FYI apologies for cross posting Njenga -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No.13 Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 00:05:04 +1000 From: Africa ICT Policy Monitor Project <africa.rights@apc.org> Reply-To: Africa.Rights@Apc.Org <africa.rights@apc.org> To: africa-ir-public@lists.sn.apc.org Dear all, Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates No. 13, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy Monitor website. 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 Cameroon: Telecom Conference starts with a focus on 'Access' <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=1252759> 06/09/2005 (Cameroon Tribune <http://www.cameroon-tribune.net/>) -- The Commonwealth Telecommunication delegates yesterday, kick-started the Yaounde forum at the Conference Centre. There was every evidence yesterday at the Yaounde Conference Centre that the greatest challenge in telecommunication is not just the rapid developments in the Information and Communication Technology but the difficult way to have access to it. Ethiopia: Over 11 mln Birr rural technology expansion center to begin service soon <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=1138790> 25/08/2005 (ENA <http://www.ena.gov.et>) -- A rural technology expansion center constructed in Afar State with an outlay of over 11 million Birr would soon begin providing services, the State animal, natural resource and environmental protection bureau said. *News > Censorship * Kenya: Parliament website shut after media reports <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=1218523> 03/09/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net>) -- Kenyan parliament has shut down its website amid reports that the The Standard's exclusive report of well-guarded secrets embarrassed some MPs. Yesterday, http://www.parliament.go.ke was blank after the two-day serialisation of what reads like an A-Z of some of our MPs' hitherto unknown -- and perhaps best kept -- career and educational details. *News > Freedom of Expression and Media * South Africa: FXI expresses concerns over Convergence Bill <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21866ne_1&x=920930> 16/08/2005 (IFEX <http://www.ifex.org>) -- The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is deeply disturbed by a number of provisions in South Africa's new Convergence Bill, which is supposed to replace existing broadcasting and telecommunications legislation, and is also concerned about the process that has led up to the development of the Bill. The FXI presented a number of these concerns to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications earlier today. A number of provisions threaten the freedom of expression and independence of the communications sector, and the FXI fears that the Bill will not necessarily address the growing divide between the communications 'haves' and 'have-nots' in South Africa. Guinea: Government Democratises Airwaves <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=1274096> 07/09/2005 (IFEX <http://www.ifex.org>) -- The small West African republic of Guinea took an important step toward guaranteeing press freedom last month, following the signing of a presidential decree that opens up the airwaves to private broadcasters, reported the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Rwanda: RITA to launch ICT media network <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21872ne_1&x=1138459> 26/08/2005 (New Times Rwanda <http://www.newtimes.co.rw/>) -- Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) will soon embark on a holistic ICT/media approach aimed at imparting the media with ICT skills to promote their reporting. On Tuesday, RITA assembled various journalists and discussed modalities of establishing the first ever ICT Media Network in the country. News > Laws and Regulation Ugandan President stops TV tax <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=1252438> 06/09/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug>) -- PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered information minister Dr James Nsaba Buturo to stop, with immediate effect, levying tax on television sets that are not used for commercial purpose. Museveni made the directive while meeting members of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation at State House Nakasero yesterday morning. Nigeria: New guidelines for erection of telecom masts <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=1252892> 05/09/2005 (Vanguard <http://www.vanguardngr.com/>) -- The Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC , says new guide lines for the erection of telecommunication masts by telecom service providers in the country will soon be out. The new guidelines, according to the regulatory authority, will spell out many things as regards erection of masts in the country including the exact proximity to residential buildings. South Africa: No licences for content, applications providers <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=1138079> 27/08/2005 (ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za>) -- Applications and content service providers will not require licences in terms of the Convergence Bill, says Joe Mjwara, Department of Communications deputy director-general in charge of policy. News > E-Commerce Zambia: E-solutions right solution at a right time <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864ne_1&x=1252890> 02/09/2005 (Times of Zambia <http://www.times.co.zm/>) -- THE steadfast growth in Zambia's gross domestic product (GDP) needs to be backed by the utilisation of electronic solutions (e-solutions) in the economy, Huawei Technologies managing director Zhang Wei has said. Mr Wei said in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday that his company had introduced e-banking, e-governments and e-campus in Zambia to assist the country in embracing and advancing in e-solutions. Zambia <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864s21819e_1> | E-Commerce <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864se_1> South Africa: Websites Become Lucrative in SA <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864ne_1&x=1139069> 25/08/2005 (BusinessDay <http://www.businessday.co.za>) -- SOME South African websites are finally becoming an effective way of generating revenue for a business by attracting enough local and international consumers to make them viable. South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864s21817e_1> | E-Commerce <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21864se_1> News > E-Governance Botswana: ICT can spur political change <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=1187973> 01/09/2005 (BOPA <http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi>) -- GABORONE - A British academic attending WITFOR in Gaborone has called for a shift of perception from information and communication technology (ICT) as an instrument for development to ICT as part of a political process of change. Uganda: Digital land titles in offing <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=1040810> 23/08/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug>) -- The lands ministry will introduce electronic land titles to eliminate the over 4,000 fake land titles in the country, the minister, Kahinda Otafiire, has said. During a workshop at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala recently, Otafiire said the ministry had hired Stewards Net Technologies and Magna Carda to computerise the land registration system and print the cards. Nigeria: Obasanjo gives nod to electronic voting <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=1041399> 23/08/2005 (BusinessDay Online <http://www.businessdayonline.com>) -- President Olusegun Obasanjo has given tac-it support for the use of electronic voting machine for 2007 polls. This is even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintains that the National Assembly cannot dictate to it on the method to be adopted for the polls. Zambia: State to computerise expenditure monitoring <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=1040979> 22/08/2005 (Times of Zambia <http://www.times.co.zm/>) -- The Government of Zambia will soon come up with a computerised system of checking how ministries are operating and utilising their budgetary allocations as a way of enhancing efficient use of money. Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary for budget Petronella Mwangala said yesterday when she appeared before the parliamentary committee on estimates that some ministries had a tendency of not using money even when the treasury had released the funds. News > National ICT Strategies Human Development Report 2005 Launched <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=1286705> 08/09/2005 (UNDP <http://www.undp.org/>) -- This year's Human Development Report takes stock of human development, including progress towards the MDGs. Looking beyond statistics, it highlights the human costs of missed targets and broken promises. Extreme inequality between countries and within countries is identified as one of the main barriers to human development--and as a powerful brake on accelerated progress towards the MDGs. Botswana: Political leaders urged to appreciate ICT <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=1251979> 06/09/2005 (BOPA <http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?>) -- Information communication technology experts have emphasised the importance of sensitising African political leaders about ICT issues so that they can appreciate and support it. Botswana: WITFOR Declaration To Be Presented To UNESCO <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=1251976> 05/09/2005 (Mmegi <http://www.mmegi.bw/>) -- The just ended World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) conference adopted a proposal called the "Gaborone Declaration", which will be presented to the UNESCO general assembly. The proposal focuses on how technology can be used to enhance development and eradicate poverty in developing countries. Ethiopia: ICTAD project being undertaken with 25 million USD <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=1041059> 21/08/2005 (ENA <http://www.ena.gov.et>) -- The Information and Communication Technology Assisted Development (ICTAD) project is underway in Ethiopia with 25 million USD loan obtained from the World Bank. Manager of project management unit with the Ethiopian Information Communication Technology Development Authority (EICTDA), said the project is believed to be crucial in reducing poverty and improving living of the people. News > Media Kenya: Freedom of the media spelt out in document <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=1054699> 24/08/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net/>) -- The proposed new constitution for Kenya guarantees freedom of the media and gives citizens rights to information held by the Government. It bars the Government from controlling, interfering, harassing or penalising anyone concerned in publications and broadcasting. News > Training and Education Zimbabwe: Computers gather rust <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=1156172> 30/08/2005 (Zakeus Chibaya <mailto:zakchibaya@yahoo.com>) -- HARARE - Fearful that people are going to read uncensored information, the Zanu (PF) government is reneging on its promise to provide internet services to schools after doling out hundreds of computers countrywide during the March elections in their bid to woo voters. Uganda: Makerere University to start e-learning <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878ne_1&x=921048> 16/08/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug>) -- Makerere University is to start its first ever e-learning (internet) programmes in an effort to reduce congestion in the lecture rooms. The deputy Vice- Chancellor, Dr. Lillian Ekirikubinza, told an international Information Communication Technology conference at Makerere University that the University Council and Senate had approved the proposal. News > Science and Technology Zambia: Science and technology vital for wealth creation <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21874ne_1&x=1138268> 27/08/2005 (Times of Zambia <http://www.times.co.zm/>) -- Zambia Government has said science and technology will be given prominence in the Fifth National Development Plan in order to create wealth for the people. Science and technology minister Judith Kapijimpanga said yesterday during a workshop on Identification of Goals and Priorities in the Development and Application of Science and Technology in Lusaka, that Government was working on initiatives on how technology could play a role in wealth creation. //\//\//\//\//\//\/ -*INFORMATION & RESOURCES *- //\//\//\//\//\//\/ *Reports* Harnessing Science and Technology for Human Development - BOTSWANA 2005 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1287087> 08/09/2005 -- Botswana Human Development Report 2005 focuses on the role of science and technology in the development process. The theme is inspired both by recognition of what humanity has achieved ? in agriculture, manufacturing, communication, medicine etc - with the aid of science and technology and the development possibilities technology offers to Developing Nations. *Opinion* After Tunis: A summit without implementation and civil society? <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1274422> 07/09/2005 -- Civil society groups active in the WSIS have voiced their protest against a serious development related to the Tunis summit outcomes. The latest draft for the summit document on implementation and follow-up is lacking a meaningful commitment to implementation, and they also are a serious setback for the multi-stakeholder approach. South Africa: Govt should set measurable ICT targets <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1253198> 05/09/2005 -- It is important SA has clear and measurable ICT targets, the presidential international advisory council on information society and development heard this weekend. The council convened for its annual meeting in Zeerust in the Northwest. Established five years ago, the council's objective is to advise the president on bridging the digital divide, including making telephony accessible to the disadvantaged. Managing technological learning: a strategic imperative <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1253225> 05/09/2005 -- Firms in developing countries that wish to innovate effectively must be able to manage the process of 'technological learning'. This refers to the accumulation of capabilities to change technologies, in contrast to the more formal type of