[APCPress] APCNews - February 2006 - No. 61
FrŽédéric Dubois
frederic at apc.org
Tue Feb 7 11:12:37 GMT 2006
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*APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
February 2006 No. 61
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-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
-- NEWS FROM APC --
-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --
-- STRATEGIC USES & CAPACITY BUILDING --
-- WOMEN & ICTs --
-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES -
-- IMPORTANT DATES --
-- SITES OF INTEREST --
-- WHERE IN THE WORLD IS APC THIS MONTH --
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-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
CEPES, Peru: Rolling out the applications for action in the Andes
CEPES, the Peruvian Centre for Social Studies, is unrolling web projects
one after the other. For the last three years, the Peruvian APC member
has been promoting website solutions for a variety of actors working in
Peru's rural and often remote districts. Small farmers, passionate
environmentalists and civil servants from the Ministry of Agriculture
have discovered the ActionApps content management system (CMS). "We've
been spreading the web-based tool as a way to support rural
development," says a passionate Carlos Saldarriaga, CEPES representative
to APC. – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3995281
OPEN FORUM OF CAMBODIA, Cambodia: Khmer Software Initiative: where local
language solutions propel FOSS acceptance
"2005 has been a good year for KhmerOS, and -- we hope -- for Cambodia's
technological future," says APC member Open Forum Cambodia, writing out
of the southeast Asian kingdom of 13 million. Read the update on a
project that make local language computing a reality in the Khmer
language. – Open Forum of Cambodia
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3861572
UNGANA-AFRIKA, South Africa: Out of college, when idealism is high...
supporting non-profits in Southern Africa
Out of college, at a time when most young people would like just to have
a good time, Rudi von Staden (27) is onto something very different. He
believes his tech skills can really make a difference to those working
for social change in southern Africa. And his commitment shows... A
story from an APC member in South Africa. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3685308
WOUGNET, Uganda: Meet to consolidate WSIS achievements, meet targets
APC-member WOUGNET in Uganda was one of the organisers of a conference
in mid-December, on a post-World Summit on Information Society (WSIS)
consolidation for Uganda. WOUGNET's Dorothy Okello said: "I think, for
one thing, the WSIS was a good platform to get us working more with
government, due to the multi-stakeholder nature on inputs and
participation that was expected of the WSIS." – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3862766
COMPUTER AID INTERNATIONAL, U.K.: Computer Aid gets backing from BBC in
fund-raising drive
BBC's Radio 4 has announced an appeal cash donations to Computer Aid
International, CAI's project fundraiser Stephen Campbell announced.
Meanwhile, this APC member is also launching an Kenya Cycle Challenge,
which encourages volunteers to "cycle from the foot of Mount Kenya to
the shores of Lake Victoria" in February 2006 in support of Computer Aid
International's work with Kenyan secondary schools. Computer Aid is
looking for participants for this "trip of a lifetime". Besides cycling
for hundreds of kilometres across "one of the beautiful landscapes on
earth", participants also get a chance to visit schools benefiting from
the project, along the way. Details from kenyachallenge at computeraid.org
- Computer Aid International
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/religion/radio4appeal.shtml
WOMEN'SNET, South Africa: Mainstreaming ICTs in Africa, a new book is out
'Mainstreaming ICTs: Africa Lives the Information Society" is a
contribution towards efforts to bridge the "policy-practice" divide. The
book is aimed at development practitioners and ICT innovators interested
in inventive technology applications for social justice and development.
It contains 10 case studies reflecting on the innovative and creative
ways information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been used to
promote people-centred development in a number of Sub-Saharan African
countries. - Women'sNet
http://womensnet.org.za/news.shtml?AA_SL_Session=9af7f0a8947e02b2d0a5704ccda2803e&x=2684
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-- NEWS FROM APC --
INTERVIEW: "Our members have to re-invent themselves" — APC's new chair,
Natasha Primo
Natasha Primo was recently elected chair of the Association for
Progressive Communications, which one publication described as being
founded by a team "clued in to the potential power of ICTs at a time
when many of us still thought of computers as glorified typewriters".
The first woman elected by her peers to the APC chair, Primo is also the
executive director of the South Africa-based Women's Net. She met up
with APCNews at AfricaSource2, held recently in Uganda, and talks about
APC's priorities, challenges and thrust areas. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3685547
APC AT THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Communications, ICTs, internet and networking for social justice took
centre-stage on two continents in this year's World Social Forums. Daily
updates from APC’s correspondents in Bamako and Caracas have been
publishing in APCNews, APC blogs, GenderIT.org, as well as the LAC ICT
Policy Monitor.
The WSF is a meeting place of non-governmental organisations, trade
unions, social movements of all stripes and all those believing in
another world at the political, cultiral and economic levels. The
polycentric WSF this year was the sixth edition of most publicised
alternative event to the World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland).
