A conference and workshop programme has been conceptualised to bring the international and Indian practitioners in a platform for learning and sharing the experiences, and to address critical issues of content, collaboration, sustainability and up-scaling. Further, issues relating to monitoring projects that have been steered by external financial support, be it from the international development agencies, or from governments in Asia, require close assessment.

To learn more about the 2006 Ind more...

The Centre for International Private Enterprise's Virtual Business Association helps business association leaders develop both the necessary skills for managing voluntary organizations and an understanding of the basic principles of the market and democracy. CIPE is expanding the reach of the VBA into Africa, providing a means for African business associations to exchange best practices and jump-start their presence on the Internet.

The individual Web sites provide associations with a forum f more...

The telecentre.org Americas workshop was held at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue coinciding with the end of the Pacific Community Networking Association (PCNA) summit. The opening exercises were followed by a presentation on early (and quickly evolving) thinking about telecentre.org. Based on a request from the group, this fed into a circle where all of the networks in the room had a chance to introduce themselves.

Some 15 networks in the Americas were briefly described; ranging from local to re more...

This paper examines the area of interest in telecentre operation and puts an accent on training and sustainability. Download the paper by following this link: http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/commdev/documents/ictpaper-uk.doc

ICS aims at implementing a multi year programme on ICT for sustainable rural development, which should act as a hub within the network of UNIDO ongoing programmes and Technology Centres. ICS would give support in different terms e.g. by attracting requests and providing services and tools in the field of technology transfer, by training technicians and trainers and by giving visibility to new technologies, pilot plants and indigenous technologies.

Learn about suggestions for alternative energ more...

The Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) is pleased to announce its support for phase two of the 'Digital Inclusion: Telecentre Network in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)' project.

Phase o­ne of the project (1999 - 2001), sponsored the creation of the Somos@Telecentros Network (S@T), a regional forum grouping more than 800 members and 2,600 registered telecentres in LAC. Funded by PAN Americas, a corporate project of IDRC, phase o­ne was coordinated by Fundacion Chasquinet more...

The Story

Background and context: Rural Uganda is a difficult place for women. Many women are the primary providers for households, either responsible for doing much of the agriculture work, or running a small business. Despite this role as providers, men, not women, usually have access to credit and local business exchanges.

The Uganda chapter of the Council for the Economic Empowerment for Women of Africa (CEEWA) tries to rectify this problem and help women find the financial resources t more...

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world. Winrock's approach to ICTs includes applications that enhance a broad range of cross-cutting rural dev more...

This PowerPoint presentation recognises importance of Telecentre Sustainability and suggests strong need for multi-stakeholder partnerships. K.A.M. Morshed makes the case that donor supported telecentres are continually at risk of closing down once the support is withdrawn and that a lack of market disciplines reduce incentives to perform well as well as the ability to face competition when it arrives. With this in mind, sustainability in the telecentre environment is a challenge, both for the g more...

Abstract: 'Information and Communication Technologies have been accepted as key ingredients for poverty reduction and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is within this context that telecentres [to mean Community Technology Learning Centres (CTLCs) and Community Multi-media Centres (CMCs)] have become very important especially for rural access to and use of ICT.

One of the biggest challenges to using telecentres for rural access to connectivity has been sustainability o more...