[UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam|Strategy

Thu Jul 9 13:13:09 GMT 2009

thanks Sarah and all, i also think we all need more insight about the
whole project {about how it will operate} as it looks like there's a
lot more lacking from the people supposedly in charge of running the
whole project.

Cheers,

On 7/9/09, Sarah mpagi <sarah at ugabytes.org> wrote:
> Hullo all,
>
> It is really great to follow this really good discussion with very positive
> criticisms and cautions every where before this project is implemented.
>
> I've been one person who had decided to follow the trends without a word,
> but, I've found myself entangled in this discussion. I thought that if I
> decided to remain silent, it would be like a saying in my Local language
> that, "I knew the disease that killed my husband, without even telling it to
> anyone, until someone died without getting clear intervention in time to
> arrest the disease."
>
> I liked Polly and Kiringai's contributions, but why have I been provoked to
> contribute is for two reasons;
> 1. According to the contributions from Paul, it looks like he is not even
> aware of the roles his team is supposed to do or what deliverables are
> expected from his team. So my question is; when you came up with this team,
> what was expected of you that you're supposed to implement on behalf of AKN?
> Not in details but, this may help answer some of the questions highlighted
> by some people on this list, but are good questions to follow up.
>
> 2. Would the guidance of the people who have ever implemented almost a
> similar project be relevant for the success of this upcoming project? I
> liked Paul's contribution anyway of requesting those who have ever
> implemented such similar projects share on this list however, I expect more
> engagements from Paul to encourage those to contribute for the cause. You
> can engage anyother person who was there to contribute for some few
> questions highlighted like Sulah is trying to do, but remember you were
> elected as the chairman of the team, you should also join Sulah to create a
> much bigger voice. And this is only helping the implementers to come up with
> an excellent project.
>
> These discussions also help to highlight issues to be addressed by Paul's
> team in case they take them seriously, and to all people, good ideas come
> along with positive criticisms which helps make anything better.
>
> Can any one Sulah mentioned on the list tell us more about the project or
> what transpired for the good of all these people on this list. I guese there
> would be fewer questions incase all the cautions are highlighted and put to
> rest.
>
> I rest my case.
>
>
> Best,
> Sarah
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 8:01 AM, Kiringai Kamau
> <kiringai at willpower.co.ke>wrote:
>
>> Sulah,
>> Then this is not a new network. It is the entire telecentre network spiced
>> with the presence of my friend John Mahegere and UNECA.
>>
>> Paul's title is what was then misleading, but the discussion is healthy
>> for
>> the proponents of AKN to note.
>>
>> Kiringai
>>
>> -----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 2:47 PM
>> To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
>> Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es
>> salaam|Strategy
>>
>> Dear Gladman,
>>
>> Thanks for your great contribution. Am sure everybody must have liked
>> the idea of getting Paul to respond and that of getting our experience
>> behind AKN such that it shapes out a better initiative to compliment
>> those already helping Africa.
>>
>> But just also to clarify on this list - Paul was just among the
>> participants who by the end of day the group elected on the steering
>> committee that will be advising the secretariat at UNECA during the
>> piloting period. And in that case he was knowledge sharing. Other
>> participants included [ those I remember by name];
>>
>> 1. Roseline Mukutano - SAFIRE Zambia
>> 2. Aggrey Omondi - KenTel Kenya
>> 3. Fred - access centre network Kenya
>> 4. Felicia Ncheye - TTN Tanzania
>> 5. Daniel Methusela - Telecentre Tanzania
>> 6. Jean Paul Nkurunziza - BCTN Burundi
>> 7. Gillaume (sp) - telecentre Burundi
>> 8. Dean Mulozi - SATNET Zambabwe
>> 9. Janet Ochora - KIC telecentre/WOUGNET Uganda
>> 10. Ivan Gaayi - Nabweru telecentre Uganda
>> 11. Peter Balaba - Nakaseke telecentre Uganda
>> 12. Sozi Mhalanga - UNECA Ethiopia
>> 13. Abebe Chekol - UNECA Ethiopia
>> 14. Kassahum Belete Consultant Ethiopia
>> 15. John Mahegere - COSTEC Tanzania
>> 16. And I - Sulah Ndaula UgaBYTES but [17.] am sure I have forgotten
>> one person from a telecentre in Ethiopia.
>>
>> While we may all want to hear from representatives in the workshop; it
>> is important at this stage to get voices from UNECA responding to
>> issues directly - but am also informed that this is not a UNECA's
>> project it is a telecentre people's project - that is why contd.
>> contributions on the AKN is useful.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> ---
>> Sulah
>>
>>
>>
>> On 7/9/09, pbarera at yahoo.fr <pbarera at yahoo.fr> wrote:
>> > Dear All,
>> > I realy like the way you are commenting this enfant project.This will
>> allow
>> > project innitiators and stakeholers to think beyond the orginal
>> horizon.This
>> > project in being implemented in other regions of globe(Asia,Europe and
>> latin
>> > America).I would request those in others regions to participate so that
>> we
>> > can get differents vieuws.As Gladman said let not be so pessimistic but
>> LET
>> > US WAIT AND  SEE.Of course we need good idea but it is too ealier to
>> > criticise before actions take place.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Paul.
>> >
>> > --- En date de : Jeu 9.7.09, Gladman Kundhlande <gladmank at safire.co.zw>
>> a
>> > écrit :
>> >
>> > De: Gladman Kundhlande <gladmank at safire.co.zw>
>> > Objet: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam
>> > |Strategy
>> > À: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
>> > Date: Jeudi 9 Juillet 2009, 12h30
>> >
>> > 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
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> This message has been scanned for viruses and
>> >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
>> >> believed to be clean.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >>
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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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>> >
>> >
>> >
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>> >
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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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>
>
>
> --
> Nalwoga Sarah Mpagi
> Program Officer
> Knowledge Management & Research
> UgaBYTES Initiative
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