INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs)

Africa Pulse

Africa Pulse [Updated May 2004]
Southern African Non-Governmental Organisation Network
PO Box 31
Johannesburg, 2000
SOUTH AFRICA

Contact: Alan Finlay, Manager, Information Services

Tel: +27 11 838 6943/4 Fax: +27 11 492 1058

E-mail: [email protected]  Web: http://www.africapulse.net  

Africa Pulse is an information portal for the Civil Society sector in the Southern African Development Community. It uses state-of-the-art technology to allow organisations throughout the region to publish content directly to the site, whether it be news of the arrest of a journalist in Zambia, the HIV/Aids crisis in South Africa, a profile of an organisation's work in Tanzania, the devastation caused by a flood in Mozambique, an analysis of the war against Unita, or an election update from Harare. 

Organisations, academics, journalists, researchers, activists and unions are free to publish any material on the portal that is relevant to the Civil Society sector and to the region. There is space for organisations to alert the sector to events, such as protests, book launches, seminars or campaigns, and to advertise job vacancies. A database of website URLS (website addresses) searchable by category and country on anything from education, conflict and governance, to democracy and human rights also provides a valuable resource to the sector. In essence Africa Pulse is a space that needs to be defined by the region. The content on the portal is moderated by a team of regionally-based moderators.

Those interested in participating in Africa Pulse, or requiring more information on this initiative, contact the Secretariat.

New September 2004

African Virtual University (AVU)

African Virtual University
PO Box 25405 
Nairobi
KENYA 

Tel: + 254 (0) 20 271 2056 (pilot line) Fax: + 254 (0) 20 271 2071 
E-mail: [email protected]  Web: http://www.avu.org/ 

The African Virtual University (AVU) is an innovative educational organisation established to serve the countries of Africa. The objective of the AVU is to build capacity and support economic development by leveraging the power of modern telecommunications technology to provide world-class quality education and training programmes to students and professionals in Africa. After a successful pilot phase, AVU has been transformed from being a project of the World Bank to an independent reputable inter-governmental organisation based in Nairobi, Kenya with over 34 learning centres in 19 African countries 
AVU provides:

• Educational programmes: Access to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes based on prioritised needs of students and education institutions at tertiary level. Certificate and diploma programs are offered in specialist areas. 
• Digital Library: Access to educational materials, including e-books, online journals and other scholarly publications. The African Virtual University Library is designed to help users with accessing electronic resources they may need for their academic work, research or general knowledge.
• Technology: Access to high speed Internet services for improved connectivity; computer labs with new multimedia PCs, provided by the learning centres and upgraded infrastructure for high-speed data transfer;
• Online Portal: Access to information for the African educational community with regard to available distance education, new resources, and the best teaching and learning practices. 

Commonwealth Network of Information Technology (COMNET-IT)

Commonwealth Network of Information Technology [Updated June 2004]
Gattard House
National Road
Blata-1, Bajda HMR02
MALTA

Contact: Henry Alamango, Executive Director

Tel: +356 2599 2193 Fax: +356 2599 2701

E-mail: [email protected]   Web: http://www.comnet-it.org 

COMNET-IT is a foundation registered in Malta, sponsored by the government of Malta and by the Commonwealth Secretariat. It aims to foster a Commonwealth information infrastructure through internet-based facilities, research and publication, consultancies and policy seminars. The promotion of institutional networking through electronic media is a significant activity in this respect. As the mandated Commonwealth forum for good practice in IT application, COMNET-IT also concerns itself particularly with the development of national IT strategy and policy, as well as IT policy and application for public-service delivery.

The foundation is also a strategic partner in the development of the Commonwealth knowledge network under the leadership of the Commonwealth Science Council, and it is a partner with UNESCO and others in the study and promotion of activities related to the development of online governance.

Publications of the foundation are its newsletter, COMNET-IT Forum (downloadable in PDF format from its website) and the journal, Information Technology for Development. 

Computer Aid International (CAI)

Computer Aid International [Updated June 2004]
Ground Floor
433 Holloway Road
London N7 6LJ
UNITED KINGDOM 

Contact: Angela Anyiam, Administrator

Tel: +44 20 7281 0091 Fax: +44 20 7263 9915

E-mail: [email protected]  Web: http://www.computer-aid.org 

Computer Aid International is a charity registered in England and Wales. It works in partnership with organisations in both the UK and overseas. Computer Aid International aims to bridge the digital divide by refurbishing computers from the UK for re-use in schools and community organisations in developing countries. Since it was launched in April 1998 it has shipped nearly 20,000 fully refurbished computers to where they are most needed in more than 70 different developing countries. 

