[UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar essalaam |Strategy

Thu Jul 9 11:31:18 GMT 2009

Gladman,
I know I have been the most vocal on the need for systemic thinking. If I
worked for UgaBYTES or for telecentre.org, I would be less vocal. But I
represent an organization with its eyes in developing adoption of ICTs in
value chain management for African Agriculture. For this reason I will say
to you this: AKN is not being swallowed. What AKN is being told is that as
it develops its programmes; let it use the existing institutional knowledge
as its starting point or bouncing board. Indeed, AKN is being advised to
take advantage of the infrastructure already in place. Not re-invent the
wheel. Let it build the body of the car and ride on, the wheels exist and
they are best when circular!

In my view, it makes sense for AKN to use the existing telecentre
infrastructure, the human resource already developed and create its
milestones riding on the strength of what others have already done - to use
the development parlance -- upscale the existing ICT4D infrastructure,
practice and focus.

Is this retrogressive? I suppose it is the most progressive option AKN can
take unless time and resources are not its constraint. No one, has rejected
the child, let along getting to kill it. We are only looking at the best
options of implementing a project. AKN does not have to be hosted at VACID
Africa, UCRC is there and they represent Kenya in AKN, but in project
management and systems thinking, there is what is called sub-optimization.
This is what we are avoiding by airing our opinion for the benefit of AKN's
proponents, who happen not to be Paul. 

Gladman, I am passionate about this position, but I know I am only trying to
shape a project. For the Better! Know this: when AKN wants to build capacity
should it come starting a programme on showing people how to use computers?
We passed that level many, many years past. And to answer you on an issue of
alternatives, there is no more than one way of creating a network, what
could vary is the content that is intended on what AKN plans. What we are
saying to AKN is this: consult with a wider stakeholder base, don't come
with a solution. We have seen them come and fail; we love you and don't want
you to fail or lose your resources and time like they did.

Let's build consensus and help AKN gain focus.

Kiringai Kamau

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Gladman Kundhlande
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:31 PM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar essalaam
|Strategy

Dear All
I have been reading with keen interest the exchanges that have been going on
regarding the new network. Although Mr Barera has up to this point decided
to remain silent and not elaborated on the objectives of the network for the
benefit of those of us who would like to know if the network relevant to our
situation or not I think that we have ask ourselves whether the present
networks are serving the needs of everyone.  I do not think that the need
for more resources and support telecentres is no longer there in Africa.  I
think that there is room for more players. I also fail to understand the
logic and motive of trying to swallow AKN into the present networks even
before it starts to operate.  Are we not trying to kill the child before it
is born? I think that we should examine ourselves and see whether we are not
being self-serving in our recommendations.  Do we seriously think that there
is no room for other players in the telecentre movement?  Are saying that
what we are currently doing is the best and there is no other way? I
personally think that we are being territorial. Let them establish the AKN
and build on the experiences of those of us who are operating the existing
ones.  The need for linking organizations to each other and to and between
rural communities is immense and we should not discourage initiatives that
designed to achieve these objectives. 

I rest my case

Gladman
SAFIRE, Harare

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Kiringai Kamau
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:20 AM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam
|Strategy

Well done Sulah!
We welcome this move and indeed the inclusion of AKN to the telecentre
network. What AKN can do to help those of us who have been on the ground is
ensure that there is a layered collaboration with clearly defined grassroots
role and cascading upwards to AKN's portal or portals.

It would for instance not make sense to go to a village and find an AKN ICT
Access point next to a telecentre that has struggled to grow with community
participation. Let there be an inclusion mechanism, right from the national
level to the grassroots that is more based on content rather than concept so
that whatever inclusion strategy is defined, it affects the thinking of all
stakeholders.

My honest belief is that collaborative linkages will provide us with the
best solutions. Let AKN use the Academies that have been created by
telecentre.org and the resources so far developed so that there is no
duplication [waste] of efforts and resources.

A systemic perspective will help AKN cover more ground and indeed help
enrich our contextual focus. I am for instance an agricultural and learning
enthusiast, I would like to know what AKN has in store for these sectors.

Over to you Abebe/Francis.

