Dear GKD Members, I'm responding to the query by C Wendy Olpert on examples where communities are shaping the use of ICT development and applications. First, let me introduce myself. I'm exploring innovative solutions to the development challenges we face in southern Africa.
I would like to mention an ICT project - the Mogalakwena HP i-community - a partnership between HP, the Limpopo Province and the Mogalakwena Municipality in South Africa. The project is aimed at building local ICT capacity and starting a sustainable livelihoods initiative to address the challenges faced by the community in a sustainable manner. Building municipal ICT capacity enhances local ICT infrastructure, builds staff ICT capacity, and improves service delivery to the public. Multi-purpose centres are created to build sustainable service solutions to the community. A major focus is communicating the vast potential that ICT holds to improve government electronic service delivery. A demonstration room showcases innovations in e-service delivery from around the world relevant to the municipality and communities. Transforming the project into a global model for a multi-purpose centre and establishing a centre of excellence programme through schools. Innovative solutions are sought for villages, which lack access to clean water, electricity or telecommunications. The sustainable livelihoods initiative has introduced a variety of ICT-enhanced solutions to meet the basic challenges they face. A fully fledged call centre has been introduced where call centre agents study and work at the same time. More information on the Mogalakwena HP i-community - Phase 11 progress update is available at <www.hpicommunity.org.za> Kind regards, Elsa Kruger-Cloete, Development Bank of Southern Africa Tel:+27 11 3133300 Fax:+27 11 3133086 On Thursday, July 21 2005, C Wendy Olphert wrote: > Please let me introduce myself. I am a researcher at Loughborough > University investigating the ways in which citizens and communities use > ICTs. Over recent weeks I have seen many interesting postings by members > of the GKD group about using technology for citizen empowerment and > community benefit. Although there are numerous examples where people > have been involved in developing or influencing content in some way > (e.g., websites, blogs, online forums or newsletters, etc.), I am > particularly interested in situations where citizens or communities have > actively participated in creating or shaping new ICT applications or > developments. If you are aware of any such examples I would be really > grateful to hear about them. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
