[UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14| Draftfor feedback

Fri Aug 7 07:58:18 GMT 2009

Allow me to endorse these comments and put emphasis on the following issues which I believe, are key in any formulated policy regarding ICT4D (you must have covered them in previous exchanges) to ensure sustainability:

First, to ensure a continuous capacity building through training in maintenance and further adaptation of the massive investment in equipment. By training, I mean continuous learning platforms using the most appropriate means (e-learning, cd-roms, leaflets for those not having good connectivity. We need to reinforce collaboration with our learning institutions such as universities and higher schools to create conditions for focussed training for telecentre managers. Universities should not be for students only! This means, the development of new curricula well adapted to specific groups. This can only be done if the Policy formulated, integrates this dimension in the overall community development plan.

Secondly, create conducive environment for local content generation and access. I tend to think that development can only be achieved if it is built on existing knowledge taking its roots from the culture of the community.  Telecentres alone cannot generate content but they could play a key rural in facilitating access to it. What is the content available? Which ICTs to use to record, compile adapt this content? In which format? What role for extension systems, Telecentres? Policies should include these dimensions as well.

Finally, it may look simplistic but I believe that sustainability is all about social ownership which is in other terms, the capacity of a given community to maintain and improve its services: infrastructure, applications, content

Koda
www.kodatraore.blogspot.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org [mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Nassali
Sent: jeudi 6 août 2009 14:06
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14| Draftfor feedback

Thanks Sulah for sharing this. I have gone through the policy and i think
the Draft Communications Policy (2009/2014) covers most of the pertinent
issues necessary in addressing issues as regards universal access to under
deserved communities as regards  rural and under served since it encompass
most of the aspects that communities that are not able to have access to
information and communications services as well as those that are under
served either due to geographical isolation, poverty or any social exclusion
factor such as gender, disability or age through the use of  content,
connectivity and coverage.

 Looking at the budget, a lot of emphasis (over 80% of the resources) is
allocated to putting up infrastructure i.e telecentres, IT facilities in
schools, broadband infrastructure etc. Little is mentioned about the
sustainability of this infrastructure yet as you all know, a lot of IT
facilities have been put up by lots of organizations in the telecentre
movement in previous years but have failed due to sustainability issues. Is
there any way this can be addressed further in this policy?

 Another neglected factor is networking of all organizations in the country
that support rural connectivity to ICT. Though talked about in the policy,
this doesn't have any reflections in the budget yet this is important
because it enables different organizations to share experiences/ knowledge
so as to learn from one another for continuous progress.

 Also, little emphasis is put on the establishment of institutions of
learning ( in this case telecentre/ ICT4D academics) that would equip
students with knowledge and skills on how to run the ICT infrastructures/
businesses. What is emphasized mostly in the budget is establishment of IT
facilities in institutions of learning. How will these facilities be managed
if people do not have the necessary acumen? Though this was identified in
the 1st policy, its not addressed any where in the budget.

 Since budgetary priorities include establishment of ICT infrastructure but
not what most of us know is more important for instance sustainability,
networking and knowledge on how to manage this infrastructure, I would
invite you all to share you views as we discuss this further.

 Hope to hear from you all as our feedback is needed before the 14th of
August 2009.

NB; please find budget implications on Pg 18 of the attached document.

