- KICTANet - KICTANet

Fwd: Expression of Interest
by alice＠apc.org 07 Apr '06

07 Apr '06

Dear all FYI > > Begin forwarded message: > >> From: "Andrew Karanja" <andrew(a)africanedevelopment.org> >> Date: 6 April 2006 16:22:46 GMT+03:00 >> To: brian(a)inhand.co.ke >> Cc: info(a)inhand.co.ke, harry(a)africanedevelopment.org >> Subject: Expression of Interest >> >> Dear Brian, >> >> Reference to your email to the KICTANet list regarding the hosting >> of KICTANet. Kindly consider this as an expression of interest from >> the African eDevelopment Resource Centre (AeRC) whose founders are >> active KICTANet members. >> >> We have been involved in numerous KICTANet activities and >> understand and subscribe to the objectives, mission and vision of >> the network. Given our experience, knowledge of the local ICT >> landscape and our networking abilities, we fell we can make a good >> home, albeit, temporary for KICTANet. >> >> We therefore, offer to house KICTANet in terms of operating space >> and other office facilities and also offer to open a separate bank >> account for KICTANet under the AeRC main account. The signing >> powers of this account can include one other KICTANet member who is >> not in our employment. This account will also be open for audit by >> auditors identified by the network whenever is deemed necessary to >> do that. >> >> We hope that we can be useful to the network. >> >> Kind regards >> >> >> >> Andrew Karanja >> AeRC >> > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > committee mailing list > committee(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/committee >

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Fw: KICTANET REGISTRATION VARIOUS OPTIONS
by alice＠apc.org 06 Apr '06

