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 Democratising Communication
New book on disaster communication richly illustrated
NEW DELHI, India,
-- All of us are aware of the biggest maritime disaster the world has known: the sinking of the ‘unsinkable’ HMS Titanic. But what many of us may not be aware of is that the wireless operators on the Titanic had, in fact, received alerts from other ships about massive icebergs in the vicinity. But the operators, overworked with transmitting private messages of the ship’s wealthy passengers, failed to pass that vital information onto the bridge. - 02/19/2008
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It is not just a question of bread vs. radios: Community radio in India
Goa, India,
-- Other voices: The struggle for community radio in India, by two University of Hyderabad scholars, has just been published by Sage. BytesForAll's Frederick Noronha interviews the authors of the book: Vinod Pavarala, Professor of Communication and Dean of the Sarojini Naidu School of Communication, University of Hyderabad, and Dr Kanchan K Malik, a lecturer at the university. - 10/09/2007
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NEW REPORT from APC monitors political will to make the information revolution reality for all
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay,
-- A new watchdog report from APC and the Third World Institute monitoring promises made by governments and the United Nations to ensure that information technology is used to benefit millions of people, was launched in Geneva on May 22. Studies of the ICT policy situation in twenty-two countries from four regions are featured: Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda); Asia (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Philippines); Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru); and Eastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania), with one report from a Western European country (Spain). - 05/23/2007
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New titles take a serious look at the ICT-for-development world and beyond
GOA, India,
-- From 'cyberprotests' to debates about whether cyberspace can be controlled or censored. From studying the long history of the collaborative creation of knowledge to looking closely at the social impact of mobile communications. These themes are all the focus of new books that have been published in recent months. - 05/23/2007
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A little goes a longer way with ICT-based networking
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa,
-- In the former Ethiopian capital of Mekelle, the Mekelle Child Centered Forum (MCCF) reaches approximately 5,840 disadvantaged children, youth, and women living in the city. The winner of one of this year’s Harambee awards, MCCF will use its grant money to expand its reach of service towards its target of 20,000 individuals. - 05/21/2007
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Overcoming the orphan curse with ICTs
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa,
-- 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 Swahili word "harambee" in March 2007. DSI.ORG, a small non-profit located in the western Ugandan district of Kabarole, was one of six Harambee small grants winners. It's recently created Diary Project, which assists boys from child-headed families affected by HIV/AIDS to cope with grief, stigma and discrimination, share experiences and knowledge, and work together. - 04/02/2007
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Critical view on communication for development
MEXICO, Mexico,
-- In October 2006, The Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome hosted the first ever international Congress on Communication for Development. Scott Robinson from the Metropoltan University in Mexico City has attended and offers here a few indications on how he thinks the WCCD should be rethought. As part of his reflections, he offers new ways forward. - 11/14/2006
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Blatant censorship is one thing. But who controls the controllers?
