- KICTANet - KICTANet

Fw: [DigAfrica] VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firms in Kenya
by alice＠apc.org 16 Aug '05

16 Aug '05

VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firms > The Nation (Nairobi) > > COLUMN > August 16, 2005 > Posted to the web August 15, 2005 > Pauline Wangui > Nairobi > > It is now official. The Communications Commission of Kenya last week > issued guidelines for the provision of voice over internet protocol > (VoiP). > > Going by the Commission's definition, VoiP is the transmission of > voice as packets over traditional switched networks or over internet > networks (a telecommunication service whereby voice messages are > transmitted as packets over the internet or other telecommunications > network). > > This means that VoIP is finally taking off and the prospect of > internet telephony displacing traditional telephony is now a reality. > > VoiP kills distance, and is of great interest within the telecom > industry. With VoiP service, subscribers have an opportunity to > significantly reduce their local and long-distance calling expenses, > while long-distance carriers have an opportunity to possibly avoid > sharing a large portion of their revenues with the local telephone > companies for use of their access links. > > Moreover, VoiP enables a rich array of services ranging from web-like > phone displays, information services, and data exchange. > > This is a transformative technology, that will redefine the phone and > the way people use it. > > As more businesses and consumers adopt the lower-cost alternative of > VoIP, the normal carriers will be forced to lower their wireline > intercarrier tariffs in order to compete. > > Already, large companies like Time Warner Cable have experimented VoiP > service within their various service territories over the past year. > > Although regulation for VoiP is still being defined, operators > including incumbent Telkom Kenya and new entrants can now incorporate > VoiP as long as they have been licensed. > > However there are key business issues to be addressed. > > The bottom line is that for this or any technology to flourish, there > must be a sustainable business model behind it. The door to the inner > core of telecommunications has just been opened to innovators willing > to expand on relatively simple technologies of digitizing and putting > voice in packets. > > This ability enables a new paradigm in the telecom sector that is > really just beginning. But are the traditional voice carriers ready to > deal with VoiP at operational levels, are they prepared and are they > capable of managing a successful migration?. > > Companies like Net2Phone and Vonage press ahead with new business > models. New comers like Skype and Free World Dial-Up drive innovation > and integration of new uses. > > Collectively such consistently reshape their markets by adopting new > business models that provide for layered services like voice, data, > video, audio and internet. Such innovators can and will erode the > revenue base that the telecom industry fights so hard to hang on to. > > Corporate strategy will have to be reconsidered and decisions made > about the new position in the new voice market. > > Flexible and effective management information systems have to be put > in place in the new environment. Migrations plans must be put in place > to ensure that the migration to VoiP is both operationally and > financially successful. > > Telcos must move fast to position themselves in the VoiP value chain. > They are used to focusing on maximizing returns from their current > infrastructure. > > However, with many new VoIP entrants expected in the market, the > traditional operators cannot afford to sit back as simple > infrastructure providers but need to effect strategies that maintain > their positions. They need to work out how best to position themselves > in this new IP-driven value chain and assess the impact this will have > on their already existing business. > > They also need to know how they intend to deal with new alliances and > partnership with applications and content providers as they maintain > customer s during migration. > > Among the main issues operators will face in the transition are costs > and success of customer migration. > > Extensive investment is required. Risks associated with migration need > to be addressed. > > VoiP-specific issues, such as voice quality and customer churn have to > be looked into. > > With VoiP, the market battle is expected to intensify. What IP > services do consumers want? Who can best deliver them? > > Who can build a sustainable business model, and who will continue the > evolution by keeping the pressure on all the players to innovate. > > These are just but few issues. In telecommunications, you lead, follow > or get out of the way. You can be a steamroller, or you can become > part of the pavement others walk on. > > But if you are, innovative, and creative, you can outrun the telecom > industry that is still slow in this region. > > The writer is a telecoms strategy analyst. > > http://allafrica.com/stories/200508151302.html > > > > > Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica > > Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group > click > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > a.. Visit your group "DigAfrica" on the web. > > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >

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Media Turmoil in UG
by John Walubengo 16 Aug '05

16 Aug '05

Hey, Folks in Uganda, give us a shout on what's on the ground regarding the media. What is coming out is that some FM stations aired rumours and speculation regarding Dr. Garang's death to the point where the President personally ordered them shut down. I have no problem with them being shut, my problem is HOW they got shut. My worry here is about institutional independence. I do believe that UG has an established ICT Policy, Regulatory Body and all the other nice things that Kenya is just beginning to move towards. And yet, suddenly out of nowhere, the 'S' word (Security) seems to be exceptionally supreme and deployable by the Executive - at the expense of any written regulatory framework... What can Kenya learn from this as it tries to finalise its ICT policy? walu.

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KICTANet activities
by alice＠apc.org 13 Aug '05

13 Aug '05

Dear all Some of the activities that we had agreed upon during the planning meeting are due to begin soon. Among them under advocacy 1. Consumer awareness campaigns comprising: -Study consumer lobby groups in Kenya (James Nguo) -SMS broadcasts (One World) -Monthly public Forums (KIS) -Workshop for media people (Media ICT network) Some of the organisations have already begun discussions on the budget and activities. We are currently discussion the SMS broadcasts with One world. Other activities that KICTANet will support are ISOC public Forum TBC LinuxChix Career workshop for high school girls to be held in September 10 2005. We are hoping that this activity will linked to the breakfast meeting we had proposed for women parliamentarians. Members interested in supporting or getting engaged in any of the above activities please let me know. thanks alice

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Fw: [ipdet] experts in PRSP monitoring system and GBS
by alice＠apc.org 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

Dear all Any experts on PRSP out there can apply for this short term consultancy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paola Gosparini" <p.gosparini(a)drn-network.com> To: "IPDET Distribution List" <ipdet(a)lists.worldbank.org> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 7:27 PM Subject: [ipdet] experts in PRSP monitoring system and GBS Dear IPDETers, We are looking for 3 experts for a short term consultancy in Nicaragua to design an integrated PRSP and General Budgetary Support performance Matrix monitoring system. Here below a short background and profile of the experts. The consultancy should start by the end of August at the latest. It is requested good command of Spanish, and EU or Latin American nationality. For CVs and further information, please contact Mari Carmen Bueno : m.bueno(a)drn-network.com Thanks a lot for your cooperation, Best regards Paola Gosparini DRN - Development Researchers' Network Square E. Plasky 92- 1030 Brussels- Belgium tel. +32-2- 7361663 fax +32-2-7065442 <mailto:[email protected]> p.gosparini(a)drn-network.com <http://www.drn-network.com> www.drn-network.com Via I. Nievo, 62- 00153 Rome- Italy tel. +39-06-5816074/6107 fax: +39-06-5816390 Background The ERCEP (Nicaraguan PRSP) established a system of indicators and impact, and a great number of structural policies and measures to be implemented by the Government. Later on, a monitoring system of indicators and reforms was created. The main monitoring system is the annual ERCEP progress report, which has been published in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The SINASIP(Sistema Nacional de seguimientos a los Indicadores de la Pobreza) was created in order to carry out a continuous monitoring of the indicators and it is under the supervision of the SECEP (Secretaria de Coordinación y Estrategia de la Presidencia), who collect the data of the different sources, make the statistics and publish it in the Web so that the Government has access to recent data. The Sistema Integrado de Gestión Financiera y Auditoria (SIGFA), which is both under the supervision of the Public Finance Ministry and under the supervision of the SECEP through the Sistema de Inversión Pública (SNIP), manages also other financial indicators related to public finance and budgetary implementation. Also, in order to monitor these indicators, a certain number of official surveys are launched regularly. The actual monitoring and indicators system is therefore very complex and does not allow responding to the needs of the country. The system is quite expensive to handle and its sustainability is very doubtful. Last May a group of donors signed with the government a financing agreement for the provision of General Budgetary support aligned with the objective on the National Development Plan and monitored through a Performance assessment Matrix (PAM) which indicators are drawn from the PND. Objective of this consultancy To elaborate a strategy, a "road map", to obtain an integrated monitoring system of the PND (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo) with progress reports that incorporate in a single process, managed by the government, the economic and social progress reports made by the government to the assembly, the civil society, the donors and international institutions. This would allow to obtain also a higher level of coordination of the indicators systems both at sectoral and global level and at project/programme level. Profile of the experts Team Leader: Economist, senior category. Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Experience in statistics. Experience with budgetary support and PAM (Performance Assesment Matrix) matrices. Statistics expert: Specialist in national systems of statistic. Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Experience with budgetary support and PAM (Performance Assesment Matrix) matrices. Only backstopping activities in relation to statistic systems (up to 5 days of work) Senior Economist: Specialist in PRSP monitoring systems and indicators. Period of work 2 weeks and 2 for report revision. --- You are currently subscribed to ipdet as: alice(a)apc.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-ipdet-5022085V(a)lists.worldbank.org

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DIPLO: Call for Applications: Internet Governance Research Programme
by alice＠apc.org 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

