Why develop English Communication Skill Today?Learning to speak English will allow you to communicate with a massive number of people around the globe so it is known as an international lingua franca.Learning the English language is important in today’s world. When you consider that approximately 375 million people in the world speak English as a mother tongue (first language), an equally large number of people speak English as a second language, and around 750 million people speak English as a foreign language, English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. In addition over one billion people currently learn English. It's an official language in over 50 countries around the world. In fact, it is estimated that one in four people learn English as a foreign language and you could be one of them. The total number of people who can speak English, including those who speak it as a second language, is well over a billion.English is the global language of communication and businesses today use English. Also in today’s international market learning English as a foreign language or second language has almost become a necessity as English is the language of communication in International Business, and International Politics.Most academic publications across a range of fields are in English. Internet and media has been dominated by the English language.As the main language of most of the world’s largest companies and producers, English has emerged as an international language of commerce. Those who can speak not only their own tongue but also English have a distinct advantage both at home and abroad as the businesses of the world operate more and more globally.The total number of people who can speak English, including those who speak it as a second language, is well over a billion.The ability to communicate in English is essential to work in all the fields in any industry.Delivering excellent customer service, meeting new people from all over the world, learning about different technologies & cultures and working in a team at various locations and all of these are possible with a sound knowledge and skill of English.
In an increasingly inter-connected world, a good knowledge of English is a great advantage for many jobs. English is the most widely used language for international business.English is a relatively easy language to learn. With a little practice, you should soon find yourself able to get by in most everyday situations.Wish you all the best towards happy journey of English communication skill development.
8.16.2008
Digital healthcare: the impact of information and communication technologies on healthcare
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the potential to transform radically the delivery of healthcare and address future health challenges, such as an ageing population and an increase in chronic diseases. Whether they actually do so will depend on the design and implementation processes sufficiently accounting for the users' needs, and the provision of adequate support and training after their introduction.
The Royal Society established a working group in May 2005 to look at developments in ICTs and their potential impacts on, and implications for, health and healthcare over the next 10-15 years. The working group included experts in range of subjects including computing, economics, engineering, information systems, medicine, nursing and social science.
An open call for evidence was issued in May and a range of organisations and individuals submitted written evidence by September 2005. Three workshops were held with scientific and technological experts, healthcare professionals and patient groups' representatives to ensure the working group was aware of the views of the various stakeholders concerned with healthcare information and communication technologies.
The report makes recommendations relating to:
the design, implementation and evaluation of ICTs access and ownership of data ensuring interoperability the impact on roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, patients and carers learning, training and support.
The Royal Society established a working group in May 2005 to look at developments in ICTs and their potential impacts on, and implications for, health and healthcare over the next 10-15 years. The working group included experts in range of subjects including computing, economics, engineering, information systems, medicine, nursing and social science.
An open call for evidence was issued in May and a range of organisations and individuals submitted written evidence by September 2005. Three workshops were held with scientific and technological experts, healthcare professionals and patient groups' representatives to ensure the working group was aware of the views of the various stakeholders concerned with healthcare information and communication technologies.
The report makes recommendations relating to:
the design, implementation and evaluation of ICTs access and ownership of data ensuring interoperability the impact on roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, patients and carers learning, training and support.
Getting the News Out in Times of Disaster1
Ricky Telg2During late spring 1998, Florida experienced devastating wildfires. The firestorm, caused by severe heat, drought and lightning strikes, was one of the worst wildfire disasters in Floridas history. Nearly 2,300 blazes raged in the state, burning half a million acres, damaging or destroying more than 300 homes, and causing timber losses in excess of $300 million. More than 10,000 firefighters, representing 47 states, and 150 aircraft battled the blazes. As the wildfires became more severe, local, national, and international reporters descended on Florida to cover the story.
Following the 1998 wildfires, the Governors Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee, a group of state government officials, technical experts, members of the public and other stakeholders, was formed to assess the wildfires and to formulate recommendations on how Florida could better manage its wildfire risk. The committee recognized that "communication during a major disaster has not been adequately improved and remains a critical issue requiring additional effort" (1998, p. 7). In addition, University of Florida researchers conducted a study (1999) to assess how Florida firefighter public information officers perceived their communication effectiveness with reporters during the 1998 wildfires. Questionnaires were sent to public information officers (PIOs) in the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and to reporters, representing newswire agencies, newspapers, and television and radio stations that were in areas impacted by the wildfires. This fact sheet is based on the recommendations drawn from the Florida firefighter PIO study. However, the recommendations can be generalized to PIOs who communicate with the media during other disaster situations.
"Catering" to ReportersOverall, Florida firefighter PIOs perceived that they effectively communicated with the media during the 1998 wildfires. Reporters, overall, were slightly less favorable with PIOs communications efforts, and newspaper reporters - in particular - were quite critical of PIOs. This may be a result of their perception that PIOs catered more to the "10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m." deadlines of television reporters for the noon, 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Previous studies of disaster coverage have indicated that broadcast media are the primary distributor of immediate news during a disaster. It would follow, then, that PIOs may spend more time with television and radio reporters, because they provide more immediate news to local citizens. Local reporters said that PIOs spent more time helping national reporters, when more should have been done to assist the local journalists in providing immediate information to area residents. A PIO mentioned that the "out-of-town" media were more demanding than local reporters. Many PIOs said that part of their job during crises is public relations: showing fire-fighting efforts in action. Providing communications support to local reporters, therefore, would promote this public relations effort in the communities where local and state tax money are used to support firefighters.
Need for Communications TrainingMost of the firefighter PIOs in the Florida study had media communication training, experience, or education. Yet, they said they should have had more communication knowledge and skills to better prepare them for the 1998 wildfires. This belief coincides with the recommendations from the report of the Governor's Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee (1998). The report noted: "There is a need for comprehensive emergency public information officer training at the state and county level, in cooperation with associations that are capable of dispatching public information officers during an emergency event" (p. 21). One area that should be stressed in training sessions is the need for immediate online information. Although only one PIO mentioned the need for online wildfire-related information, several reporters mentioned its need.
Recommendations for PIOs During Disaster-Related News CoverageThe UF researchers suggested several recommendations on how PIOs can more effectively communicate with the media during a wildfire crisis. The communications-related recommendations below are based on the firefighter PIO study:
Before the Disaster/CrisisDesignate a PIO in each emergency relief organization. The PIO duties could be part of a persons regular emergency relief duties. Having a designated PIO on-staff provides reporters with a central spokesperson in everyday and emergency situations.
Organize a "what if" brainstorming session with others in your office. Come up with "what if" scenarios about potential crisis and disaster situations. Determine steps on how you would respond to the "what if" crises.
Have a crisis communication/emergency communication plan before a disaster strikes. With an emergency communication plan in place, PIOs will be able to respond and perform in a proactive stance, as opposed to a reactive mode, thus better controlling the information and news coverage in a disaster.
Select disaster/crisis communication teams. Who is responsible for communicating with the media during a crisis? Who fields telephone calls? Who makes decisions about what to say to the media? Everyone in your office should know who are on the crisis communication and crisis management teams.
Provide all PIOs with communications-related training opportunities. Ephasize topics PIOs believe to be important when communicating with the media. It is not enough to have a designated PIO on staff; that PIO should be properly trained in communication methods. (Many PIOs are volunteers.) The following topics were identified by Florida firefighter PIOs as necessary in an overall communication training program:
Disaster scene preparedness.
