda Bhorat, Open Source Unit, Google, USA • Ms. Danese Cooper, Open Source Innovation Unit, Intel, USA • Professor Henry Moses Thairu, MD, Jomo Kenyatta University Enterprises, Kenya • Bildad Kagai, CEO, Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd, Kenya The objectives of this conference are to stimulate a local Software Industry in Africa and bring together Practioners, Decision Makers, FOSS Software Developers and the General Public to learn how FOSS can be of relevance to their sectors. This conference targets Key Decision/Policy Makers in African Governments with emphasis on The Central Government/E-Government Teams, Education and Health, FOSS/Linux User Groups National Leaders and Leading FOSS Industry Players from the Private Sector. This conference has been made possible through support from: 1. Directorate of e-Government, Office of the President, Kenya 2. United Nations Economic Commission of Africa, Ethiopia 3. InWEnt - Capacity Building International, Germany 4. Hivos, Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation, Netherlands 5. Ubuntu Linux, UK 6. Google Inc. USA 7. Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd, Kenya -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai CEO - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Coordinator - Free Software & Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 2728332 Fax. 254 20 2726965 Cell. 254 722 379409 E. fossfa(a)gmail.com URL. www.fossfa.net

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