Dear GKD Members, Indigenous groups are beginning to put information and communication technologies (ICTs) to work in powerful ways. In Ecuador, for instance, Guamote community leaders are using ICT to strengthen the local organization and share their experience with other indigenous communities, both nationally and internationally. The tools they use include community radios, e-mail, and several multimedia instruments, such as videos, CD-ROMs, and audio recordings. In the Ecuadorian community of Sumbagua, meanwhile, the Internet recently helped find a solution to an insect plague that was threatening the local potato harvest. After connecting with indigenous communities that had faced similar problems in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, community leaders used the information they had learned to launch an awareness campaign. Through a consolidated effort, the community was able to control the plague.
Anecdotal evidence and case studies like these indicate that the Internet can improve the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and provide new economic and social opportunities, particularly for young people. Poor communities are becoming directly connected with the rest of the world and overcoming social exclusion. On the other hand, ICT can also have a negative impact on the survival of indigenous lifestyles and cultures by forcing "modernization" and globalization on indigenous people who may otherwise prefer to lead simple traditional lifestyles. On the occasion of the annual session of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, which was meeting on July 21-25, the Development Gateway has produced wide-ranging coverage of issues and opportunities faced by indigenous communities, with its cross-topic Special on indigenous people. As part of the coverage, we have prepared this report on ICT for indigenous development featuring The Indigenous Peoples Leadership Capacity Building Program for the Andean Countries, which took place June 24-27 in Ecuador and Peru and was organized by local Country Gateways. The virtual and hands-on training workshops were sponsored in part by the Development Gateway Foundation. One hundred twenty-five indigenous leaders from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela came together and shared experiences of successful anti-corruption programs, alternative indigenous approaches to local government, and how information technology can improve the participation of communities in the democratic process. In this special we are also featuring an essay by Bjorn-Soren Gigler "Empowerment through the Internet: Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples", which was initially published in TechKnowLogia. This feature also provides a series of resources that illustrate and analyze in greater detail some of the issues mentioned above. * See our full coverage on ICT for Indigenous Development here: http://www.developmentgateway.org/ICT/indigenous * See also DG cross-topic Special on Indigenous Peoples: http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/130685/indigenous-peoples * Discussion: How can ICT be used as a tool for indigenous development? Is ICT a friend or foe of indigenous peoples and their cultures? Please share your opinion in our discussion forum! http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/bboard/message?message_id=627 701&forum_id=225450&mode=t * Empowerment through the Internet: Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples (by Bjorn-Soren Gigler) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=627641 * Photos from the Indigenous Leaders ICT Training Workshop http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=619448 * DG Knowledge Base on ICT for Indigenous Development (116 knowledge resources as of July 28, 2003): http://www.developmentgateway.org/ict/browser/?keyword_list=352414&country_ list=0 * The Indigenous Peoples Leadership Capacity Building Program for the Andean Countries http://www.developmentgateway.org/download/200592/Newsletter_July_-final.pdf * ICT for Indigenous Peoples Development (PPT Presentation by Soren Gigler) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/admin/blob?pid=5370 * Credits: This special was prepared by Soren Gigler, Oleg Petrov, John Daly, Karen Lynch, Pat Daly, and Ecaterina Zatushevski. Photo credit: Soren Gigler. Our advisors on ICT for Indigenous Development include Gabriel Mariaca (Fondo Indigena) and Eduardo Santoyo Cadena (Red Cientifica Peruana). * For upcoming ICT4D events click here: http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/calendar/all * For latest ICT4D news click here: http://www.developmentgateway.org/ict/news Thank you! Oleg Petrov Managing Editor, ICT for Development on the Development Gateway Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.developmentgateway.org/ict ------------ ***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/>