> Internet Governance (IG) is an increasingly relevant issue in > international relations. The World Summit on the Information Society > (WSIS), held in Geneva in December 2003, officially placed the > question of Internet Governance on diplomatic agendas. Participation > in the global IG debate represents a significant challenge for all > countries, but especially for small and developing ones. Dealing with > IG issues in a comprehensive way requires multidisciplinary knowledge, > as well as a unique blend of diplomatic and technical skills. > > The Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme aims to assist > individuals involved in IG issues from countries with limited > financial and human resources to develop the skills and knowledge > required to participate meaningfully in the global debate on IG. > > To build on the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme that > was run earlier in the year, Diplo, in cooperation with the Global > Knowledge Partnership (GKP), the Internet Corporation for Assigned > Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Swiss Agency for Development and > Cooperation (SDC), is currently accepting applications for the > Internet Governance Research Programme. This programme aims at > improving Internet Governance (IG)-related knowledge and skills of > participants from developing countries, and facilitating > community-building among different national, cultural, and > professional groups. > > The programme, running from September 1 to October 30, 2005, will > consist of supervised collaborative online research for up to 12 > participants. The most successful participants may be invited to > attend the WSIS in Tunis in November 2005 or to present a paper at the > International Conference on Internet Governance in Malta in February > 2006. > > We are accepting applications for research on the following themes > related to Internet Governance: > > * Introduction of IPv6 and Future Governance of Internet Resources > in Relation to Bridging the Digital Divide > * The Role of Civil Society in WSIS: International and National > Level in Developing Countries > * The Internet as Common Heritage of Humanity: Analogies and > Regulation Strategy > * Alternative Economic Models for Internet Governance: Continental > and Regional Backbones for Developing Countries > > Applicants should submit a 400-word project proposal, a curriculum > vitae outlining their relevant experience and a letter of interest > explaining why they wish to be involved in this programme. The > application deadline is August 20, 2005. > > > PARTICIPANTS > > Target Group > The Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme is aimed at > professionals from developing countries who have an interest in > Internet Governance. > > http://www.diplomacy.edu/IG/phase2/ > _______________________________________________ > Plenary mailing list > Plenary(a)wsis-cs.org > http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary > > _______________________________________________ > Apc-wsis mailing list > Apc-wsis(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/apc-wsis >

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SOURCES OF GROWTH FOR THE KENYAN ECONOMY STUDY
by Eric Aligula 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

Colleagues, Good morning to you all! One of the problems that the ICT sector in Kenya faces is the question of its contribution to and its relationship with other sectors in the economy. To answer this question, KIPPRA in liaison with the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is working towards development of a sectoral Computable General Equilibrium Model for Kenya. This model will be applied to identify sources of growth for the Kenyan economy and the alternative strategies that can be pursued to achieve Economic Recovery Strategy Targets and the Millennium Development goals amongst others. This SOURCES OF GROWTH FOR THE KENYAN ECONOMY STUDY will essentially have two components. The first will be a set of quick sectoral surveys to identify specific areas where technology has changed and to estimate new input-output coefficients. The second essential component will be an analysis of the Labour Force Survey. The purpose of this e-mail is to let you know that this exercise is on and to solicit your input and participation. This exercise will be useful to the extent that it will provide numbers regarding the current and potential role that the ICT sector plays in the economy. Hopefully, this information can then be applied to further buttress efforts aimed at enhancing the role of the sector in the economy. We shall be conducting this survey with various formal and informal enterprises within the sector. In this regard, a questionnaire is being developed and will be circulated for your input and comment. Accompanying the questionnaire will be a more detailed summary of the project. I will provide clarifications, should any be required. Thank you, Respectfully yours, Eric M. Aligula, PhD. 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/ I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! (Ecclesiastes 1:13) Kenya Institute For Public Policy Research and Analysis Bishops Garden Towers, Bishop Road; PO Box 56445, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 2 2719933/4, 2714714/5, 2721654, 2721110; Fax: +254 2 2719951 Email: admin(a)kippra.or.ke; Website: http://www.kippra.org This e-mail contains confidential information belonging to KIPPRA and is intended solely for the addressees. The opinions therein, explicit or implied, are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of KIPPRA as an Institute. The unauthorized disclosure, use, dissemination or copying (either whole or partial) of this e-mail, or any information it contains, is prohibited. E-mails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. KIPPRA shall not be liable for this e-mail if modified or falsified. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please delete it immediately from your system and notify the sender of the wrong delivery and the e-mail deletion".

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APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No.12]
by alice＠apc.org 11 Aug '05