Its aims are to: 

• recycle computers from the UK and send them to schools and community organisations in developing countries; 
• assist organisations in identifying their IT needs and respond to requests for equipment and training; 
• build the information and communications technology capacity of those organisations having the most positive impact in improving the conditions of the poorest communities in developing countries. 

New Entry February 2004
infoDev Program (Information for Development Program)

infoDev Program
The World Bank
MS# F5P-503
1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433
USA

Tel:        + 1 202 458 5153
Fax:        +1 202 522 3186
E-mail:   [email protected]
Web:       http://www.indev.org

The Information for Development Program (infoDev) is a global program managed by the World Bank to help developing economies fully benefit from modern information systems.

infoDev:

• shares worldwide experience with, and disseminates best practices to, governments and key decision-makers, both public and private, on the economic development potential of communications and information systems;

• channels policy advice and other technical assistance to governments in developing economies on privatisation, private entry and competition in the communications and information sectors, and on improving the policy, regulatory and business environment for investment;

• conducts feasibility and pre-investment studies, and prepares experimental applications in communications and information systems.

infoDev's key method of intervention is through specific activities in the following areas:

• Consensus Building;

• Information Infrastructure Development Strategies including Knowledge Assessments ;

• Telecommunications Reform and Market access;

• Demonstration Projects.

All activities are designed to support workable strategies and can include workshops, assessments, demonstration projects, feasibility studies, or other approaches. They can cover one or many countries; and address one or many sectors.

A range of publications are available online including: Reports, Working papers from infoDev Projects, Sources of Data: infoDev Funded Projects and Papers

Interested persons can also subscribe to infoDev Distribution List, infodev-L.

New Entry August 2004

International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI)

International Council for Scientific and Technical Information
ICSTI Secretariat
51 boulevard de Montmorency
75016 Paris 
FRANCE

Contact: Barry Mahon, Executive Director

Tel: +33 1 45 25 65 92                       Fax: +33 1 42 15 12 62
E-mail:   [email protected]                      Web: http://www.icsti.org

The International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI) offers a unique forum for interaction between organisations that create, disseminate and use scientific and technical information. ICSTI's mission cuts across scientific and technical disciplines, as well as international borders, to give member organisations the benefit of a truly global community.

ICSTI aims to:

·         provide leadership in promoting recognition of the value of scientific and technical information to the world's economic, research, scholarly and social progress;

·         enhance access to and delivery of information for all constituencies in business, industry, academia, government and the public through the exchange of information and the sharing of experience among international peers;

·         be a forum for interaction among all participants in information flow.

With a cadre of international information experts, ICSTI is able to react swiftly and cohesively to important events occurring in the world of scientific and technical information. Membership in ICSTI enables organisations to:

·         keep abreast of new technologies - their impact, costs and acceptability;

·         understand and anticipate the needs of users, and monitor the progress in addressing their needs;

·         learn from the experience of international peers in information exchange;

·         develop common approaches to international standards for information exchange and legal aspects of information management, including copyright.

ICSTI Forum, ICSTI’squarterly newsletter is available online and a number of ICSTI Reports on topics such as digital electronic archiving and open access are downloadable from its website.

ICSTI works actively to encourage STI production and dissemination in developing countries and regions and has arranged access to its work for representatives from those regions, as well as having full Members who are based in developing countries. Participation in ICSTI programmes of work is open to organisations outside the formal Membership, where the topic warrants. 

International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)

International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) [updated Oct 2004]
Hofstrasse 3
2361 Laxenburg
AUSTRIA

Contact: Eduard Dundler, Head of Secretariat

Tel: +43 2236 73616 Fax: +43 2236 736169 
E-mail: [email protected]  Web: http://www.ifip.or.at  

IFIP is a non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organisation for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was established in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO. IFIP has 48 societies and academies of sciences as Full Members, 3 as Corresponding Members, and 11 as Affiliate Members, representing countries from all regions of the world. Technical work, which is the heart of IFIP's activity, is managed by a series of 12Technical Committees, between them for responsible for
80 groups which work in a variety of ways to share experience and to develop their specialised knowledge. This includes open conferences, smaller working conferences, seminars, tutorials, circulated papers and, increasingly, electronic conferencing and e-mail.

IFIP maintains friendly connections with specialised agencies of the UN system and non-governmental
organisations. IFIP is also a Scientific Associate of the International Council of Scientific Unions ICSU. 

IFIP's principal aims are to:

• foster international cooperation,
• stimulate research and development
• encourage education and
• disseminate information.