Crisis communication techniques.
Media relations (understanding how the media work).
Computer skills, specifically on how to communicate in an on-line environment and how to develop World Wide Web pages.
Speaking skills, such as media interviewing techniques and public speaking.
Writing skills (news writing and news releases).
Information-gathering skills.
Initiate World Wide Web page development training for PIOs or a designated person on staff. Reporters and the general public are becoming more adamant about getting almost immediate, online information. Firefighter PIOs did not recognize the need for online information to be strong; however, reporters in the study said otherwise. As much emergency information as possible should be made available on the Web.
During the Disaster/CrisisGather and classify information into categories, such as facts and rumors. Facts should be routinely updated; rumors should be verified or exposed as myths.
Cater to local media before national media. Local reporters will provide immediate, important information to area constituents.
Remember newspaper reporters have information needs. The immediacy of television and radio coverage may have caused PIOs in the firefighters study to provide more resources to television reporters and video photographers. However, newspaper reporters information and photography needs also should be provided for during wildfire coverage.
Consider "media pool coverage," especially of video footage, and/or media tours to disaster-damaged areas. This should be a standard feature at all emergency command center sites and not change from site to site.
Be accessible or designate someone to be accessible to the media at all times. Reporters should have a contact person's telephone number, cellular phone number, fax number and electronic mail address for around-the-clock contact.
Provide necessary resources (cellular phones, laptop computers) to PIOs in the field.
Provide other automated services, such as a 24-hour telephone hotline, for the public to use for emergency updates.
Get the facts. Miscommunication heightens during a crisis and can be exaggerated by half-truths, distortions, or negative perceptions. Get to the heart of the real story and tell it.
Take the offensive when a serious matter occurs. Be active, not reactive. Tell it all; tell it fast.
Deal with rumors swiftly. Tell only the truth about what you know to be fact. Do not repeat others opinions, hearsay, or possibilities.
Centralize information. Designate one spokesperson. A central spokesperson provides a singular "face" for the reporters. Viewers begin to become familiar with a central spokesperson, so this is one way to begin building credibility with the organization, if the person comes across as trustworthy. Centralized information also will minimize miscommunication.
Don't get mad. Don't get mad. Don't get mad. Keep your cool in an interview or news conference with reporters. Some of their questions may be hostile, and some questions and comments may seem to be a personal attack to you, but remember that they are trying to get information on a crisis-oriented story that may have widespread impact to their audiences. So dont get mad when you are asked the "hard" questions.
Stay "on the record" in all interviews. Do not go "off the record." Any comment worth saying should be said "on the record." If you go "off the record," be ready to read it in print the next day. Is this unethical for reporters to report "off the record" comments? Sure, but anything can, may, and will be done to advance a story. You should not be lured into going "off the record" under any circumstance.
No "no comments." Try to have an answer for reporters questions. But if you dont have an answer, dont be afraid to say, "I dont know, but Ill find out." Saying "no comment" instead, appears to television news viewers and newspaper readers that you have something to hide.
Write everything down. Maintain a crisis communication inventory of what was said by whom and at what time. This way, you will have a record of the event and how it was communicated. You can evaluate your responses so you will be better prepared if another crisis happens in the future.
After the Disaster/CrisisDont just sit back and do nothing; you wont be ready for the next disaster or crisis! It is time to evaluate how you handled the crisis. Your review should include the following:
A review of why the crisis or disaster occurred. Could you have done anything to prevent it?
An evaluation of how the crisis was handled and communicated. You may want to use the crisis communication inventory you maintained to evaluate how communication was handled. Was information disseminated through one spokesperson? Did miscommunication occur?
An examination of similar scenarios. What would you do in a similar situation in the future? What did others do in similar situations?
ConclusionA disaster situation will happen at some point for an emergency relief organization. Taking time now to prepare for a crisis - even if you think it will never occur - and how to communicate to the news media during a crisis is your best defense.
ReferencesGovernor's Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee (1998). Through the flames: An assessment of Floridas wildfires of 1998. Tallahassee, FL: Author.Telg,R.W. & Raulerson, R. (1999). Firefighter Public Information Officers' Communication Effectiveness with the Media During the 1998 Florida Wildfires. Journal of Applied Communications, 83(2), 34-47.
Footnotes1. This document is AEC351, a series of the Department of AGricultural Education and Communication, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication Date: August 2000.2. Assistant Professor, Agricultual Education and Communication Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Following the 1998 wildfires, the Governors Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee, a group of state government officials, technical experts, members of the public and other stakeholders, was formed to assess the wildfires and to formulate recommendations on how Florida could better manage its wildfire risk. The committee recognized that "communication during a major disaster has not been adequately improved and remains a critical issue requiring additional effort" (1998, p. 7). In addition, University of Florida researchers conducted a study (1999) to assess how Florida firefighter public information officers perceived their communication effectiveness with reporters during the 1998 wildfires. Questionnaires were sent to public information officers (PIOs) in the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and to reporters, representing newswire agencies, newspapers, and television and radio stations that were in areas impacted by the wildfires. This fact sheet is based on the recommendations drawn from the Florida firefighter PIO study. However, the recommendations can be generalized to PIOs who communicate with the media during other disaster situations.
"Catering" to ReportersOverall, Florida firefighter PIOs perceived that they effectively communicated with the media during the 1998 wildfires. Reporters, overall, were slightly less favorable with PIOs communications efforts, and newspaper reporters - in particular - were quite critical of PIOs. This may be a result of their perception that PIOs catered more to the "10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m." deadlines of television reporters for the noon, 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Previous studies of disaster coverage have indicated that broadcast media are the primary distributor of immediate news during a disaster. It would follow, then, that PIOs may spend more time with television and radio reporters, because they provide more immediate news to local citizens. Local reporters said that PIOs spent more time helping national reporters, when more should have been done to assist the local journalists in providing immediate information to area residents. A PIO mentioned that the "out-of-town" media were more demanding than local reporters. Many PIOs said that part of their job during crises is public relations: showing fire-fighting efforts in action. Providing communications support to local reporters, therefore, would promote this public relations effort in the communities where local and state tax money are used to support firefighters.
Need for Communications TrainingMost of the firefighter PIOs in the Florida study had media communication training, experience, or education. Yet, they said they should have had more communication knowledge and skills to better prepare them for the 1998 wildfires. This belief coincides with the recommendations from the report of the Governor's Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee (1998). The report noted: "There is a need for comprehensive emergency public information officer training at the state and county level, in cooperation with associations that are capable of dispatching public information officers during an emergency event" (p. 21). One area that should be stressed in training sessions is the need for immediate online information. Although only one PIO mentioned the need for online wildfire-related information, several reporters mentioned its need.
Recommendations for PIOs During Disaster-Related News CoverageThe UF researchers suggested several recommendations on how PIOs can more effectively communicate with the media during a wildfire crisis. The communications-related recommendations below are based on the firefighter PIO study:
Before the Disaster/CrisisDesignate a PIO in each emergency relief organization. The PIO duties could be part of a persons regular emergency relief duties. Having a designated PIO on-staff provides reporters with a central spokesperson in everyday and emergency situations.
Organize a "what if" brainstorming session with others in your office. Come up with "what if" scenarios about potential crisis and disaster situations. Determine steps on how you would respond to the "what if" crises.