11 Aug '05

Hi all This is It is quite a good update of telecommunication issues/news around the continent. Worth reading alice > > Dear all, > > Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates > No. 12, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy > Monitor > Website chosen by our editors. > > ON THE NEWS FRONT, telecommunications news have continued to dominate news > headlines in several countries mainly on issues of privatization and > liberalization in the > sector. Malawi took the centre of attention in last week or so following > the announcement that > the privatization of Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) would go > ahead only for the > President to turn around and suspend the proposed sale after 5 days citing > amongst > other reasons that the price was too low. Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria have > also been in the > news on the same issues of privatization of their fixed line telephone > operator and/or the mobile telephone operator. > > Liberalization issues have also taken a fair share of the news headlines > in the past two > weeks, with Namibia mentioned as lagging in ICT sector growth given the > lack of competition > in the sector. On the same note, we see the regulator announce the > suspension of > the second mobile operator licence process. > Kenya has finally legalised VOIP services, setting the stage for fierce > competition > while Botswana and Liberian parliaments have been discussing relevant > legislation > documents that would have positive effects into the countries > telecommunications sector. > > Finally, the five-year duopoly that gave MTN and Uganda telecom exclusive > rights > over the provision of telecommunication services in the country came to an > end > this week, with the new telecommunication policy still in parliament, > Ugandans may > have wait a little longer before full competition can be achieved in the > sector. > > > > ON INFORMATION RESOURCES, do remember to take a look at a new paper on the > role > of information and communication technologies in the development of > African Women. > The paper emphasizes on current issues and highlights key issues and > challenges faced > by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, globally. > > > ON UPCOMING EVENTS, August and September will be a busy month with several > events > taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on Community Informatics and WSIS. > There is also the upcoming preparation conference on WSIS to take place in > Geneva. > Do visit the links for more information on these events. > > > For these news, information resources and upcoming events, please visit > the > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website links below. > > > Editor > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website > http://africa.rights.apc.org/ > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - NEWS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > > News > Access > > Mozambique: Journalists Welcome Access to Information Bill > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=802367> > 09/08/2005 (IFEX <http://www.ifex.org>) -- ARTICLE 19 and the Media > Institute of Southern Africa-Mozambique (MISA) have welcomed a draft > bill that gives citizens in the country the right to obtain information > held by public authorities. After five years of consultations, the > government has introduced the draft Law of Mozambique on Access to > Official Sources of Information that press freedom advocates hope will > pave the way towards greater transparency and government accountability. > > *News > E-Governance * > > Kenya computerises lands records > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=823808> > 11/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- All land > records will soon be available at the touch of a button. "Kenyans can > rest assured that the question of missing files is now a thing of the > past," said Land and Housing minister Amos Kimunya yesterday. "This will > be a Christmas gift as all rent cards will be available online." > > Ethiopia connects all Federal Courts through a Wide Area Network > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=825472> > 10/08/2005 (ENA <http://www.ena.gov.et>) -- Vice President of the > Federal Supreme Court said activities are underway to connect all > Federal Courts with a centralized database through a Wide Area Network > (WAN). Menberetsehay Tadesse said all federal courts will establish a > database that would enable judges of the Federal Supreme, High and First > Instance Courts to work on near-final pending cases during their recess > period so as to prepare them for decisions. > > > > News > Laws and Regulation > > Ghana: Communications regulator revokes licenses of 34 companies > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=827651> > 11/08/2005 (Ghanaweb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- The National > Communications Authority (NCA) has revoked the licenses of 34 companies > who had earlier been granted licenses to operate as Internet Service > Providers (ISP), Fiber Optic, Public Data and Paging, as well as FM > Radio Services. > > Kenya: VOIP now Legalised > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=823732> > 10/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- The cost of > telephone calls is set to go down with new rules that allow voice > communication over the internet. Voice over internet Protocol has now > been legalised, setting the stage for fierce competition with fixed-line > and cellularphone services. > > Liberia: Government Submits Draft Telecommunications Bill > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=683018> > 02/08/2005 (Liberian Observer <http://www.liberianobserver.com/>) -- > Transitional Government Chairman (NTGL) Charles Gyude Bryant has > submitted a draft bill seeking to amend the Public Authorities Law > creating the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation and an Executive Law > creating the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to the transitional > legislative assembly for its consideration. > > Namibia: Second cell licence on hold > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=630123> > 30/07/2005 (Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- The Namibian > Government has put the granting of a second cellular phone operating > licence on hold. Jan Kruger of the Namibian Communications Commission > (NCC) speaking to the media this week that the Information and > Broadcasting Ministry had temporarily suspended the process to focus on > "more pressing issues". > > > News > National ICT Strategies > > Poor policies blamed for slow growth of ICT > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=682246> > 02/08/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net/>) -- > Africa's policy for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has > not kept pace with technological advancement, a regional stakeholders > forum heard last week. Top on the agenda of the meeting was integration > of ICT policies in the region to help bridge the digital divide. > > Namibia lagging in the technology race > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=630125> > 29/07/2005 (Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- NAMIBIA is > lagging behind other emerging economies in the development and usage of > telecommunications technologies, studies have confirmed. The Namibia > Economic Policy and Research Unit (Nepru) says in its latest report that > compared to other lower- to middle-income countries, Namibians are not > fully utilising Information and Communication Technology (ICT). > > Botswana: Draft competition policy presented to Parliament > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=773332> > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi <http://www.mmegi.bw/>) -- The long awaited draft > competition policy has been presented before Parliament. The document is > expected to help avert unfair business practises, uncompetitive > behaviour and conduct in the market place. > > > > > News > Training and Education > > Kenya: Ambitious ICT project for schools > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878ne_1&x=792581> > 09/08/2005 (Daily Nation <http://www.nationmedia.com/>) -- Eighty per > cent of Form Four leavers should be computer literate by 2008 under a > new plan disclosed by Education minister George Saitoti. Prof Saitoti > has also said that Information Communication Technology (ICT) would be > taught in teachers training colleges to prepare them for the project. > > > News > Telecommunications > > Uganda: Expedite the telecom policy > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=823678> > 11/08/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug/>) -- Last month the > five-year duopoly period that gave MTN and Uganda telecom the rights to > offer countrywide telecommunication services expired. However, the > government decision to open the sector to more players or not, awaits a > telecommunications policy paper that is yet to be discussed and passed > by parliament and the cabinet. > > Namibia: Telecoms liberalisation 'essential' > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=825470> > 10/08/2005 (The Namibian <http://www.namibian.com.na/>) -- A Senior > Namibian researcher has called on Government to seriously consider > liberalising the telecommunications sector, saying competition would > allow for improved service delivery. Christoph Stork, of the Namibian > Economic Policy and Research Unit (Nepru), says liberalisation of the > telecommunication sector would allow more players to wrestle it out for > market leadership, allowing for efficiency and more affordable prices to > consumers. > > Malawi halts privatization of telecom > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773607> > 08/08/2005 (BusinessWeek <http://www.businessweek.com>) -- Malawi > President Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday (6th August) ordered the > immediate suspension of the privatization of the state-run > telecommunication firm after critics said the proposed sale price was > too low. > > Botswana upgrades network > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773266> > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi <http://www.mmegi.bw/>) -- Botswana Telecommunications > Corporation (BTC) has embarked on a number of projects to improve the > capacity and reliability of its network. The Minister of Communications, > Science and Technology, Pelonomi Venson told Parliament this week that a > reliable, high capacity national telecommunications network is essential > to creating an environment capable of attracting high value investors in > the information and knowledge management sector. > > Malawi: Telecoms board against privatisation process > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=773491> > 05/08/2005 (The Nation <http://www.nationmalawi.com/>) -- Malawi > Telecommunications Limited (MTL) board of directors on Thursday (4th > August) accused the Privatisation Commission (PC) of misleading the > nation when it indicated that the privatisation process of the company > is in its final stage. > > Botswana Telecoms connects 40 lines in Barolong > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=773644> > 03/08/2005 (BOPA <http://www.gov.bw/news/index.html>) -- Botswana > Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) completed over 40 landline > connections in Barolong constituency as part of its Nteletsa rural > telephone connection project. > > Malawi's telecoms firm on sale > <http://www.businessinafrica.net/news/southern_africa/467983.htm> > 01/08/2005 (BusinessinAfrica <http://www.businessinafrica.net/>) -- > Malawi leader Bingu wa Mutharika has given a nod for the Malawi > Privatisation Commission to finally sell the country's sole fixed-line > telephone company, Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), which is > Malawi's statutory cash cow. > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ -*INFORMATION & RESOURCES *- //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the > Development of African Women > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=685166> > 03/08/2005 -- This paper sets out to look at the question to information > and communication technologies (ICTs) in relation to women's development > in Africa. The emphasis is on current issues and the paper highlights > key issues and challenges faced by women in Africa and to a smaller > extent, globally. > Appendix A - Community-based Access Points > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixA_access_points.pdf> > Appendix B - Recommendations to Civil Society Organisations > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixB_recommendations.pdf> > Appendix C - What are ICTs? > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixC_icts.pdf> > Appendix D - Recommended Resources > <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/documents/appendixD_resource_list.pdf> > > Stories from the field - Examples of using ICTs for women's development > in Africa. > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=685362> > 03/08/2005 -- STORIES FROM THE FIELD - Examples of using ICTs for > women's development in Africa - for the paper "The Role of Information > and Communication Technologies in the Development of African Women". > There are many examples of how women are using ICTs for development on > the continent. Here we profile only a few in order to highlight how ICTs > can be used for gender justice and social change. > > > New Book Launched: Gender Digital Divide in Francophone Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21867ie_1&x=554532> > 26/07/2005 -- In preparation of the African Woman Day, 2005, the Gender > and ICT Network (a joint initiative ENDA-ART-OSIRIS) publicly launched a > book "Fracture numerique de genre en Afrique francophone : une > inquietante realite" (Gender digital divide in Francophone Africa : a > harsh reality". > > > > ITU and infoDev Launch New Online Regulation Toolkit > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=777232> > "This new ICT Regulation Toolkit will provide ICT policy-makers and > regulators with practical approaches and instruments to support their > decision-making," said infoDev Programme Manager Mostafa Terrab. "It is > a unique resource designed around three key features: it is an > interactive, on-line tool allowing for user feedback and enhancement; it > is dynamic in that its contents will evolve to reflect new developments > in the sector; and it is forward-looking, foreseeing and anticipating > policies and regulations that fully leverage the potential of new > technologies to maximize access for all throughout the developing world." > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - *UPCOMING EVENTS* - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > > *11/08/2005*, Tanzania > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> > > World Youth Development and ICT (WYDI 2005) Conference (Aug 11-12 2005) > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34214> > This conference is being organised with a theme of "Young People > Creating Global Culture". The conference aims to bring together more > than 250 young professionals, community leaders, non-governmental > organisation (NGO) leaders, university students, information and > communication technology (ICT) professionals, among others. > > *22/08/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Building Partnerships for the Information Society (Aug 22-27 2005) > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34216> > The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with the support of the > Cape Town City, the Centre for e-Innovation in the Provincial Government > of the Western Cape and the South African Department of Communications, > will be organising and hosting the "Information Society" event. > > *24/08/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=29325> > The Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 Conference is > open to receive research, policy and praxis based papers around the > major theme of 'partnerships'. > > *31/08/2005*, Botswana > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21811e_1> > World Information Technology Forum (Witfor) 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=31388> > The Government of the Republic of Botswana, in collaboration with the > International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) will host the > second World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone from > August 31 to September 2, 2005. WITFOR is a state-of-the-art, high-level > international forum, aimed at ICT policy-makers and practitioners. > > *05/09/2005*, Cameroon > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21850e_1> > CTO Forum 2005 - Yaounde, Cameroon, 5 - 6 September 2005 > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=136150> > Organised in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the CTO will > host this unique gathering of opinion leaders and decision-makers in > response to the growing need for access to ICT in emerging markets in > the Commonwealth and beyond. > > *12/09/2005*, South Africa > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> > Highway Africa Conference 2005 'Reinforcing journalism in the > information society'** > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=33696> > The Highway Africa 2005 will explore the above issues and seek to assist > in overcoming the challenges. Highway Africa's programme includes a > unique mix of plenary and keynote presentations, panel discussions and > hands-on workshops where delegates acquire practical skills and expertise. > > *19/09/2005*, International > <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s30084e_1> > PrepCom-3 of the WSIS Tunis phase to take place in Geneva > <http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html> > The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3 of the Tunis > phase) will take place in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) from > 19-30 September 2005. > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > ABOUT APC > > The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international > network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and > supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of > information and communication technologies, especially internet-related > technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer > practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an > international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and > related concerns, in both policy and practice. > APC: http://www.apc.org. > > APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa > > APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute > to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive > policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT > Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations > to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society > based on social justice and human rights. > > APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org > > The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the > International Research Development Centre (IDRC). > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes, > get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa > Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list: > > http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public > > or send an email to > > africa.rights(a)apc.org > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > > -- > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna > Africa Policy Monitor Project > Association for Progressive Communications (APC) > Email: africa.rights(a)apc.org or njenga(a)apc.org > Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > --- > 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 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > FYI > > apologies for cross posting.. > > NN > > -------- Original Message -------- > > Dear all, > > Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates > No. 12, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy > Monitor > Website chosen by our editors. > > ON THE NEWS FRONT, telecommunications news have continued to dominate news > headlines in several countries mainly on issues of privatization and > liberalization in the > sector. Malawi took the centre of attention in last week or so following > the announcement that > the privatization of Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) would go > ahead only for the > President to turn around and suspend the proposed sale after 5 days citing > amongst > other reasons that the price was too low. Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria have > also been in the > news on the same issues of privatization of their fixed line telephone > operator and/or the mobile telephone operator. > > Liberalization issues have also taken a fair share of the news headlines > in the past two > weeks, with Namibia mentioned as lagging in ICT sector growth given the > lack of competition > in the sector. On the same note, we see the regulator announce the > suspension of > the second mobile operator licence process. > Kenya has finally legalised VOIP services, setting the stage for fierce > competition > while Botswana and Liberian parliaments have been discussing relevant > legislation > documents that would have positive effects into the countries > telecommunications sector. > > Finally, the five-year duopoly that gave MTN and Uganda telecom exclusive > rights > over the provision of telecommunication services in the country came to an > end > this week, with the new telecommunication policy still in parliament, > Ugandans may > have wait a little longer before full competition can be achieved in the > sector. > > > > ON INFORMATION RESOURCES, do remember to take a look at a new paper on the > role > of information and communication technologies in the development of > African Women. > The paper emphasizes on current issues and highlights key issues and > challenges faced > by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, globally. > > > ON UPCOMING EVENTS, August and September will be a busy month with several > events > taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on Community Informatics and WSIS. > There is also the upcoming preparation conference on WSIS to take place in > Geneva. > Do visit the links for more information on these events. > > > For these news, information resources and upcoming events, please visit > the > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website links below. > > > Editor > APC Africa Policy Monitor Website > http://africa.rights.apc.org/ > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - NEWS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > News > Access > > Mozambique: Journalists Welcome Access to Information Bill > 09/08/2005 (IFEX) -- ARTICLE 19 and the Media Institute of Southern > Africa-Mozambique (MISA) have welcomed a draft bill that gives citizens in > the country the right to obtain information held by public authorities. > After five years of consultations, the government has introduced the draft > Law of Mozambique on Access to Official Sources of Information that press > freedom advocates hope will pave the way towards greater transparency and > government accountability. > > > > > News > E-Governance > > Kenya computerises lands records > 11/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- All land records will soon be available at > the touch of a button. "Kenyans can rest assured that the question of > missing files is now a thing of the past," said Land and Housing minister > Amos Kimunya yesterday. "This will be a Christmas gift as all rent cards > will be available online." > > Ethiopia connects all Federal Courts through a Wide Area Network > 10/08/2005 (ENA) -- Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court said > activities are underway to connect all Federal Courts with a centralized > database through a Wide Area Network (WAN). Menberetsehay Tadesse said all > federal courts will establish a database that would enable judges of the > Federal Supreme, High and First Instance Courts to work on near-final > pending cases during their recess period so as to prepare them for > decisions. > > > > News > Laws and Regulation > Ghana: Communications regulator revokes licenses of 34 companies > 11/08/2005 (Ghanaweb) -- The National Communications Authority (NCA) has > revoked the licenses of 34 companies who had earlier been granted licenses > to operate as Internet Service Providers (ISP), Fiber Optic, Public Data > and Paging, as well as FM Radio Services. > > Kenya: VOIP now Legalised > 10/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- The cost of telephone calls is set to go down > with new rules that allow voice communication over the internet. Voice > over internet Protocol has now been legalised, setting the stage for > fierce competition with fixed-line and cellularphone services. > > Liberia: Government Submits Draft Telecommunications Bill > 02/08/2005 (Liberian Observer) -- Transitional Government Chairman (NTGL) > Charles Gyude Bryant has submitted a draft bill seeking to amend the > Public Authorities Law creating the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation > and an Executive Law creating the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications > to the transitional legislative assembly for its consideration. > > Namibia: Second cell licence on hold > 30/07/2005 (Namibian) -- The Namibian Government has put the granting of a > second cellular phone operating licence on hold. Jan Kruger of the > Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) speaking to the media this week > that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had temporarily suspended > the process to focus on "more pressing issues". > > > > > > > > News > National ICT Strategies > > Poor policies blamed for slow growth of ICT > 02/08/2005 (East African Standard) -- Africa's policy for Information and > Communication Technology (ICT) has not kept pace with technological > advancement, a regional stakeholders forum heard last week. Top on the > agenda of the meeting was integration of ICT policies in the region to > help bridge the digital divide. > > Namibia lagging in the technology race > 29/07/2005 (Namibian) -- NAMIBIA is lagging behind other emerging > economies in the development and usage of telecommunications technologies, > studies have confirmed. The Namibia Economic Policy and Research Unit > (Nepru) says in its latest report that compared to other lower- to > middle-income countries, Namibians are not fully utilising Information and > Communication Technology (ICT). > > > Botswana: Draft competition policy presented to Parliament > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi) -- The long awaited draft competition policy has been > presented before Parliament. The document is expected to help avert unfair > business practises, uncompetitive behaviour and conduct in the market > place. > > > > > > > > > News > Training and Education > > Kenya: Ambitious ICT project for schools > 09/08/2005 (Daily Nation) -- Eighty per cent of Form Four leavers should > be computer literate by 2008 under a new plan disclosed by Education > minister George Saitoti. Prof Saitoti has also said that Information > Communication Technology (ICT) would be taught in teachers training > colleges to prepare them for the project. > > > > > News > Telecommunications > Uganda: Expedite the telecom policy > 11/08/2005 (NewVision) -- Last month the five-year duopoly period that > gave MTN and Uganda telecom the rights to offer countrywide > telecommunication services expired. However, the government decision to > open the sector to more players or not, awaits a telecommunications policy > paper that is yet to be discussed and passed by parliament and the > cabinet. > > Namibia: Telecoms liberalisation 'essential' > 10/08/2005 (The Namibian) -- A Senior Namibian researcher has called on > Government to seriously consider liberalising the telecommunications > sector, saying competition would allow for improved service delivery. > Christoph Stork, of the Namibian Economic Policy and Research Unit > (Nepru), says liberalisation of the telecommunication sector would allow > more players to wrestle it out for market leadership, allowing for > efficiency and more affordable prices to consumers. > > Malawi halts privatization of telecom > 08/08/2005 (BusinessWeek) -- Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika on > Saturday (6th August) ordered the immediate suspension of the > privatization of the state-run telecommunication firm after critics said > the proposed sale price was too low. > > Botswana upgrades network > 05/08/2005 (Mmegi) -- Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has > embarked on a number of projects to improve the capacity and reliability > of its network. The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, > Pelonomi Venson told Parliament this week that a reliable, high capacity > national telecommunications network is essential to creating an > environment capable of attracting high value investors in the information > and knowledge management sector. > > Malawi: Telecoms board against privatisation process > 05/08/2005 (The Nation ) -- Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) board > of directors on Thursday (4th August) accused the Privatisation Commission > (PC) of misleading the nation when it indicated that the privatisation > process of the company is in its final stage. > > > Botswana Telecoms connects 40 lines in Barolong > 03/08/2005 (BOPA) -- Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) > completed over 40 landline connections in Barolong constituency as part of > its Nteletsa rural telephone connection project. > > Malawi's telecoms firm on sale > 01/08/2005 (BusinessinAfrica) -- Malawi leader Bingu wa Mutharika has > given a nod for the Malawi Privatisation Commission to finally sell the > country's sole fixed-line telephone company, Malawi Telecommunications > Limited (MTL), which is Malawi's statutory cash cow. > > > > > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ -INFORMATION & RESOURCES - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the Development > of African Women > 03/08/2005 -- This paper sets out to look at the question to information > and communication technologies (ICTs) in relation to women's development > in Africa. The emphasis is on current issues and the paper highlights key > issues and challenges faced by women in Africa and to a smaller extent, > globally. > Appendix A - Community-based Access Points > Appendix B - Recommendations to Civil Society Organisations > Appendix C - What are ICTs? > Appendix D - Recommended Resources > > Stories from the field - Examples of using ICTs for women's development in > Africa. > 03/08/2005 -- STORIES FROM THE FIELD - Examples of using ICTs for women's > development in Africa - for the paper "The Role of Information and > Communication Technologies in the Development of African Women". There are > many examples of how women are using ICTs for development on the > continent. Here we profile only a few in order to highlight how ICTs can > be used for gender justice and social change. > > > New Book Launched: Gender Digital Divide in Francophone Africa > 26/07/2005 -- In preparation of the African Woman Day, 2005, the Gender > and ICT Network (a joint initiative ENDA-ART-OSIRIS) publicly launched a > book "Fracture numerique de genre en Afrique francophone : une inquietante > realite" (Gender digital divide in Francophone Africa : a harsh reality". > > > > ITU and infoDev Launch New Online Regulation Toolkit > "This new ICT Regulation Toolkit will provide ICT policy-makers and > regulators with practical approaches and instruments to support their > decision-making," said infoDev Programme Manager Mostafa Terrab. "It is a > unique resource designed around three key features: it is an interactive, > on-line tool allowing for user feedback and enhancement; it is dynamic in > that its contents will evolve to reflect new developments in the sector; > and it is forward-looking, foreseeing and anticipating policies and > regulations that fully leverage the potential of new technologies to > maximize access for all throughout the developing world." > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - UPCOMING EVENTS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ > 11/08/2005, Tanzania > > World Youth Development and ICT (WYDI 2005) Conference (Aug 11-12 2005) > This conference is being organised with a theme of "Young People Creating > Global Culture". The conference aims to bring together more than 250 young > professionals, community leaders, non-governmental organisation (NGO) > leaders, university students, information and communication technology > (ICT) professionals, among others. > > 22/08/2005, South Africa > Building Partnerships for the Information Society (Aug 22-27 2005) > The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with the support of the Cape > Town City, the Centre for e-Innovation in the Provincial Government of the > Western Cape and the South African Department of Communications, will be > organising and hosting the "Information Society" event. > > 24/08/2005, South Africa > Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 > The Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 Conference is open > to receive research, policy and praxis based papers around the major theme > of 'partnerships'. > > 31/08/2005, Botswana > World Information Technology Forum (Witfor) 2005 > The Government of the Republic of Botswana, in collaboration with the > International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) will host the > second World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone from August > 31 to September 2, 2005. WITFOR is a state-of-the-art, high-level > international forum, aimed at ICT policy-makers and practitioners. > > 05/09/2005, Cameroon > CTO Forum 2005 - Yaounde, Cameroon, 5 - 6 September 2005 > Organised in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the CTO will > host this unique gathering of opinion leaders and decision-makers in > response to the growing need for access to ICT in emerging markets in the > Commonwealth and beyond. > > 12/09/2005, South Africa > Highway Africa Conference 2005 'Reinforcing journalism in the information > society'** > The Highway Africa 2005 will explore the above issues and seek to assist > in overcoming the challenges. Highway Africa's programme includes a unique > mix of plenary and keynote presentations, panel discussions and hands-on > workshops where delegates acquire practical skills and expertise. > > 19/09/2005, International > PrepCom-3 of the WSIS Tunis phase to take place in Geneva > The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3 of the Tunis > phase) will take place in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) from > 19-30 September 2005. > > > > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > ABOUT APC > > The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international > network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and > supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of > information and communication technologies, especially internet-related > technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer > practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an > international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and > related concerns, in both policy and practice. > APC: http://www.apc.org. > > APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa > > APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute > to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive > policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT > Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations > to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society > based on social justice and human rights. > > APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org > > The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the > International Research Development Centre (IDRC). > > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes, > get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa > Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list: > > http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public > > or send an email to > > africa.rights(a)apc.org > > //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// > > > > > > > -- > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna > Africa Policy Monitor Project > Association for Progressive Communications (APC) > Email: africa.rights(a)apc.org or njenga(a)apc.org > Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--- > 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

