PLAYING THE CATCH UP GAME- AFRICAN STYLE By Rebecca Wanjiku Paul Odhiambo is an ICT officer at the Ministry of Education in Kenya. He is used to the technical jargon and all issues relating to the information society. But attending the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting is not that easy for Odhiambo. In some of the sessions, he finds himself in unfarmiliar territory. Why ? afterall he is a techie ! Because at the meetings, participants discuss about ICT laws and how they can be made responsive to people´s demands and privacies. For instance, during discussions on WHOIS, participants discuss issues on how much information should be available to the public and whether such information should be shared accross the sectors. Then there are other issues on the menu like security concerns and the usual business aspect of e-commerce. Legal issues are also discussed regarding applicable laws in case of cross country trade. For example, if importing a car from Dubai, if its damaged at sea and you bought it online, which courts can you seek redress? Kenyan court or Dubai. Odhiambo may find himself in unfamiliar territory because Kenya has no ICT law, doesnt seem to care much about e-commerce whether in country or between Kenya and other countries. Odhiambo´s story is probably the story of many African participants at ICANN meetings. Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia seem to be operating on a different level compared to Africa. While the rest are discussing progressive issues, African delegates can only watch and say, we have our issues- access, and policy formulation. But for how long will Africa cling on to the problems as an excuse? Take for example the issue of access, those who were in the ICT industry will maybe confirm that some African heads have sang this song of the digital divide, lack of access and lack of money. But the leaders have gyrated and swung their hips at the prospect of development that ICT holds. Whilst the question of infrastructure and finance maybe understood, what about policy formulation, can that be understood too? Many of us stay home and wonder why ICANN meetings are important. Some may view it as a travel club or a playground for techies. While you wonder what label to give them, these guys are making policies that could affect you. What are you doing about it? Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.