06 Apr '06

Dear all Find attached and below various options for KICTANet registration submitted by Dr. Ben Sihanya. We are going to have a moderated discussion beginning Monday next week for seven days on this issue so we can conclude this matter. best regards alice ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Option 1: Incorporation of a Company Limited by Guarantee The Companies Act (Cap. 486 of the Laws of Kenya) defines a company limited by guarantee as "a company having the liability of its members limited by the memorandum to such amount as the members may respectively thereby undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up." Such companies usually include associations where trade is carried on but the profits are employed in furthering the objects for which the company is formed. A company limited by guarantee may or may not have a share capital. If the company has a share capital the signatories must subscribe for at least one share, as is the case in a limited company. In this case therefore, each member will also be liable for the amount, for the time being, remaining unpaid on the shares held by him/her. A company limited by guarantee is required by law to clearly states, in its memorandum, the company's objects and that the liability of its members is limited. In addition, it shall have the word "limited" appearing as the last word of the company name. Please note however that associations that are not for profit may dispense with the use of the word "limited" after its name. Optimistically, it would probably take anywhere between one to three months to incorporate a company limited by guarantee. However, incorporation of such companies has been known to take about six (6) months to two (2) years! The reason for this is that such applications were in the past forwarded to the President's office whereupon verification of the particulars of the proposed directors was made. It seems that the rationale at the time was that there was possibly a suspicious motive behind such companies and thus why they did not wish to be incorporated as companies limited by shares. Today however, the process has theoretically improved though it is practically not viable in KICTANET's case (Issue of shareholding, appointing shareholders, directors, handling share transfers and such would complicate the organisation's operations). Option 2: Registration of a Charitable Trust A trust is a legal entity in itself and is established as soon as all the trustees sign the trust deed. A trust deed is the written instrument signed under seal by all the trustees in the presence of an independent witness. It stipulates the objects and rules of the trust including the regulations thereof. For it to be considered a charitable trust, the trustees must have constituted themselves for a religious, educational, literary, scientific, social, athletic or charitable purpose. It may be of interest to note that what is otherwise regarded to be a "foundation" is technically a trust. In Kenya, a foundation is established in the same way as a trust and is similar in all other aspects save for the fact that the parties to a foundation are referred to as founders/ settlers with additional persons appointed in the deed as trustees. In order to give the trust its own "corporate" identity and enable it make arrangements under seal in much the same way as a limited company, the trust is thereafter registered under the Trustees (Perpetual Succession) Act whereupon a Certificate of Registration is granted. This enables the trust to sue and be sued in its own name (as opposed to those of the trustees) and is especially useful where the trust wants to hold interest in movable and immovable property (i.e. land) in its name rather than in the individual trustees' names. In addition, by registering an organization as a trust, it may ultimately be possible to apply for charitable status. Eligibility for such status is obtained once the trust complies with the requirements of the Kenya Revenue Authority. My experience has been that a duly registered trust must have very strong justification for applying for charitable status with the general expectation of the authorities being proof that the objects of the trust are for the benefit of the majority of, or better still, all Kenyans rather than a narrowly defined group of beneficiaries. Further, in 2003 stringent measures and requirements were introduced by the Lands Registry, where trusts are registered, and these have caused the registration of trusts to take anywhere from a year to register. In fact, the Minister in charge at the time declared that turns would no longer be registered under his Ministry but instead, under the Societies Act. The Registrar of Societies responded in writing by stating that they too would not register trusts as it was not their mandate! The stalemate remains to date and applications for registration under the Trustee (PS) Act dating back to 2003 are still pending! It is nonetheless important to note that a trust deed duly registered at the Registry of Documents (but not under the Trustee (PS) Act) is sufficient proof of the existence of a trust and can be used, for instance, to open bank accounts in the name of the trust and employ people etc. Non-registration of a trust under the said Act does not mean that the trust is non-existent. Option 3: Registration of an NGO The Kenya Non-Governmental Organisations Co-ordination Act of 199 defines a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as a private, not-for-profit, voluntary grouping of individuals or associations organised nationally or internationally for promotion of social welfare, development, charity or research through the mobilisation of resources. A local NGO refers to that organization registered in Kenya and only operates in two (2) districts in Kenya while a national NGO is registered in Kenya and can operate in any area within Kenya. An international NGO on the other hand is registered in Kenya and can operate within or outside of Kenya. NGOs in Kenya are under intense scrutiny from the government and the NGO Co-ordination Board which was established to co-ordinate the activities of all NGOs and to consider applications for registration of NGOs. In addition, the Board advises the government on NGO activities and their role in development within Kenya as well as approves the Code of Conduct which governs the self-regulation of NGOs and their activities The Board is a Government entity under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Office of the Vice-President. Since the Board meets four times a year to conduct business, the length of time it takes to register an NGO is dependent upon the time one submits their application relative to the Board meetings. Please also note that there exists an arm of the Board, which operates in the field and reports to the Board on a weekly basis on the effectiveness of projects or activities of NGOs all over the country. Such regular checks and balances ensure proper conduct by NGOs. The NGO Co-ordination Act, 1990 provides that registered NGOs must submit to the Board annual reports of their activities in the prescribed format although it is wise to submit reports on a quarterly basis together with audited reports for that quarter, as opposed to at the end of the year. Upon registration, the organization will be issued with a Certificate of Registration which is valid for sixty (60) months and renewable upon application. In addition, please note that upon registration, all NGOs are supposed to be members of the Kenya National Council of Voluntary Agencies. This is a collective forum through which the NGOs and the Government can meet annually to discuss the difficulties encountered in their activities and the NGOs can recommend ways in which the Government can better assist them achieve their objectives. The Council also acts as an arbitrator for disputes within and between NGOs or between NGOs and courts etc. Where disciplinary cases are referred to the Council for consideration and the NGO in question is found guilty of an act or omission contrary to the NGO rules of conduct yet remains unwilling to make amends, then such cases are forwarded to the Board for actioning. All this notwithstanding, issues related to the Council's constitution and membership are uncertain and, as far as I am aware, there are actually NGOs that are not members of the Council. Option 4: Registration of a Society Societies are governed by the Societies Act (Cap. 108, Laws of Kenya). A society is defined under the Act as any club, company, partnership or other association of ten or more persons, whatever its nature or object, established in Kenya or having its headquarters or chief place of business in Kenya. The Act specifically provides that the following are not societies: · A company registered under the Companies Act, or a branch office of a foreign company; · Any corporation incorporated by or under any other written law; · A registered trade union; · A company, firm, association or partnership consisting of not more than 20 persons formed with the view of carrying on business for profit; · A registered co-operative society; · A school registered under the Education Act; · A building society defined by the Building Societies Act; · A bank licensed under the Banking Act; · An international organisation of which Kenya is a member, or any branch, section or organ of any such organisation; Every society is required to apply for registration to the Registrar of Societies within 28 days after formation. In applying for registration, a society is first required to conduct a search of the Registry to confirm that there are no existing societies with the same name. The application process includes submitting an application form, a copy of the constitution or rules of the society and a notification of the registered office of the Society. In particular, the Society should have at the very least, three appointed officers who shall be required to sign the application forms. Appointments are, therefore, done even prior to application for registration. Once the Registrar receives the application, he should communicate his decision on whether or not to register the Society and if the former, arrange for a Certificate of Registration to be issued and the Society to be published in the Kenya Gazette. Please note that registration under the Societies Act presumes that the Society has already been constituted and is operational prior to the application for registration. In fact, once an application for registration is made, officers from the Registrar's office are required to visit the registered office of the Society to confirm if indeed the Society is operational. Whether or not this actually happens is another matter altogether, although in the recent past there has been effort on the Registrar's part to ensure that this is complied with, the result being that the entire process has been known to take over 6 months to conclude. Nevertheless, the Registrar has been clearing the backlog accumulated over the years and, as far as I am aware, the registration process has since been less time-consuming. Finally, please note that for any transaction carried on in Kenya, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required. As such, whatever organization you chose to register would have to apply for a PIN Certificate upon its registration. This is a fairly straightforward matter. You should also seek the opinion of a registered auditor in Kenya regarding issues of tax implications of the above organisations such as employee's tax returns, work permits, tax exemptions and the like. I trust that the above information is of some assistance in determining what type of entity to register in Kenya. In my view is that the fourth option would be most viable for KICTANET's present needs. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Innovative Lawyering" <sihanya(a)innovativelawyering.com> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Cc: <n_awino(a)hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 3:25 PM Subject: RE: KICTANET REGISTRATION > Dear Alice, > > I wont be able to attend today's emergency KICTANet meeting. Kindly accept > my apologies. Please keep me posted on any of the decisions made at this > meeting. I have attached two opinions for your perusal and comments. > > Thank you. > > Yours sincerely, > > Dr Ben Sihanya, Advocate > ___________________________________________________________________________ > Dr Ben Sihanya, Ph.D. (Stanford) > Teacher, Intellectual Property Attorney, Author, CPS (K), Consultant > Intellectual Property, Constitutionalism, and Communication Law > Chair, Department of Commercial Law > University of Nairobi Law School & ©opyright Africa & Innovative Lawyering > Trainer on TRIPs, WTO's Regional Trade Policy Course, University of > Namibia > Parklands Law Campus, Room B10 > Box 1313, Sarit Centre, 00606 Nairobi, Kenya > Telefax (254-20) 3741769 (O); +4343259 (H); Cell: +722897825 > email: copyrightafrica(a)innovativelawyering.com; > sihanya(a)innovativelawyering.com > :innovativelawyer@wananchi.com;url:www.innovativelawyering.com >

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Fwd: <incom> Up-coming launch of the Global Alliance on ICT for Development
by Bill Kagai 06 Apr '06

