[APCPress] APCNews - August 2007 - No 77
Frédéric Dubois
frederic at apc.org
Thu Aug 23 17:20:59 BST 2007
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*APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
August 2007 No. 77
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-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
-- NEWS FROM APC --
-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --
-- STRATEGIC USES & CAPACITY BUILDING --
-- WOMEN & ICTs --
-- APC IN THE NEWS --
-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES --
-- SITES OF INTEREST --
-- WHERE IN THE WORLD IS APC --
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-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS –-
BLUELINK, Bulgaria: Bloggers intimidated as wave of environmental
protests hits Bulgaria
The Bulgarian police has called in bloggers and pressured them to stop
writing about the recent wave of environmental protests that has swept
across the country in the recent weeks. While the issue is hot in
Bulgaria and broadly covered by the Bulgarian press, APC's member in
Bulgaria believes this deserves to go global. - APC blog
http://blog.apc.org/en/index.shtml?x=5110292
BYTES FOR ALL, South Asia: Global Information Society Watch report
launched in Dhaka
The Global Information Society Watch report was launched on the sideline
of a discussion meeting called ‘Reviewing the progress of WSIS action
plan in Bangladesh’, organised by Bytesforall Bangladesh and other
partner organisations. APC’s Uruguayan member, ITeM, has produced the
GISW report, which monitors the information society revolution and sheds
light on Bangladesh’s country case. - BytesForAll Bangladesh
http://bangladeshictpolicy.bytesforall.net/?q=node/319
PROTEGE QV, Cameroon: Two radio stations experiment with a brand new
multimedia resource kit
Nearly 70% of households in Cameroon have a radio set. APC-Cameroon
member PROTEGE QV intends to place information at the disposal of the
urban and rural women, particularly by means of radio broadcasting
programmes. With their latest project oriented towards small businesses
run by women, representatives of PROTEGE QV carried out a field trip
earlier this year to rural localities in western Cameroon to hand-over
material to two radio stations and promote their Multimedia Resource
Kit. - PROTEGE QV
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5156504
WOMEN’SNET, South Africa: New generation of cell phones to address
underdevelopment?
A rapid assessment, commissioned by the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) in South Africa and implemented by APC member Women’sNet, has
just been released. The document provides baseline data that will inform
a strategy to launch a new generation of cell phone technologies to
address underdevelopment and in particular HIV/AIDS. Read our
correspondent's article "Did you say cell phones for development?" or
the full 64-page assessment. – APCNews
www.apc.org/books/Womens_net_and_UNICEF.pdf
WOMEN’SNET, South Africa: BaseBox is out! Free software tools for your
non-profit
Tactical Tech and APC member Women'sNet are pleased to announce the web
launch of the latest edition of NGO-in-a-box, the BaseBox. The BaseBox
is a collection of tools for the day-to-day running of small to medium
sized NGOs. It aims to make it easier to set up base, find the right
software and learn how to use it. Targeted primarily at activist and
advocacy organisations in developing countries, the BaseBox contains a
set of peer-reviewed free and open source software tools, with
associated guides and tutorials. The edition can be accessed online but
its primary form is as a physical box set of CDs. - Women'sNet
http://base.ngoinabox.org/
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-- NEWS FROM APC –-
APC’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT: 2006 – Open Access for All
Training communities to set up wireless internet access points using
empty tin cans, “taking back the tech!” to combat violence against women
and keeping the focus of the world's governments on the importance of
affordable internet access. Read APC's new annual report for 2006 in
English, French and Spanish.
As usual a large section of the report features achievements from APC
members on five continents from 2006, including:
· ESLARED, Venezuela: Wireless connection world record
· FANTSUAM FOUNDATION, Nigeria: Technology provides vulnerable
children with a support line in Nigeria
· LABORNET, USA: Labour and the digital revolution
· STRAWBERRYNET, Romania: Raising awareness of ICT policy impact on
Romanians’ lives
· WOMENSHUB, Philippines: For overseas migrant workers, emergency
assistance is just one SMS away
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5145815
Download the APC Annual Report 2006 from http://www.apc.org/books in pdf
format. The report is also available in Spanish and for the first time,
in French.
