Dear all, In this latest issues of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates No. 5, is a selection of the latest additions on the Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website chosen by our editors including some papers from the recently held Africa Regional Preparatory conference of WSIS in Accra, 2005. For more on this discussion forum and other categories, please visit the sections and links below for: - News - Information - Upcoming Events And please do us send us feedback or contribute news or other relevant information about your organization on the Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website. Kind Regards, Editor APC Africa Policy Monitor Website //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// NEWS: Pre-Prepcom Ramblings and Rumblings <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30717> 15/02/2005 (Rik Panganiban - WorldSummit2005 <http://www.worldsummit2005.org/>) -- 14 February 2005. The first day of civil society activities in preparation is over. It was spent at civil society bureau and orientation meetings. Already we are seeing the beginnings of what could be another round of civil society in-fighting. Cisco: VOIP clarity needed <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30719> 15/02/2005 (ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za>) -- Cisco's service provider director Mark Baptiste says the recent announcement by communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri regarding the legalisation of voice over IP (VOIP) leaves a lot of issues without context. Nigeria": 'Only Vmobile And MTN Interconnect Well' <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30690> 13/02/2005 (Russell SouthWood - Balancing Act¹s News Update <http://www.balancingact-africa.com>) -- A Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Private Inquiry into the reasons for the poor Quality of Service being provided by the GSM operators, has found that only two operators - Vmobile and MTN - interconnect effectively. The NCC has thus directed that the Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Limited (M-tel), interconnect with Vmobile within 21 days from the date of Direction. Africa's Parliaments to benefit from ICT project <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30677> 11/02/2005 (Alari Alare - East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net>) -- Kenya is among eight African countries to benefit from a US$3.5 million (Sh280 million) project aimed at installing ICT facilities in parliaments. South Africa: Mbeki criticises high telecom rates <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30720> 11/02/2005 (ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za>) -- President Thabo Mbeki has criticised as “unacceptable” the fact that telecommunications rates in SA are 10 times higher than those in developed countries. Accra Commitments for WSIS Tunis 2005 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30672> 09/02/2005 (UNECA <http://www.uneca.org/>) -- The Africa Regional Conference, preparatory to the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society was held at the Accra International Conference Center at Accra, Republic of Ghana from February 2nd to 4th, 2005. Donors asked to finance ICT Infrastructure <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30645> 04/02/2005 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- Participants at the three-day African Regional Preparatory Conference on the Information Society on Thursday tasked development partners and business communities to make available critically needed funds for the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Africa. International agencies to fund Africa’s Digital Solidarity Fund <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30620> 03/02/2005 ( David Muwanga - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- An African agency working to bridge the digital divide between Africa and the developed west, has identified partners who are prepared to contribute towards the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF). Ghana: Government develops ICT Development Policy <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30621> 03/02/2005 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- The Government has developed a Ghana Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Accelerated Development Policy to serve as a roadmap for the development of the country's information society and economy. All Rwandan secondary schools to be connected by 2017 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30622> 03/02/2005 (David Kezio-Musoke - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- Highway Africa News Agency (HANA)’s David Kezio-Musoke interviewed president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame on the future ICT prospects of Rwanda and his involvement in the Accra preparatory regional summit. Below are excerpts of the interview. African leaders call for regional integration <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30624> 03/02/2005 (Angella Nabwowe - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame says if Africans are to receive greater access to information and communications technologies, the Geneva Plan of Action alone will not deliver the desired results. He said that we will also need to work towards achieving greater regional cooperation. Africa! ...give rural women a voice <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30627> 03/02/2005 (Brenda Zulu - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- The African regional preparatory conference for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) has called on people to give more consideration and a voice to the rural women of Africa. ‘Busy’ puts Ghanaians on the digital map <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30628> 03/02/2005 (Emrakeb Assefa - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- ACCRA A bustling