06 Apr '06

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Soenke Zehle <s.zehle(a)kein.org> Date: Apr 6, 2006 3:55 PM Subject: <incom> Up-coming launch of the Global Alliance on ICT for Development To: incom <incom-l(a)incommunicado.info> Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2006 13:00:55 +0200 From: CONGO - Philippe Dam <wsis(a)ngocongo.org> Dear all, Many thanks to Ralf and Rik for having forwarded Mr. Khan's letter <http://www.ngocongo.org/index.php?what=pag&id=10211> about the up-coming launch of the Global Alliance on ICT for Development. As highlighted in Mr. Khan's letter, the governance structure of the Global Alliance will be articulated around a three tier structure: • The */Strategy Council/* will offer strategic guidance and priority setting for the work of the Global Alliance. It would be comprise of 35 to 40 personalities representing the key constituencies (one third for civil society representatives) and would meet once or twice a year. • The */Steering Committee/* will provide continuous executive oversight and guidance to the work of the Secretariat. It would be composed of a Chair and several Vice-Chairs representing key constituencies of the Global Alliance and would meet monthly or bimonthly using modern communication devices. • The */Secretariat/* will be small structure composed of staff seconded by partners and hosted by UN DESA, would serve the overall work of the Global Alliance. It would provide analytical support to the Steering Committee and to the Strategy Council. The Global Alliance will be open to */membership/* for all stakeholders involved in ICT policies for development and providing advocacy and oversight on Information Society issues and implementing programs addressing MDGs. For civil society, it will include all NGOs, CSOs, foundations, scientific, academic and ICT communities and individuals around the world involved in the UN development agenda priorities. Therefore, participation in the Global Alliance should put together a very broad scope of NGOs, involving but going far beyond the WSIS civil society and should also include the worldwide NGO community to development. The Global Alliance will constitute a unique opportunity for NGOs to be directly involved in the ICT4D agenda and in the global development agenda within the UN. Further information on how you can join the Global Alliance would be circulated soon. The Global Alliance would */serve as a global inclusive forum/* to facilitate dialogue and encourage initiatives and partnerships on all cross cutting issues related to the use of ICT policies for development for the fulfilment of internationally agreed development goals, in particular in the framework of the MDGs. The view is to mobilize actors in order to advance the development agenda of the United Nations through ICT related policies. To that end, the Global Alliance would represent the */major multi-stakeholder component/* to interact and feed into the WSIS integrated follow-up process entrusted to ECOSOC through the UN CSTD by the WSIS outcome document. The Global Alliance will closely work with ECOSOC and the CSTD to bring further the follow-up to WSIS decisions in ICT policies for development, and participants in the Global Alliance would have direct access to the CSTD, through in-depth collaboration with the Secretariat of the UN CSTD. However the Global Alliance would neither constitute an operational body, nor flow into the action lines implementation process. */Next steps/* include: - Selection process of Strategy Council members. They will be appointed by the UN SG, following a self selection process within each group of constituencies. CONGO has been asked by UN DESA to facilitate the self selection process for civil society Members. - Information meetings, including in Geneva during the time of the CSTD session (15-19 May 2006): *15 May 2006*, time to be confirmed. - Inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance (in the week of 19 June 2006), in Kuala Lumpur. Information will be made available on modalities to get involved into this initiative and we would keep you informed on the most recent developments. Let me remind you than an up-dated program of meetings for the week 15-19 May is available at http://www.csbureau.org/posttunis.htm, and additional information on the post-Tunis WSIS mechanisms is available on the CONGO website <http://www.ngocongo.org/index.php?what=resources&id=278&start=1>. Best regards, Philippe Dam *Philippe Dam **CONGO - WSIS CS Secretariat ****11, Avenue de **la Paix** CH-1202 **Geneva** Tel: +41 22 301 1000 Fax: +41 22 301 2000 E-mail: **wsis(a)ngocongo.org* <mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org>* Website: **www.ngocongo.org <BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org>** * * * *The Conference of NGOs (**CONGO) is an international, membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. For more information see our website at www.ngocongo.org <BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/>*** _______________________________________________ incom-l mailing list incom-l(a)incommunicado.info http://mail.kein.org/mailman/listinfo/incom-l -- -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd 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. bill(a)circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke

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Financial Services for KICTANET
by Brian Longwe 06 Apr '06

06 Apr '06

Dear all, During the KICTANET meeting yesterday, it became clear that there is an urgent need for a KICTANET bank account to receive funds earmarked for the action plan/budget. Unfortunately the process of registering KICTANET as a legal entity that can hold a bank account is not yet complete. In the interim we are considering a number of options to provide for immediate facilities, these include: 1) Appoint a firm of lawyers to receive/administer funds till registration is complete 2) Appoint a firm of Accountants to receive/administer funds till registration is complete 3) Receive support from a KICTANET member who would open a "sub- account" under the name KICTANET and then facilitate reciept/ administration of funds This email is a request to members for assistance with item 3. Any member who may be in a position to provide this kind of help, please send me an email for further discussions. Warm regards, Brian

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KICTAnet Special strategising meeting Wednesday 5 2006 jacaranda hotel
by alice＠apc.org 05 Apr '06

05 Apr '06

Dear Members You are all invited for a network monthly meeting, which will take place on Wednesday at 6.00p.m. at the jacaranda hotel. This meeting will discuss the following 1. Hosting of KICTANet Secretariat 2. Preliminary report KICTAnet structure and proposals for institutional assessment/development 3. Resource mobilisation 4. AOB kind regards alice

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Re: [Kictanet] FW: [egov4dev] Consultant Sought for CommissionedWriting on ICTs and Fisheries
by John Walubengo 02 Apr '06

