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Rights fulfillment goes beyond enterprise voluntarism
by alice＠apc.org 28 Aug '06

28 Aug '06

Apologies for cross posting ----------------------------------------------- Rights fulfillment goes beyond enterprise voluntarism By Omusundi Maina T he continued abuse of human rights by companies and castigation of lobbies that seek redress as a bane to enterprise is an indicator that our country is at the gallows. That companies must behave in an appropriate fashion is not new and cannot be wished away. What is new is the shift from targeting governments solely, to making human rights claims in relation to the private sector. There is a growing recognition that companies, too, have human rights responsibilities within their “sphere of influence”. But who should hold companies accountable for human rights abuses? A serious discussion of corporate responsibility inevitably includes the role of government. But we all remember that human rights protection in Kenya has been a continuous victim of political posturing. Further, as the global economy becomes more integrated, the power of states is declining calling for a new watchdog or leaving the whole gamut of adhering to the Global Compact. The Global Compact is a 2000 United Nations sponsored appeal which called for companies to commit themselves to respect nine core principles in relation to human rights, labour and the environment. It is an open secret that our government, for instance, has been unable or unwilling to take steps required to ensure that companies respect human rights even after self regulation has failed. For instance, the Del Monte case where dogs were let wild to maul children after stripping them naked and burning their clothes both the state and the company have a legal responsibility though in varying degrees. But this has variance been occasioned by the shrouded continnum of legal duties that fall on states to regulate corporate conduct and duties that might fall directly on companies. Since companies operate through their human agents, the fines imposed on them are insufficient and it is time to hold the human agents more responsible. Back to the question of who will police errant companies. It is debatable whether trade unions are the key to unlock the rampant human rights abuses occassioned by companies since rights go beyond workers’ rights. Trade unions have a limited mandate. Civil society organizations, like human rights NGOs, though taken by human rights violators as busybodies, have the mandate to deal with rights issues from a broader spectrum. In case they are errant there are specific channels to deal with them too. But that notwithstanding, company responsibility for human rights abuses remain an issue where the company itself initiated the abuse, and in situations where it colludes or is implicated in abuses committed by others, for example security firms. A company might be responsible because it has directly committed the abuse, in which case it would be considered the principal actor or perpetrator. This was the case with flower firms and the Export Processing Zones as well as captured in the research Manufacturers of Poverty released early in the year. In the Del Monte case, the company has a duty not to act negligently or carelessly towards people to whom it owes a “duty of care”. The company needed to take reasonable steps to avoid harmful acts or omissions. Some duties of care particularly those relating to safety are so important that they cannot be delegated to another. For Tiomin in Kwale, the company initially colluded with government to offer negligible compensation to Kwale peasants. The government further reneged on its duty of ensuring that before mining, the environment impact assessment is duly conducted. Its silence on the distorted value of land and the impact of titanium mining were not going to be known to the world were it not for civil society activities. It is common knowledge that the value of land has shot up by a significant proportion from the initial figures offered four years ago. The Del Monte and Tiomin cases illustrate different levels of corporate complicity. While that of Del Monte can be said to be indirect or silent that of Tiomin is loud and direct. It is therefore inevitable that NGOs will see their roles in the broader human rights spectrum to the chagrin of many unscrupulous entrepreneurs. Thus, it is time businesses and those who speak on their behalf understood that time for ineffective voluntary initiatives of compliance is past. Today, companies will be guided by bigger legal provisions that they must adhere. This is the only way to beat the growing sense that voluntary codes alone are ineffective and that their proliferation is leading to contradictory efforts. Campaigns, consumer boycotts and voluntary codes of conduct all have a role to play. It is time however, to give serious attention to the role of clearly defined state law in ensuring that companies are uniformly accountable in relation to human rights. This will absolve lobbies blames that they selectively target certain groups. Companies too have a responsibility not just to its share holders for profits but also to the non-shareholders vide consumers, the workers and the wider society in which it carries its activities and thus signing our ever-disregarded memorandum of Understanding with one player is not enough indicator that they respect human rights in entirety. Mr Maina is the Deputy Director of with Legal Resources Foundation

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Power Up with ICT 2006
by alice＠apc.org 28 Aug '06