setting with Ghanaians surfing the internet typifies a day at BusyInternet, an internet hub situated in the heart of Accra, Ghana. Combining a unique mix of social and business objectives, BusyInternet boasts that it provides the best IT services in Africa. AfrISPA releases statement on the development an financing of African ICT Infrastructure <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30644> 03/02/2005 (AfrisPA <http://www.afrispa.org>) -- AfrISPA has released a statement on the development an financing of African ICT Infrastructure at the Africa Regional preparatory conference for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). Pomp and fanfare at the opening of the Africa regional conference on WSIS <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30617> 02/02/2005 (Emrakeb Assefa - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- The Africa Regional preparatory conference for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) opened yesterday with pomp and fanfare here in Accra, Ghana under the theme of “Access: Africa’s key to an inclusive information society.” Ghana: Govt To Buy Telekom Malaysia’s 30% Shares In Ghana Telecom <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30618> 02/02/2005 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- The government of Ghana is negotiating with Telekom Malaysia to buy its 30 per cent stake in Ghana Telecommunications Company (GhanaTelecom) and float it to the public. Ghana: Let's demystify ICT - Media told <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30619> 02/02/2005 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com/>) -- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday appealed to the Media in Africa to help to educate the people to demystify Information and Communications Technology (ICT). One African SIM-card <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30623> 02/02/2005 (Angella Nabwowe - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- In an effort to reduce call costs between countries, facilitate commerce and regional integration, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has embarked on an ambitious project to develop a single SIM-card usable right across the African continent. Uganda awaits’ WSIS phase Two in Tunis on the Solidarity Fund <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=30625> 02/02/2005 (David Muwanga - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.org.za/>) -- Uganda is waiting for a decision from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) phase two before committing itself to the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF). //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// INFORMATION: Beyond ICANN vs. ITU? How WSIS tries to enter the new territory of Internet Governance <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30752> 17/02/2005 -- The problem is, that technical and political aspects of Internet Governance are interwoven in a way, that they can not be separated by cutting the issue into two pieces. Governance in Africa: The Role for Information and Communication Technologies <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30754> 11/02/2005 -- The paper summarizes the uses of ICTs in governance and discusses possible risks. It also attempts to offer ideas that should be considered in employing ICTs for governance, and identifies key areas for intervention by African countries and the African Development Bank. The paper stresses the importance of the human factor in ealizing good governance, given that ICTs are only tools. ICT Policy and Rural Poor <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30751> 10/02/2005 -- The rural population requires banking services that are available at its doorstep and are flexible in terms of the timing of undertaking the banking transaction in order to minimise transaction costs. Financing ICTD In Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30657> 07/02/2005 -- The Plan of Action adopted at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva 2003 requested the Secretary General of the United Nations to create a Task Force to study the issue of financial mechanisms for ICT for Development (ICTD) and present a report to facilitate discussions in the second phase of WSIS. Internet Governance and Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30658> 07/02/2005 -- On the issue of the scope of Internet governance, one position associated with developed countries, argued for a narrow definition of governance ‘OF’ the Internet as technical coordination. The second position, associated with developing countries, argued for a broad definition of governance ‘ON’ the Internet, related to what the Internet carries such as issues spam, network security and pricing and interconnection. ICT Policy Priorities In Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30659> 07/02/2005 -- Interviews with non-African delegates at the Geneva WSIS meeting suggest that Africa’s priorities were unclear to them. Organisations might consider how the process of developing African input to the second phase could identify clear and clearly thought-out priorities on which delegates could focus their attention during negotiations. The intended focus of the second phase on practical implementation should be borne in mind in this context. An Introduction to Activism on the Internet <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/africa/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30753> 17/02/2005 -- There are many factors that make Internet attractive for campaigning: its transmission speed, its reach globally and locally to a enormous number of users, low publishing cost, and 24 hour access. The Internet is an important alternative source of information to official and mainstream media, and a powerful means of connection outside of mainstream institutions. It is a truly mass medium, enabling individuals world-wide to share information and