02 Apr '06

Harry, I can write about ICTs and even connect them with Fish. But unfortunately, I can neither speak nor write in French... walu. >>> "Harry Hare" <harry(a)aitecafrica.com> 03/29/06 11:48pm >>> Any takers? Harry -----Original Message----- From: egov4dev(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:egov4dev@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard Heeks Sent: 29 March 2006 16:25 To: egov4dev(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: [egov4dev] Consultant Sought for Commissioned Writing on ICTs and Fisheries The Sustainable Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (www.sflp.org) is funded by DFID and implemented by FAO in partnership with government ministries and NGO/civil society in 25 West African countries. We are now looking to commission a piece of work on the use of ICT in the small-scale or artisanal fisheries sector in developing countries, for example: - how the use of mobile phones has changed fish marketing - SMS weather forecasting & storm warnings for safety - GPS technology for fishing operations and in participatory monitoring, control and surveillance systems. - Use of low-cost echo-sounders for improved efficiency of fishing operations - Use of internet technologies for networking among civil-society groups and for co-ordination of decentralised/community-based management of resources - Community radio for social change We are looking for someone who understands the kinds of social and economic changes that result from, or are enabled by, recent and emerging ICTs. They don't need to know the fisheries sector, although it may help. They will need to speak French. This will be about 20 days paid work, to include a visit to FAO Rome, and probably to Senegal. Timetable is fairly flexible, but preferably before end September 2006. If you are interested, please contact: Dr Edward H Allison (E.Allison(a)uea.ac.uk) Senior Lecturer in Natural Resource Management School of Development Studies University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K. Tel +44(0)1603 593724 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/egov4dev/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: egov4dev-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/295 - Release Date: 28/03/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/295 - Release Date: 28/03/2006 _______________________________________________ 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/jwalubengo%40kcct.ac.ke

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Tech Museum Awards
by Wainaina Mungai 01 Apr '06

01 Apr '06

Tech Museum Awards (accepting nominations) http://www.techawards.org/nominate/ Deadline: April 3rd, 2006 All the best. --- 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.

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Tech Museum Awards
by Wainaina Mungai 01 Apr '06

01 Apr '06

Tech Museum Awards (accepting nominations) http://www.techawards.org/nominate/ Deadline: April 3rd, 2006 All the best. --- 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.

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IASP Helsinki
by alice＠apc.org 01 Apr '06

01 Apr '06

Dear all Some of you might be interested in attending the Science park to be held in Helsinki in June 2006 See attached for more information. Please get in touch with the organisers directly kind regards alice

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[Kictanet] Re: Media Workshop Report - Mombasa, 10th-13th March 2006
by John Walubengo 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

FE, u r welcome. I am having to resend in .PDF format (thanx to J. Kagwe) because some people say my earlier mail didn't have the attachments. (which is true depending on the mail-size limits imposed by your system admin). What we need to do however is to create a KICTANet website where these reports can be uploaded and members simply informed to download from there. Washington?, Muthoni?, how fast can this happen- an elementary KICTANet website to host KICTANet info? walu. >>> Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> 03/31/06 03:29pm >>> Walu, Thanks a million Cheers, FE John Walubengo <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> wrote: Find attached. Apologies to all for the delay and the MS-Word format. My PDF convertor is messing up the pagings. So accept report + Presentations in Microsoft Format. 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/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk Florence Etta Tel: + 254-733-621851(Mobile)/254-20-7121506 Fax: + 254-20-7121506 Emailto:feanywhere@yahoo.co.uk --------------------------------- Yahoo! Photos * NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 8p a photo.

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Global digital divide grows wider, UW research finds
by Harry Hare 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Interesting reading and stats, it appears that the richer the country, the less they pay for connectivity...what happened to he 50:50 proposition? Richard, Brian ...quite elusive this digital divide! Click on the link below to read the article. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=200287865 3&zsection_id=2002119995&slug=digitaldivide21&date=20060321 regards Harry Hare -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/298 - Release Date: 30/03/2006

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Media Workshop Report -Mombasa, 10th-13th March 2006
by John Walubengo 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Find attached. Apologies to all for the delay and the MS-Word format. My PDF convertor is messing up the pagings. So accept report + Presentations in Microsoft Format. walu.

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Digital Divide Simulator
by Dorcas Muthoni 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

Check this site simulating Internet access speeds at low and high bandwidth. http://wireless.ictp.trieste.it/simulator/simulator2.html Is this what we call the Digital Divide? Muthoni

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Mail Delivery Problem
by Mail Delivery Subsystem 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

Your mail to the following recipients could not be delivered because they are not accepting mail from kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke: brenda

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Mail Delivery Problem
by Mail Delivery Subsystem 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

Your mail to the following recipients could not be delivered because they are not accepting mail from kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke: brenda

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AfriNic Board Nominations
by Alice Wanjira 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

AfriNIC Board Nomination form Nominated by Alice W. Munyua: Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) ----------------------- Nominee Brian Longwe Physical address: P. O. Box 30054-00100, Nairobi, KENYA e-mail address: brian(a)pure-id.com Phone number: +254 722 5188744 Fax number: +254 20 4452327 Country and sub-region: Kenya, East Africa Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and motivation (Not more than 500 words): Brian Longwe is the incumbent primary board member for the East African region. Since election to the board in 2004, he has participated with other Board member, the CEO and staff of AfriNIC in bringing the organisation to gain full recognition as a Regional Internet Registry by ICANN in April 2005. Prior to and since gaining full recognition, AfriNIC has undergone a number of significant changes, the most crucial being the transfer and enrolment of members (LIRs) from other regional internet registries and the establishment of an operational base, legal, financial and administrative structures. At the moment the current Board is in the process of establishing structures that will facilitate better governance of the affairs of the organisation. These range from the definition of various policies to the establishment of a number of Board committees to better provide support to the CEO and staff of the organisation in fulfilling the mandate and objectives of the organisation. Brian Longwe serves a Chairman of one of the Board committees and is a member on a number of others. It is his earnest wish that he be allowed to continue in his service to the community in capacity as Board member from the Eastern African region. Brian's long experience and involvement with AfriNIC ever since the initial proposal in 1998 has helped the organisation grow into its current status. His 14 years of experience in information and communications technologies institutions in various countries in Africa has also helped him obtain a wide range of skills and capacity, which are of benefit to AfriNIC and the member community as a whole. Brian has played a key role in Africa's Internet industry over the past 10 years in the following organisations: - 1996-1997: Form-Net Africa: Nairobi, Kenya - Network Manager - 1997-1999: Mission Aviation Fellowship, Nairobi, Kenya - Information Systems Manager - 1999-2005: IS Kenya Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Technology Officer - 2001-2004: African Network Operator Group, Continental - Track Leader, Instructor and member of organising Committee - 2002-Present: African Internet Service Providers Association, Continental - General Manager - 2005-Present: InHand Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Executive Officer -- Alice Wanjira-Munyua National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org wanjira(a)cck.go.ke http://www.catia.ws Cell: +254 733 731074