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Summary of the WSISYouthKenya EConference
by Wainaina Mungai 11 Aug '05

11 Aug '05

Attached is the Summary of the WSISYouthKenya EConference held between 2nd and 10th August 2005. We would appreciate your feedback on issues. It will also be used as an advisory document in the Kenya Youth and ICT Convention to be held from 8am tomorrow to 4pm on Saturday at YMCA, Nairobi. For those attending the Convention, kindly input your comments and carry a copy to be handed in as you register. Regards, Wainaina

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Toolkit for free/open sourcesoftware policy inAfrica
by alice＠apc.org 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

(Apologies for cross posting) > INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA > > bridges.org, 10 August 2005 > > TOOLKIT TO HELP GOVERNMENTS NAVIGATE THE MINEFIELD OF FREE/OPEN > SOURCE SOFTWARE POLICY IN AFRICA > > Over the last few years free/open source software (FOSS) has emerged > as an alternative to proprietary software and -- many hope -- a > solution to Africa's digital divide. FOSS comes with a number of > rights that distinguish it from proprietary software, including the > right to access the source code and make modifications; the right to > use and share it freely; and it is usually available without license > costs. > > A variety of interest groups such as the local ICT industry, > multinational software vendors, industry associations, academia and > civil society are increasingly lobbying their governments to take > action. The suggestions that are being put forward range from > mandating the exclusive use and procurement of free/open source > software to an unregulated free-market approach. In addition, African > governments are urged to define their positions regarding the > inclusion of FOSS in the official proceedings leading up to Phase II > of the World Summit for the Information Society in Tunis. However, a > practical overview of the areas in which governments can make > interventions, and the strategic approaches they can take have been > missing, and many advocacy efforts fail to address the link between > FOSS and broader social and economic development goals. > > The bridges.org report, "Free/open source software (FOSS) policy in > Africa: A toolkit for policy-makers and practitioners" is targeted at > governments that are investigating whether and how they can integrate > FOSS into their strategies for social and economic development. It > provides a broad overview of how FOSS fits into national ICT policy- > making, outlines the areas where governments can take policy decision > related to FOSS as well as some of the possible approaches, and lists > activities related to FOSS policy from across Africa. It recommends > an approach to FOSS policy-making linked to national development > goals and discusses some example development goals and how FOSS > policies could be shaped to address them. In addition, a set of > annexes provides a collection of useful resources that complement the > report, including a background reading list of key documents and > reports and a list of organisations working in the field. > > One of the annexes and an important part of the toolkit is a table > containing country-specific information on FOSS policy activities for > Africa. It is intended as a starting point for a resource that is > owned by the community. The annex is provided as a separate document > under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license > to allow modifications and extension. > > The development of the Toolkit was supported by the UK Department of > International Development Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) > programme. > > The full report and policy table are available at http:// > www.bridges.org/foss/index.html > > > ENDS ### > > Contact: > > Philipp Schmidt > research(a)bridges.org > > ------------------------------------------ > > About bridges.org > > Bridges.org is an international non-profit organisation with a > mission to promote the effective use of ICT in developing countries > to improve people's lives. One area of focus is informing policy > decisions that affect people's access to and use of ICT. Bridges.org > also conducts technology research and provides social consulting > services to ground-level projects using ICT, helping with project > planning and evaluation and relaying lessons learned. It brings an > entrepreneurial attitude to its social mission, and is committed to > working with, instead of against, government agencies and the > business community. For more information please see http:// > www.bridges.org. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > news mailing list > news(a)bridges.org > https://www.bridges.org/mailman/listinfo/news > > > > _______________________________________________ > Catia_team mailing list > Catia_team(a)catia.ws > http://catia.eyecon.co.za/mailman/listinfo/catia_team >

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Re: Postponement
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Dear Alex Thanks for this. Though I am not too sure I understand the message. Is Michiel Leenaars bringing together all inventors of IP to our Kenya event? If so thank you Michiel. We look forward. alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke> To: "Michiel Leenaars" <Michiel(a)staff.isoc.nl> Cc: "Alex CORENTHIN" <corenthin(a)ucad.sn>; "Alan Levin" <alan(a)futureperfect.co.za>; "Emmanuel Njenga" <njega(a)apc.org>; <mucheru(a)wananchi.com>; "Victor Kyalo" <vkyalo(a)kenet.or.ke>; "S K Kibe" <kibe(a)cck.go.ke>; "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke>; "Kemei, Christopher" <Kemei(a)cck.go.ke>; "James Rege" <kenyaictpolicy(a)yahoo.co.uk>; "Dr. Juma Okech" <juma(a)treasury.go.ke>; "Damaris Kiuna" <tespok(a)tespok.co.ke>; "Constantine Obuya" <cobuya(a)acwict.or.ke>; "Chiiru Njogu - Yahoo" <luchiru(a)yahoo.com>; "Brian Longwe" <brian(a)inhand.co.ke>; "Alice Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 11:44 AM Subject: Fw: Postponement > Dear Colleagues, > > Michiel Leenaars, The Director, The Internet Society (ISOC) Netherlands > http://www.isoc.nl deserves our individual messages of appreciation and > encouragement in his efforts to seek the presence of the inventors of the > IP > protocol on the weekend of 22-23 October 2005, as we celebrate a decade > since first Internet connection in Kenya. > > Please send this message to your colleagues and ISOC KE enthusiasts. > > "It'd be the greatest technological honour, and the next best thing since > sliced bread to happen to Kenya" - Alex Gakuru > > Thank you! > > Alex Gakuru > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michiel Leenaars" <Michiel(a)staff.isoc.nl> > To: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)mail.co.ke> > Cc: "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> > Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 10:33 AM > Subject: Re: Postponement > > >> Hello Alex, >> >> I was able to change the flight. Luckily the dates are not too >> problematic. I arrive at the 19th of october and fly back at the 25th at >> 10 in the evening. This leaves some time before the event to help you >> out with press releases, organisation of the meeting etc. >> >> It sounds like a good idea to make 10 years of internet the starting >> point of your chapter. I would try and approach Vint Cerf or Robert >> Kahn (the inventors of the IP protocol) to see if one of them would be >> willing to come over on this special occassion. This would help gain >> maximum attention. >> >> Best wishes, >> Michiel >> >> > >