28 Aug '06

Dear all Below, the vision, mission and objectives for this year's Power Up with ICTs activities. Once again the Kenya ICT Federation is coordinating, which has received initial support from the Open Society Institute Eastern Africa (OSIEA) and the Embassy of Finland in Kenya. This year’s power up with ICTs will organise pilot ICT Policy and implementation related meetings at constituency levels. It is aimed at enabling communities to engage and invest in our government’s intentions stipulated in the ICT policy documents and E-government strategy as well to present opportunities for our ICT industry to serve ICT enabled development in various districts. These forums will also provide an opportunity to contribute informed input for the implementation plans for the ICT bill. A working group for this activity was formed during the last planning meeting. The group has fine-tuned the vision and mission developed by KIF, and is now working on developing this year’s programme as well as additional fundraising activities. KICTAnet Members of this group are 1. E-government directorate (Andrew Limo) 2. TESPOK: (Joseph Mucheru) 3. KIF: (Marcel Werner) 4. Summit Strategies (Muruiki Mureithi) 5. KEPSA (Kevit Desai) 6. APC/CATIA/KICTAnet Alice Munyua 7. AeRC (Andrew Karanja) 8. KICTAnet Secretariat (Evelyne Majale and Judy Kimiti) Comments/additions on the vision/mission and objectives are welcome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POWER UP WITH ICT 2006 Project/team Leader: Kenya ICT Federation Vision All Kenyan regions and all sectors of the society will participate in the information society and utilise ICTs to enhance equitable national development Mission To Stimulate application of ICTs among all citizens and to catalyse the ICT industry to serve Kenyans development needs Objectives (short Term) 1.. To promote usage of ICT based solutions across key socio-economic sectors. 2.. To stimulate interest in ICT applications by decision makers in key cities and towns.

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Autoreply: [Kictanet] KICTANet Planning Meeting Minutes
by VNgugi＠idrc.or.ke 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Hi, I shall be away from the office from 24th Aug to 6th Sept. I shall attend to your messages when I return. Thanks Vivianne

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KICTANet Planning Meeting Minutes
by Judy kimiti 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Dear Members, Please find the attached the minutes of the last KICTANet PLanning Meeting Minutes Yours Truely Judy Kimiti KICTANet --------------------------------- Try the all-new Yahoo! Mail . "The New Version is radically easier to use" The Wall Street Journal

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Fwd: August 19th LF-The Stanley Hotel
by Judy kimiti 18 Aug '06

18 Aug '06

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Inbox full of spam? Get leading spam protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail.

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Reminder Online Collaboration tools training for the Kenya IC bill analysis
by alice＠apc.org 17 Aug '06

17 Aug '06

Program Title: Kenyan ICT Bill Analysis -Online Edition Outline Description The Kenyan Government has published a draft Information and Communication Bill (2006) and has invited comments on the same. Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder forum that aims to enhance collaboration between various Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and others interested in harnessing ICT for development. Diplo Foundation (Diplo) is an International organisation promoting global discussions on Internet Governance. Program Setting & Description: The draft Info and Communication Bill (the Bill) has the following major categories: i) Broadcasting & Media ii) Information Technology iii) Telecommunication & Radio iv) Postal v) Academia & Socio-Cultural (implied within text) A selected group of five participants per category are expected to analyse the Bill over a period of four weeks and submit their findings for subsequent consideration within the Bill. Program Design (Data Collection, Data Processing) Data Collection: Using various Online Tools, Information regarding the Bill will be generated by participants who will be following certain weekly tasks/activities. Typically, the following Online tools shall be used to complete these tasks: 1) eClassRoom Outline: Which is an electronic WhiteBoard, hosting the Bill categorised by the above five themes. Participants would review this online content and make online comments which in turn can be reviewed further by their peers. 2) eForum Discussions: Which shall be used for 'eBrainstorming' purposes on specific issues that may arise from the ClassRoom, Blog, or Chat environments 3) Online Chats: On a weekly basis, participants shall meet online to further brainstorm on the Bill in a real-time environment. 4) Blog: The open-space in the classroom, shall act as a general notice-board for various issues from the Moderator and Participants. 5) eMail: The most widely used tool shall be available to ensure that all participants are kept up-to-date with the all events within the portal Data Processing: Each of the various Online activities shall be guided and moderated with a view to stimulate quality collaborations and contributions from the participants. Their online contributions will automatically be stored by the Online Portal. More specifically, these contributions shall be eventually summarised into specific Action-items within the Bill in terms of Additions, Modification and/or Deletion of the various Clauses in the Bill. Aim: To use Online Collaboration tools as a means of efficiently acquiring, storing and disseminating Kenya ICT Bill knowledge. Objectives 1. To Review a selected set of ICT Bills, Acts, Conventions across the world 2. To compare and contrast the above with the Kenya ICT Bill (2006) 3. To identify and list the possible gaps, amendments and additions within the Kenya ICT Bill (2006) Main Outcomes/Deliverables 1. Participants contributions as captured and stored within the Online Environment/Tool 2. Summarised ICT Bill contributions in terms of Action-Items (add, amend, delete) 3. Presentation at the National ICT Bill Workshop Tools Diplo Online Collaboration Tools(Online Classroom, Blog, eDiscussions, Chats, etc) Resources. Participants Diplo Online Collaboration Tools Internet Kenya Info & Communication Bill (2006) Kenya ICT Policy (2005) Various global ICT Policies, Bills and Acts.