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Afrinic Nomination - Brian Longwe
by Muriuki Mureithi 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

AfriNIC Board Nomination form Nominated by (full Name): Muriuki Mureithi Nominee (Full Name): Brian Longwe Organization (or affiliation): Summit Strategies Ltd Physical address: P. O. Box 62454-00200, Nairobi, KENYA e-mail address: mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke Phone number: +254 20 3875824 Fax number: +254 20 38572384 Country and sub-region: Kenya, East Africa Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and motivation (Not more than 500 words): Brian Longwe is the incumbent primary board member for the East African region. Since election to the board in 2004, he has participated with other Board member, the CEO and staff of AfriNIC in bringing the organisation to gain full recognition as a Regional Internet Registry by ICANN in April 2005. Prior to and since gaining full recognition, AfriNIC has undergone a number of significant changes, the most crucial being the transfer and enrollment of members (LIRs) from other regional internet registries and the establishment of an operational base, legal, financial and administrative structures. At the moment the current Board is in the process of establishing structures that will facilitate better governance of the affairs of the organisation. These range from the definition of various policies to the establishment of a number of Board committees to better provide support to the CEO and staff of the organisation in fulfilling the mandate and objectives of the organisation. Brian Longwe serves a Chairman of one of the Board committees and is a member on a number of others. It is his earnest wish that he be allowed to continue in his service to the community in capacity as Board member from the Eastern African region. Brian's long experience and involvement with AfriNIC ever since the initial proposal in 1998 has helped the organisation grow into it's current status. His 14 years of experience in information and communications technologies institutions in various countries in Africa has also helped him obtain a wide range of skills and capacity which are of benefit to AfriNIC and the member community as a whole. Brian has played a key role in Africa's Internet industry over the past 10 years in the following organisations: - 1996-1997: Form-Net Africa: Nairobi, Kenya - Network Manager - 1997-1999: Mission Aviation Fellowship, Nairobi, Kenya - Information Systems Manager - 1999-2005: ISPKenya Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Technology Officer - 2001-2004: African Network Operator Group, Continental - Track Leader, Instructor and member of organising Committe - 2002-Present: African Internet Service Providers Association, Continental - General Manager - 2005-Present: InHand Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Executive Officer I hereby request your support in my nomination and vote in the election. Brian Longwe

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Announcment: Financial Services Project and Application Reminder
by Alice Wanjira 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '06

The Reuters Digital Vision Program (DVP) at Stanford University is > now accepting applications for a 2006-07 Fellow to work on a special > DVP project in conjunction with its partner, Women's World Banking > (WWB). The WWB is a network of leading microfinance institutions with > presence in more than 30 countries. For this special project, the > deadline has been extended to April 19, 2006.* The Fellowship for > this project will be awarded at the end of May, 2006 as part of and > at the same time as the rest of the DVP Fellowships. > > THE PROJECT > This Fellow will employ a needs-based approach to design, develop and > deploy a simple system to allow micro-entrepreneurs to register their > business transactions, generate reports and communicate directly with > micro-finance institutions. The objective of this project is to > improve micro-entrepreneurs' financial literacy and business results > and to enhance the efficiency of micro-finance institutions. The > project will initiate with WWB affiliates in Colombia and/or the > Dominican Republic. > > We are seeking applicants with a product (development & management) > background, ideally in the financial services industry and/or Latin > America. > The Fellow will play a key role in defining and articulating the > vision for this solution, and will lead the effort to: > * Understand market needs and user requirements and translate these > into detailed product requirements, product features and functionality > * Articulate end user and micro finance institution value proposition > and develop a viable business model > * Manage the pilot tests in the field > > Qualifications: > * Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit > * Experience in product (development & management), ideally with > financial services > * Excellent communications and analytical skills > * Understanding of network technologies, devices, and management tools > (MIS) > * Desirable experience in emerging markets > * Experience with field research > * BA/BS degree or Equivalent > * Fluent in English and Spanish > > This is a two-year project. The DVP Fellowship will last one academic > year (2006-07) with the potential of extending to a second year. > Significant travel will be required. > > Please visit our Become A Fellow <http://rdvp.org/become> page for > more information, including special application instructions for this > financial services project. > > > THE PROGRAM > The Digital Vision Program supports social entrepreneurs who seek > to leverage technology-based solutions in the interest of > humanitarian, educational, and sustainable development goals. The > Program fosters interdisciplinary projects and prototyping efforts > that address real needs in underserved communities. For the 2006-07 > academic year, the program will focus on the following broad categories: > > * Advancing Financial Services (Microfinance, microinsurance, > remittances, market information, e-commerce) > * Knowledge and Empowerment (Literacy and numeracy, e-learning and > training, e-government, social networks, and community building) > * Networked Health and Welfare (Health administration, health > research and sciences, public health and safety, telemedicine, relief > services, advocacy) > > The core of the Program is a nine-month fellowship that brings > individuals from around the globe to the Stanford University Campus. > Digital Vision Fellows collaborate with faculty, students, private > sector firms, non-government organizations, and most importantly, > each other. Digital Vision Fellows have Visiting Scholar privileges > at Stanford University, including the ability to audit courses. > Fellows also participate in a structured Sanford Digital Vision > Program with weekly meetings, workshops, and seminars. > > Fees and Scholarships > > The Reuters Foundation and other DVP partners will cover all Stanford > University fees and expenses for full-time fellowships. Living > stipends may be available for fellows accepted from developing world > countries. The Digital Vision Program also offers "Corporate > Fellowships" to individuals from organizations who continue to > perform their full-time professional duties in their organizations, > while participating in the seminars, workshops, and other organized > activities of the DVP. > > How to apply > Please visit the "Become a Fellow" link on our website at > <<http://rdvp.org>http://rdvp.org > for more information. > DVP Applications are due on April 3, 2006, with the exception of the > financial services project. > > > Karen Coppock > Director of Industry Collaboration > Reuters Digital Vision Program > Stanford University > <http://rdvp.org> > > * Please note: this deadline extension applies only to this Financial > Services Project with WWB. All other RDVP applicants must submit > their completed application by April 3, 2006. Applicants who have > already submitted their applications and wish to apply for this > project must contact us directly by email <digitalvision (at) csli > (dot) stanford (dot) edu> or by phone +1 650.724.4069. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > RDVP-UPDATES mailing list > RDVP-UPDATES(a)lists.rdvp.org > http://lists.rdvp.org/mailman/listinfo/rdvp-updates > -- 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 Cell: +254 733 731074