ARTICLE: The right to communicate gains relevance at the World Social
Forum in Venezuela
The Coalition for the Right to Communicate in Latin America and the
Caribbean launched a continental campaign during a panel held
concurrently at the VI World Social Forum and the II Social Forum of the
Americas in Caracas, Venezuela, on the 26th of January. It was decided
to strengthen the actions of all the independent and community media,
communications networks, personalities and institutions that fight
against the concentration of media in the hands of a few internationally
funded companies, as well as in favour of the democratisation of
communication. – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3923941
BLOGGING FROM CARACAS:
Get the audio out there!
By Fausto Rêgo
One of the most stimulating opportunities for democratising
communications offered by the internet was discussed in the “Radio and
internet: the great technological challenge” workshop.
http://blog.apc.org/en/index.shtml?x=3790263
Getting grounded
By Chad Lubelsky
Hugo Chavez is speaking today and everyone is abuzz. Not me. There is
something disturbing about the cult of personality surrounding Chavez.
It borders on the religious.
http://blog.apc.org/en/index.shtml?x=3790261
BLOGGING FROM BAMAKO:
ICTs a need for women's movements
By Brenda Zulu
The Bamako Polycentric World Social Forum (WSF) has an overwhelming 70
percent of participants who are being women from all walks of life in
Africa and the World over.
http://blog.apc.org/en/index.shtml?x=3718946
The APC community blogged in English, French and Spanish.
English blog: http:/blog.apc.org
Spanish blog: http://blog.apc.org/es
French blog: http://blogue.apc.org
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-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --
NEWS: APC project contributes to Kenya ICT policy approved by Cabinet
For the last few years, APC has been working closely with other
organisations and a large group of Kenyan civil society organisations
and business to transform the national ICT policy. At last, a national
ICT Policy has made it all the way! - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3870218
CONFERENCE: Internet governance debate shifts to Malta, island with
highest internet penetration
An international conference entitled "Internet Governance: The Way
Forward" is being organised on February 10-12, 2006 by the
DiploFoundation in Malta, a small and densely populated island nation
consisting of an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea
which incidentally also has highest internet penetration in the world.
Panelists, representing stakeholders who have been active in the
internet governance (IG) debate, include Karen Banks of the Association
for Progressive Communication. – APCNews
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=213728
ANNOUNCEMENT: APC policy meeting in Kathmandu postponed
The 'APC regional consultation meeting on ICT policy in South Asia',
scheduled to be held in Nepal in end-January, has been postponed. This
consultation aims to engage in surfacing ICT policy priorities and
strategies in countries of South Asia, to exchange information on ICT
policy issues and advocacy strategies, to explore new ways of networking
and coordinating on ICT policy advocacy in South Asia and more. APC is
also consulting with One World South Asia, Panos South Asia, and IDRC in
organizing the meeting. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3902332
RESEARCH: APC study on developing country and non-governmental actors'
role in WSIS
APC is undertaking a study of the participation of 'developing'
countries and non-government actors -- including civil society -- in the
recent World Summit on the Information Society and its associated fora,
such as the Task Force on Financing Mechanisms and the Working Group on
Internet Governance. It is being coordinated by Professor David Souter,
of ict Development Associates ltd and the University of Strathclyde. -
APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3863391
ARTICLE: Towards knowledge-sharing societies
Just when the information market, in its highly competitive form where
there are few rules, is marked by attempts to construct monopolistic
positions, cooperative productive and self-productive processes and
creations by the users themselves are emerging everywhere. Their success
highlights the fact that creativity and innovation can sometimes escape
the thralls of classic capitalism and raises questions about our notions
of progress and development. - Word Matters / Vecam
http://www.vecam.org/article.php3?id_article=493&nemo=edm
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-- BUILDING CAPACITY & STRATEGIC USE OF ICTs --
WIRELESS SOLUTIONS: Tinned food, water bottles and wi-fi connection for
francophone Africa
Conventional "wired" connectivity to the internet is too costly or
impractical to cover much of the globe. APC's "capacity building for
community wireless connectivity in Africa" is a partnership project
looking at other options. Partners' expertise from across the globe,
touched francophone Africa with a workshop held in Dakar, Senegal, from
January 24-28, 2006. Some 35 participants came from West African
non-profits and community projects. The goal: to provide local actors
the knowledge to plan, conceive, install and maintain low cost wireless
networks in their communities, exchange experiences and raise awareness
around wi-fi issues. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3730494
FOSS EVENT IN AFRICA: Africa Source II makes befriending free software a
real treat
Women'sNet's training co-ordinator Elizabeth "Liz" Araujo writes that
the recent Africa Source 2 event was set "against a beautiful Lake
Victoria island backdrop, replete with sandy beaches, and fishing
boats", and turned out to be a "smashing success". Held from January
8-15, 2006, the skills-packed practical workshop was aimed at
introducing and exploring free/libre and open source software (FOSS) for
non-profit organisations and local African communities. She says that
what made this camp radically different from other technology-focused
workshops was the almost natural seeming integration of novice,
occasional user and high-end techie. - APCNews
http://womensnet.org.za/news.shtml?AA_SL_Session=9af7f0a8947e02b2d0a5704ccda2803e&x=2735
INNOVATIVE PROJECTS: Speed-geeking, your date with development
You've probably heard of speed-dating: after a two minute chat with a
stranger, you decide if you wish to give him or her your phone number
for continued contact. Likewise, speed-geeking is a tech
introduction-in-a-hurry. Some 11 interesting projects -- including APC
members -- got a chance to introduce themselves to participants of
Africa Source II, in January 2006 in Kalangala, a picturesque but
really-remote island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3685347
NEW WEBSITE: Sharing info online more effectively
IMARK is a suite of distance-learning resources, tools and communities
on information management. A new website has just been launched.