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Kictanet as a Supporting organisation for African BPO & Call Centre Conference
by alice＠apc.org 17 Aug '06

17 Aug '06

Dear KICTAnet Members AIETC invites you all to this African BPO and Call Centre conference taking place in September. Any member interested taking the offer by KICTAnet member AITEC to showcase/promote their organisation/events, please contact Judy Kimiti, your events and logistics coordinator. thank you all and best regards alice --------------------------------------------------------- Judy Kimiti jkimiti(a)email.kictanet.or.ke jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sean Moroney" <seanm(a)aitecafrica.com> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 10:47 AM Subject: Kictanet as a Supporting organisation for African BPO & Call Centre Conference > Hi Alice, > > > > We are holding the above conference in Nairobi during the week of 25 > September and would like to invite Kictanet to be a Supporting > Organisation. > > > > In exchange for Kictanet support in promoting the event to your members > and > to the ICT community in general we would provide you with branding in all > publicity material and conference documentation - as well as exhibition > space in the "ICT Community Pavilion" > > > > The draft programme for the event is attached. > > > > Please let me know if you need any more details. > > > > I look forward to having your response. > > > > Yours sincerely, > > > > Sean Moroney > > AITEC Africa > > seanm(a)aitecafrica.com > > Tel: +44-(0)1480-880774 Fax: +44-(0)1480-880765 > > UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 > > SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 > > Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 > > Skype: seanmoroney > > <http://www.aitecafrica.com/> www.aitecafrica.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

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Fw: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools Course:sample copy
by alice＠apc.org 15 Aug '06

15 Aug '06

> Mimimum Requirements for the course: 4th Form Certificate - with computer > literacy (i.e. knowledge of email usage)-it cannot get lower than this -;) > > Resources for course(PC+Internet): Provided for at KCCT, Telposta Towers. > > Resources for after course(Bill Discussion): Need Internet access from > wherever you are located/resident. > > walu > ~~~~~ > > > >> Hi Walu >> Could you indicate the minimum requirements for one to benefit from the >> course and secondly the resources one will need for the course and after >> the course to effectively continue with the programme >> Cheers >> MM >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: John Walubengo [mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent: 07 August 2006 16:36 >> To: alice(a)apc.org; mwerner(a)archway-productions.com; mucheru(a)wananchi.com >> Cc: n_awino(a)hotmail.com; dmuthoni(a)kenet.or.ke; vkyalo(a)kenet.or.ke; >> mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke; evelyneofwona(a)yahoo.com >> Subject: Re: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools >> Course:sample copy >> >> Find below what I intend to circulate on the list tomorrow afternoon. >> >> Re: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools Course >> >> >> KICTANet shall be running the above 1-day course on August 25th 2006 at >> the KCCT City Center Campus (Telposta Towers 4th Floor). The course >> shall demonstrate the use the following Online tools for collaborative >> work: >> >> i) Blogging >> ii) Online Meetings/Chats >> iii) Online Messaging >> iv) eDiscussions >> v) etc. >> >> The succesfull participants are expected to embark on a 3week online >> collaboration exercise that will discuss the following components of the >> ICT Bill: Telecommunication, Info Technology,Media & Broadcasting, >> Postal, Academia and Socia-cultural Issues. >> >> Applicants are invited to e-mail their expression of interest to the >> undersigned, specifying their Names, Location/Residence and Area of >> interest with regard to the ICT Bill. The deadline for this >> applications is Monday 14th August 2006. >> >> John Walubengo >> for KICTANet. >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.5/406 - Release Date: >> 02/08/2006 >> > >

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TAX
by Evelyne Majale 15 Aug '06

15 Aug '06

Good afternoon all, A representative from our auditors Githongo and Associates has offered to come and give members a talk on TAX at our next planning meeting. Before he comes he would like to know if you are interested? If yes, please let me know which areas interest you. He would like to be informed in advance to enable him prepare. Thereafter we will have a session of question and answers. I got one interesting one from Walu, he would like to know how he can evade paying tax. Please give me yours by 15/08/06 so I can inform him in good time. Evelyne

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Fw: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools Course:sample copy
by alice＠apc.org 15 Aug '06

15 Aug '06

Hi Walu > Could you indicate the minimum requirements for one to benefit from the > course and secondly the resources one will need for the course and after > the > course to effectively continue with the programme > Cheers > MM > > -----Original Message----- > From: John Walubengo [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: 07 August 2006 16:36 >> Subject: Re: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools >> Course:sample > copy > > Find below what I intend to circulate on the list tomorrow afternoon. > > Re: Call for Applicants - Online Collaboration Tools Course > > > KICTANet shall be running the above 1-day course on August 25th 2006 at > the > KCCT City Center Campus (Telposta Towers 4th Floor). The course shall > demonstrate the use the following Online tools for collaborative work: > > i) Blogging > ii) Online Meetings/Chats > iii) Online Messaging > iv) eDiscussions > v) etc. > > The succesfull participants are expected to embark on a 3week online > collaboration exercise that will discuss the following components of the > ICT > Bill: Telecommunication, Info Technology,Media & Broadcasting, Postal, > Academia and Socia-cultural Issues. > > Applicants are invited to e-mail their expression of interest to the > undersigned, specifying their Names, Location/Residence and Area of > interest > with regard to the ICT Bill. The deadline for this applications is Monday > 14th August 2006. > > John Walubengo > for KICTANet. > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.5/406 - Release Date: 02/08/2006 >

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