Re: [GKD] Proposed Open Knowledge Network
As one of the early players in the ICT for Development efforts of the 1980's and 1990's, for several years I have deliberately gone quiet in these global discussion forums. The time has gone into some rewarding ICT and Development work and into considerable intellectual soul searching, trying to understand why the willfull failure to learn remains an integral part of much of we do in the development community. Bad ideas have the persistance of malaria and successful activities have almost no knowledge diffusion and no spread effects. Warren Feek's and Peter Armstrong's recent postings have coaxed me out from the solitude of our small ICT Development skunk works to make a small point. Part of it the paradox of our failure to learn from our concrete successes (a kernel within Warren Feek's posting). Why don't these successes spread? Another part of it is captured in the well meaning wording of Peter Armstrong's posting which falls prey to the meta-language of the Dotforce process. Citing the proposed: facilitating the exchange of local content on developmental themes. The idea is to link up existing initiatives in the South in a p2p network, using agreed standards for metadata and 'open content' IPR licenses. The development community is not asked to assess what this means. The Dotforce consortium does not really ask to assess, existing initiatives in the South. Unfortunately, theprocess whereby initiatives register on the radar at this level is not bottom up evidence driven, it is top down priorities driven. This is followed by: We are hoping that this proposal will attract significant support at the forthcoming G8 Summit, and the groups working on it (IDRC, Swaminathan Foundation, OneWorld, IICD, Accenture, IDRC, Harvard and others) would very much like feedback on how to improve the model. No matter what words are used to describe the process, the model, and the objectives, there is something very closed loop about this. There is no way to move beyond the meta-language and the key funding player assumption that the model is basically correct. That the only acceptable form of criticism is suggestions for making it better. The idea that the ambitious model may be flawed at its core is unacceptable. Any extent to which that is true is also a challenge to the role of the currently constituted key players, the legitimacy of their claims to resources and their rights to voice with regard to ICT Development, Knowledge Networking, whatever [select your current buzz word]. When evidence is counter to, or supports, the ideas of the poor, the ideas of the poor are marginalized. On the other hand, the ideas of the rich stay front and centre, not because evidence is on their side, but because the rich have the resources to claim voice. Open Knowledge Networking, how so defined, is not a way out of this dilemma so long as the resources for voice and action are power based. The only way forward is a more transparent and democratic process at each and every layer in the process. It is an old remedy but none the less a wise starting point. Alas, it is unlikely however to find a doorway into the closed loop thinking atthe G8, Dotforce level, no matter how well meaing are the individual participants, and no matter how much a closed system attempts open consultation. Sam Lanfranco, Black Creek Research Foundation South Bay, Ontario, CANADA ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** 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/
[GKD] Website to Help Farmers Bargain Better (India)
Thanks to Ashish Kotamkar for sending this across from Pune. FN -- Forwarded message -- From: Ashish Kotamkar [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject:Website to help farmers bargain better Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 12:11:24 +0530 Website to help farmers bargain better http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=11502961 TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2002 3:39:44 AM ] IT'S a well-known fact that Indian farmers rarely know the actual price and stock level of his produce at the mandis where they come to sell it. A long chain, vested interests and sheer spread of the markets not only makes it difficult for them to take decisions regarding produce mix, but also deprives them of whatever little bargaining power they may have had. In a recent initiative to correct this anomaly, various state agricultural marketing boards (APMCs) have come together to form an Agricultural marketing information network (Agmarknet), hosting a portal called agmarknet.nic.in. This project has a budget of Rs 10 crore. The website has links to various APMCs and mandis across the country, as well as a few live links to major mandis like the Navi Mumbai APMC. Itís possible to check out at this site the delivery positions and prices of various commodities and vegetables at practically every mandi in India. Commodities are divided into seven groups here ó cereals, pulses, fibres, spices, fruits, vegetables and oilseeds. Surfers can search mandi-wise for commodity, or commodity-wise in each mandi. Presently, Agmarknet reports information from 73 markets across India. The Agmarknet venture is a heartening initiative from the much criticised and slow-to-react government, especially on the issue of easing the infrastructural constraints on agriculture. Till now, the government has only been regular in its support price policy for farmersí benefit (that too, only a small section), while any form of meaningful support in the shape of credit, research, extension or capital formation has been absent. Seen in this light, the Agmarknetís proposed aim to create a ënationwide network for speedy collection and dissemination of market informationí, could potentially reduce prices paid to intermediaries and bring benefits to a wide cross section of farmers and consumers. Secondly, Agmarknet also aims to computerise data about market fees and charges, arrivals, dispatches, sales transport, losses and wastage and various issues like APMC infrastructure and taxes. It envisages connecting, eventually, 670 mandis and 40 agricultural boards across India. At 75, Maharashtra has the maximum number of wholesale markets, or nodes connected, followed by Andhra Pradesh (65) and Uttar Pradesh (64). Perhaps a bee in the bonnet that has to be dealt with is the connectivity problem -- all attempts to log on to Mumbai APMC's website called falbazar.com, proved futile for three consecutive days. It is obvious then, that for such an ambitious and urgently needed network to really work, the project has to be backed up by back end systems and training. The National Informatics Centre of the Government of India said that it will procure, maintain and install the hardware and software for the sites and train the operators to upload and uplink. Each wholesale market or node that is connected to Agmarknet will pay Rs 2,750 per year as internet access charges. On first look, Agmarknet appears to be filling a huge gap by providing access to information at reasonable cost. The challenge, if the full potential of such ventures have utilised, is to take IT to rural India in a big way. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Ashish ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** 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/