Modules are now available in French and Spanish. APC is part of the
IMARK steering group together with UNESCO, FAO and others. - IMARK
http://www.imarkgroup.org
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-- WOMEN & ICTs --
INTERVIEW: Women and ICT in Colombia: an issue still not completely
incorporated in feminist agendas
Olga Paz of Colnodo, a Colombian member of APC, explains in this
interview with GenderIT.org that in her country there still is not a
clear gender perspective on national ICT policies and that there is
still a way to go in achieving an understanding of the role of ICT as a
political and strategic issue that can be very productive in social
organisations and women’s groups. - GenderIT.org
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=a&x=92061
ANALYSIS: ICT gender issues past, present and future
As women living in Africa we have many things to confront: the process
of African enlargement and our participation in the globalised world,
the decline of national states, the dominance of market and consumerism,
growing poverty, social and political inequalities or insecurities
within Africa and outside in the face of neo-conservatism and dominance
of the United States. – GenderIT.org
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=a&x=91918
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-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
E-GOVERNANCE: UN Global E-government Readiness Report - 2005
The UN Global E-government Survey 2005 presents a comparative ranking of
the countries of the world according to two primary indicators. Firstly,
there's the state of e-government readiness; and second comes the extent
of e-participation. Constructing a model for the measurement of
digitized services, the survey assesses the 191 member states of the UN
according to a quantitative composite index of e-government readiness
based on website assessment; telecommunication infrastructure and human
resource endowment.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1053737?itemId=1053737
COPYRIGHT ISSUES: Google, guilty to a fault?
Google stands accused of copyright infringement by two major American
authors’ associations and a French newswire. But the tools the company
provides have done more to promote global access to information than any
other. Here, librarians, lawyers, legislators and thinkers discuss the
rights and wrongs of an internet giant.
http://venus.opendemocracy.net/t/2599/113278/1267/0/
NEW BOOK: Wireless for Development
Imagine trying to piece together a wireless network with no manuals,
sporadic and slow access to the Internet, inadequate tools, a shortage
of supplies, and in the most inclement weather. The authors of a
recently published book, "Wireless Networking in the Developing World"
don't need to imagine. They have been doing so for years. The book is
available in PDF form and for sale in print at the book's website.
http://wndw.net/
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-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES --
BLOGS: Open to all
The APC blog is a permanent source of alternative news about ICTs and
the internet for social justice and sustainable development. It is open
to all. It serves the purpose of a 'quick and dirty' information
exchange for all the participants of the APC community. If you attend an
cyber-activist event, interview a social techie or want to share a great
hyperlink about free and open source software, please don't hesitate to
post. Good reading, good writing, good blogging!
http://blog.apc.org/en [English, French and Spanish]
CALL FOR PAPERS: Internationalizing internet studies
From the mid-1990s onwards, the internet has shifted fundamentally from
its co-ordinates in English-speaking countries, to become an essential
medium in a wide range of countries, cultures, and languages. Gerard
Goggin (University of Sydney) and Mark McLelland (University of
Wollongong) are planning an anthology called 'Internationalizing
Internet Studies'. Contributions welcomed (but not restricted to)
include non-anglophone language communities use of the internet, Asian
countries and communities use of the internet, mobility and the
internet, the use of internet by diasporic communities, internet use by
minority language speakers, indigenous use of the internet, etc. Send
abstracts of no more than 500 words to both editors outlining your
proposed contribution to the edited collection at the earliest. - H-AHC
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~ahc/
CONTEST: Prix Ars Electronica
For the third time, Prix Ars Electronica, the foremost international
prize for computer-based art, has called for entries for "Digital
Communities" projects. This category was a great success in its 2004 and
2005 editions and is singling out for recognition projects of
significant sociopolitical relevance. Open to political, social and
cultural projects, initiatives, groups and scenes from all over the
world that display contentious commitment in coming up with smart,
successful ways of deploying digital technologies to solve social
problems. – Ars Electronica
http://www.aec.at/en/prix/communities/communities.asp
CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Issue JoCI Community e-Health Initiatives
The Community e-Health Initiatives Special Issue will focus on the use
of communitydriven e-health services, systems and technologies,
highlighting applications in less developed countries (LDCs) and
indigenous settings. Publication Date: Winter 2006
Journal of Community Informatics.