GOA, India,
-- Blatant censorship is one thing, and can be fought. But who controls the controllers? What about the more subtle forms of control and blockages, that often can work in the more brutal ways of the unseen hand? APC member-organisation RITS's Carlos Afonso, made this point articulatedly at the Internet Governance Forum in Athens. Afonso underlined that it was difficult to deal internet-related issues "without considering the situation of regulation, legislation and control of the network itself." He questioned the view that "the technical question is not as relevant as the other issues." What is the responsibility of network operators? Controlling players decide if voice over IP traffic can pass through an exchange point or not. - 11/01/2006
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BBC panel on media left audience laughing and out of breath
ROME, Italy,
-- In a packed plenary room of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome this week, the BBC’s World Service Trust organised a world debate, hosted by BBC World star moderator Stephen Sackur. “Is a Free Media Essential for Development?” was the question asked. Trigger-happy panellists did not loose a second to get in debating mode. - 10/27/2006
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“C4D needs to embrace the world of technology infrastructure”
ROME, Italy,
-- Politically, the World Congress on Communication for Development that is presently unrolling in beautiful Rome might not seem to be the most relevant event. No gender perspective to report on, little debate on the value of telecom infrastructure, almost no inclusion of information and communication technology for development on the agenda. In one seminar, APC nevertheless felt like going political. - 10/27/2006
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World congress on communication for development shopping for an identity
ROME, Italy,
-- The very first World Congress on Communication for Developement got underway on October 25 in Rome. In the course of the WCCD, we will be able to measure if the participants will be able to give 'communication for development' a clear focus and genuine identity. With the diversity of voices in the audience though, one might scratch one's head, doubting about the feasibility of this objective. APCNews is on the ground and offers an introduction here. - 10/25/2006
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Africa must have a say in the IGF, protest from citizens in open letter
VANCOUVER, Canada,
-- In an open letter sent to Markus Kummer, coordinator of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), on Otober 3 2006, African civil society organisations working on communication regulation clearly stated their commitment to contribute to the trailblazing Athens IGF encounter to be held later in October. The coalition, also known as ACSIS, recalled its fundamental principles in favour of a development-oriented internet governance arrangement, in which African citizens and those from "least developed countries" would explicitly have a say. "Even though remote participation, when adequate facilities are provided for it, can have some effectiveness, it is limited and does not replace physical presence," the letter insist, thereby demanding guarantees of inclusion for a variety of actors in the first IGF meeting. [ACSIS website momentarily unavailable] - 10/03/2006
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Turning points in the DRC for APC-member Alternatives
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa,
-- Only just emerging from a civil war, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has for many years proved difficult for development initiatives to work in. This is especially the case when dealing with ICTs, which many people do not consider a developmental imperative. But as the Canadian-based APC member Alternatives has found, it is possible to get a foothold in difficult terrain. - 10/03/2006
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Getting impatient with GAID: Calls for clarity on the plans
GOA, India,
-- Like six blind men trying to understand what an elephant is all about, comprehending the Global Alliance for ICT and Development is still a challenge for most. But is it impatience, or is the GAID slow in taking off? - 09/04/2006
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Chris Nichol: A man who made a difference
IRELAND,
-- “If you don’t try, you can’t complain,” said Chris Nichol the first time I interviewed him at a preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society in February 2003. Chris was one of the many APC members I engaged with as a WSIS virgin tasked with the job of communicating the process in a web-friendly way for the organization. - 08/27/2006
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Indigenous communities: Mapuche telecentres
SANTIAGO, Chile,
-- Many telecentres are located in Mapuche communities, particularly Pehuenches, and are administered by associations that group these indigenous peoples: Melipeuco, Lonquimay y Villarrica. Until recently, these communities were completely cut-off from ways to access and unable to use these technologies. - 07/11/2006
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Social wireless technology
SANTIAGO, Chile,
-- The Cabrati Telecentre is located in Batuco Lampa and administered by a group of women that manages a day-care centre. It has become a pioneer community access point in the country as it uses the advantages of wireless connectivity to access internet economically, while still turning a profit. - 07/11/2006
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BETINHO PRIZE SERIES: Seeing and transforming the world through community telecentres
TOULOUSE, France,
-- Read the series of stories about Betinho prize winning projects, narrated by FLASCO Chile. This group was one of the two winners of APC’s 2005 Betinho Communication Prize. According to the jury, their networking efforts are "improving the lives of individuals and communities in Latin America and producing real economic benefits”. What exactly is their networking about? What is its real impact, what real life stories are to be found in the background? APCNews discussed this with the team behind the scenes. A Betinho prize series in six parts... - 07/11/2006
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FLACSO and the networking programme: Reconciling theory and practice
SANTIAGO, Chile,
-- As an academic centre, FLACSO Chile generates knowledge and reproduces it through its alumni and graduates in different fields of political science. The networking programme falls therefore within the scope of promoting access to and ownership of information. - 07/11/2006
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Women and community telecentre: Shy at first, first at last
SANTIAGO, Chile,
-- The female telecentre users initially become involved discreetly, they are curious to know what is going on, what the telecentre consists of and the services it offers. This is the first time that many of the women from the communities have access to equipment. - 07/11/2006
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