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FEMNET Updates - August 2005
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Hi All Below communication etc events that some KIP and KICTANET members might be interested in participating thanks alice > > EVENTS > > International Conference, Bielefeld, Germany > Date: February 9th -11th 2006 > The conference is entitled: Cyberworld unlimited? Digital Inequality and > New > Spaces of Informal Education for Young People. > For more information visit the conference website: > http://www.kib-bielefeld.de/tagung/engl/ or contact Dr. Nadia Kutscher: > nadia.kutscher(a)uni-bielefeld.de > > Cultural Studies Workshop > Date: 23-26 January 2006 > Venue: R-1 Baihnabghata-Patuli Township, Calcutta India > The Centre for Studies in Social Sciences will host the workshop in > collaboration with Ford Foundation (India) and SEPHIS- the Netherlands. > The > theme of the workshop is Cultures of the Body. > For more information contact Susanta Ghosh at: csw(a)cssscal.org or > info(a)cssscal.org > > The 10th AWID International Forum on Women's Rights and Development: How > Does Change Happen? - Bangkok, Thailand > Date: October 27-30, 2005 | > Early Registration Deadline: August 15, 2005 > Registration Closes: October 14, 2005 > For more information visit: www.awid.org/forum > > International Conference - "Where are Girls and Women in Science and > Technology?" 20th - 21st October 2005 in Berlin > The international conference "Where are Girls and Women in Science and > Technology?" is organised by Femtec. University-based Career Center For > Women Berlin Inc. (Femtec. Hochschulkarrierezentrum für Frauen in Berlin > GmbH) and the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. > For more information and registration visit: > http://femtec-konferenz.de/en/ > > RESOURCES > > Gender and Media Opinion and Commentary Service > GEM offers opinion and commentary articles to the media for use at no > cost. > For more information contact the editor, Jan Moolman at: > janine(a)genderlinks.org.za or visit the website: > http://www.genderlinks.org.za/gemcomm/gemcommindex.asp > Report on Aid Harmonization and the MDGs Available > > "Aid Harmonization: What Will It Take to Meet the MDGs?" > The report was released by the Development Gateway and is available at: > http://topics.developmentgateway.org/special/aidharmonization > > UN Report on Internet Governance > The Working Group on Internet Governance established by the UN > Secretary-General at the close of the first phase of the World Summit on > the > Information Society in December 2003, has completed it work and submitted > its report on internet governance. The report is available at: > http://www.wgig.org/ > > VACANCIES > > CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation > Deputy Secretary General - Programmes > The successful candidate will support the Secretary General of CIVICUS in > the overall leadership of the organisation. > For further information email: humanresources(a)civicus.org. > > CALL FOR SUBMISSION/APPLICATION/PARTICIPATION > > The Communication Initiative [The CI]: Priority Themes Survey and Call for > Abstracts and Proposals > The Communication Initiative together with The World Bank's Development > Communication Division and FAO are co-hosting and organizing the World > Congress on Communication for Development [WCCD] to be held in Rome, Italy > on March 15-17 2006. > As part of the preparation for this event and in order to help ensure its > relevance and value a priority survey will be conducted and abstracts and > proposals will be required from policy makers amongst other players. > For more information contact Chris Morry of the CI at: cmorry(a)comminit.com > or visit: http://www.comminit.com > > The Global Movement for Children-White Band Action Plans Written by > Children > and Youth > The global movement for children is planning a second year of the 'Lesson > for Life'; a 'lesson' on HIV/AIDS and the effect of the crisis on > children. > The key focus of the Lesson this year is getting treatment for all > children, > looking particularly at trade rules that protect the rights of children > rather than the interests of pharmaceutical companies. The 'lessons' will > start on World AIDS Day (December 1st) and finish on White Band Day 3 > (December 10). A selection of the 'white band' action plans written by > children and youth will be targeted to the WTO Ministerial Conference > accompanied by a report and some key policy calls. > For more information and the children's and NGO's activity and planning > packs see www.gmfc.org/hivaids > > TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES > University of London-Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street > Hospital for Children NHS Trust > The institute in partnership with other institutions is now offering the > European MSc in International Health (Erasmus Mundus). This programme > offers participants a choice of six specialisation tracks, with modules > followed in eight partner institutions around Europe. > For more information on the course, email: cichcour(a)ich.ucl.ac.uk or > visit: > www.cich.ich.ucl.ac.uk > > Galilee College, Israel-International Training for Agriculture > Professionals > Date: September 8th-26th, 2005 > The department of agriculture would conduct the course consisting of four > programmes for agriculture professionals from around the world. The > institution will grant tuition scholarships for eligible candidates. > For online registration and more information visit: www.galilcol.ac.il or > you may contact through fax: 972-4-9830227 or email: mailto:International > _Department(a)galilcol.ac.il > > The British Council-Nairobi, Kenya > The organisation has several training programmes for individuals and > corporate teams. The broader programmes include: Management Training, > Managers' Development Programme and Women's Development Programme. > For more information visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/kenya or contact > Jane on email: jane.onoka(a)britishcouncil.or.ke > > World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)-Short Term > Courses > AMARC will be conducting short-term courses at its regional offices in > Braamfontein, Johannesburg in September. For more details about the > courses > please contact Ms. Shingai Nyoka at: comofficer(a)amarcafrica.org > > E-Learning Course on European Human Rights System > The registration deadline for this course has been extended until 1 > September 2005. > Further information and application forms can be obtained at: > http://www.hrea.org/courses/9E.html > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ------------------------ > > > EVENEMENTS > > Conférence Internationale, Bielefeld, Allemagne > Date : Du 9 au 11 février 2006 > La conférence s'intitule : Cyberworld Illimité ? Inégalité Numérique et > Nouveaux Espaces pour l'Education Informelle des Jeunes. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter le Site Web de la conférence > : > http/www.kib-bielefeld.de/tagung/engl/ ou contacter Dr. Nadia Kutscher : > nadia.kutscher(a)uni-bielefeld.de > > Atelier sur les Etudes Culturelles > Date : Du 23 au 26 janvier 2006 > Lieu : R-1 Baihnabghata-Patuli Township, Calcutta, Inde > L'atelier sera organisé par le Centre d'Etudes en Sciences Sociales « > Centre for Studies in Social Sciences » en collaboration avec la Fondation > Ford « Ford Foundation » (Inde) et SEPHIS - Pays-Bas. L'atelier a pour > thème « Cultures du Corps » > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter Susanta Ghosh : > csw(a)cssscal.org ou info(a)cssscal.org > > Le 10ème Forum International de l'AWID sur les Droits de la Femme et le > Développement : Comment se passe le Changement ? - Bangkok, Thailande > Date : Du 27 au 30 octobre 2005 > Date de Début des Inscriptions : le 15 août 2005 > Fin des Inscriptions : le 14 octobre 2005 > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter : www.awid.org/forum > > Conférence Internationale - « Où se situent les Filles et les Femmes en > Sciences et Technologie ? » Du 20 au 21 octobre 2005 à Berlin. > La Conférence internationale « Où se situent les Filles et les Femmes en > Sciences et Technologie ? » est organisée par Femtec, le Centre de > Carrières pour les Femmes parrainé par l'Université à Berlin > (Femtec.Hochschulkarrierezentrum für Frauen in Berlin GmbH) et > Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V > Pour plus de renseignements et les inscriptions, veuillez visiter : > http://femtec-konferenz.de/en/ > > RESSOURCES > > Service d'Opinions et Commentaires sur le Genre et la Presse. > GEM fournit gratuitement aux médias des articles contenant opinions et > commentaires. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter le Rédacteur en chef, Jan > Moolman à l'adresse : > janine(a)genderlinks.org.za ou visiter le site Web > http://www.generlinks.org.za/gemcomm/gemcommindex.asp > Le Rapport sur l'Harmonisation de l'Assistance et les MDGs y est > disponible. > > > « Harmonisation de l'Assistance : Que Faudra-t-il pour Réaliser les MDGs > ? » > Le rapport a été publié par Development Gateway et il est disponible à l' > adresse : http:/topics.developmentgateway.org/special/aidharmonization > > Rapport des Nations Unies sur la Gouvernance de l'Internet > L'Equipe de Travail sur la Gouvernance de l'Internet mise en place par le > Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies lors de la clôture de la première > phase > du Sommet Mondial sur la Société de l'Information en décembre 2003 a > terminé > son travail et soumis son rapport sur la gouvernance de l'internet. Le > rapport est trouvable à l'adresse : http://www.wgig.org/ > > VACANCES DE POSTES > > CIVICUS : Alliance Mondiale pour la Participation des Citoyens > Secrétaire Général Adjoint-Programmes > Le candidat gagnant sera chargé d'aider le Secrétaire Général de CIVICUS > dans l'administration générale de l'organisation. > Pour des renseignements supplémentaires, veuillez contacter l'adresse : > humanresources(a)civicus.org > > APPELS EN FAVEUR DE SOUMISSIONS / DEMANDES / PARTICIPATION. > > L'initiative de Communication [L'IC] : Etude sur les Thèmes Prioritaires > et > Invitation à envoyer Résumés et Suggestions > L'Initiative de Communication et la Division Communication du > Développement > de la Banque Mondiale et la FAO vont conjointement accueillir et organiser > le Congrès Mondial sur la Communication pour le Développement [CMCD] qui > se > tiendra à Rome, Italie, du 15 au 17 mars 2006. Dans le cadre des > préparatifs de cet événement, et dans le souci d'assurer sa pertinence et > sa > valeur, une enquête sur les priorités va être effectuée et les résumés et > suggestions seront demandés aux décideurs politiques entre autres > partenaires. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter Chris Morry de l'IC à l' > adresse : cmorry(a)comminit.com ou visiter le site : http://www.comminit.com > > Mouvement Mondial pour les Enfants - Plans d'Action en Bandes Blanches > Ecrites par des Enfants et des Jeunes. > Le mouvement mondial pour les enfants est en train de préparer la deuxième > année de « Lesson for Life » (« Leçon pour la Vie ») ; une « Leçon » sur > le > VIH/SIDA et l'effet de la crise sur les enfants. La Leçon de cette année > sera centrée principalement sur l'accès de tous les enfants au traitement, > en ciblant particulièrement les lois commerciales qui protègent les droits > des enfants plutôt que celles qui favorisent les intérêts des compagnies > pharmaceutiques. Les « Leçons » commenceront le jour de la célébration de > la Journée Mondiale du SIDA (le 1er décembre) et se termineront le 3ème > Jour > des Bandes Blanches (le 10 décembre). Il y aura une sélection des plans > d' > action des « Bandes Blanches » écrites par des enfants et des jeunes en > fixant l'intérêt sur la Conférence Ministérielle de l'Organisation > Mondiale > du Commerce accompagnée par un rapport et certains appels relatifs aux > politiques-clés. > Pour plus de renseignements ainsi que les activités des enfants et ONG de > même que le déroulement des préparatifs, veuillez consulter le site > www.gmfc.org/hivaids > > CHANCES DE FORMATION > > University of London (Université de Londres) - Institute of Child Health > and > Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust. > En partenariat avec d'autres institutions, l'institut offre actuellement > la > MSc. Européenne (Maîtrise en Sciences) en Santé Internationale (Erasmus > Mundus). Ce programme offre aux participants un choix de six filières de > spécialisation, avec des modules suivis dans huit institutions partenaires > de par l'Europe. > Pour plus de renseignements sur le cours, veuillez communiquer par e-mail > à > travers l'adresse : cichcour(a)ich.ucl.ac.uk ou visiter le site web : > www.cich.ich.ucl.ac.uk. > > Galilée College, Israel - International Training for Agricultural > Professional > Date : du 8 au 26 septembre 2005 > Le département d'agriculture va dispenser le cours qui contient quatre > programmes à l'intention des professionnels en agriculture en provenance > du > monde entier. L'institution va accorder aux candidats éligibles des > bourses > pour payer ces cours. > Pour les inscriptions directes par Internet et pour plus de > renseignements, > veuillez visiter www.galilcol.ac.il ou bien envoyez votre fax au numéro > 972-4-9830227 ou envoyer un e-mail à mailto > :[email protected] > > Le Conseil Britannique à Nairobi, Kenya > L'organisation dispose de plusieurs programmes de formation pour les > individus ou des groupes de gens appartenant à des agences. Parmi les > programmes les plus vastes se trouvent - le Programme de Formation en > Gestion, le Programme de Développement à l'intention des Gestionnaires et > le > Programme de Développement à l'intention des Femmes. > Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez visiter > http://www.britishcouncil/.org/kenya ou contacter Jane par e-mail à l' > adresse : janeonoka(a)britishcouncil.or.ke > > Association Mondiale des Journalistes de Radios Communautaires (AMARAC) - > Cours de Courte durée > L'AMARAC organisera des cours de courtes durées dans ses bureaux régionaux > à > Braamfontein, Johannesburg, en septembre. > Pour plus de renseignements à propos de ces cours, veuillez contacter Ms. > Shingai Nyoka à l'adresse comofficer(a)amarcafrica.org > > Cours par voie électronique sur le Système Européen des Droits Humains > > La date limite des inscriptions pour ce cours a été reportée au 1er > septembre 2005. > Des renseignements supplémentaires ainsi que les formulaires de demande > sont > trouvables à l'adresse : http://www.hrea.org/courses/9E.html > > > > > African Women's Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) > Réseau de Développement et de Communications des Femmes Africaines > P. O. Box 54562, 00200, > Nairobi, Kenya. > Tel: +254 20 3741301/20 > Fax: +254 20 3742927 > E-mail: admin(a)femnet.or.ke > Website: http://www.femnet.or.ke > > > FEMNET aims to strengthen the role and contribution of African NGO's > focusing on women's development equality and other human rights, through > communications, networking, training and advocacy. > > FEMNET est un réseau qui soutient le renforcement des capacités des > femmes dans les domaines du plaidoyer et de la communication à travers le > travail en réseau. Il facilite également les échanges d'informations, > d'expériences et de stratégies entre les organisations féminines en vue > d'une véritable promotion des droits humains et particulièrement des > droits > de la femme. >

