Dear all, Here's the latest e-Updates from the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website. Among our selection articles includes news from the recently held meetings on Internet Governance in Cape Town last week and other news stories around ICTs and policy related issues in Africa and around the World. - News - Information - Resources - Upcoming Events - Featured Organizations Do send us your comments or feedback, and if you would like to add news, information items or simply let us know if any relevant upcoming events, contact us on the email details below. Kind Regards, Editor APC Africa Policy Monitor Website Email: africa.rights@apc.org http://africa.rights.apc.org //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// NEWS: [] Internet Telephony (VOIP) now allowed in Kenya [] 15/12/2004 (Alari Alare - East African Standard) -- Kenyans can now call cheaply to any part of the world through the Internet without going through Telkom Kenya s fixed line or mobile telephone networks. [] Zimbabwe: New Laws Further Threaten Free Expression [] 15/12/2004 (IFEX) -- In Zimbabwe, where the government has a stranglehold on the media, criticising President Robert Mugabe and his policies could carry even direr consequences if a proposed bill becomes law. Parliament is considering a new bill under which journalists and others can be jailed for up to 20 years and heavily fined for publishing "false" information deemed prejudicial to the state. [] Low CostBroadband and Internet Access Essential to Information Society [] 15/12/2004 (ITU) -- Telecommunication regulators participating in the 5th annual ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) have identified the best practices needed to facilitate access so that the social and economic benefits of the information society can benefit all the world s citizens. They expressed a shared goal to create national regulatory frameworks that are flexible and that enable competition between multiple private sector service providers who may want to utilize a variety of technology platforms and delivery options. [] Tunisia: Internet users tortured [] 14/12/2004 (Reporters Without Borders) -- Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage today at the Tunisian court of cassation's 8 December decision to uphold the heavy prison sentences passed on eight Internet users from the southern city of Zarzis and reiterated its condemnation of the mistreatment they have received in detention. [] Free Media Law book for journalists launched [] 13/12/2004 (Jude Mathurine - Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme) -- The second book in a series on media law in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been released by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme and the Media Institute of Southern Africa. [] ICANN claims success in African outreach [] 13/12/2004 (Computer Business Review Online) -- ICANN president Paul Twomey said in a press conference that at the Cape Town, South Africa meeting ICANN heard that Africa's primary concern in this area is creating the infrastructure to allow its citizens to access the Internet. [] Tanzania Looks Set to Enter an Era of Fuller Competition [] 12/12/2004 (Russell Southwood - Balancing Act's News Update) -- The monopoly of Tanzania s incumbent Telecommunications Company - TTCL will end on 22 February 2005 and the country is set to be the next African nation to enter the era of competition. The shape of what s to come has begun to emerge from the stakeholders consultation workshop it held recently with the sector which one of those attending said had drawn mixed responses . Read this story and other News from the Balancing Act News Update Issue No. 237. [] UNESCO Launches Arabic Community Radio Manual [] 10/12/2004 (UNESCO) -- UNESCO has published an Arabic edition of its manual "How to do Community Radio," a primer on establishing and operating community radio stations. UNESCO says community media are one of the most cost-efficient tools for enabling sustainable development, social inclusion and access to information and knowledge. The agency plans to distribute the guide to local media through its offices in Arab countries. [] Uganda Communications Commission Holds Consultative Workshop on the Review of the Telecommunications Sector Policy [] 09/12/2004 (Woughnet ) -- On December 6, 2004, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) held a public consultative workshop to review the Telecommunications Sector Policy. The current policy and regulatory environment in Uganda was established through the telecommunications sector policy of 1996, and operationalised by the Uganda Communications Act, 1997 (Laws of Uganda Cap 106). [] Central Africa: Parliament Decriminalises Press Offences [] 08/12/2004 (IFEX) -- Journalists in the Central African Republic (CAR) can no longer be jailed for press offences, following the passing of a new law that decriminalises defamation and the publication of "false news," says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). [] RIA! workshop finalises E-access project [] 05/12/2004 (World Dialogue on Regulation) -- Research ICT Africa (RIA)! network members held their third workshop from 8-13 November 2004 at the LINK Centre in Johannesburg. The purpose of the workshop was to finalise the E-access and Usage Index Research Project in 13 African countries. Details of the RIA! research agenda will be finalised at a February 2005 