Have a crisis communication/emergency communication plan before a disaster strikes. With an emergency communication plan in place, PIOs will be able to respond and perform in a proactive stance, as opposed to a reactive mode, thus better controlling the information and news coverage in a disaster.
Select disaster/crisis communication teams. Who is responsible for communicating with the media during a crisis? Who fields telephone calls? Who makes decisions about what to say to the media? Everyone in your office should know who are on the crisis communication and crisis management teams.
Provide all PIOs with communications-related training opportunities. Ephasize topics PIOs believe to be important when communicating with the media. It is not enough to have a designated PIO on staff; that PIO should be properly trained in communication methods. (Many PIOs are volunteers.) The following topics were identified by Florida firefighter PIOs as necessary in an overall communication training program:
Disaster scene preparedness.
Crisis communication techniques.
Media relations (understanding how the media work).
Computer skills, specifically on how to communicate in an on-line environment and how to develop World Wide Web pages.
Speaking skills, such as media interviewing techniques and public speaking.
Writing skills (news writing and news releases).
Information-gathering skills.
Initiate World Wide Web page development training for PIOs or a designated person on staff. Reporters and the general public are becoming more adamant about getting almost immediate, online information. Firefighter PIOs did not recognize the need for online information to be strong; however, reporters in the study said otherwise. As much emergency information as possible should be made available on the Web.
During the Disaster/CrisisGather and classify information into categories, such as facts and rumors. Facts should be routinely updated; rumors should be verified or exposed as myths.
Cater to local media before national media. Local reporters will provide immediate, important information to area constituents.
Remember newspaper reporters have information needs. The immediacy of television and radio coverage may have caused PIOs in the firefighters study to provide more resources to television reporters and video photographers. However, newspaper reporters information and photography needs also should be provided for during wildfire coverage.
Consider "media pool coverage," especially of video footage, and/or media tours to disaster-damaged areas. This should be a standard feature at all emergency command center sites and not change from site to site.
Be accessible or designate someone to be accessible to the media at all times. Reporters should have a contact person's telephone number, cellular phone number, fax number and electronic mail address for around-the-clock contact.
Provide necessary resources (cellular phones, laptop computers) to PIOs in the field.
Provide other automated services, such as a 24-hour telephone hotline, for the public to use for emergency updates.
Get the facts. Miscommunication heightens during a crisis and can be exaggerated by half-truths, distortions, or negative perceptions. Get to the heart of the real story and tell it.
Take the offensive when a serious matter occurs. Be active, not reactive. Tell it all; tell it fast.
Deal with rumors swiftly. Tell only the truth about what you know to be fact. Do not repeat others opinions, hearsay, or possibilities.
Centralize information. Designate one spokesperson. A central spokesperson provides a singular "face" for the reporters. Viewers begin to become familiar with a central spokesperson, so this is one way to begin building credibility with the organization, if the person comes across as trustworthy. Centralized information also will minimize miscommunication.
Don't get mad. Don't get mad. Don't get mad. Keep your cool in an interview or news conference with reporters. Some of their questions may be hostile, and some questions and comments may seem to be a personal attack to you, but remember that they are trying to get information on a crisis-oriented story that may have widespread impact to their audiences. So dont get mad when you are asked the "hard" questions.
Stay "on the record" in all interviews. Do not go "off the record." Any comment worth saying should be said "on the record." If you go "off the record," be ready to read it in print the next day. Is this unethical for reporters to report "off the record" comments? Sure, but anything can, may, and will be done to advance a story. You should not be lured into going "off the record" under any circumstance.
No "no comments." Try to have an answer for reporters questions. But if you dont have an answer, dont be afraid to say, "I dont know, but Ill find out." Saying "no comment" instead, appears to television news viewers and newspaper readers that you have something to hide.
Write everything down. Maintain a crisis communication inventory of what was said by whom and at what time. This way, you will have a record of the event and how it was communicated. You can evaluate your responses so you will be better prepared if another crisis happens in the future.
After the Disaster/CrisisDont just sit back and do nothing; you wont be ready for the next disaster or crisis! It is time to evaluate how you handled the crisis. Your review should include the following:
A review of why the crisis or disaster occurred. Could you have done anything to prevent it?
An evaluation of how the crisis was handled and communicated. You may want to use the crisis communication inventory you maintained to evaluate how communication was handled. Was information disseminated through one spokesperson? Did miscommunication occur?
An examination of similar scenarios. What would you do in a similar situation in the future? What did others do in similar situations?
ConclusionA disaster situation will happen at some point for an emergency relief organization. Taking time now to prepare for a crisis - even if you think it will never occur - and how to communicate to the news media during a crisis is your best defense.
ReferencesGovernor's Wildfire Response and Mitigation Review Committee (1998). Through the flames: An assessment of Floridas wildfires of 1998. Tallahassee, FL: Author.Telg,R.W. & Raulerson, R. (1999). Firefighter Public Information Officers' Communication Effectiveness with the Media During the 1998 Florida Wildfires. Journal of Applied Communications, 83(2), 34-47.
Footnotes1. This document is AEC351, a series of the Department of AGricultural Education and Communication, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication Date: August 2000.2. Assistant Professor, Agricultual Education and Communication Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
8.13.2008
Dhaka Workshop: Issues Coming Out of the Open Space Sessions
So today, we started the APC Asia ICT Policy Meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The latter half of the morning and the earlier part of the afternoon was spent in OST (Open Space Technology) to give the participants the opportunity to determine which issues and topics they wanted to spend time discussing:
- Open Source Enabling Policies- ICTs for Peace- cctld- Importance of Knowledge Products- ICT Policy Advocacy for WHAT?- Localisation and FOSS- Human Rights and Legal Issues in Relation to the Internet- ICT Advocacy for Civil Society- Infrastructure- Asia ICT Policy / Governance Research Network- Integrating Gender in ICTs- Knowledge Sharing and Policy Implementation through Media- Liberate the Airwaves!- Pro-Poor ICTs and the Digital Divide
A very good list of topics, in my opinion.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the topic of women as technology enablers and gender issues was not only raised by female participants (which is often the case in these types of workshops). I'm quite looking forward to the results of that discussion.
- Open Source Enabling Policies- ICTs for Peace- cctld- Importance of Knowledge Products- ICT Policy Advocacy for WHAT?- Localisation and FOSS- Human Rights and Legal Issues in Relation to the Internet- ICT Advocacy for Civil Society- Infrastructure- Asia ICT Policy / Governance Research Network- Integrating Gender in ICTs- Knowledge Sharing and Policy Implementation through Media- Liberate the Airwaves!- Pro-Poor ICTs and the Digital Divide
A very good list of topics, in my opinion.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the topic of women as technology enablers and gender issues was not only raised by female participants (which is often the case in these types of workshops). I'm quite looking forward to the results of that discussion.
Changing times... but the same mind-set
Our friends from India make an interesting point: technology is changing. But the mindset stays the same. And so are thelaws.
Take the case of the telecom paradigm.
Vicram Crishna says: "As times change, so does the telecom paradigm. A (traditional and old-style plain old telephone system, or POTS) phone works because somebody installs an expensive switch, and the switch allows the circuits to be connected. The switches are so expensive that the entire infrastructure can't begin to work until you've spent all the money."
But this is no longer true. Now, you can start working your networking from a single room. You can start small, keep ondeploying, moving out from there, and cover an entire country as you encourage the demand to expand.