http://www.apc.org/books/apc_ar2006_EN.pdf [English, 3.0 MB]
http://www.apc.org/books/apc_ar2006_ES.pdf [Spanish]
http://www.apc.org/books/apc_ar2006_FR.pdf [French]
APC FOSS PRIZE: Announcing the finalists of the APC Chris Nicol free
software prize 2007
In September, APC will award the $4,000 USD prize to up to three of the
outstanding initiatives mentioned below that are making it easy for
people to start using free and open source software (FOSS). The seven
Chris Nicol FOSS Prize finalists in 2007 currently under consideration
by an international jury of experts are: Extramadura's Technological
Literacy and Free Software Plan, in Spain; Free Geek from the USA;
Gleducar from Argentina; KLDP from South Korea; MetaReciclagem from
Brazil; NepaLinux from Nepal and Saregune from Spain. – SU&CB
http://www.apc.org/english/chrisnicol/
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-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --
During June and July 2007, APC member Alternatives and its partners in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) finalised a major independent
study. This policy document, which was presented to DRC’s authorities in
early August, is expected to make a major contribution to the
development of an internet backbone for this Central African country.
APCNews translated the press release of the launch, and carried out two
interviews with leading researchers in this month’s DRC special coverage.
DRC SPECIAL COVERAGE: Alternatives reveals the first independent study
on an internet infrastructure that can serve the entire country
The NGO Alternatives revealed the first independent feasibility study on
the implementation of a vast high-speed internet infrastructure the size
of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Carried out by Congolese and
international researchers, the study proposes, in particular, that the
implementation of the internet network be carried out in partnership
with the Congolese National Electricity Company. – Alternatives
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5154894
DRC SPECIAL COVERAGE: No electric infrastructure, no internet backbone?
Within the perspective of making high-speed internet accessible to the
Congolese people, the development of an internet backbone in the Congo
seems to be a necessity that could give an immediate boost. On Tuesday 7
August 2007, the feasibility study for an open internet backbone in the
DRC was officially revealed in Kinshasa. APCNews quizzed Alphonse Ntita,
a specialist in ICTs and internet infrastructure issues, who is part of
the team of researchers behind the study. – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5154899
DRC SPECIAL COVERAGE: Developing the net in co-ownership
“Feasibility study for an open internet backbone in the Democratic
Republic of Congo”, this is what the ripened fruit has been called for
close to a year by a team of seasoned researchers. François Ménard is
one of those who were hands on in this exhaustive study. He is a project
manager with the Canadian firm Xit Télécom. APCNews interviewed him on
the subject of deploying a high-speed internet in Congo. – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5154903
INTERVIEW: A technology entrepreneur joins APC’s policy team in Africa
Coura Fall is enterprising, dynamic, knows the media and has knocked
around with all sorts of acronyms. One of these is ICT, used to refer to
information and communication technology. Coura is preparing to give us
an earful of these three letters in her new appointment as Africa ICT
policy coordinator for the Association for Progressive Communications.
Her first objective is to advocate for a broader access to ICTs, in
particular to the internet. This, she says, will primarily be pursued by
partnering with civil society, governments and the private sector for
developing internet infrastructure in Africa. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5154569
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-- STRATEGIC USES & CAPACITY BUILDING --
BOOK REVIEW: Media in central African conflicts: A difficult choice
between impartiality and propaganda
Information has become a powerful weapon that can be manipulated during
times of conflict. This was seen again in central Africa between 1993
and 1994, as revealed by Sylvie Niombo of APC-Africa-Women in her
analysis of the work, The media and conflicts in Central Africa, edited
by Marie-Soleil Frère and published in 2007 by the Panos Institute of
Paris. – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5148568
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-- WOMEN & ICTs –-
ARTICLE: Mental gym at the GEM exchange
GEM speaks to people, said Sarah Earl, an evaluation specialist
attending a workshop to improve what’s been coined as the Gender
Evaluation Methodology. More than an evaluation theory, GEM is a
“development theory," commented Earl who, along with over 40 ICT
practitioners from around the world, took part in a training exchange in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the end of July 2007. - APC WNSP
http://www.apcwomen.org/gem/node/93
ARTICLE: ICT and development: The eyes we see the world through
Through evaluations we can measure to what extent our work is
contributing our bit, our grain of sand, in the struggle for a better
world. The APC women’s programme took this premise to heart when it
developed the Gender Evaluation Methodology (GEM). At the end of July
women and men from around the world gathered in Kuala Lumpur to share
their experiences with the use of GEM in particular and evaluations in
general. One of the lessons learned was... – APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5150137
ARTICLE: Making a good thing better: Adapting GEM to software localisation
The Gender Evaluation Methodology for internet and ICTs (GEM) changes
the way development projects look at gender, project planning and
achievements. Sana Gul, from the PAN Localization Project says GEM
"transformed our entire concept of when and where gender should be taken
into consideration." Localisation efforts sometimes get labelled as
"gender neutral" because they focus on software - translating software
to local languages and contexts. But that’s hardly the end of the story.