IFIP's mission is to be the leading, truly international, apolitical organisation that encourages and assists in the development, exploitation and application of IT for the benefit of all people.
Principal elements are to:

• stimulate, encourage and participate in research, development and application of IT and to foster international co-operation in these activities.
• provide a meeting place where national IT societies can discuss and plan courses of action on issues in our field that are of international significance.
• promote international co-operation directly and through national IT societies in a free environment between individuals, national and international governmental bodies and kindred scientific and professional organisations.
• pay special attention to the needs of developing countries and to assist them in appropriate ways to secure the optimum benefit from the application of IT.
• promote professionalism, incorporating high standards of ethics and conduct, among all IT practitioners.
• provide a forum for assessing the social consequences of IT applications; to campaign for the safe and beneficial development and use of IT and the protection of people from abuse through its improper application
• foster and facilitate co-operation between academics, the IT industry and governmental bodies and to seek to represent the interest of users. information processing. 
• provide a vehicle for work on the international aspects of IT development and application, including the necessary preparation for the generation of international standards
• contribute to the formulation of the programs for education and training needed by IT practitioners, users and the public at large.

IFIP publishes some 30 new IFIP books annually, which are distributed worldwide. These books form a comprehensive library of developments in information processing as well as the current state of the art. A list is available on the IFIP homepage (www.ifip.or.at/public.html).

A vital element of IFIP's communication with its Members and with all those participating in its work is the IFIP Newsletter. This is published quarterly in both print and electronic form (www.ifip.or.at/newsletters/newsl.html).

New September 2004

SchoolNet Africa 

SchoolNet Africa
PO Box 31866, Braamfontein Centre
Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
SOUTH AFRICA

Contact: Ms Shafika Isaacs-Bardien, Executive Director

Tel: +27 11 339 2300 Fax: +27 11 339 5912
Email: [email protected]  Web: http://www.schoolnetafrica.net/258.0.html 

SchoolNet Africa is one of Africa's first African-led, African-based non-government organisations (NGO) that operates across the continent in its endeavour to improve education access, quality and efficiency through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in African schools. SchoolNet Africa works mainly with learners, teachers, policymakers and practitioners through country-based schoolnet organisations across Africa. 
SchoolNet Africa is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa where it employs staff from different African countries to manage its programmes. 

SchoolNet Africa's vision is for the empowerment of all of Africa's children and youth through access to quality education, information and knowledge on the basis of their effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). 

SchoolNet Africa's mission is to support national SchoolNets throughout Africa by mobilising resources, building effective partnerships and knowledge in promoting education through sustainable use of ICTs in African schools. 

SNA stands for the right:

• of all African youth to education and lifelong learning possibilities;
• of every African child to have access to information; 
• to have affordable and sustainable access to ICTs in African Schools;
• to have African education content on the Internet whilst working towards developing online content in local languages. 

SchoolNet Africa functions as a network of networks. Its primary network is with schoolnet practitioners, education policymakers, teachers and learners through national schoolnet organisations and groups operating in 31 African countries. Included in SchoolNet Africa's network is a range of donor and development agency partners, international and regional organisations promoting ICTs in schools as well as private sector companies. 

SchoolNet Africa currently leads a number of flagship programmes to promote access to ICTs, build capacity among African practitioners and the development of African education content. These include:

• African Teachers Network
• Building African SchoolNet Champions 
• >From Guns to Computers. 
• Global Teenager
• One Million Computers for African Schools
• Researching ICTs for Education in Africa
• Supporting National SchoolNets
• ThinkQuest Africa - a Pan African Programme that aims to promote a new style of learning and Internet-based education in Africa by adopting methodologies and approaches that enhance the educational process using ICT to empower African youth to become critical learners, thinkers, and eventually future African leaders. http://www.thinkquestafrica.org/

SNA Newsletter - SchoolNet Africa has been using ICTs to help promote and distribute knowledge among the information community in Africa and internationally. SNA eNews is a monthly e-mail Newsletter designed to help connect learners, educators, policy makers and national SchoolNets throughout Africa. To subscribe send an email to: [email protected] 

In addition, SchoolNet Africa has produced a number of research reports on the African experience in using ICTs in schools. These too are available on its website. 

Southern African Non-Governmental Network (SANGONeT)

Southern African Non-Governmental Organisation Network [updated Sept 2004]
PO Box 31392
Braamfontein 2017
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 403 4935  Fax: +27 11 403 0130/ 9685 
E-mail: [email protected]  Web: http://www.sn.apc.org/ 

SANGONeT is a facilitator in the effective and empowering use of information communication technology (ICT) tools by development and social justice actors in Africa. It aims to share information, build capacity and link people and organisations through the use of ICTs. It has over a decade's experience in servicing civil society organisations in Africa. 

Its primary role is to facilitate the sharing of information, build capacity, and link people and organisations through the use of ICTs and intention to further increase the focus and scope of its existing activities and to continue to provide its clients with improved and professional customer-focused products and services.