Because the technology has changed, it has a huge impact on how investments will be made, and how the people will usethem.
Crishna sees a sharp disconnect from client-server, switch based operations to peer-to-peer, mesh-based networks. In the traditional style, the switch owner also owns the old-style telephone network. This need not be true anymore. Only standards and protocols need acceptance, so that the networks can talk to each other.
"There's a need to develop and integrate models to deal with new technologies and services that have emerged from these.VOIP (voice over internet protocol) calls feel just like a telephone call. You can take notes, show a video while the call is going on... can do a lot of things with a VOIP call," says Crishna.
Crishna rues the fact that young students are not given a chance to play around with, and work on, technologies like RF (radio frequency). He points out how earlier research on radio frequency was lost, because the nation-state dominated this field after the First World War in a command-control environment, instead of a participatory and inclusive manner.
He believes that after struggling with software patents and restrictions, hardware too could go the same way. "Proprietorial hardware is a live time-bomb. Companies can just withdraw the products. There's nothing we can do about it," he warns.
"We use FM radio for simultaneous translation in conferences. (This involves getting translators to speak out, via different channels, and then the audience tunes in to a language-channel of their choice.) FM happens to be a very, very clear voice handling system. Technology is extremely old, but it's not widespread. Why? Because our governments control the use of FM. You can't buy a wireless translation based on FM in India, though it costs peanuts," says Crishna.
Research is highly restricted, he notes. It's government-owned institutions or very large institutions that can control governments. They focus on the low-hanging fruit, what they can sell for the highest price.
There's also a need for a supportive infrastructure. To develop radio and non-radio frequencies. For instance, a laserpointer has a street price of Rs 30 (75 US cents). If you add a modulating circuit, you can add voice signals, he argues. Butthere's hardly any research going on on topics like this. Instead, the focus is on say sending a laser communication toMars, an application that the corporate world sees the possibility of "making billions on".
Take the case of the telecom paradigm.
Vicram Crishna says: "As times change, so does the telecom paradigm. A (traditional and old-style plain old telephone system, or POTS) phone works because somebody installs an expensive switch, and the switch allows the circuits to be connected. The switches are so expensive that the entire infrastructure can't begin to work until you've spent all the money."
But this is no longer true. Now, you can start working your networking from a single room. You can start small, keep ondeploying, moving out from there, and cover an entire country as you encourage the demand to expand.
Because the technology has changed, it has a huge impact on how investments will be made, and how the people will usethem.
Crishna sees a sharp disconnect from client-server, switch based operations to peer-to-peer, mesh-based networks. In the traditional style, the switch owner also owns the old-style telephone network. This need not be true anymore. Only standards and protocols need acceptance, so that the networks can talk to each other.
"There's a need to develop and integrate models to deal with new technologies and services that have emerged from these.VOIP (voice over internet protocol) calls feel just like a telephone call. You can take notes, show a video while the call is going on... can do a lot of things with a VOIP call," says Crishna.
Crishna rues the fact that young students are not given a chance to play around with, and work on, technologies like RF (radio frequency). He points out how earlier research on radio frequency was lost, because the nation-state dominated this field after the First World War in a command-control environment, instead of a participatory and inclusive manner.
He believes that after struggling with software patents and restrictions, hardware too could go the same way. "Proprietorial hardware is a live time-bomb. Companies can just withdraw the products. There's nothing we can do about it," he warns.
"We use FM radio for simultaneous translation in conferences. (This involves getting translators to speak out, via different channels, and then the audience tunes in to a language-channel of their choice.) FM happens to be a very, very clear voice handling system. Technology is extremely old, but it's not widespread. Why? Because our governments control the use of FM. You can't buy a wireless translation based on FM in India, though it costs peanuts," says Crishna.
Research is highly restricted, he notes. It's government-owned institutions or very large institutions that can control governments. They focus on the low-hanging fruit, what they can sell for the highest price.
There's also a need for a supportive infrastructure. To develop radio and non-radio frequencies. For instance, a laserpointer has a street price of Rs 30 (75 US cents). If you add a modulating circuit, you can add voice signals, he argues. Butthere's hardly any research going on on topics like this. Instead, the focus is on say sending a laser communication toMars, an application that the corporate world sees the possibility of "making billions on".
Commmunity radios in South Africa
APC staff writer Frederick Noronha runs in to Willie Currie in Dhaka, Bangladesh and asks: Could you share something with us on the South African community radio policy? It's a fairly useful one, isn't it so? Willie Currie, APC's manager of the Communications and Information Policy Programme answers:
Yeah. There are 100 odd community radio stations in South Africa. You must have a non-profit entity supported by the community, that can show the community participates in the management and programming, and serves the interest of that community. The community can either be a geographical community or a community of interest.
So for example, in a South African case, there are a number of Christian and Muslim radio stations. And there are community radio stations dedicated to classical music and jazz, stations for old aged pensioners, there are number of women's radio stations.
Frederick Noronha: So, theoretically, couldn't this develop into a nightmare scenario? One which governments in most of the countries of Asia actually fear and dread and use as an excuse for not granding community radio stations licenses?
No. Because community radio is not a threat to stability. It's a space which enables a community to discuss a broadrange of issues that are of concern to it.
And, there are rules, and a code of conduct, with regard to hate speech, for example. Which then regulates any of thedangers that governments fear with regard to incitement, to violence, encitement of ethnic difference or around religiousintolerance.
In fact, a radio station that allows hate speech is called before an independent complaints board and asked to explain itself, and can be censured. There's a threat of losing its license, and a requirement to retract any hate speech and penalties.
But this is all done within the context of a constitution that promotes freedom of expression. There are checks and balance between freedom of expression and the prohibition of hate speech. This is a much more healtier process from providing communities to have a voice.
Really there's nothing to fear from community radio. It's a positive way in which communities can develop themselves and articulate their interests and their concerns.
Yeah. There are 100 odd community radio stations in South Africa. You must have a non-profit entity supported by the community, that can show the community participates in the management and programming, and serves the interest of that community. The community can either be a geographical community or a community of interest.
So for example, in a South African case, there are a number of Christian and Muslim radio stations. And there are community radio stations dedicated to classical music and jazz, stations for old aged pensioners, there are number of women's radio stations.
Frederick Noronha: So, theoretically, couldn't this develop into a nightmare scenario? One which governments in most of the countries of Asia actually fear and dread and use as an excuse for not granding community radio stations licenses?
No. Because community radio is not a threat to stability. It's a space which enables a community to discuss a broadrange of issues that are of concern to it.
And, there are rules, and a code of conduct, with regard to hate speech, for example. Which then regulates any of thedangers that governments fear with regard to incitement, to violence, encitement of ethnic difference or around religiousintolerance.
In fact, a radio station that allows hate speech is called before an independent complaints board and asked to explain itself, and can be censured. There's a threat of losing its license, and a requirement to retract any hate speech and penalties.
But this is all done within the context of a constitution that promotes freedom of expression. There are checks and balance between freedom of expression and the prohibition of hate speech. This is a much more healtier process from providing communities to have a voice.
Really there's nothing to fear from community radio. It's a positive way in which communities can develop themselves and articulate their interests and their concerns.