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KENYA YOUTH AND ICT CONVENTION - 12th and 13th August - YMCA - Nairobi
by Wainaina Mungai 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

KENYA YOUTH AND ICT CONVENTION When: 12th and 13th August 2005 Where: YMCA, Nairobi Theme: ICTs: Creating Opportunities for Young People Outputs: Youth Declaration on Implementation of the ICT Policy and the Launch the Network of Young ICT Changemakers Registration: Download one of the attached forms: 1. Delegate form or 2. Observer form and return to citronwood(a)yahoo.ca or <mailto:[email protected]> info(a)madeinkenya.org Kindly note that there are limited spaces and interested parties are encouraged to register at earliest convenience and latest Wednesday, 10th August Cost of attendance: WSIS Youth Kenya will provide 20 sponsorships for attendance covering the cost of accommodation, meals and materials (but not transport) Option 1: Partial Registration (meals and materials): 1200/- Option 2: Full Registration (2 days accommodation, meals and materials): 3760/- =========================================== More information and updates on the WSIS Youth Kenya RYNICs visit: <http://www.madeinkenya.org/> www.madeinkenya.org or http://projects.takingitglobal.org/wsisyouthkenya The event is part of the Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign 2005 coordinated by WSIS Youth Kenya member organisations [Citron Wood, Radio Waumini, Goal-ICT and The Made in Kenya Network] .: WSIS Youth Kenya CAMPAIGN UPDATES :. Below are the activities of the campaign that will have its climax during the Harambee Youth Week/International Youth Day at the Kenya Youth and ICT Convention on 12th and 13th August. 1. Mapping and research of youth ICT 4 Development projects is ongoing [kindly provide feedback on the attached form] 2. E-Conference on Youth and ICT in Kenya - ongoing - and collection of youth input on the draft ICT policy; which was submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communication. 3. Radio Coverage of youth ICT 4 Development projects on 'The Break' on Radio Waumini every Tuesday. Next show will be on Thursday morning. 4. Youth representative accepted into the WSIS Pavilion subcommittee of the National WSIS Taskforce at CCK. 5. WSIS Youth Caucus represented in the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and in the official discussions on the draft ICT policy. 6. WSIS Youth Kenya hosted the WSIS Youth Global Facilitator - Ms. Titilayo Akinsanmi - in Nairobi and she spoke during "The Break" show on Radio Waumini in June. 7. WSIS Youth Kenya represented at The Africa Regional Youth Congress and Exposition in June. 8. Two youth representatives attended the "National ICT Stakeholders Conference" to finalise the ICT policy in Kikambala, Kilifi in June. 9. Youth and ICT Session at Onestop Youth Information Centre in July. 10. Young Women and ICT Session held at Onestop Youth Information Centre in July. 11. Promotion of the "Free SMS4theDeaf service" that seeks to be an ICT solution for people with hearing impairment to communicate and stay informed using mobile phones. *If you are deaf and need to receive SMS alerts send DEAF ON to the number 560 (Safaricom). The service is provided by Oneworld International. * * * * * * * * * * * The Coordinating team of the Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign in Kenya is made up of the individuals listed below: 1. Antony Wafula - of Radio Waumini and WSISYouthKenya 2. Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro - of Citron Wood, Oxfam International Youth Parliament and Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS 3. Lucy Wanjiru Njogu - of Goal-Information and Communication Technology (Goal-ICT) 4. Wainaina Mungai - of the Made in Kenya Network and Oneworld International as well as facilitator of WSIS Youth Kenya The Rural Youth National Information Society Campaign 2005 is supported by WSIS Youth Caucus with funding from Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) - <http://www.cta.nl/> www.cta.nl. Get Informed! Get Involved! Bridge the Digital Divide!

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Work plan and budget
by alice＠apc.org 09 Aug '05

09 Aug '05

Dear All Attached is the work plan for KICATNET that was discussed during the monthly meeting held last week. I would like to urge all those organisations that took responsibility for the various activities to kindly work out the budgets and send them to me. For example, One world is organising the sms broadcasts Re; Consumer awareness. Wainaina please develop a budget for this. KIF for the 2006 national convention, etc etc thanks and kind regards Alice Wanjira National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws

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Autoreply: [Kictanet] Fwd: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues in the Tunis Phase
by lkraft＠idrc.or.ke 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

Thank you for your email. Sorry I am unable to respond until my return. I am away from 8/8/05 to 26/8/05. For any urgent requests/queries, please contact Florence Etta on email address fetta(a)idrc.or.ke, or call her on Tel: (254)20 - 2713160/61.

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Fwd: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues in the Tunis Phase
by Florence Etta 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