– APC WNSP
http://www.apcwomen.org/gem/node/94
GENDERIT.org SPECIAL ON TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
ANALYSIS I: Revolution in ICT infrastructure: Hope for the Ghanaian woman
In the area of telecommunications, Ghana appears to perform relatively
well in relation to its neighbours in the West-African region. How does
it fare in terms of ensuring that gender concerns are taken into
consideration whilst promoting ICTs for development? Emily Nyarko
examines this question through a closer look at the Strategic Document
for ICT and Gender in the national ICT policy agenda. - GenderIT.org
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?apc=---e--1&x=95367
ANALYSIS II: 'Wanting to' versus 'Being able to': The rhetoric of access
to the information society
Uruguay has one of the highest rates of internet coverage in Latin
America, but studies that demonstrate this fact is gender-blind. So what
have been the experiences of Uruguayan women with new technologies in
relation to the three basic dimensions of any digital inclusion
initiative, connectivity, education and infrastructure? - GenderIT.org
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?apc=---e--1&x=95366
ANALYSIS III: New technologies and women in Arab countries: a forest of
concepts, a complex reality
Natalia Fernández-Diaz identifies the difficulties of understanding
feminist concerns regarding the needs and potential benefits of emerging
technologies in what is usually known as ‘Arab countries’. Locating the
relationship between women and ICTs in women’s movements, Fernández-Diaz
interrogates the concepts of technologists, producers, users, victims
and indirect beneficiaries in this complex political, geographical and
imaginary terrain. - GenderIT.org
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?apc=---e--1&x=95368
REPORT LAUNCH: GenARDIS engenders adoption of ICTs, finds freshly baked
report
“This prize will be of great help to us in building our capacity to
promote the rights of women farmers through the demystification of new
ICTs, and through gender advocacy," said a GenARDIS participant from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. A couple of months down the road, the
GenARDIS project has made much progress. An evaluation to assess the
achievements of the GenARDIS grants carried out with grantees and
honourable mentions in 2006 was just released. The report found that
these small grants are making "important inroads in the ICT for
development field" in African, Caribbean and the Pacific countries and
"consciously encourage and engender the adoption and application of ICT."
Download the report summary (pdf, 417 kb), including key
recommendations, or the entire report (pdf, 3.2 mb) from the GenARDIS
website. – GenARDIS
http://www.apcwomen.org/genardis/
HARAMBEE SMALL GRANT SPECIAL
Harambee (pronounced haram-BAY) means "pulling together" in the most
widely spoken language of sub-Saharan Africa: Swahili. The word Harambee
captures the efforts invested to build and maintain communities.
The Association for Progressive Communications not only uses the term,
it also celebrated it in March 2007. In releasing the list of successful
applicants in one of its small grants initiatives, APC's women programme
in Africa injected some real-life into the motto online. Harambee small
grants are offered to better equip Africa-based networks to play a lead
role in development dialogues and actions affecting them. Six applicants
out of the original 200+ walked away with a grant that highlights their
networking activities.
APC's writers have profiled all six Harambee grantees of 2007 over the
last three months.
VIVA NETWORK: Harambee small grant helps Viva Network Africa put the net
into networking
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5069367
RÉSEAU SIDA: The fight against HIV/AIDS armed with blogs, wikis and
emails in Congo-Brazzaville
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5062177
ITOCA: Ever heard of soil health? If not, networking is taking it to
your front door
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5060900
MEKELLE CHILD CENTERED FORUM: A little goes a longer way with ICT-based
networking in Ethiopia
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5064415
DSI.org: Overcoming the orphan curse with ICTs in Uganda
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5059254
BLOGS FOR AFRICAN WOMEN: BAW get Nigerian women hooked on technology
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5059158
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-- APC IN THE NEWS --
Developing Telecoms: Updates on low-cost laptops, EASSy, WSIS
By Alec Barton, May 08, 2006
ICT, Cable, Telephony, Global: The Association for Progressive
Communications (APC) publishes a lively newsletter called APCNews. The
latest issue contains features which many Developing Telecoms readers
may find useful in keeping up to date with some of the issues we have
been reporting on over the last few months... – Developing Telecoms
http://www.developingtelecoms.com/content/view/382/26/
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-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
ENGAGEMEDIA are very excited to announce the release of Plumi, a free
software video sharing platform. Plumi enables you to create a
sophisticated video sharing and community site out-of-the-box. In a web
landscape where almost all video sharing sites keep their distribution
platform under lock and key Plumi is one contribution to creating a
truly democratic media.