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FW: [egov4dev] Consultant Sought for Commissioned Writing on ICTs and Fisheries
by Harry Hare 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

Any takers? Harry -----Original Message----- From: egov4dev(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:egov4dev@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard Heeks Sent: 29 March 2006 16:25 To: egov4dev(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: [egov4dev] Consultant Sought for Commissioned Writing on ICTs and Fisheries The Sustainable Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (www.sflp.org) is funded by DFID and implemented by FAO in partnership with government ministries and NGO/civil society in 25 West African countries. We are now looking to commission a piece of work on the use of ICT in the small-scale or artisanal fisheries sector in developing countries, for example: - how the use of mobile phones has changed fish marketing - SMS weather forecasting & storm warnings for safety - GPS technology for fishing operations and in participatory monitoring, control and surveillance systems. - Use of low-cost echo-sounders for improved efficiency of fishing operations - Use of internet technologies for networking among civil-society groups and for co-ordination of decentralised/community-based management of resources - Community radio for social change We are looking for someone who understands the kinds of social and economic changes that result from, or are enabled by, recent and emerging ICTs. They don't need to know the fisheries sector, although it may help. They will need to speak French. This will be about 20 days paid work, to include a visit to FAO Rome, and probably to Senegal. Timetable is fairly flexible, but preferably before end September 2006. If you are interested, please contact: Dr Edward H Allison (E.Allison(a)uea.ac.uk) Senior Lecturer in Natural Resource Management School of Development Studies University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K. Tel +44(0)1603 593724 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/egov4dev/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: egov4dev-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/295 - Release Date: 28/03/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/295 - Release Date: 28/03/2006

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Re: [Kictanet] AfriNIC board
by John Walubengo 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

in that case...i will back down. wish u all the best in your unfinished business... walu. >>> Brian Longwe <brian(a)pure-id.com> 03/29/06 11:54am >>> Hi Walu, Thanks for the proposal. It's good to see this energy - but I have decided to go for a second term as there are still some unresolved issues that need to be finalised within the Board, mainly regarding the formulation of policies surrounding governance and various committees e.g. - Audit Committee - Renumeration Committee - Pr/Communications Committee ... among others Thanks, Brian ps. Hope I will have all of your support :-) On 29 Mar 2006, at 09:29, John Walubengo wrote: > Alice, > > i am asking u to nominate me - and Brian the former holder of the > post to second me...hoping that Brian is not planning to run a > second time; this is the era of one term sessions...(oops!) > > Nominee (Full Name): John Walubengo > Organization (or affiliation):Kenya College of Communications Tech > Physical address:KCCT, Mbagathi Campus, Mbagathi Rd, Nairobi > e-mail address:jwalubengo@kcct.ac.ke > Phone number:254-20-891201 > Fax number: 254-20-891949 > Country and sub-region:Kenya, E. Africa Sub Region. > > walu. > >>>> "Alice Wanjira" <alice(a)apc.org> 03/29/06 08:29AM >>> > Dear Colleagues, > > This year, two seats will be vacant on the AfriNIC board. They are: > > a) Seat 3: for the Southern African sub-region (Primary and > alternate) > Mandate: 2006 to 2009 > > b) Seat 4: The Eastern Africa sub-region (Primary and Alternate) > Mandate: 2006 to 2009 > > Who can seat on the Board? > ========================= > > Anybody resident in one of the above sub-regions. > > Nominees should have good experience/background in the > Internet environment, be able to participate actively in > all activities conferred to the BoT by the AfriNIC bylaws > (Section 16) and, as the working language is English, > candidates should have a minimum comprehension of the > English language. > > How to nominate: > ================ > > Nominations should be sent to board-nomination(a)afrinic.net > using the template below. Self-nomination is allowed > but it must be supported by at least two different people > either from or outside the nominee's sub-region. > > ----------------------------- > AfriNIC Board Nomination form > ----------------------------- > > Nominated by (full Name): > > Nominee (Full Name): > Organization (or affiliation): > Physical address: > e-mail address: > Phone number: > Fax number: > Country and sub-region: > > Brief statement explaining the candidate's > background and motivation (Not more than 500 words): > > ** You may want to add a picture > (it will appear with your details online) > ----------- > > The deadline for Candidacy/Nominations is Tuesday > April 4th 2006 at 08:00 GMT > > Election process policies: http://www.afrinic.net/bot/afbot- > elp200502.htm > > Kind regards. > > > > > - > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalubengo%40kcct.ac.ke > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/brian%40pure-id.com _______________________________________________ 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/jwalubengo%40kcct.ac.ke

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Afrinic Nomination
by Brian Longwe 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