fyi and participation Cheers, FE >X-Spam-Score: 1 >X-Spam-Score: 1 >Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2005 11:26:25 -0400 >X-MS-Has-Attach: >X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: >Thread-Topic: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender >issues in the Tunis Phase >Thread-Index: AcWbTUCJIVF1Z1xzSROpi81oZBZ0ow== >From: "Gurstein, Michael" <gurstein(a)ADM.NJIT.EDU> >To: <communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net> >Reply-To: communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net >X-Loop: communityinformatics(a)vancouvercommunity.net >X-Sequence: 1104 >X-no-archive: yes >List-Id: <communityinformatics.vancouvercommunity.net> >List-Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=help> >List-Subscribe: ><mailto:[email protected]?subject=subscribe%20communityinformatics> >List-Unsubscribe: ><mailto:[email protected]?subject=unsubscribe%20communityinformatics> >List-Post: <mailto:[email protected]> >List-Owner: <mailto:[email protected]> >List-Archive: <http://vancouvercommunity.net/lists/arc/communityinformatics> >Subject: [CI] FW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: >Gender issues in the Tunis Phase > >"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns:st1 = >"urn:schemas:contacts"> > >-----Original Message----- >From: plenary-admin(a)wsis-cs.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >Behalf Of Susana Fernandez >Sent: July 20, 2005 7:27 PM >To: plenary(a)wsis-cs.org >Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] WSIS-Gender Caucus e-discussion: Gender issues >in the Tunis Phase > >Dear Colleagues, Partners and Friends, > > > >The WSIS Gender Caucus is organizing an email-based discussion forum on >identifying and integrating gender perspectives into the WSIS >deliberations at PrepCom3 in September and the Tunis Summit in November. > > > >BACKGROUND INFORMATION > >========================== > >This discussion, organized and moderated under the Electronic Networking >Project component of the WSIS Gender Caucus, will be for a period of three >weeks, from July 25th to August 13th 2005. > > > >This online discussion is aimed at furthering the efforts of the Gender >Caucus to integrate gender perspectives and concerns into the WSIS >deliberations, and to further explore the concrete measures that will >enable us to achieve this integration. > > > >As we move towards Tunis 2005, we call for your participation to help >create a collective understanding of gender perspectives in four critical >areas: > > > * Internet Governance: >There is a general agreement that we need to adopt a multi-stakeholder >approach to Internet Governance. The recently released WGIG report also >underscores the importance of gender balanced representation in all >aspects of Internet Governance, if we are to have a system that is >equitable and democratic. In addition, the gendered construction of all >technology makes it imperative that we embed gender concerns in the >evolution of the Internet. Hence it is vital that we engage in the current >debates on a multi-lateral vs. multi-stakeholder approach, and public >versus private leadership in Internet Governance. These issues are raised >in the WGIG report and will form the backdrop of our discussions as the >report raises many questions How does Internet Governance concern the >interests of women? What do gender equality advocates think about these >issues? What are the important issues related to Internet Governance with >which gender equality advocates and women s rights activists must be engaged? > > > * Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and WSIS: >Many argue that the WSIS process reflects a strong technologically >deterministic approach to development. In this scenario we have to bring >development agenda back into WSIS. Some suggest that an MDG focus, for >which the WSIS was in fact mandated by the UN General Assembly, is a good >peg to achieve this. However, there are others who feel that such a focus >on MDGs is limiting and constraining on ICTD opportunities presented by >WSIS. Such debates raise interesting questions - Do investments in >technology and structural changes implied in ICTD frameworks provide a new >way to look at global debates on development priorities and development >assistance? Can MDGs be achieved without such investments in enabling >technologies and consequent structural changes? Are such opportunities for >structural and institutional change the best time to get gender >perspectives and concerns considered? > > > * Funding and Financing Mechanisms for ICTD: >Markets and the private sector have rightly taken much of the credit for >the IT revolution. The question however, is Are market mechanisms adequate >to take the benefit of the new ICTs to everyone, especially disadvantaged >groups, such as women? Is it enough for the role of public institutions to >be restricted to providing a regulatory environment that enables private >investment in meeting goals of social equity? What is the role of public >and community finance in providing for not just cheap/free connectivity >but also appropriate technology (telecom, software, hardware) and >capacity? Does the basic technology infrastructure and capabilities >represent a global public good, like education, that needs to be provided >to all as a public responsibility? Or will such efforts of extensive >public investments undercut the innovation-incentive system represented by >market-based strategies, and thus be counter productive? How are issues of >costs and coverage of rural/far flung areas of special significance for >women? How critical are interoperability and interconnection of >infrastructure at regional, sub regional and national levels for reducing >cost of access? > > > * Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS: >For gender equality advocates it has been easy to adopt a gender sensitive >approach at the level of ideals and principles. But it seems that there is >a difficulty in pushing for this approach into specific plans of action. >In the WSIS documents as one moves on from the preambles and opening >statements through plans of actions and to actual implementation, the >references to lofty ideals of gender equality rapidly diminish. It is >therefore important for us to discuss which organizations should play a >pivotal role in the implementation stage, and which other organizations >should play necessary supplementing roles? Which ones are poised to take >up the responsibility, and what is their record on gender issues? Which >ones can be expected to represent the interests of women better/ what >should be the role of specialized agencies representing women s interests >like the UNIFEM? What principles should be laid down to ensure a >gender-equal representation in any multi-stakeholder body, which will have >an implementation/ follow up role? > > > >WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE > >============================= > >Our discussions have a two-fold objective: > * We hope that this discussion will enable us to identify, discuss and > integrate gender perspectives into the upcoming WSIS deliberations in > Geneva (prepcom 3) and Tunis. > * We would like to create a space for wider participation of women in > the WSIS process. >We hope that our discussions will provide us with deep and significant >insights that will enable the Gender Caucus to develop well-articulated >position papers on crucial issues at stake at WSIS which can be used for >advocacy-based activities at WSIS. > > > > > >HOW TO PARTICIPATE > >=================== > >Joining this discussion list is very easy! > > > >Just send a blank email to ><mailto:[email protected]>mailadmin(a)genderwsis.org > > > >You will automatically be subscribed to the 4 discussion lists running >concurrently (one for each theme namely, Internet governance; Millennium >Development Goals and WSIS; Funding and Financing Mechanisms for ICTD; >Implementation and Follow-up of WSIS). > > > >CONTACT US > >=================== > >The discussion list is being moderated by Anu Mundkur from IT for Change. >Email: <mailto:[email protected]>anu(a)ITforChange.net > > > >If you face any subscription problem, please contact the WSIS Gender >Caucus Electronic Consultant Taran Rampersad at ><mailto:[email protected]>cnd(a)knowprose.com or the WSIS Gender Caucus >Manager Susana Fernandez at ><mailto:[email protected]>sfernandez(a)genderwsis.org > > > >For more information about the forum, visit the WSIS Gender Caucus website ><http://www.genderwsis.org>www.genderwsis.org > > > >We would be grateful if you could help us disseminate this call for >participation to your networks, organizations or to individuals that may >be interested to engage in these issues. > > > >Thank you, and looking forward to some interesting and useful discussions >soon. > > > >Susana Fernandez > >WSIS Gender Caucus

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Who employs the deaf?
by Wainaina Mungai 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Does any of you know who would employ a deaf person? We run free SMS broadcasts to people with hearing impairment and would love to get info that would help them secure employment..or other relevant info. Is any other KIPList/KICTANet member offering ICT solutions to people with disabilities? For instance, ITAC Consulting has software solutions for the blind. Regards, Wainaina ==== Technical and Product Development Manager Oneworld International 4th Floor, Kimathi House Nairobi. [SMS4theDEAF] : If you have hearing impairment or are deaf, type the words DEAF ON and send to the number 560 on your Safaricom line. You will then receive free News alerts via SMS. To stop receiving the news, please send DEAF OFF.

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Electricity Bills
by James Kagwe 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

KPLC have come up with a most efficient way of letting you know your outstanding bill. To get your current bill, email the first part of your account number i.e for account number 12345-01, type 12345 in the subject field and email it to <mailto:[email protected]> bill(a)kplc.co.ke. Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Ltd 9th floor, Nation Centre, Kimathi Street P. O. Box 52439 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20 - 216 986 Fax: (254) 20 - 219 519 Confidentiality Warning ======================= The contents of this e-mail and any accompanying documentation are confidential and any use thereof, in what ever form, by anyone other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify actuaries(a)aforbes.co.ke and delete it immediately from your system.. Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Limited from whom this e-mail originates accepts no responsibility for losses or damage as a result of any viruses and it is your responsibility to check attachments (if any) for viruses.

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Fw: [DigAfrica] Telkom Kenya won't last 2 years?
by alice＠apc.org 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

----- Original Message ----- From: "Chifu" <chifu2222(a)msn.com> To: <DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 9:36 PM Subject: [DigAfrica] Telkom Kenya won't last 2 years? With losses upto $64.9m, firm won't last 2 years JAINDI KISERO The EastAfrican Telkom Kenya is in dire straits. That is the conclusion of PKF Consulting, which was appointed by the government in March to conduct a due diligence into the financial affairs of the troubled giant parastatal. The report, obtained exclusively by The EastAfrican, says that if Telkom were to be left in its current state, there would be adverse financial implications for both the company and the government. The consultants found that Telkom is in distress, with losses ranging from Ksh3 billion ($38.9 million) to Ksh5 billion ($64.9 million) per year. The report says that if nothing is done, the shareholders' funds will eventually read negative, rendering the company technically insolvent. It adds that the cash flow position will deteriorate, predicting that in its present state, Telkom will not be able to sustain its operations beyond two years due to operating losses, cash flow crunch and inability to borrow any further funds. Without quick action to address its problems, government guarantees may be required for the company to attract funding from the financial sector. A financial analysis of Telkom's operations conducted by the consultants showed that revenues have been on decline since the year 2001, mainly as a result of a rapid decline in the number of new landline connections, a clear sign that Telkom is losing to the two mobile phone operators. The state-owned company's problems have been compounded by the fact that its fixed costs have been increasing exponentially, mainly as a result of a bloated workforce and the costs associated with large fixed asset investments. While the company's gearing ratios (debt to total capital) have remained relatively low, averaging 11 per cent, the report by PKF says that it is only so because the company's accounts have not adequately recognised additional liabilities including stocks and debtors provisions, additional tax and pension liabilities and investment revaluation, and the continuing loss making patterns. The consultants also found that key financial ratios of the company have deteriorated, mainly because of Telkom's inability to collect debts on a timely basis, as a consequence of which the company has been experiencing difficulty in settling its short-term outstanding obligations. The company is owed hundreds of millions of shillings by some its subsidiaries. For instance, the report notes inter-company and related debtor accounts include an amount of Ksh964 million ($12.5 million) for the Gilgil Telecommunications Institute (GTI). Yet the evidence is that itself GTI is broke and relies on Telkom to finance its operational activities. The report also notes that there exists a corporate tax liability of Ksh1.6 billion ($20.7 million) on the books of Telkom relating to the defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunications (KPTC). The consultants say the government lent Telkom $33 million in 2000 to facilitate the acquisition of the Safaricom licence, which will have to be paid within two weeks of its privatisation, according to an agreement signed with the government. >From a review of the company's long term loans, the consultants note that, although a "Paris Club" debt rescheduling arrangement between the company and the government was arrived at, to reschedule Telkom's long term loans where Telkom would only pay 40 per cent of the loans, the agreements have yet to be signed. Based on an actuarial valuation conducted on the scheme by Alexander Forbes as at June 30, last year, on the pension scheme for Telkom employees, the total actuarial deficit amounted to Ksh8.1 billion ($105 million) after excluding the outstanding contributions to net assets. The total pensions liability as per Telkom's balance sheet as at June 30, 2004 - excluding the impact of potential retrenchment of - staff amounts to Ksh4.2 billion ($54 million) resulting in a shortfall of Ksh3.8 billion ($49 million). In the report, PKF has proposed that a provision be made to adjust Telkom's liability to the actuarial position. The consultants also found that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had issued tax assessments for corporation tax amounting to Ksh28.2 billion (including interest and penalties amounting to Ksh20.3 billion). However, these assessments are being contested by Telkom and their tax advisers. The report says that the management of Telkom believes that there is a possibility that the government may waive the penalties. Source: East African Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group click http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "DigAfrica" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Fw: ISOC Kenya Chapter
by alice＠apc.org 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

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

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

03 Aug '05

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

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

03 Aug '05

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

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

03 Aug '05

Dear All Please find attached minutes of our July planning meeting held on 29th July 2005 at the jacaranda hotel. If there any comments please send them to us. The minutes were prepared by Aida Kamau-CATIA 1C thanks all Alice Wanjira National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws

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Re: [Kictanet] Desired Structure
by Joseph Mucheru 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

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

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

02 Aug '05

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

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

02 Aug '05

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

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