http://plumi.org
FREE download of documentaries on human rights issues.
http://www.freedocumentaries.org
ICT Update Magazine latest issues tackle ‘Podcasting’ and ‘Refurbished
Computers’ from all sides. The magazine has also completely redesigned
its website.
http://ictupdate.cta.int
REPORTING SKILLS: AN e-learning package for development professionals
was launched by United Kingdom charity ELD. The Reporting Skills and
Professional Writing Handbook: a self study programme for development
professionals is meant to benefit field workers, managers and
consultants working with development projects of all sectors.
http://www.reportingskills.org
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-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES --
NEW AFRICAN JOURNAL ON ICT AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
Makerere University in Uganda is launching a new bi-annual journal
called The International Journal of Computing and ICT Research (IJCIR).
http://www.ijcir.org
BFES, Bangladesh: Amader Gram fellowship announcement - 2008
The Amader Gram (Our Villages) project is a pilot scheme in twenty
villages of south-west Bangladesh by providing appropriate knowledge and
ICT intervention that facilitates both skill transfer and employment
creation. The Amader Gram ICT for development project is offering
fellowships for the year 2008. Interested students can send their
request by 30 August 2007. – BFES
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5145720
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-- SITES OF INTEREST --
EPEAT, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool is a system
to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare
and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their
environmental attributes.
http://www.epeat.net/
'A Race to the Bottom: Privacy Ranking of Internet Service Companies'
http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-553961
Baobab Health Partnership was founded by Gerry Douglas and Dr. Thuy Bui
in late 2000 as a direct result of their work with the health care
system in Malawi between 1995 and 1997. Baobab’s first project was the
development of a touchscreen-based patient management information system
in the paediatric department of Lilongwe’s main hospital.
http://www.baobabhealth.org
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-- WHERE IN THE WORLD IS APC –-
You can meet up with APC and/or APC WNSP (APC women's programme)
representatives at the events below during the next two months. Write to
events at apc.org to obtain contact information. See you there!
AUGUST 25-29: Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT) 2007 on digital
storytelling
Durban, South Africa
http://www.apcafricawomen.org/home.html
AUGUST 31st - SEPTEMBER 2: European Digital Rights Initiative (EDRI)
data retention meeting and annual general meeting
Berlin, Germany
http://www.edri.org
SEPTEMBER 3: Internet Governance Forum consultation
Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.intgovforum.org
SEPTEMBER 4-5: Global Information Society Watch partner meeting
Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.globaliswatch.org
SEPTEMBER 6-8: Building Communications Opportunities partner meeting
Berne, Switzerland
http://www.bcoalliance.org
SEPTEMBER 9-13: Digital Citizens Indaba on Blogging and Highway Africa:
Quality and Professionalism in Journalism and the Media: the case for
New Media
Grahamstown, South Africa
http://www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za
SEPTEMBER 10-14: SAT-3 submarine cable workshop and first WATRA/ECOWAS
mobile roaming conference and exhibition
Abuja, Nigeria
http://www.safe-sat3.co.za
SEPTEMBER 10-14: Economic Commission for Latin American and the
Caribbean (ECLAC) meeting. ICT sessions: Regional telecentres encounter,
UN interagencial meetings, eLAC2007 coordination meeting.
Santiago, Chile
http://www.cepal.org/socinfo/elac
SEPTEMBER 17-21: GEM Workshop, Research Centre for Women’s Action
(CIPAF) and the National commission for the Information Society
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
http://www.apcwomen.org/gem
SEPTEMBER 21-23: European feminist forum programming meeting, IIAW,
Warsaw, Poland
http://europeanfeministforum.org
SEPTEMBER 23-28: AFRINIC open policy meeting
Durban, South Africa
http://www.afrinic.net
SEPTEMBER 24-27: Technical Centre for Agricultural Development (CTA)
meeting: International Conference Web2ForDev 2007
Roma, Italy
http://www.web2fordev.net
OCTOBER 5-7: Strategic planning workshop on gender and Information
Society Policies - UN Global Alliance for ICT and development GAID
community of expertise on gender and policy related event
Bangalore, India
http://www.un-gaid.org
OCTOBER 5-6: Latin American & the Caribbean regional preparatory meeting
for the LAC ministerial conference for the Information Society
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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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.
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Association for Progressive Communications (APC), 2007
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