Hello GKD Members, I thought I'd give you a brief on our followup on the Uganda Country Gateway project. We participated in a meeting this week hosted by Makerere University and InfoDev to plan a strategy for the project. I have enclosed, below, a copy of the presentation we made at this workshop. I have also attached, FYI, a copy of the workshop programme. Actually the workshop made such quick progress that it was completed in two days.
At the workshop, five major categories were indentified and here is the breakdown of who was chosen to address each category for the proposal: Private sector- Mr Kakembo Ngos/CBOs-Rita Mijumbi Academic sector-Nora Mulira Government sector-Elizabeth Mulondo Policy/regulatory agencies-Jonah Banturaki, Dr Tusubira These six people constituted a working group that will prepare the proposal for Uganda. We plan to maintain close contact with this group, as I believe WOUGNET can make significant contributions to the gateway. We also have to wait and see the direction of the proposal to be put together by the working group. All in all, it was a good meeting for WOUGNET. I think we were able to further establish our presence and present the work we are doing. Regards, Dorothy Okello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ********* Women and Development: WOUGNET Presentation at Workshop to consider a Country Gateway Strategy for Uganda November 27-29 2001, Fairway Hotel Introduction Uganda is widely hailed as one of the African success stories in terms of deployment and application of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Nevertheless, a 1998 UNESCO survey on the available sources of information for development in Uganda revealed that most of the available sources of information are either out of reach of rural women or fall short of their information needs1 -- a finding that remains true today. Considering that 80% of Ugandan women live in rural areas, it is necessary that we consider the opportunities presented by ICTs in addressing this information gap. In line with this, the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) welcomes the opportunity presented by this workshop to share ideas and experience for community networking and knowledge sharing in Uganda, with a particular emphasis on the needs of women in Uganda. Background on WOUGNET The Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is a non-governmental organization initiated in May 2000 to develop the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women as tools for information dissemination and exchange in support of sustainable development. For eighteen months prior to the setting up of WOUGNET, an email list was maintained by Dorothy Okello, a specialist and trainer in communication technology, through which women's organizations in Uganda would share news and announcements, as well as tips on computer and internet usage. As interest in the list grew, it became apparent that a structure and mechanism were needed to maintain and facilitate this communication. Consultations were held with several well-known women's organizations, and the consensus was that a network should be formed and that WOUGNET, once formed, should establish a companion website on which to profile the work of women's organizations. The website was launched in May 2000 and can be accessed through http://www.wougnet.org. To date, WOUGNET has 91 subscribers, 80% of whom are Ugandan women (including those with women organisations in Uganda). The website features profiles on 34 women's organizations, information and documentation on topics of interest to members and the general public, and links to national and international organizations and projects. WOUGNET produces a monthly Update Newsletter with information on new postings to the website and on WOUGNET activities. The Newsletter goes out to members and an additional 135 subscribers (most of whom have signed on from the website). Details on upcoming conferences, workshops, training, grants and computer/internet usage are also distributed to the list and posted on the website. Today, WOUGNET has a leading website providing information about and for women's organizations in Uganda. WOUGNET has become a key resource for its members and other interested partners. In addition to maintaining a website and email list, the network has opened up other opportunities for women's organisations to participate on the net. A WebDesign program was set up in collaboration with InterConnection.org to develop websites for members. Challenges faced with access to ICTs It is important that gender needs are considered right from the start in order that women may fully participate in their use. This is because in addition to the nationwide challenges such as limited infrastructure and cost of connectivity, women experience particular challenges including: * Lower levels of literacy and education relative to men as well as negative attitudes towards girls' involvement in science and technology. * Lower degree of economic security than men as well as constraints on their time and mobility. * Inadequate content (information resources) and dissemination to reach and to address the information needs of women, particularly in rural areas. Opportunities presented by ICTs ICTs can be used as a tool to facilitate access to a