Thanks

On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 10:59 AM, Cleopa Timon Otieno <
timonson at googlemail.com> wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> Thanks Sulah for sharing this, its indeed a leap forward for Uganda as a
> country towards shaping this fast growing industry. Good policy is the
> ultimate determinant of the success of ICT4D as well as EQUITABLE
> information access to all. Apart from streamlining the sector it also
> informs ICT investors in the diaspora.
>
> Several issues that hindered telecentre operators for example in Kenya in
> the past like sharing connectivity, use of VOIP, community radio frequency
> and licensing regulation as well as cyber crimes among others have been
> well
> addressed through the policy.
>
> One challenge has been capturing in real time the ever changing and dynamic
> ICT industry; who would have known a few years ago that mobile phones for
> example would be used to send and receive money and if this wasn't factored
> in the policy how can it be addressed now that it here, issues of cyber
> crimes and fraud are definitely addressed but not specifically on mobile
> phones. It is therefore in order for policy makers to be flexible and
> effect
> change when called upon to.
>
> Attached are some documents that could give insight on the issue, I am sure
> most of you have them or have come across them anyway.
>
> This may also be relevant -
> http://www.ictregulationtoolkit.org/en/PracticeNote.2643.html
>
> Hope the attachements can go through the list as well.
>
> Best Regards.
> Cleopa.
>
> 2009/8/5 Meddie Mayanja <mmayanja at idrc.ca>
>
> > Agree with Rita
> >
> > ...and thanks Sulah for pushing this up.
> >
> > This is one of the functions of networks - informing policy processes. In
> > this case, its an important policy that would essentially impact
> > telecentres. I know that this list has many people with expertise in this
> > area or whose countries are already implementing specific policies.
> >
> > It would be highly appreciated anyone can provide feedback/comments.
> Sulah,
> > you can break this up as you have already started and lead us in a
> focused
> > discussion. That, would be great!
> >
> > Will share mine shortly.
> >
> > Best, Meddie
> >
> > ________________________________________
> > From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org [
> > ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Uganda Development
> > Services [udsproj at infocom.co.ug]
> > Sent: July 31, 2009 6:09 AM
> > To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> > Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II
> 2009/14|
> >      Draftfor feedback
> >
> > Thanks Sulah for this summary.
> >
> > I had the oppotunity to attend this meeting but to reiterate, this is the
> > opportunity for us to
> > input into this document as the telecentre fraternity. This is the policy
> > that directly impacts on us. I suggest we discuss the issues here on this
> > list so that we give collective feedback and Ugabytes can help us
> > synthesize
> > and make a submission. We do not have much time so please act now do not
> > postpone giving your contribution to another day.
> >
> > Rita
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Ndaula Sulah" <ndaulasula at ugabytes.org>
> > To: "ugabytes" <ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org>
> > Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 12:16 PM
> > Subject: [UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14|
> > Draftfor feedback
> >
> >
> > > Dear Friends,
> > >
> > > Yesterday; In a public plenary workshop chaired by Dr. Dorothy Okello
> > > (who is the new chair for RCDF) at Imperial Royal Hotel, Uganda
> > > communication Commission called for stakeholders' open, free and fair
> > > feedback into Uganda's ICT4RD policy driver for year 2009/14. The
> > > panelists included Mr. Isaac Kasaana, Mr. Bob Lyazi - Fund manager,
> > > Eng. Patrick Masambu - the Executive Director of UCC
> > >
> > > Although, the meeting was highly attended, by over 250 people -
> > > feedback to the policy document is still open until Friday 14 August,
> > > before the policy gets into action.
> > >
> > > The Rural communication Policy is the top most white paper that points
> > > out and drives government thinking and investment priorities into the
> > > stimulus Rural communication Development program, that is aimed at
> > > ensuring equitably access and usage of ICT tools in under served parts
> > > of Uganda. This policy in particular replaces RCDP-I, which guided ICT
> > > investments in the year 2003/8.
> > >
> > > Highlights; The Draft policy highlights the following key issues
> > >
> > > #1. States investment priorities as; Coverage, Connectivity and Content
> > > #2. Defines beneficiaries as underserved communities dues poverty or
> > > isolation
> > > #3. The focus of the vision and mission is on socio-economic
> development
> > > #4. It allocates the US$ 17 million to 11 budgetary priorities
> > > including, pay phones, Community Information Centres, IT facilities in
> > > schools and for service delivery, Broadband infrastructure, regional
> > > demo centres, content, postal services, ICT4RD research, admin. and
> > > M&E.
> > > #5. states eight criteria for selecting winning projects that will
> > > benefit from the fund as private partner who will develop and manage
> > > the facilities.
> > >
> > > For the full draft policy visit http://www.ucc.co.ug/index.php under
> > > policies driving the sector <Draft Rural communication Policy
> > > (2009-2014)>. For executive readers see pages 12 -25.
> > >
> > > Feedback issues...?
> > >
> > > #1. Do you see any missing things given todays issues in telecentre
> > > movement?
> > > #2. Do the policy actions reflect the gaps in RCDP-I, the three invest
> > > priorities and current lessons?
> > > #3. Is the budget fairly allocated, are all the keys issues budgeted
> for?
> > > #4. Is the selection criteria for partners sufficient?
> > > #5. Is the policy internally consistent to create the desired results?
> > > #6. And whatever else you want to feedback..........
> > >
> > > You may choose to discuss the issue (s) here or give your feedback
> > > directly to UCC using the following contacts; ucc at ucc.co.ug or
> > > rcdf at ucc.co.ug or call +256414339000. But not latter than 14 August.
> > >
> > > Best regards,
> > > ---
> > > Sulah
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Executive Director
> > > UgaBYTES Initiative
> > > Tel: +256414370163
> > > Mob: +256712314969
> > > Skype: sulah.ndaula
> > > Yahoo: ndaulasula
> > > Email: ndaulasula@
> > > (ugabytes.org,yahoo.co.uk or gmail)
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > ugabytes mailing list
> > > ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> > > http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > _______________________________________________
> > ugabytes mailing list
> > ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> > http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Cleopa Timon Otieno
> www.ugunja.org , www.kenyatelecentres.org
> P.O.Box 330-40606, Ugunja
> Cell: +254-720-950-220
> skype: timonson1
>
> _______________________________________________
> ugabytes mailing list
> ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org
>
>

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Sandra Nassali
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UgaBYTES Initiative (www.ugabytes.org)
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