SANGONeT ... attempting a rescue of poorly performing telecentres
APC member SANGONeT features in this report titled South Africa: Rescue Attempt On Poorly Performing Telecentres. Says the Johannesburg-datelined report in Business Day, which is South Africa's major business-oriented daily: "Dozens of telecentres set up to take telecommunications services to rural areas have been an absolute waste of time and money, says an organisation trying to salvage them. Of 133 telecentres set up by the Universal Service Agency (USA), many are underused, entirely dysfunctional or have turned into private businesses benefiting the people appointed to run them. Now a three-year project is under way to revive some of the centres and assess which should be written off. This report quotes SANGONeT executive-director David Barnard as saying: ""There are some fairly critical views about the impact telecentres have had and to a large extent those criticisms are valid. Real questions have been raised about their relevance and whether millions of rands have been pumped into a big black hole with little to show for it." Says the report: "Sangonet, a body that helps development agencies use IT in the communities they serve, is driving the telecentre overhaul."
EDRI General Assembly Reaffirms Current Course
Delegates representing NGOs-members of the EDRI (European Digital Rights) network took part in the General Assembly (GA) in Berlin September 1-2, 2007, discussing current issues of interest and the overall functioning of the association.
The GA work had two components. The former focused on administrative issues, such as reports on the work during the previous year and membership, while the later explored pertinent human rights questions, esp. privacy-related, on European level, and future EDRI actions referring to them.
By the time of this GA, EDRI had 25 members from 16 countries. A quorum of representatives of 18 organizations from 13 countries took part in the event, and accepted the membership applications of three new members—ANSOL from Portugal, Pangea from Catalonia, Spain, and EFF European office based in Belgium—raising the number of EDRI members to 28 from 17 countries, including three APC members (GreenNet, Metamorphosis, and Pangea).
The 2007 GA approved the progress reports submitted by the Board, stressing the importance and continuation of the EDRI-gram, the bi-weekly newsletter about digital civil rights in Europe. An unanimous vote by the delegates provided confirmation of the Board which is in the middle of two-year term.
Board President Meryem Marzouki provided a recap of some of the most prominent EDRI activities between the two GAs, which all focused on promotion of human rights and increasing the involvement of civil society in decision making. These included participation in initiatives related to international bodies, including the COE Cybercrime Conference, workshop on Nanotechnologies and Security, co-organized by DG Research of the European Commission (Nanotech unit). EDRI also has planned participation in events by COE, UNICEF, OECD and other.
EDRI also provided support of number of national or regional initiatives, such as the legal action from Digital Rights Ireland against Data Retention Directive, initiative against Data Retention SK by APC member Jimbonet from South Korea, IP Justice's "Keep the core neutral" initiative.
EDRI also took part of the joint statement to WIPO on the Broadcast Treaty, organized a panel at the CFP 2006 with OSCE's Representative on Freedom of the Media in Washington DC, received the positive Czech Big Brother Award, and took part in the International Conference e-Society.Mk in Macedonia, providing reach in the South Eastern European region.
Future issues on EDRI's agenda include civic actions and projects for protection of human rights based on preliminary analysis by task forces and working groups in the areas of: Internet and telecommunications content filtering, privacy of payment systems, data retention, and biometrics.
Besides the work agenda, the GA, hosted in the lovely Newthinking Store, provided opportunities for the diverse representatives to get each other better, supplementing the existing collaboration over the internet with face-to-face interaction.
The GA work had two components. The former focused on administrative issues, such as reports on the work during the previous year and membership, while the later explored pertinent human rights questions, esp. privacy-related, on European level, and future EDRI actions referring to them.
By the time of this GA, EDRI had 25 members from 16 countries. A quorum of representatives of 18 organizations from 13 countries took part in the event, and accepted the membership applications of three new members—ANSOL from Portugal, Pangea from Catalonia, Spain, and EFF European office based in Belgium—raising the number of EDRI members to 28 from 17 countries, including three APC members (GreenNet, Metamorphosis, and Pangea).
The 2007 GA approved the progress reports submitted by the Board, stressing the importance and continuation of the EDRI-gram, the bi-weekly newsletter about digital civil rights in Europe. An unanimous vote by the delegates provided confirmation of the Board which is in the middle of two-year term.
Board President Meryem Marzouki provided a recap of some of the most prominent EDRI activities between the two GAs, which all focused on promotion of human rights and increasing the involvement of civil society in decision making. These included participation in initiatives related to international bodies, including the COE Cybercrime Conference, workshop on Nanotechnologies and Security, co-organized by DG Research of the European Commission (Nanotech unit). EDRI also has planned participation in events by COE, UNICEF, OECD and other.
EDRI also provided support of number of national or regional initiatives, such as the legal action from Digital Rights Ireland against Data Retention Directive, initiative against Data Retention SK by APC member Jimbonet from South Korea, IP Justice's "Keep the core neutral" initiative.
EDRI also took part of the joint statement to WIPO on the Broadcast Treaty, organized a panel at the CFP 2006 with OSCE's Representative on Freedom of the Media in Washington DC, received the positive Czech Big Brother Award, and took part in the International Conference e-Society.Mk in Macedonia, providing reach in the South Eastern European region.
Future issues on EDRI's agenda include civic actions and projects for protection of human rights based on preliminary analysis by task forces and working groups in the areas of: Internet and telecommunications content filtering, privacy of payment systems, data retention, and biometrics.
Besides the work agenda, the GA, hosted in the lovely Newthinking Store, provided opportunities for the diverse representatives to get each other better, supplementing the existing collaboration over the internet with face-to-face interaction.
Forum Europe-China: IT systems on the age of the Internet
Citizens in China and Europe from the academia, NGO, companies, government met in Liège (Belgium) to exchange perspectives and discuss on the topic of Information Society and the Internet in China and Europe. The workshop on "IT systems on the age of the Internet" (4-5 October) was the first step of the China-Europe Forum (6-7 October).
The two day workshop, organized by Frédéric Sultan from VECAM, presented the state of Information Society and the Internet in the two regions (check the "Documents" label on the workshop site) and we discussed what was in common, what was different, and some potential common action lines.
One common trait on the discussion was that the common issues hide the differences, quite visible as we openly discussed about details.
A few of the most striking differences from my European perspective were: the strong emphasis on protection versus freedom of expression (of preventing: "a priori" filtering of potentially dangerous content such as the Wikipedia, versus acting "a posteriori" in case of infringement) [by the way: this web site seems to be blocked from China]; the importance of protecting children and the youth from dangerous content on the Internet; the emphasis that a rapid economic development (regions in China compete almost on the basis of GDP growth rate) is key, many times against almost anything else including freedom of expression, environmental issues, etc; the apparent non existence of organizations with independent views from the government; the strict regulation on the production of information (usually limited to the government or formally approved sources); a strong nationalistic view in strongly preserving the chinese culture and chinese values from the "Internet values" (the Internet and spaces like Wikipedia "were not invented here", and therefore they embed participation models strange to the chinese society), the use of the Internet by citizens as a way to send comments to the government, and the strong interest in China for discussing on (internal) politics.
Together we openly and passionately discussed, learned many things about each other in the formal and informal opportunities provided by the workshop, we enjoyed the meeting place, a wonderful palace in Liège, and came back with a much better mutual understanding.
The two day workshop, organized by Frédéric Sultan from VECAM, presented the state of Information Society and the Internet in the two regions (check the "Documents" label on the workshop site) and we discussed what was in common, what was different, and some potential common action lines.
One common trait on the discussion was that the common issues hide the differences, quite visible as we openly discussed about details.