http://www.ci-journal.net
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-- IMPORTANT DATES --
February 8-10, 2006, New Delhi, India
LinuxAsia
http://www.linuxasia.net/
March 1-3, 2006, Marrakech
International Forum of ICT Strategies and Investment (IFISI)
Marrakech Congress Centre (Palais des Congrès).
http://www.virtualis-net.com/ifisi/
March 7-9, 2996, Johannesburg, South Africa
Second SANGONeT "ICTs for Civil Society" Conference and Exhibition
Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa
www.sangonet.org.za/conference2006/
May 11-14, 2006, Seville, Spain
Symposium on ICTs for social action
[no hyperlink available]
May 24-26, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
First international conference on ICT for development, education, and
training.
http://www.elearning-africa.com/
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-- SITES OF INTEREST --
Fundación Cibervoluntarios.es
http://www.cibervoluntarios.es
LaborTech.net
APC member LaborTech has switched to a new URL -- labourtech.net -- in
place of its earlier LaborTech2004.org. The purpose of LaborTech is to
bring together labor video, computer and media activists in the US and
from around the world to build and develop labor communication
technology and media. http://www.labortech.net/
The Freeplay Foundation
It is committed to promoting the importance of radio as a vital
communication medium in the 'developing' world. Recognising a need for
alternative energy sources amongst the world's poorest communities, the
Freeplay Foundation was founded in 1998 by the Freeplay Energy Group
(FEG) as an extension of the group's commitment to development and
empowerment.
http://www.freeplayfoundation.org/
Edubuntu
Edubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available
with community based support. The Edubuntu community is built on the
ideas enshrined in the Edubuntu
Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that
software tools should be usable by people in their local language and
despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to
customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.
http://edubuntu.org
Unesco Literacy Portal
Literacy today is a world preoccupation
The Literacy Portal aims to provide a platform for information-sharing
on literacy projects and activities undertaken around the world and
enhance UNESCO’s capacity in coordinating the United Nation Literacy
Decade (UNLD) in building partnership at all level.
http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=40338&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
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-- WHERE IN THE WORLD IS APC THIS MONTH --
You can meet up with APC and/or APC WNSP (APC women's programme)
representatives at the events below during this month. Write to
events at apc.org to obtain contact information. See you there!
February 2-4: Oxford, UK
Meeting on Organisational Innovation, Oxford, UK. Information,
Communication and New Media Studies: Good for What?
http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/collaboration/?rq=specialevents/20060202
February 6-8: Lusaka, Zambia
CATIA (Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa) 1A regulators training,
Lusaka, Zambia
February 10-12, Kampala, Uganda
Isis-Women's International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE)
http://www.isis.or.ug/
February 11-13: Malta, Malta
Diplo Foundation AGM
http://www.diplomacy.edu/
February 16-17: Geneva, Switzerland
UN Consultations on Internet Governance Forum
http://www.intgovforum.org/index.htm
February 21-22: Copenhagen, Denmark
UNA (Danish United Nations Association) WSIS follow up meeting. First
International Follow-up Conference to the WSIS Process "Where to go from
Tunis"?
http://www.una.dk/wsis/act_dan.htm
February 20-23: Bolivia
APC/IICD (International Institute for Communication and Development)
ICT policy training workshop, Bolivia
February 23-25: Nairobi, Kenya
Second IDLELO Conference on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
"Idlelo" is a Zulu word for a common grazing ground.
http://www.fossfa.net/idlelo2/
February 24: Geneva, Switzerland
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Consultations on Internet
Governance Forum
February 26-28: San Sebastian, Spain
IADIS (International Association for Development of the Information
Society) global conference on applied computing
http://www.iadis.org/ac2006/
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APCNews, in English, and APCNoticias, in Spanish, are distributed
monthly by APC -- a worldwide network supporting the use of internet and
ICTs for social justice and sustainable development since 1990. APCNews
Archive: http://www.apc.org/english/news/apcnews/
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Attribution-NonCommercial Licence 2.0 - 2006 Association for Progressive
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