[GKD] New Film School to Open in Ghana
FYI, This sounds like a wonderful undertaking... CST ___ For Immediate Release: June 3, 2002 INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE For More Information Contact: GHANA Kwame Agyapong, Executive Dir.--ASA +233 21 508583 -- +233 21 772 055 fax ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) WORLDWIDE UME Public Relations C.Sade Turnipseed-Trabi, Publicist--ASA 323.759.8100 -- 323.759.8018 fax ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) GHANAIAN FILM SCHOOL 'ACADEMY OF SCREEN ARTS' (ASA) SCHEDULED TO OPEN ITS DOORS IN ACCRA THIS FALL (Accra, Ghana) The International Youth Education Program (IYEP) announced Accra Ghana as the home of its future Academy of Screen Arts (ASA). ASAs central offices and academic headquarters are currently under construction at 1 Cola Street, East Legon, Ghana West Africa, an upscale district in Accra. ASA is scheduled to open its doors to students, September 20, 2002. According to organizers, Ghana is strongly positioned to become the premiere film and video training ground of West Africa. The attributes that contribute to this mandate point to the legacy of former president and visionary leader, Kwame Nkrumah. President Nkrumah was the premiere African leader to foresee Ghana as a culturally cohesive resource for artists and progressive-minded people. ASAs purpose is to nurture the vision of Nkrumah, by bringing about the next generation of well trained, fully credentialed and highly successful filmmakers from Africa. ASAs mission statement reflects a commitment to training that is appropriate and relevant to the sensibility and cultural needs of Africa. The ASA program also provides unique opportunities for international film and video experts to visit Ghana and present continuing education courses, through master classes and industry conferences to professional African filmmakers. For the novice students, beginning workshops and regular classroom schedules are designed to encourage and support the young artisans in and around Ghana. We will turn out a new generation of filmmakers, who write scripts, produce, edit, critical analysis and distribute aesthetically wonderful film and video projects, that the world will benefit from, commented Dr. Chris Abotchie, Board of Directors, Member. It is this thinking that led the IYEP to establish ASA and provide this necessary training in cinematic arts, not only for Ghanaians, but for all Africans. ìWe believe that this training is vital, if Africa is to ensure that its cultural development is free of deleterious influences. ASA will offer classes in acting and casting, directing, anchoring, musical scores, dance/movement, voice for the screen, animation, set design, make-up and costuming, film history and pre/post production,î stated Executive Director, Kwame Agyapong. ASA presents both full and part time academic offerings that emphasize the tried and true methods of independent film and video productions. The ASA vision is extensive, and in no way timid. With their resources, the intent is to generate the big picture feel, in spite of inherently small budgets. It is urgent that we rise to the challenge of raising the standards of African cinematic techniques, in spite of the huge budget precedence set by Hollywood. We will prove African creativity is as effective on film and video as it is on concert and theatrical stage, Agyapong asserted. The diverse approach to cinematic training includes producing cinematic advertising campaigns for local and multinational businesses, television programs and festival releases that are not only interesting and relevant, in the global marketplace, but depicts Africa and the cultures of African people in a more realistic and aesthetically pleasing light. ASA has forged an opportunity to teach people how to produce the caliber of cinema worthy of the youthful genius that exist in Africa today. Servicing the Ghana production industry at present are the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI). NAFTI offers technical training in: camera, sound, lighting, editing and producing. They along with The School of Performing Arts, at the University of Ghana, Legon, currently provide vital personnel in theatre arts. The ASA will complement both NAFTI and The School of Performing Arts by providing training specifically geared at screen arts. Ghana is one of the most peaceful and exciting destinations in the world for tourists, business people and investors. Yet, the country is comparatively unknown because she is not attracting the bad press and notoriety that is associated with many developing conflict-torn countries. Ghana does not need war to be known. The IYEP asserts that Ghana and indeed all of Africa could better promote herself and cultures through film and television. In the wake of the technological advancements achieved in the field of cinematography, this powerful genre could easily be exploited for educating, informing and re-orienting the people. ASAs charge is to allow the
Re: [GKD] Launch of Digital Opportunity Channel
Bruce Potter's self styled carping raises a number of critical issues. One of these is the value of much of the governmental or semi-governmental organizations such as the World Bank in the ICT/KM arena. 1) Bruce claims that he has had difficulty extracting useful information from many of these web sites. I have had similar experience. But Bruce and I are both in the US. It would be very interesting to understanding exactly how relevant, for example, the GKP web effort is for developing countries, excluding the externally funded organizations working in development. And then one needs to determine the cost/bit of this information and ask whether the return is worth it or if the funds might be better expended in other efforts. Or if there are more efficient vehicles for building effective information exchange networks as Bruce implies. What would happen if we just cut the GKP funding off, today, for example. Other than a lot of out of work WB employees and consultants, what would be the impact? 2) Bruce's concern about the unilateral efforts of the Europeans regarding biodiversity in the Islands again raises the issue on how resources are expended. USAID is said to have figured out that 80% of its development funds return to the US. 3) This past Sunday the New York Times ran an article about the Bangladesh expat who, with some venture money launched the Grameen cell phone network in rural communities in his native country- a very successful ICT adventure/venture. I have yet to see an ICT project of similar magnitude and success in spite of the resources being expended in the government/non-profit sectors. Thoughts? Tom Abeles ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** 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/