converse. Short Overview of the ICTs Status in Mozambique <http://www.apc.org/english/rights/africa/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30375> 14/01/2005 -- ICTs in Mozambique is intended to provider a general overview of the activities carried out within the ICTs sector in Mozambique covering the main projects and other on going initiatives, but with focus on those having a direct influence on the priority areas defined in the ICT Policy document. The draft of the E-Government Strategy for Mozambique completed <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30374> 14/01/2005 -- A team of Mozambican experts from the ICT Policy Implementation Technical Unit (UTICT) and the Technical Unit of the Public Sector Reform (UTRESP) is finishing the first draft of what will hopefully become the E-Government Strategy. This draft will be submitted for consultation and public debate, involving the public sector, civil society, the private sector and partners of the international community. "Africa Civil Society to strengthen an inclusive Information Society at national, sub-regional and continental levels" <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30758> 17/02/2005 -- Africa Civil Society participation in the Information Society is crucial for promotion of sustainable and balanced development. This includes the promotion of human development that is equitable; sustainable; holistic; inclusive of all sectors of society; gender responsive; participatory; people centred and Afro-centric. The Civil Society can provide leverage to influence policy and ensure that strategies and plans enable the development and the building of an Information Society based on social justice and human development. Papers presented: A New Policy Framework for ICTD: Willie Currie Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 28 June 2005 <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/NEW_ICTD_POLICY.ppt> (Powerpoint) Community multimedia centres (CMC) Opportunities and challenges for Africa <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/WSIS-Accra_CMC_Challenges_presentation.ppt> (Powerpoint) Africa WSIS: Pre-Conference Workshop on Internet Governance <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30759> 07/02/2005 -- Africa is affected by the current Internet Governance system in many ways. Technical administration / coordination of Internet, un-preparedness of most African countries as far as Internet Governance is concerned, lack of awareness of what is at stake at the national as well as the international level, lack of institutional and human capacities, problems related to the domain names management and the unavailability of local registrar in Africa are some of the most urgent issues that were addressed by African decision makers and stakeholders during the African Regional Preparatory Conference for the WSIS. Ghana <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> | WSIS <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=29740se_1> Pre-Conference Workshop on Internet Governance <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/IG_meeting_outlines.htm> (HTML) Challenges and Opportunities In Managing ccTLDs <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/InternetGovernance/AFRICAN%20WSIS%20PREPARATORY%20CONFERENCE%20ACCRA.ppt> (Powerpoint) Internet Governance : Ensuring Effective Public and Stakeholder Participation <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/InternetGovernance/African-private-sector-role-Janvier-2005.ppt> (Powerpoint) The Internet Governance Space: Exploring the Core Issues from Africa’s Perspective <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/InternetGovernance/IG-Present-Final.ppt> (Powerpoint) Mainstreaming Internet Governance in National e-strategies <http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/it_for_development/events/accra/InternetGovernance/Mainstreaming%20IG%20in%20estrategies%20rev2.ppt> (Powerpoint) Draft Final Report - Further liberalisation of Botswana's telecommunications industry <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=30755> 14/02/2005 -- The purpose of this report This report presents the findings of a four-month study for the Botswana Telecommunications Authority (the BTA) to assess options for further liberalisation of the telecommunications industry in Botswana. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// UPCOMING EVENTS: *17/02/2005* WSIS Prepcom II <http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/index.html#prepcom> 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 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21804e_1> Knowledge Sharing for Development: Africa Regional Program (Feb 27-28 2005) <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=29327> 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 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> First Annual SANGONeT "ICTs and Civil Society" Conference <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=26606> SANGONeT will be organising its first annual "ICTs and Civil Society" conference that is to take place from 2-4 March 2005 in Johannesburg. *04/03/2005*, South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> Creative Commons South Africa Workshop: 4 March, LINK Centre, Wits University <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=30678> Creative Commons South Africa, hosted by the LINK Centre at Wits University (http://link.wits.ac.za), is creating a series of specifically South African licences, and now seeks input from the legal and intellectual property communities in order to develop a watertight South African version. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// 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 //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// ========== HURIDOCS-Tech listserv ========== Send mail intended for the list to <huridocs-tech@hrea.org>. 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