Please support my nomination by sending an email to board- nomination(a)afrinic.net indicating you support me as a board candidate from the Eastern African region? Regards, Brian ps. For those of you who are LIRs I hope I will have your vote in May ;-) > > AfriNIC Board Nomination form > > > Nominated by (full Name): Brian Longwe > > Nominee (Full Name): Brian Longwe > Organization (or affiliation): African Internet Service Providers > Association > Physical address: P. O. Box 30054-00100, Nairobi, KENYA > e-mail address: brian(a)pure-id.com > Phone number: +254 722 5188744 > Fax number: +254 20 4452327 > Country and sub-region: Kenya, East Africa > > Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and > motivation (Not more than 500 words): > > Brian Longwe is the incumbent primary board member for the East > African region. Since election to the board in 2004, he has > participated with other Board member, the CEO and staff of AfriNIC > in bringing the organisation to gain full recognition as a Regional > Internet Registry by ICANN in April 2005. Prior to and since > gaining full recognition, AfriNIC has undergone a number of > significant changes, the most crucial being the transfer and > enrollment of members (LIRs) from other regional internet > registries and the establishment of an operational base, legal, > financial and administrative structures. At the moment the current > Board is in the process of establishing structures that will > facilitate better governance of the affairs of the organisation. > These range from the definition of various policies to the > establishment of a number of Board committees to better provide > support to the CEO and staff of the organisation in fulfilling the > mandate and objectives of the organisation. > > Brian Longwe serves a Chairman of one of the Board committees and > is a member on a number of others. It is his earnest wish that he > be allowed to continue in his service to the community in capacity > as Board member from the Eastern African region. > > Brian's long experience and involvement with AfriNIC ever since the > initial proposal in 1998 has helped the organisation grow into it's > current status. His 14 years of experience in information and > communications technologies institutions in various countries in > Africa has also helped him obtain a wide range of skills and > capacity which are of benefit to AfriNIC and the member community > as a whole. Brian has played a key role in Africa's Internet > industry over the past 10 years in the following organisations: > > - 1996-1997: Form-Net Africa: Nairobi, Kenya - Network Manager > > - 1997-1999: Mission Aviation Fellowship, Nairobi, Kenya - > Information Systems Manager > > - 1999-2005: ISPKenya Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Technology Officer > > - 2001-2004: African Network Operator Group, Continental - Track > Leader, Instructor and member of organising Committe > > - 2002-Present: African Internet Service Providers Association, > Continental - General Manager > > - 2005-Present: InHand Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya - Chief Executive Officer > > I hereby request your support in my nomination and vote in the > election. > > > > Brian Longwe >

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Re: [Kictanet] AfriNIC board
by John Walubengo 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

Alice, i am asking u to nominate me - and Brian the former holder of the post to second me...hoping that Brian is not planning to run a second time; this is the era of one term sessions...(oops!) Nominee (Full Name): John Walubengo Organization (or affiliation):Kenya College of Communications Tech Physical address:KCCT, Mbagathi Campus, Mbagathi Rd, Nairobi e-mail address:jwalubengo@kcct.ac.ke Phone number:254-20-891201 Fax number: 254-20-891949 Country and sub-region:Kenya, E. Africa Sub Region. walu. >>> "Alice Wanjira" <alice(a)apc.org> 03/29/06 08:29AM >>> Dear Colleagues, This year, two seats will be vacant on the AfriNIC board. They are: a) Seat 3: for the Southern African sub-region (Primary and alternate) Mandate: 2006 to 2009 b) Seat 4: The Eastern Africa sub-region (Primary and Alternate) Mandate: 2006 to 2009 Who can seat on the Board? ========================= Anybody resident in one of the above sub-regions. Nominees should have good experience/background in the Internet environment, be able to participate actively in all activities conferred to the BoT by the AfriNIC bylaws (Section 16) and, as the working language is English, candidates should have a minimum comprehension of the English language. How to nominate: ================ Nominations should be sent to board-nomination(a)afrinic.net using the template below. Self-nomination is allowed but it must be supported by at least two different people either from or outside the nominee's sub-region. ----------------------------- AfriNIC Board Nomination form ----------------------------- Nominated by (full Name): Nominee (Full Name): Organization (or affiliation): Physical address: e-mail address: Phone number: Fax number: Country and sub-region: Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and motivation (Not more than 500 words): ** You may want to add a picture (it will appear with your details online) ----------- The deadline for Candidacy/Nominations is Tuesday April 4th 2006 at 08:00 GMT Election process policies: http://www.afrinic.net/bot/afbot-elp200502.htm Kind regards. - _______________________________________________ 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/jwalubengo%40kcct.ac.ke

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AfriNIC board
by Alice Wanjira 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

Dear Colleagues, This year, two seats will be vacant on the AfriNIC board. They are: a) Seat 3: for the Southern African sub-region (Primary and alternate) Mandate: 2006 to 2009 b) Seat 4: The Eastern Africa sub-region (Primary and Alternate) Mandate: 2006 to 2009 Who can seat on the Board? ========================= Anybody resident in one of the above sub-regions. Nominees should have good experience/background in the Internet environment, be able to participate actively in all activities conferred to the BoT by the AfriNIC bylaws (Section 16) and, as the working language is English, candidates should have a minimum comprehension of the English language. How to nominate: ================ Nominations should be sent to board-nomination(a)afrinic.net using the template below. Self-nomination is allowed but it must be supported by at least two different people either from or outside the nominee's sub-region. ----------------------------- AfriNIC Board Nomination form ----------------------------- Nominated by (full Name): Nominee (Full Name): Organization (or affiliation): Physical address: e-mail address: Phone number: Fax number: Country and sub-region: Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and motivation (Not more than 500 words): ** You may want to add a picture (it will appear with your details online) ----------- The deadline for Candidacy/Nominations is Tuesday April 4th 2006 at 08:00 GMT Election process policies: http://www.afrinic.net/bot/afbot-elp200502.htm Kind regards. -

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Fwd: Internet Governance Forum "theme" proposal: global free expression
by Florence Etta 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