WDR Expert Meeting in Ghana. [] Swahili Open Source Free Office Suite Software Released [] 04/12/2004 (Kilinux) -- The Open Swahili Localization Project, also known as Kilinux, is proud to announce the first ever release of a free office suite software in Swahili, called "Jambo OpenOffice." [] Africa's Internet Service Provider's Response to the Current Debate on Internet Governance [] 03/12/2004 (Eric Osiakwan - AfrISPA ) -- The continental association of African Internet Service Provider Associations has issues a press release in response to the to the Current Debate on Internet Governance. Read the entire press release here.. [] DEBATE: WSIS Phase Two will be "stormy" - Dispute over financing was [] 03/12/2004 (APC) -- It was an NGO representative again who had to kick off a more lively debate. Roberto Bissio, Director of the Third World Institute in Uruguay and speaking on behalf of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), made clear that should be totally okay to subsidise connectivity in developing countries. [] Governments Should Have Voice in Internet Governance [] 02/12/2004 (Thrishni Subramoney - Highway Africa News Agency) -- South African Communications Minister, Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has called on Internet authorities to allow governments of developing countries to have more of a say in how the Internet is governed. [] Kenya: Court restores Econet s licence [] 01/12/2004 (East African Standard) -- The High Court yesterday overturned a Government decision to revoke a mobile phone network licence given to Econet Wireless Kenya. Justice Mohammed Ibrahim said Information and Communication Minister Raphael Tuju could not cancel a licence which in the first place he had not powers to give. [] PANOS Conference to Examine Media, Peace-building in Africa's Great Lakes Region [] 01/12/2004 (IFEX) -- The Panos Institute Paris (Institute Panos Paris) is holding a conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 13 to 15 December 2004 aimed at fostering better media coverage of peace initiatives in Africa's Great Lakes region. [] South Africa: Lower cost bandwidth on the cards 01/12/2004 (Paul Vecchiatto - ITWeb) -- Cheaper Internet bandwidth will probably be regulated in a new Bill before Parliament or as an amendment to the Telecommunications Act, says minister of science and technology, Mosibudi Mangena. [] African Languages to be recognised internationally [] 01/12/2004 (Rebecca Wanjiku - Highway Africa News Agency) -- Africans wishing to use local languages in Internet domain names and content can now do so, courtesy of a new movement to internationalise domain names. [] Finding our roots on the Internet - ICANN conference brings hope to Africa [] 01/12/2004 (Haru Mutasa - Highway Africa News Agency) -- Imagine exploring cyberspace and wading through mountains of information in Kiswahili, Amharic or the Ghanaian language Twi efficiently and as easily as you would in English. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// INFORMATION: [] Networking in Africa and transnational advocacy [] 14/12/2004 -- This paper relates to African organizations and networks, which work together on issues beyond their national borders. We focus here on online collaboration between national organizations, which form a network to advocate at the regional and international level. []Click here to download the document (PDF) [] NGOs and ICTs use in Republic of Congo [] 14/12/2004 -- There are several ongoing worldwide research projects on ICTs. It is important that Congolese researchers not miss the opportunity to participate in such an initiative, in order to find solutions linking ICTs to social change. The need to create an infocomunication community in the world and in Africa in particular offer the Congolese Government and NGOs opportunities that must be seized by establishing strategies to develop communication infrastructures in order to benefit of ICTs. This study is a contribution to the development of ICTs in Congo. []Click here to download the document (PDF) [] On line Mobilization and Publishing for African Civil Society: Stakes and Impact on Audience [] 14/12/2004 -- The development of new technologies offers new opportunities but also new challenges. African civil society organizations have begun slowly to appropriate the Internet. Some of them have experienced on line mobilization and publishing. []Click here to download document (PDF) [] LINK Centre analysis of ICASA statement [] 13/12/2004 -- The South African telecommunications and broadcasting regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), recently released its interpretation of the policy determinations made in September 2004 by the Minister of Communications. []Click here to read entire article (RTF) [] Stimulating Investment in Network Extension: The South Africa case 15/12/2004 -- This paper argues that there is significant evidence that demand for communications services can innovatively be met through market forces and gaps in market cost-effectively filled by enabling alternative operators to enter areas regarded as unprofitable by the incumbents. However, their success in every instance in developing countries is dependent on strategic policy and effective market regulation which includes reduced regulatory risk to induce local and foreign investment. []Click here to download document (PDF) [] Position Document Draft of the Civil Society Discussion Group on the ICT