A few of the most striking differences from my European perspective were: the strong emphasis on protection versus freedom of expression (of preventing: "a priori" filtering of potentially dangerous content such as the Wikipedia, versus acting "a posteriori" in case of infringement) [by the way: this web site seems to be blocked from China]; the importance of protecting children and the youth from dangerous content on the Internet; the emphasis that a rapid economic development (regions in China compete almost on the basis of GDP growth rate) is key, many times against almost anything else including freedom of expression, environmental issues, etc; the apparent non existence of organizations with independent views from the government; the strict regulation on the production of information (usually limited to the government or formally approved sources); a strong nationalistic view in strongly preserving the chinese culture and chinese values from the "Internet values" (the Internet and spaces like Wikipedia "were not invented here", and therefore they embed participation models strange to the chinese society), the use of the Internet by citizens as a way to send comments to the government, and the strong interest in China for discussing on (internal) politics.
Together we openly and passionately discussed, learned many things about each other in the formal and informal opportunities provided by the workshop, we enjoyed the meeting place, a wonderful palace in Liège, and came back with a much better mutual understanding.
Free Culture House
Last month iCommons announced a new project called the ‘Free Culture House’ project. Inspired by similar initiatives around the world, we have come to recognise the growing importance of physical spaces in building the kinds of communities that will spread the global commons.After all, the creative and information commons is by its nature a virtual and intangible thing, and having a physical space where people can learn from and talk to one another, becomes more and more important.The idea is simple and its sustainability is at its core. Buy a property (or rent something initially) that will serve as a space for members to meet and eat (a kickass wifi-enabled coffee shop), learn (a training room that doubles up as movie house), broadcast (a podcast studio) and work (shared office space and board room). Sleep rooms would also potentially be available for short-term stays by commuters who work between Johannesburg and Cape Town, for example.At the same time, gather together a core group of founding members who will decide on the membership criteria, costs and responsibilities of members. The principle here is that each member should have something to teach other members, and that the House should be open to the community on regular ‘open days’ where members can reach out to the larger community to teach and advise others. Once a month, for example, members would be available to give free advice to non-profits on their technology and website strategy, to teach young people how to mix music, to help teachers to build open content for their students, and to advise artists, musicians and creators on how to use open licences and collaborate with artists around the world.The House will be established with the help of sponsorships and will be maintained by membership dues, rental of the coffee shop and venue rental for training etc. Its founding documents will ensure that the House remains a centre for learning and networking to build a free digital culture, and all activities will need to be approved by the House Committee. Targeting bloggers, web developers, software engineers, researchers, journalists and marketers, the House will also serve as a repository of specialised knowledge management skills that could be employed by companies, NGOs and government departments for developing websites, information campaigns and copyright licensing strategies.Once this Free Culture House has been established, others could be set up using similar models. All documentation and plans will be open to others to use, and a system would be established to link Free Culture Houses in different parts of the world.A working group has been established with interested parties in four continents.
Workshop on the Management of International Networks for Knowledge Sharing
A brief report on the workshop I just attended in Switzerland (Workshop on the Management of International Networks for Knowledge Sharing, 25th – 28th April 2006, St. Gallen)There were about 40 participants, mostly "networkers", people focused on knowledge sharing etc. Quite a few of them work in sanitation and water management and health issues. Besides, there is an interesting group of (mainly Swiss) participants who work in such fields as building suspension bridges in Nepal, construction of local hydro power plants, disposal of e-waste etc (it is good to hear about different non-ict development initiatives and fantasize about possible overlaps with what we are doing...).Several people know APC or some members (there are some London-based participants who know GreenNet, and Ndala Duma from South African Water Information System is familiar with SangoNet). Not only NGO initiatives were represented, though. Some participants came from funder organizations and several development agencies, one from World Bank, one from ASEAN etc...
Alison Hewlitt and Jackie Nnam from Bellanet were at the workshop and gave a presentation on Harambee Project in which APC Africa Women group is involved. Issues discussed which I found most interesting were:
diasporas playing major role in funding development projects in their home countries
preserving accumulated knowledge after project's funding (unexpectedly) ends and most of the people who worked on it lose their jobs The conclusions should be available on Skat's website shortlyOtherwise, a lot of discussion topics (which were raised through open space methodology and discussed in working groups where I was present) have been spinning around rather general questions, such as "what is a network, what kinds of networks are there, should it live forever" etc...One project that might be particularly interesting for APC members is a knowledge sharing project on public health issues. It is being currently developed by one of the participants, Alena Petrakovafrom WHO (Technical Officer of Knowledge Management).Over the years, WHO has accumulated a large amount of knowledge and information materials on public health issues and they are looking for ways how to get it out to health workers and make the best use of it possible. In collaboration with the University of Iowa (College of Public Health) they started testing Elluminated training/knowledge sharing platform for distant training. WHO is testing this on-line communication approach on training public health professionals in number of countries, and they are looking for more local partners who are skilled in using ICT's and who work with local communities, possible beneficiaries of mentioned database.I will be kept updated on the development of this project.Ambitions of the project team are obviously high, both in terms of volume and quality of resources shared trough distant learning, as well as in terms of numbers of target groups reached through the project. Perhaps there might be some opportunities for APC members to become involved in the project in future.
Alison Hewlitt and Jackie Nnam from Bellanet were at the workshop and gave a presentation on Harambee Project in which APC Africa Women group is involved. Issues discussed which I found most interesting were:
diasporas playing major role in funding development projects in their home countries
preserving accumulated knowledge after project's funding (unexpectedly) ends and most of the people who worked on it lose their jobs The conclusions should be available on Skat's website shortlyOtherwise, a lot of discussion topics (which were raised through open space methodology and discussed in working groups where I was present) have been spinning around rather general questions, such as "what is a network, what kinds of networks are there, should it live forever" etc...One project that might be particularly interesting for APC members is a knowledge sharing project on public health issues. It is being currently developed by one of the participants, Alena Petrakovafrom WHO (Technical Officer of Knowledge Management).Over the years, WHO has accumulated a large amount of knowledge and information materials on public health issues and they are looking for ways how to get it out to health workers and make the best use of it possible. In collaboration with the University of Iowa (College of Public Health) they started testing Elluminated training/knowledge sharing platform for distant training. WHO is testing this on-line communication approach on training public health professionals in number of countries, and they are looking for more local partners who are skilled in using ICT's and who work with local communities, possible beneficiaries of mentioned database.I will be kept updated on the development of this project.Ambitions of the project team are obviously high, both in terms of volume and quality of resources shared trough distant learning, as well as in terms of numbers of target groups reached through the project. Perhaps there might be some opportunities for APC members to become involved in the project in future.