FYI FE -------------------------------------------------------- The new multistakeholder Internet Governance Forum will meet October 30-Nov. 2 in Athens Greece. Currently we are debating what "themes" or topics will be on the agenda. A group of NGOs, including Internet Governance Project, Article 19, and Reporters Sans Frontiers are trying to get the following theme on the agenda: THEME PROPOSAL: Internet content filtering and free expression a. The proposed theme Are the Internet filtering and censorship practices of states compatible with Article XIX of the UN Declaration on Human Rights? Is it possible to develop a protocol to guide private Internet service providers and hosting companies toward ethical interactions with the governments of countries that heavily regulate and censor content? How can countries with different notions of legal and illegal content reconcile these differences in a way that maximizes the freedom and value of the Internet and makes it possible for Internet service providers to operate in a more secure and stable legal environment? b. Why it is important Access to information and free communication is at the heart of the Internet's value. Conflicts over content controls have created a number of tensions, e.g., between multinational Internet service companies such as Google, Yahoo, Cisco Systems, Microsoft and various national governments. Content regulation, filtering and censorship are issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing international body, but cut across many of them; e.g., UNESCO, ICANN, ITU and WIPO. c. How it is in conformity with the Tunis Agenda Paragraph 42 of the Tunis Agenda reaffirms the UN's "commitment to the freedom to seek, receive, impart and use information, in particular, for the creation, accumulation and dissemination of knowledge." Paragraph 46 encourages "governments to reaffirm the right of individuals to access information according to the Geneva Declaration of Principles and other mutually agreed relevant international instruments, and to coordinate internationally as appropriate." Paragraph 60 expresses the recognition that "there are many cross-cutting international public policy issues that require attention and are not adequately addressed by the current mechanisms." d. How it fits within the mandate of the IGF as detailed in para 72; Paragraph 72(a) empowers the Forum to "discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet." 72(b) mandates it to "facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body." e. Who the main actors in the field are, who could be encouraged to participate in the thematic session There are no "main actors" in this area but a wide variety of actors, e.g., individual dissidents, national and multinational internet service providers, national governments, civil society advocacy groups, professional associations in the news media, content rating standards proponents, and international organizations. f. Why this issue should be addressed in the first annual meeting of the Forum rather than in subsequent ones Freedom of expression is fundamental to the Internet. To discuss the issue of Internet governance without raising this vital question would deprive the IGF of all credibility as well as a successful outcome to its work. Such a decision would moreover raise an outcry among freedom of expression organisations and would tarnish this forum's image from its very first meeting. --------------------------------- How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos. Get Yahoo! Photos

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RE: [Africasource2-l] AfrISPA launches a paradigm shift to stimulateInternet growth through CONTENT
by Settimi, Stephen(GH/PRH/PEC) 27 Mar '06

27 Mar '06

Eric -Thank you for sharing this piece from the Digital Africa Summit. The position paper somewhat echoes the slogan of the past that "content is King". I believe it remains King, but regrettable the court has been filled with tommyrot and jesters. The need for more African content is especially important for African and non-Northern domains. Content relevancy is the key. An interesting counter-point to the value of content is a compelling paper by Andrew Odlyzko who argues that the real value in the Internet is found not in content -although ipso facto that is all the Internet can carry, but in peer-to-peer communications and knowledge sharing evidenced by the explosive use of file sharing, blogs, SMS, etc. An interesting read: http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue6_2/odlyzko/ Stephen Settimi Sr. Fellow, Knowledge Management USAID -----Original Message----- From: africasource2-l-bounces(a)lists.tacticaltech.org [mailto:africasource2-l-bounces@lists.tacticaltech.org] On Behalf Of Eric Osiakwan Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 4:21 AM To: discuss(a)afrispa.org; AfriNIC Discuss; afnog(a)afnog.org Cc: africasource2-l(a)lists.tacticaltech.org; kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke; En-ISPA_Team(a)afrispa.org; tier(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu; committee(a)afrispa.org; fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org; afix(a)afrispa.org; idlelo2(a)fossfa.net Subject: [Africasource2-l] AfrISPA launches a paradigm shift to stimulateInternet growth through CONTENT On Thursday 23rd of March 2006 at the keynote session of the Digital Africa Summit in Arebella Sheraton Grand Hotel, Cape Town, the African Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA @ www.afrispa.org) launched their first position paper in a series which is focused on strategies for increased Internet growth. "A call for a paradigm shift to stimulate Internet growth through content" is the first position paper which argues that based on research finding, most African are interested in the value they get out of connecting to the Internet and not just for the sake of having access. Primarily their interest is driven by the value of content that they locate which is relevant to their lives and business. According to Mr. Muriuki Mureithi of Summit Strategies who authored the report on behalf of AfrISPA, it was intriguing to realize that even in the semi-rural areas the interest of most small medium enterprises who could afford the Internet was content; they asked the question "would I find relevant material on the Internet which would aid the growth of my business?". For them it was not just enough to use the Internet to communicate but they also wanted to see how it fits into their business processes for growth. Further the position of the lack of African content on the Internet was expressed by some of the constituents interviewed in the study. Launching the report, Mr. William Stucke, Chairman of AfrISPA expressed AfrISPA's interest in identifying other mechanism for stimulating Internet growth on the continent hence the series of position papers being undertaken with support from the Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa Programme (CATIA @ www.catia.ws) He outlined the ten point recommendations of the study and emphasised the one that asks AfrISPA members and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Africa to give a free webpage or weblog (blog) to all their clients as well as develop simple web publishing tools to help them publish their content. The main objective of this position paper it to make the case for Africans to move from being consumers to producers of content that is relevant to their livelihoods and business. The culture of generating, process and publishing content in Africa is so lacking that if we don't take a strategic step to deal with it, all the Internet pipes that are being built would lack the relevant content for our socio-economic development. Earlier, Mr. Eric M.K Osiakwan secretary of AfrISPA announced in his presentation that Africa now has fifteen Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and twelve ISP Associations (ISPAs) however current efforts with other regional institutions would result in the establishment of ten more ISPAs and IXPs in 2006 with a projection of that to double in 2007. He emphasised that the growth of these exchanges is based on content and vice versa so the establishment of IXPs and the culture of developing and publishing content must go hand in hand. A copy of the study can be downloaded @ http://www.afrispa.org/PositionPapers/content.pdf NB: Apologise for crossposting. -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html Slang: "Tomorrow Now" -- _______________________________________________ Africasource2-l mailing list Africasource2-l(a)lists.tacticaltech.org http://lists.tacticaltech.org/mailman/listinfo/africasource2-l

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