Finance Mechanisms [] 15/12/2004 -- Regarding the challenges generated by the extraordinary emergence of the ICT which affect all activity sectors, the international Community decided to convene a world summit. The United Nations Organization entrusted the ITU to lead the process. Its preparation innovated, in particular in two fields: on the one hand organizing the summit in two phases and two places, the first in Geneva by the end of 2003, the second in Tunis by the end of 2005, on the other hand, the implication in addition to States and their intergovernmental organization representatives, private operators and civil company, associated all the stages of the process. []Click here to read the entire document (RTF) [] 'Commons-sense: copyright that makes commons-sense' edition 1 [] 15/12/2004 -- The first edition of 'Commons-sense', an e-zine by Creative Commons South Africa about copyright and its implications for trade, law, technology and freedom of expression in Africa. Africa | Intellectual Property [] Price Tag Pushes Back Development [] 15/12/2004 -- Information technology must be used to promote development, but experts are less clear just how. We should look at ICT (information and communications technology) as an enabler of all the other conditions of development we are moving toward, chairman of the United Nations ICT task force José María Figueres Olsen said at its meeting in Berlin last week. []Click here to read entire article [] Presentations from Uganda Consultative Workshop on the Review of the Telecommunications Sector Policy [] 10/12/2004 -- You can now download the presentations that were made at the UCC Consultative Workshop on the review of the Telecommunications Sector Policy on the 6th December 2004. []Click here to download the presentations (Powerpoint) [] Report on the Task Force on Financing Mechanisms meeting [] 15/12/2004 -- This report on the Task Force on Financing Mechanisms meeting, held on November 29 in the UNDP Headquarters, New York, is an unofficial report on proceedings written by Rik Panganiban, of the Conference of NGOs - CONGO. []Click here to read the entire report (RTF) [] Treat refurbs and Africa with respect: Towards a framework for the use of refurbished computers in African Schools [] 13/12/2004 -- This study was commissioned by SchoolNet Africa (SNA) in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD). It marks the first examination into experiences with second-hand and refurbished computers among schoolnet organizations in Africa. []Click here to download document (PDF) [] WIPO Steps Up Pressure on "Special Interest" Broadcast Treaty: Ignores Concerns of Developing Countries and Artists [] 30/11/2004 -- The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened its 12th session of the Standing Committee on Copyrights and Related Rights (SCCRR) yesterday in Geneva to push forward on its efforts to pass a treaty to create new rights for broadcasting companies. []Click here to read entire article (RTF) //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// RESOURCES: [] How to Do Community Radio [] Several ways and means are possible to set up a community radio, organize it or compose its equipment. This primer builds on the experience of Tambuli, which in the past ten years has grown from one community radio to a network of 25 stations. Often located in remote rural areas, these stations are operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community . Produced by: Mr. Louie Tabing []Click here to download the primer 'How to Do Community Radio' [] Sharing Knowledge for Community Development: A Handbook [] A handbook that examines the usefulness of Community Information Resource Centres (CIRCs). The handbook encourages users to discuss programming options, suggest alternative solutions and customise their community activities through discussion questions and activities, which are provided at the conclusion of every chapter. The handbook provides four case studies of communities in Ethiopia, such as the Illubabor and the Dire Dawa Community-Based Organisations & Associations (CBOA) and Community Information Resource Centres. Produced by: Kingo J. Mchombu []To Download a (PDF) Version of the Handbook click here (PDF) [] SADC Media Law Handbook for Media Practitioners [] A comparative overview of the media law environment and practice in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa published by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Nelson Mandela Institute, Law School - University of the Witwatersrand. []Click here to download the handbook (421kb) (PDF) //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// UPCOMING EVENTS: 26/01/2005, International World Social Forum 2005 The World Social Forum for 2005 will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil between January 26 -31. The World Social Forum has emerged as an important space for dialogue between civil society actors dedicated to alternative globalisation and the idea that "another world is possible". The last Forum in Mumbai, India in January this year was attended by 80,000 people from over 130 countries and 2,660 organisations. 27/01/2005, Ghana ICT for Government 2005 - An African Regional WSIS PrepCom Pre-Event ICT for Government 2005 is the third working conference on Information and Communications Technology solutions for government operations, egovernment and national development. ICT for Government seeks to promote public/Private sector partnerships for the development of solutions for all levels of government. 