Basic Literacy Skills are a requirement in bridging the digital divide
In recent years major strides have been made to ensure that children of school going age attend school. Countries such as Kenya have implemented free primary school education. Even though standards may not be upto date, at least most of the children who graduate from Primary schools can read and write and perform a certain level solving arithmetic problems with ease.As an IT professional, my work largely entails training people in IT skills. In the past, people who attended IT training were the working class and secondary school graduates waiting to join Univerisity or specialized colleges. Training such people has never been a problem since there is good level of understanding. Increasingly, it is becoming common for people with very limited literacy skills to attend IT training, which is encouraging since it shows a keeness to adopt new technology.The challenge comes when communication is a barrier, i.e. trainer-delegate cannot communicate say in English. How does one then transfer the IT skills to the delegate in question? One key benefit of ICTs is the ability to use the Internet to obtain information and to communicate via email. Most Internet websites are in the English language, so again the person with limited literacy skills faces another barrier.As the price of PCs and peripherals gets lower, many firms can now afford a PC per employee, including the tea-lady, the messenger and other support staff. Many corporate organisations are investing in IT training for their employees, including the tea-lady. Again, this is a major step in the right direction towards closing the digital divide.The question though is, to what extent are people with limited literacy skills benefitting from acquiring these IT skills? Wouldn't it add more value if such groups are first given basic adult literacy skills and thereafter, IT skills. The other issue I now recognize as important is localization, whereby, software is written in local African languages, understandable by local users. In the FOSS community, this is now happening, but in a limited way. Still on the issue of African languages, most African countries adopted the foreign languages of the 'colonial masters' to the detriment of African languages. It is not uncommon to find native Africans who speak fluent English but not a single word of their native language. This means that even if localization of software were to happen, there would be few reliable translators, users and trainers!Africa faces many problems ranging from disease, poverty, HIV/AIDS etc. The Internet provides a wealth of information which if accessed and utilised could change the destiny of many Africans. Unless the issue of adult literacy skills is addressed, there will be a generational digital divide within Africa, where by those with education are miles ahead of those with limited or no education.
ICTs, Training help children to access information world
ICTs, Training help children to access information world"Information at your finger tips"ICTs, under the motto "Information at your finger tips", is a promising programme that would work as bridge for children in (SCT) Salamieh Community Telecentre, to communicate with other children in the world.It helps enriching them with necessary knowledge station and sense of creativity . It is by far, a way to materialize their dreams and enables them pass the threshold of global horizons. Salamieh Community Telecentre, through its Communication and Information Sector, is therefore actively assisting children and young people to produce information themselves by supporting children media, and facilitating them create information. Training was conducted at the Strategic ICT programme for socio-economic development , ReefNet-Syria by Salamieh Community Telecentre – Syria – as part of education programme for children which was developed with the collaboration with the UNDP and the Ministry of Communication and Technology in Syria.The two-month training period in computer, English and French language was dedicated to help children to access information world. The children were enthusiastic to investigate world of information . 90 ICTs teaching hours are allocated to train children on concept of computer, access to internet world and English, French languages to develop skills in learning information on application programme.(SCT) always works to investigate the roles that technology can play in improving teaching and learning children inside and outside the classroom. It also designs and develops technology applications that support engaged, active learning in formal and informal settings.the programme is conducted by " Nabil Eid , Head manager of the (SCT) and Abdallah Fadel , Head of Language Department .Also ( Khloud Hwaijeh, Roaa Al Daman ) teachers of computer and (Reem Al Daman , Faten al Haj, Hawazen al Chaarani) teachers of English. (Lamis Mahfoud ) teacher of French language. All children and their families participants realized the importance and benefits of this kind of training for education professionals. The children received a package of handouts, which is of great help for their future teaching activities.Okba Al Khateeb is five years old. He is as student in the primary class in computer .He has shown much attachment and zeal to learn computer and has made a remarkable progress. He was at his computer doing some practices when I approached him:- Hi, your name is Okba, isn’t it?- Yes, it is , I am Okba. - How old are you? - I am 5 years. - Do you like your class? - yes I do. very much. - Why do you like computer class?- I learn a lot about computer. I can write document and draw by paint programme and play games. - How many times do you come to Salamieh Community Telecentre? - Three times a week, but I want more. - How can you work on computer? - Look it is easy you do … this …. move the mouse , choose the menu bar , icon , and click here and it is OK. - What things would you like to learn more in the computer class?- I'd like to learn how to use internet explorer and I'd like to chat with other children around the world.Raghdah Yehia She is a 7 years old girl. She came from jadouah , small village it's 15 Kilometers far from telecentre . She is active and frank , She is studying English language in her class in addition to computer . She is reviewing her grammar modules with her teacher.- Hello, What's your name ?- Raghdah Yehia - And I am Mr.Nabil Eid , manager of centre- How do you do?- How do you do?- So what are you doing here? - I am learning English in my class- What other subjects do you take here?- I take computer and English.- How are you getting on with your English and computer? - I am doing well . I can speak English with my friends and I can deal with them by internet.- Any thing else?- Nothing, I want to do my assignment now.Mohamed al Fadil , 10 Year old boy He is active smart and hard working , He has proven great skills and success in taking our programme . He can do any thing on computer " as He said "- Hello Mohammed , what are you doing, now?- I am designing medicine a programme for my father . My father is a doctor and he needs programme for his clinic. - What are the sources of your programme ? - I use visual basic and data base to cerate my programme.- Thanks Mohammed , Please we want to photograph you , right now - You are welcome.Mr Faisal Darwaish . A local citizen in Salamieh , came to our centre in the morning and asked us to enroll his daughter Hibba, for 2nd Time.When I asked him about his impression , he expressed his great estimation to the centre and this is is what he said" First I had a simple …idea about the centre but when my daughter Hibba had her first ICTs training at your centre I was surprised and over joyed with the bulk of information progress, she has had and the change that has come over here. My only daughter showed much attachment to the computer programme you are giving". I was at loss how I could fill her summer times . Now , She can contact by internet with her brother in UAE, by sending emails, photos, news of our family and we can hear daily news from my son abroad.ICTs programme in Salamieh Community Telecentre threshold to a brighter future.Eng. Nabil EidICT4D - SyriaSalamieh Community TelecentreNabileid21@yahoo.com
GKP recalls commitment to bridge digital divide
Last few years we are looking for the best info-tech for the benefits of rural people. Indeed still the technology is so expensive for them because we have no well off IT infrastructure and making technological services on vernacular language is also challenging task.Jamilur Reza Choudhury, former adviser of caretaker government and vice chancellor of BRAC university, observed these when he was giving speech as chef guest of the GKP South Asia Regional Meeting at the BRAC Inn.Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is an international multi-stakeholder network committed to harnessing the power of Knowledge and utilising Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for sustainable and equitable development. With over 100 members, the GKP Network reaches across sectors and continents, to share their experience, ideas and solutions to unleash the potential of knowledge and ICT to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people. GKP is actively involved in programmes that address development opportunities and challenges within four strategic themes - Access to Knowledge, Education, Poverty Reduction and Resource Mobilisation. GKP is governed by an elected Executive Committee and is supported by a Secretariat based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia"Once I saw radio warning system was informing coastal people about thunderstorm by calling 'Ghurni johore', but they are not familiar with the difficult word. They use to say thunderstorm 'tuhan'." The renowned aducationist said. He again said, "First time in the country my university made a faculty called Development Informatics that will deal with info-tech based social development. I am now so happy because GKP now focusing on the South Asia. This event in Dhaka is bearing importance before the extravaganza GK3 gathering in Malaysia in coming December." 2,000 global visionaries, innovators, practitioners and policy makers, will convene in Kuala Lumpur to engage on the theme "Emerging People, Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies." Delivered in a framework of expert panels and workshops, GK3 is designed to ensure maximum action, interaction and reaction among participants. Attending leaders, change agents and solutions providers will exchange and debate future realities from the perspective of the knowledge. The GK3 theme is a dynamic focus on the interplay, interface and interweaving of issues related to Knowledge for Development (K4D) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) within the context of the evolving societies, economies and technologies worldwide.AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, " My organisation firmly sands for free flow of information. We never favour info-tech ownership within the hands of a few rich people as well as aggression of the corporate world. In the era of globalisation we should think globally, but our thinking must go at all levels."Dr. Toufic Ahmed Choudhury, Chairman of D.net, mentioned, " We are trying to solve gap between rich and poor by the best use of ICTs in the country. We are building info-tech based network to disseminate knowledge among the poor and SMEs of the country."