knowledge that emerges from lab-based research and development. Guess Where IT Belongs? <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1251905> 05/09/2005 -- I was struck by the recurrence of the phrase "IT has no boundaries" during the deliberations of the Information Technology conference that was held in Gaborone last week. IT is a product of the most advanced economies, which needed war in order to conquer and enslave other nations. And to do so required good means of communication. Hence the Morse code, and then the telephone, which is a little over a hundred years old, and then this thing that we now call IT. Sub-Saharan Africa needs policy action <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1188048> 01/09/2005 -- Sub-Saharan Africa lags behind in such a way that without a decisive local or international policy action, the sub-continent will not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Thomas Feige, the acting head of the European Delegation in Gaborone, said yesterday that the European Union (EU) recognises the role that transport, energy, water and sanitation as well as information and communication technologies can play in helping Africa implement its infrastructure plan that the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD) spearheads. *Analysis* Software and seeds: Open source methods <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1207091> 02/09/2005 -- Open source methodologies used in software are interrogated and then compared to the methods used in farmers' rights groups. The use of open source methods in other contexts illustrates increasing interest in grassroots democratic movements participating in the continuing process of balance between public and private interests. These efforts provide a possible alternate framework for policy decisions concerning intellectual property. Information and Communications Technology for Sustainable Development <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1094043> 26/08/2005 -- Carnegie Mellon hosted a Workshop on June 26-27, 2003, at the World Bank, in Washington, DC, for ICT and development professionals from around the world. This was followed up by the Bangalore Workshop on ICT for Sustainable Development, January 14-16, 2004. The results of these Workshops form part of the book Information and Communications Technology for Sustainable Development: Defining a Global Research Agenda. Africa Civil Society Prepcom Briefing <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1060734> 24/08/2005 -- The WSIS PrepCom III of Phase II of the WSIS - will take place from September 19-30 and will be the last meeting for negotiation of the final Tunis documents. The following document outlines briefly the documents that will be negotiated, how they will be negotiated, and different opportunities for lobbying and the timetable for negotiations for PrepCom III. Access to Technology <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1253227> 06/09/2005 -- One of the major challenges that experts at the third Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation holding in Yaounde would face is seeking appropriate technology for developing countries. Considering the concern of opinion leaders and decision-makers to respond to the growing need for access of their citizens to ICT, especially within the growing market, participants would have to come out with workable solutions and not just theories. Bandwidth Can Bring African Universities Up to Speed <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1253290> 06/09/2005 -- There are two striking facts about African universities and bandwidth. The first is that the average university in Africa has the same aggregate bandwidth as a single home user in North America or Europe. The second is that the average African university pays more than 50 times for this bandwidth than its counterparts in Europe or North America do for much more capacity. Media ethics and professionalism scrutinised at MISA Conference <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=1274069> 03/09/2005 -- Those governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region that still own, control and influence media operations were urged to stop furthering their political agendas through media control. Government control stifles editorial independence and free, fair and objective reporting. This was said at the recently concluded regional conference organised in Windhoek by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) on the theme Media, Ethics and Professionalism: Towards an Ethical Africa Media. *Guides* Free/open source software (FOSS) policy in Africa: A toolkit for policy-makers and practitioners <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=1153147> "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. Managing ICTs in South African Schools; A guide for School Principals <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=937793> The purpose of this guide is to give principals and senior school management information on using and managing ICT resources so that they can provide leadership in their schools. The guide also considers some implications of the use of the computer and related resources for teaching and learning. The authors hope that it will also be a valuable resource for other senior members of the school staff, and for School Governing Bodies. //\//\//\//\//\//\/ - *EVENTS* - //\//\//\//\//\//\/ *24/08/2005*, International <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s30084e_1> Africa Civil Soceity Discussion Forum on WSIS Prepcom 3 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=1126129> The Africa civil society organizations is holding a discussion forum Discussion on WSIS Prepcom 3 and the report of the WGIG. Organized by the African Civil Society for the Information Sociey (ACSIS) with the collaboration of PIWA (CIPACO project) and APC. From 24 August to 17 September 2005. *07/09/2005* PICTA/GKP Meeting, 7 - 8 Sep 2005 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=1253497> The 2005 annual PICTA meeting is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 7 - 8 September 2005 under the theme of Networking Development in Africa. This year the core PICTA partners are expected to put extra effort into strengthening PICTA as an arena for collaboration among the key institutions involved with ICT and Knowledge for Development in Africa. *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. *24/10/2005*, South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> World Development Information Day (WDID) 2005 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=1274358> SANGONeT will host a special event on Monday, 24 October 2005, to celebrate World Development Information Day. The United Nations General Assembly instituted World Development Information Day in December 1972 with the objective of drawing public attention annually to development problems and the importance of strengthening international cooperation to solve them. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// 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@apc.org //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna Africa Policy Monitor Project Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Email: africa.rights@apc.org or njenga@apc.org Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~