[***This message was originally posted on the Global Knowledge for Development (GKD) List, Mod.***] With the publication of the ITCD 2001 report, the Call for Papers for the next conference has been announced. The conference will once again provide a forum for all of us to understand a lot of issues that effects the digital divide. The call for papers are available in PDF format on the conference website <www.itcd.net> gaurab ---------- In the years since the development of the world wide web, an increasing number of people also in developing countries have been using information communication technology (ICT) to bring about change in their work methods and environment and to speed up the development process. Development organizations, NGOs, media houses, government agencies, schools and many individuals make use of ICT in one way or another. Yet, many questions are to be asked: What are the results? What is the context between ICT and development? Is the www so powerful in development as many people think it is? Are the priorities of big development organizations right when it comes to using ICT or would the better money be spent on other projects? Can ICT really a make difference in the poorest parts of the world? What are the prerequisites to apply ICT in remote areas in Nepal, for example? What impact has ICT on society? Which are the lessons to be learnt and experiences to be shared? What policies are required, especially in developing countries, to facilitate the use and access to ICT? There are also questions regarding how global networking of like-minded people through the web can make a difference in policy advocacy and social equity for example. As the technology advances, the gap between the information haves and have-nots is widening. The digital divide becomes more and more apparent. To highlight and discuss these issues, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-N) in Nepal started the conference on Information Technology, Communications and Development (ITCD) in 2001. ITCD 2001 <www.itcd.net>, which was hosted in Kathmandu, drew more than 30 speakers from 14 different countries. Altogether 130 participants attended. Encouraged by the feedback from last year, the conference for the next year is being announced. The main objectives of the conference are to learn from one another and also to draw up recommendations for better policies and better projects that benefit people, particularly in developing countries. The conference aims to create a network of like minded people working in the area for IT&C, who can meet at least once a year to share ideas and experiences. For the year 2002, six main topics have been identified for presentation and discussion. The main focus across all these areas would be on youth, gender, e-health, and how technology can help in building democratic societies. But the list is not exhaustive and ideas are welcome. Appropriate Information Technologies IT, Youth and Volunteerism Using ICT in Development Society, Web and Gender Policy and Legislation Internet and democratization A. Appropriate Information Technologies/E-Learning/E-Health This topic will concentrate on technical aspects of information technology. The speakers will present how the technology has grown in recent years, and what technologies are most suited for the health needs of the developing world. Is radio still the only appropriate solution? Possible topics are: Cost effective technologies for access to health related information Successful models for e-learning Information Kiosks / Tele Centres / Rural information access E-commerce and micro payment mechanisms in developing countries Communication and Networking Infrastructure Access to technology Local language computing B. IT, Youth and Volunteerism Young people all over the world are the largest users of Information technology. The growth in this sector can be partly attributed to young people. This theme will try to see how youth and IT will change societies particularly in developing countries. Will it be possible to mobilize young people to participate in campaigns regarding social, economic and political issues. Using IT in media houses by and for the youth. How can information from the internet be provided to the public through youth. Young people as a conduit between technology and people. C. Using ICT in Development ICT in development will be the major theme of the conference this year as well. Experiences have shown that information technology has become part of the development process all over the world. Networking between donors, beneficiaries and development workers (change agents) can accelerate and improve the delivery of programs. The web can be used, among others, as a forum for online discussion and sharing information and experiences. Proposals are welcome from the donor community, development and media practitioners, ICT professionals and other experts. Possible topics are: How do development workers / agencies use Internet Technology? How ICT can be helpful for development efforts in health, population, employment, environment, youth, gender, family planning and social issues. How online networks can supplement/ compliment existing networks Demonstration of successful projects Do development portals work? Knowledge based economy D. Society, Web and Gender Discussion will be on the general implications of the web on society, and in gender issues in particular. Major focus will be on the effects of information technology on civil society activities. Issues that impede the wider adoption of technology in developing countries will also be in focus. Possible topics are: Digital Divide Preserving indigenous knowledge by using ICT Problems in wider adoption of IT in developing countries Traditional communication and information technology E-Governance E. Policy and Legislation In the past few years, many countries around the world have crafted legislation relating to the cyber world. Information technology policy together with communications policy shapes the government's actions on Internet, communications and media. There also have been touchy issues relating to intellectual property rights in developing countries. Possible topics under the theme are: Cyber regulations and policies Intellectual Property Rights in IT International laws to counter cyber frauds Experiences in implementing cyber laws E-Government F. Internet and democratization Checks and balances are what democratic societies are about. Can the Internet make a contribution in this regard? Knowledge and information have to be shared. To foster the growth of knowledge easy access to information is essential. Information on political developments even from the remotest places is brought to the public through the Internet. Has then phenomenon changed politics? Has the Internet helped to make political leaders behave in a more democratic way? Can the civil society use the Internet to participate in public decision making processes? Some possible topics for exploration are: Pre-requisites for effective Internet lobbying Success stories on using mailing lists / online forums Influencing public decision making process using the Internet Restricting the flow of information on the Internet. We value inputs made available to the conference and invite papers and proposals for presentation. The conference will be attended by academics, development workers, media practitioners as well as ICT experts from Nepal and other countries. Selected papers will be offered fast-track approval for publication in a special edition of the Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries Please send papers/proposals for presentations to <Alfred.Diebold@fesnepal.org>. Further information about the conference is available on the web at <www.itcd.net> Paper / proposal submission deadline: 30 August 2002 Confirmation for presentation deadline: 30 September 2002 Full paper / presentation submission deadline: 30 October 2002. Looking forward to your contributions. Dr. Alfred Diebold Resident Representative Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nepal Office Tel: +977 1 522526, 542406 Fax: +977 1 521101 Email: alfred.diebold@fesnepal.org Visit us at http://www.itcd.net /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ | Gaurab Raj Upadhaya | GPO BOX 13655, Kathmandu, Nepal, +977 1 499 393 | gaurab@lahai.com , www.lahai.com \~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/ ========== HURIDOCS-Tech listserv ========== Send mail intended for the list to <huridocs-tech@hrea.org>. 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