Mobiles become handheld computers
The world of technology moves really fast and Highway Africa gives journalists a chance to catch up. The conference has been a great experience and an eye opener to ideas and experiences in the field of new media and ICTs. Through speeches delivered by knowledgeable speakers in their fields, I was made to understand technical terms that I have heardof but was never sure what they really meant, including the Convergence environments/convergence technology, where cell-phones are used as tv, radio and computers.I have also learnt about the international WIPO podcasting treaty that is being developed with the aim to extend broadcasting rights to distributors of content rather than just creators. Some aspects of the conference were too technical and confusing for me, especially the session that was about the technical aspect of connectivity.One of the sections that really grabbed my attention was Ethan Zuckerman’s presentation at the Digital Citizen Indaba about blogspots and blogging. It was very elaborate and clear. It encouraged me to participate in blogging and made me want to create my own blog.
Fast track to internet domains in own alphabet
The Register reports that certain countries such as China, Russia and Saudi Arabia are on the fast track to net domains that use their own alphabets. This week, at the Internet Governance Forum in Rio de Janeiro, ICANN announced that it's cranking an effort to provide certain very important nations with "country code top-level domains" that use "internationalized domain names." In ICANN speak, these are known as IDN ccTLDs. But you can think of them as web addresses that uses non-Latin characters. "There are certain countries that clearly need to have an IDN representation of their territory as soon as possible," Chris Disspain, the country code manager for Australia and the chair of ICANN's Country Code Names Supporting Organization, told us, as he was jetting out of Brazil. "So we've working on a fast track approach that will give those countries IDN ccTLDs sooner rather than later." Those countries include China, Taiwan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, The United Arab Emirates, and various other Arab nations. Disspain and ICANN have been testing IDNs for the past two weeks, and they hope to finalize a plan for these big-name countries within the next six months.
How the Next Billion Will Reshape the Internet
A few quotes from the article:"Although some will reside in North America, Europe, and other developed countries that close their domestic digital divides, the majority of the growth will undoubtedly come from the developing world.""Most new Internet users will not speak English as their first language, which should lead to increased pressure to accommodate different languages within the domain name system.""Many new Internet users will have different cultural and societal views on hot-button issues such as online free speech, privacy, and copyright. As they demand a voice in global policy making, those users will help shift the policy debate.""[They] may also use different technology to access the Internet. The recent introduction of the XO laptop demonstrates how the developing world has different requirements and how the technology industry will have to adapt to those changing environments.""Microsoft and Apple may have been the preferred choice for most of the first billion, but the next billion is far more likely to use open source software alternatives that are free and offer the chance for local customization.""[They] may use mobile devices as their primary way to connect to the Internet, experiencing slower speeds of access and forcing e-commerce companies to adapt to a changing marketplace."
National Workshop on Community Radio in Bangladesh Community Radio is going to be the Voice of Rural people
For the first time in Bangladesh a national workshop on Community Radio Awareness is held on 02-04 March 2008 at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) campus jointly arranged by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) and Development Research Network (D.Net) in collaboration with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) of Commonwealth of Learning(COL) and Bangladesh Open University(BOU). The workshop took place at the Media Centre in Bangladesh Open University at Gazipur, Dhaka.The workshop is inaugurated by the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Professor Dr. M Farid Ahmed. He said during the inauguration, ‘Our day to day life is now highly influenced by the technology. And this particular workshop is going to contribute a big stake in the social and economic development of Bangladesh.Ms. Rumkini Vemraju, the Programme Officer of CEMCA and Mr. Firoj Ahmed, Joint Director of BOU jointly supervise the workshop for the whole three days.Dr. Rumkini in the inaugural ceremony said, ‘CEMCA is working closely with more than 30 Community Radio Station in India.’ She shared the experiences of India and stated to contribute in Bangladesh in relation to community radio.As the special guests Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, the Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC and Mr. Dr. Ananya Raihan were present in the inaugural session. They expected in their speeches that CEMCA and BOU will contribute endlessly in emergence of Community Radio in Bangladesh.Higher officials from the Media Centre and the Regional Directors of BOU as well as the Higher officials of the NGOs that are working in the remote and coastal areas of Bangladesh have participated in the workshop. The participants from the commercial phone companies who have established the internet outlets in the rural areas in Bangladesh have also joined. In the workshop the technical aspects and content making, studio designing and maintaining, radio station management and broadcasting everything is taught with tremendous care and practical demonstration.Mr. Amit Chakrabarty, the former high official of the very popular Bangla TV Channel of India ‘Tara Bangla’ and Programme Director of World Space Radio, Mr. Monoranjan Das, the advisor of Radio TOday and the former Additional Chief Engineer of Bangldesh Betar and the consultant of ABC Radio Mr. Jamal Uddin Mawla Newaj have facilitated in the workshop. The perspective and Social aspects of the Community Radio is demonstrated by Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, the CEO of BNNRC.At the end of the three-day workshop the certificates have been distributed among the participants in the gala closing ceremony. Honourable Vice Chancellor and the Treasurer of Bangladesh Open University were present among others in the closing ceremony. Mr. Vice Chancellor said in his closing speech that BOU would support in the skill development of the station managers of forthcoming Community Radio in Bangladesh in future. The workshop expected that the government of Bangladesh would soon open up the pilot basis Community Radio. As the direct result of the workshop the participants are now prepared to run more than 50 CR stations no sooner have the government approve it.
Finished ethic form for HKU
We have finished the ethics forms for HKU. The form is attached. It is quite a lot of thing to write in the form. We have e-mail to our superior to revise it. the final version is attached. The form is for us to request for approval of our research to have conferences in future.
Second version of surveys and finished invitation letter
On the 29 February, 2008, we have a meeting with our superior for discussing the design of the surveys and the invitation letter. In addition, we have a new thing to do. It is the part of the research method of our FYP.
The second version of surveys are attached in this blog. The suvery 2 which is for the academic libraries which have not implemented wiki seems ready for interview. So there is no change in the survey 2. Besides, the invitation letter is attached in this blog for reference. Our personal detail, the research content and all others things are stated in the invitation letter. We hope that the universities library can finish the survey through e-mail because it is nore convenient.
Another new thing we need to start is the part of research method since it is important for each reserach. Researcher need to stated their research method clearly before doing the reserach. We have a part of "research method "in the mediawiki for our progress.
The next meeting will be on 4 March, 2008.
The second version of surveys are attached in this blog. The suvery 2 which is for the academic libraries which have not implemented wiki seems ready for interview. So there is no change in the survey 2. Besides, the invitation letter is attached in this blog for reference. Our personal detail, the research content and all others things are stated in the invitation letter. We hope that the universities library can finish the survey through e-mail because it is nore convenient.
Another new thing we need to start is the part of research method since it is important for each reserach. Researcher need to stated their research method clearly before doing the reserach. We have a part of "research method "in the mediawiki for our progress.
The next meeting will be on 4 March, 2008.
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