And to you Sulah, my brother, there is nothing wrong with judging, for it is
from judging that the right approaches are evolved, avoiding pitfalls that
could make us repeat the errors of yesterday, thereby living the same lie
our politicians do.

Kiringai Kamau
Nairobi

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Ndaula Sulah
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:57 AM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam
|Strategy

Dear All,

It is nice reading all the reactions to the AKN. As someone who took
part in the workshop, I'll assure you that I did bring out all these
fears many of us have shared or continues to share - the lessons of
OKN, how telecentre.org unfolded, the difference in the target groups
for both networks, their strategies etc.

But I believe the best way for these answers to get responded and also
for telecentres here to be part of shaping AKN if it make sense to the
movement is to get the Team at UNECA to this list. And thankfully
Francis has already done so.

Please Abebe, join in whenever you have time, Francis will forward you
whatever suggestions you may have missed before join the group.

Important to know: Abebe Chokel, works with UNECA and has been working
on this project for the last 2 years. I would pray that we don't judge
the project but help it to fit within the lessons of the past,
telecentre needs and the broader experiences of the African continent
on the matter.

Best regards,
---
Sulah

On 7/8/09, Kiringai Kamau <kiringai at willpower.co.ke> wrote:
> Dear Paul and All,
> What is coming out of this discussion is that there is need for caution
not
> to repeat what has been done by other initiatives, or as Polly put it in
her
> post, to reinvent the wheel.
>
> Within the perspective of the telecentre focus, we have done a lot making
> policy shifts within institutions that we have been seeking support to
work
> with the telecentre movement. In my view, what needs to be done through
AKN
> is to identify the gaps that the existing model of telecentres is not
> addressing and meet those within the purview of AKN.
>
> It is for this reason that the posts that are coming through are asking.
Can
> you give us the goals and objectives of the AKN so that we can
> participatorily contribute to its dream and strategic thinking?
>
> It is necessary not to make us dance to so many drum beats. We need to
forge
> ahead. Integrate, crate capacity, mobilize utilization. So much has been
> done on the sensitization front-ask the TEAMS team.
>
> Kiringai
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
> [mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Meddie Mayanja
> Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 1:52 AM
> To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam
|
> Strategy
>
> Colleagues,
>
> It's all nice to know about the creation of AKN.
>
> Would someone share the strategy and primary actions or AKN? I think as
> well, that the telecentre community would want to know to participate in
> this initiative.
>
> It's nevertheless critical AKN learns from what has happened before. For
> instance, as Polly said with OKN. There are also several experiences that
> can be drawn from telecentre.org efforts in building/supporting networks
> around the world. Infact telecentre networks in Africa might be a great
> place to start in creating the AKN  - if they buy into the program
> objective.
>
> Best, Meddie
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
> [ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Polly Gaster
> [polly.gaster at uem.mz]
> Sent: July 7, 2009 3:44 AM
> To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam
>
> Dear Paul
>
> This is interesting. I'm wondering if the Africa Knowledge Network has any
> relation to the OPen Knowledge Network, a project that ran for several
years
> in countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Senegal... Or is it starting
> again re-inventing the wheel? The OKN project did some interesting things,
> but
> was not successful in some of its ambitions. I do think it wd be important
> for
> you to at least be aware of what was done, what worked and what didn't,
and
> why, so the AKN can benefit from lessons learned. The Kenyan partner was
> ALIN,
> are you in touch with them?
>
> I wd also be interested in knowing more about the concrete AKN strategy
and
> goals.
>
> Polly
>
> ----
>
> Polly Gaster
> TICs para Desenvolvimento/ICT4D
> Centro de Informatica da Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (CIUEM)
> Campus Universitario, Maputo, Mozambique
> e-mail: polly.gaster at uem.mz
> cel: +258-82-3264540
> tel/fax: +258-21-485779
> Skype: polly_gaster
>
>
> --
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>
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-- 
Executive Director
UgaBYTES Initiative
Tel: +256414370163
Mob: +256712314969
Skype: sulah.ndaula
Yahoo: ndaulasula
Email: ndaulasula@
(ugabytes.org,yahoo.co.uk or gmail)

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