variety of development resources resulting in benefits and opportunities such as: * Access to education - formal and informal - for example, via open or distance learning. * Economic empowerment via access to relevant market information or via the ability to conduct trade. * Political empowerment via informed decision making and the opportunity to voice one's concerns. Conclusion The Uganda Country Gateway Strategy workshop is a timely mission to share ideas and experience on how we can best harness the opportunities presented by community networking and knowledge sharing for sustainable development in Uganda. We wish to thank the Directorate of ICT support (DICTS), Makerere University, and InfoDev, World Bank, for organising and hosting this workshop. Contact For further information about WOUGNET, visit our website at http://www.wougnet.org or contact: 1. Dorothy Okello, Coordinator, [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2. Jackie Acan, [EMAIL PROTECTED], Tel: 077-586044 1 R. O. Ochieng. Rural Women and Information in Uganda, Presentation at the FAO High Level Consultation on Rural Women and Information, Rome, Italy, October 4 - 6, 1999. ******************* DRAFT FORMAT AND PROGRAMME Workshop on Role of Knowledge and ICTs in Uganda's Development 27 -29th November 2001 Fairway Hotel, Kampala Tuesday 27th November 8:30 - REGISTRATION 9:00-9:15AM - WELCOME REMARKS F.F Tusubira, Makerere University (DICTS) Bobak Rezaian, Africa Region, The World Bank Robert Valantin, Head Country Gateway Coordination & Lead Information Officer, The World Bank 9:15-9:45am - Opening Address -Can ICT help reduce poverty - What is at Stake for Uganda? Keynote Speaker 10:00-10.45AM - Presentation on Policy Framework, e-readiness, or similar issues, and a few specific examples ( Mr. Patrick Masambu - Executive Director, Uganda Communication Commission) 10:45AM HEALTH BREAK 11:00-11:30 - COMMUNITY NETWORKING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING - What are the potential ways in which local communities can partner with one another to address their own needs? What is the role of information sharing in that process? How can existing local, national, and donor funded programs be leveraged by local communities to address some of these needs? Bobak Rezaian, Africa Region, The World Bank 11:30-12:30 THE DEVELOPMENT GATEWAY -- WHERE WORLDS OF KNOWLEDGE MEET Capacity to create, share and apply knowledge for themselves. What is the Development Gateway portal? In what way can the Development Gateway help to build capacity to create, share and apply knowledge? Who is involved in building the Gateway? What is the role of Country Gateways? How does the infoDev Program relate to Country Gateways? Robert Valantin, Head Country Gateway Coordination & Lead Information Officer, The World Bank 12:30 - 1:00 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NAMIBIA EXPERIENCE What are the ingredients for creating a successful Country Gateway? What are lessons learned in that process? Dave Hill, Project Manager, Namibia Development Gateway 1:00 LUNCH BREAK 2:00-3:30PM - GROUP DISCUSSIONS Groups will be divided voluntarily by sectors/themes or area of interest to discuss the issues of concern to participants (to be determined in the first half hour of this segment). Examples may include: - What are the 3-5 priority issues for each sector/community that need to be addressed? - What are the existing information and communication gaps? What are the challenges and opportunities faced? - Do ICT applications have a role in overcoming these challenges? - How can inter and intra community networking assist in solving problems? - How can ICT applications be used to address identified priorities, to achieve development goals, and to fill information and communications needs? 3:30-3:45 Health Break 3:45-4:45 Continuation of breakout sessions 4:45PM-5:30PM - WRAP-UP SESSION Rapporteurs from each group summarize the outcome of the discussion and present their suggestions & recommendations. 5:30-5:45PM - SETTING THE AGENDA FOR THE SECOND DAY Wednesday 28th November 9:00-11:00AM - BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON IDENTIFIED AREAS OF PRIORITY 11:00AM - 11:30 HEALTH BREAK 11:30-12.30PM PLENARY DISCUSSION ON PRIORITY OPTIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD 12:30PM - LUNCH BREAK 2:00-4:00PM - VIDEOTAPE PRESENTATIONS (WBI) ON USING KNOWLEDGE FOR DEVELOPMENT FROM AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE WBI 4:00-5:00 - EVALUATION OF THE DAY AND THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT DAY Thursday 29th November 9:00-11:00 MORNING - PLENARY SESSION * Summary of discussions and identification of key issues * Q&A discussion on the Country Gateway grants and the preparation of a proposal 11:00-11:15 HEALTH BREAK 11:30-12:30 DEFINING THE WAY FORWARD (SETTING UP WORKING GROUP) 12:30PM - 1:00 CLOSING REMARKS F.F Tusubira: Makerere University (DICTS) Bobak Rezaian, Africa Region, The World Bank Robert Valantin, Head Country Gateway Coordination & Lead Information Officer, The World Bank 1.00PM Lunch and departure (Working Group remains behind) 2.00 - 4.00PM First Meeting of the Working Group (and departure) ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. 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