02/02/2005, Ghana WSIS Africa Regional Conference The African Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will be held from 2 to 4 February 2005 in Accra, Ghana. The theme for the conference is: Access, Africa's key to an inclusive Information Society. The conference will be preceded by pre-Conference workshops from 29 January to 1 February 2005. 17/02/2005, International WSIS Prepcom II The second meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-2 of the Tunis phase) will take place in Geneva (Switzerland) from 17-25 February 2005. 27/02/2005, Egypt Knowledge Sharing for Development: Africa Regional Program (Feb 27-28 2005) As part of its programme to support the generation and communication of research from developing countries, the Global Development Network (GDN) is organising this 2-day workshop to enhance knowledge sharing and research dissemination capacity of research institutes and networks in Africa. 02/03/2005, South Africa First Annual SANGONeT "ICTs and Civil Society" Conference SANGONeT will be organising its first annual "ICTs and Civil Society" conference that is to take place from 2-4 March 2005 in Johannesburg. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS: Development Information Network on EThiopia DEVINET is a joint initiative of the British Council and CRDA to address problems faced by development managers in accessing development information on Ethiopia. The first of its kind in Ethiopia, DEVINET holds and disseminates information that is crucial for decision-makers, researchers,academics and development managers and act as a gateway to development information on Ethiopia. []Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS) The Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS) is a local Ghanaian Non Profit Making Organisation (NGO) established in 2003. GINKS was born out of a collaboration between the International Institute for Communication (IICD) and its local partners in Ghana, with the aim of streamlining all the disjointed ICT projects, Initiatives and programs in Ghana, in a way that provides solutions to challenges and problems. []Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE), Ghana s first Advanced Information Technology Institute works to stimulate the growth of the ICT Sector in ECOWAS. Established in 2003, through a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the Government of India, this state-of the-art facility, houses West Africa s first supercomputer. Close to a 1000 IT professionals, researchers, visitors and trainees can be hosted at any given time. []I-network Modern ICTs are creating new opportunities for human development, worldwide. The same should happen in Uganda. A lot of initiatives are here already to support ICT-enabled development, and there is much more to come in Kampala and the Countryside. What Uganda needs now is a lively environment for knowledge creation and exchange to maximize the impact of these initiatives? Also policy-making needs to be influenced to create an environment where ICT can flourish and contribute to human development. The I-Network is that platform. []ICT Commission Mozambique The ICT Policy Commission was created by Presidential Decree n. 2/98, on May 27 th 1998 . Its main objective was to prepare and to propose an Information and Communication Technology Policy to the Council of Ministers as well as the accompanying institutional mechanisms for its implementation in all the sectors and institutions. Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) was designed to serve as the national coordinating body to support the development and the implementation of the National Information and Communications Infrastructure (NICI Plan). Supervised by the Nations Information Technology Commission (NITC), RITA operates autonomously, with linkages to the IT Divisions/Directorates of the Ministries as well as with other ICT-related organizations in the public and private sector. West African NGO Network (WANGONeT) The West African NGO Network is an electronic community of civil society organisation across West Africa that share the singular goal of enhancing the development of their stakeholders within the population of the region in particular, and the world in general. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// ABOUT APC The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of information and communication technologies, especially internet-related technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and related concerns, in both policy and practice. APC: http://www.apc.org. APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society based on social justice and human rights. APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the International Research Development Centre (IDRC). //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes, get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list: http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public or send an email to africa.rights@apc.org //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna Africa Policy Monitor Project Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Email: africa.rights@apc.org Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ========== HURIDOCS-Tech listserv ========== Send mail intended for the list to <huridocs-tech@hrea.org>. 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