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

Dean Mulozi deanmulozi at yahoo.com
Thu Jul 9 18:49:10 GMT 2009 

Thanks to Kiringai, Polly, Sandra and others for their contributions, 
 
I have been reading the reactions on the launch of the UNECA KN strategy project for East Africa with interest. The Africa Knowledge Network on telecenters is not a 'spice' but rather a build up of the existing strategies and contribution to ensure ultimate development of telecenters in Africa. UNECA project envisages partnerships with global organisations such as Telecenter.org, CTA, IICD, UNECSO etc. and also regional telecenter networks such as Ugabytes, SATNET, SAFIRE.      
 
Firstly I must recommend the stakeholders who particiapted in the recent event and I should say it was a useful intervention. The project will really improve knowledge activities of telecenters in the East African region. Southern Africa will benefit from the expriences of the project. 
For those who may have different views, it is right to find out the details. it is also question of understanding and perhaps not much details and awareness were made available after the 2007 Kampala Workshop. All countries in East Africa including intended identifed access points were represented and participated with vigour.  There was consesus. 
 
But let me fill up gaps to what has not been explained. I will attempt to pick up points from the previous regional workshop held in Kampala, Uganda.   
 
Background: 
On 3rd to 4th December 2007, United Nations Economic Commssion convened a regional stakeholders conference in Kampala, Uganda where 20 participants comprising of managers of community access points project coordinators, and telecenter managers from East Africa. The workshop was also represented by network leaders from telecenters in Southern Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to be precise. 
 
The main objetive of the workshop was to develop a consesus among stakeholders on strategies, mechanisms and tools to transform ICT access points into knowledge hubs and in turn build a regional knowdedge network. The agreed strategies would then form the implementation guidelines in the exection of the project. 
  
This was the first stakeholders workshop after UNECA completed a consultancy on regional consultative study on review and assessment of ICT access points in Africa region in September 2007. The regional assessment review identfied services and best practices in community access points across Africa. Countries involved in East Africa were Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The country assessments were aimed at reviewing the state of the art and degree of evolution of telectenters towards knowledge hubs, including available ICT applications and services.  
 
Outputs
There was a number of recommendations according to the themes of the project during the Kampala workshop: 

Develop capacities and engage existing access points to a level of information processing and knowldge sharing. 
To scale up less developed telecenters into CMCs with addition of multimedia facilities using UNESCO expriences. 
The following are the key steps towards the project implementation: 

Review and regional assessment of ICT access points in Africa: Consultancy completed
Regional stakeholders workshop on knowledge network strategies, mechansms and tools: Kampala workshop 2007
Transformation strategy:  
Conducting participatory research to inform strategy implemenntation and knowledge gerenration.  
Strengthening ICT and knowledge management training and capacity building activities
Strengthening Public access, network infrastructure and shared or low - cost end user devices
Creating content and applications, approapriate to local and context    
Forming national and regional knowledge networks and participation in the global knowledge network
Sustainability of telecenters/regional knowledge network as knowledge hubs and networks
Implementing the regional knowledge network 
Montoring and evaluation 
 
Therefore the 2009 Dar esalaam launch workshop provided an opporuntiy to stakeholders to review the process and agree on implemeation mechanism and institutional development of the project.  The steering commitee was elected and it will work closely with the secretariat and Paul has proived the details.   
 
I hope this contributes to some of the information gaps that existed at the beginning of the discussion. 
  
Thanks to all, 
 
Dean Mulozi, 
Connect Africa Project Manager, 
ZAA-ICT/SATNET Regional Facilitator, 
Private Bag 195x Ridgeway, 
Lusaka, 
Zambia.

Mobile:                  260 978 034196






--- On Thu, 7/9/09, Sandra Nassali <snassali at ugabytes.org> wrote:


From: Sandra Nassali <snassali at ugabytes.org>
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] AFRICA KOWLEDGE NETWORK launched in Dar es salaam|Strategy
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 6:13 AM


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:

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