From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 11:42 AM Subject: Africa Related Stories from The Benton Organization
HOW CAN THE DIGITAL DIVIDE BE BRIDGED? Technology can improve the lives of millions of the world's poorest people, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, said at the opening of the World Summit on Information Society. Annan was attacking the issue of the digital divide between rich and poor countries. He also criticized the Internet's heavy reliance on the English language, commenting that local voices and needs are being evaded. The BBC poses several questions to readers, including, "What do you think should be done to bridge the digital divide; how have computers, the Internet and mobile phones changed your life; and should information technology be available to all?" The article presents comments that reflect the balance of views the BBC received on this issue. Talking Point, a global phone-in program, will discuss the information society on Sunday, Dec. 14. The program will be joined by Internet pioneer Vint Cerf and Indian Information Minister, Arun Shourie. To sign up to participate in this phone discussion, visit the site listed below. SOURCE: BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3257256.stm MUGABE SLAMS 'GLOBAL INEQUALITY' [Commentary] Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe used his platform at the WSIS to attack global inequality and what he described as the imperious attitudes of the United States and Britain. Mr. Mugabe said there could be no just information society without more social equality. He added that there was no point in providing poor people with computers unless they were also given electricity and a phone network to run them. BBC correspondent Mark Doyle writes that Mr. Mugabe's speech stood out from the "mostly bland interventions of other world leaders at this Internet summit." They generalized about the great potential of Internet technology and the need to spread these advantages to the developing world, Doyle explains. "Opposition leaders in Zimbabwe may condemn Mr. Mugabe for acting oppressively at home; but here in Geneva, many delegates - whether they agreed with him or not - were impressed by a lively speech," he concludes. SOURCE: BBC News; AUTHOR: Mark Doyle http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3303129.stm AFRICANS EXHIBIT AT WSIS The Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) exhibition, running parallel to the WSIS, is showcasing innovative projects and technologies in order to document the potential for information communication technology (ICT) development in Africa. The exhibition has more than 200 stands representing governments, non-government organizations and companies from 80 countries worldwide. Countries like South Africa, Mali, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Togo, Uganda, and Tunisia, which will host the second phase of WSIS in 2005, are represented at the exhibition. The African Media Village, consisting of five Southern African non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is committed to spreading ICT knowledge and skills amongst poor people in Southern Africa. These NGOs have come to the WSIS with an advocacy statement, says Tracey Naughton, the African Media Village Partnership Manager. "We have recorded stories of the rural people who have never seen a passport, and we must make sure that their voices are heard," she says. The overall aim of ICT4D is to attract interest and sponsorship, thus providing better ICT access. SOURCE: AllAfrica.com; AUTHOR: Angella Nabwowe, Highway Africa News Agency http://allafrica.com/stories/200312090820.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/TTwplB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> **********Keep Hope Alive!!!************* Win upto =N=150,000.00 ... Essay Competition 'HOPE PROJECT" ...see the ===>>> http://www.iseehope.org Nigeria arise to rebuild Hope ++++++++++++++ Nigerians for Nigeria, rebuilding a Country where No man is oppressed. - --- Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] **********Keep Hope Alive!!!************* ****Internet Solution**** A one stop solution for your web site. It is fully Nigerian, with Hausa, Yorub and Ibo Alphabets and so many resources easy to use and a 24/7 support access. Why go further when a Nigerian, try this one you wont go elsewhere. I ve my signsture to it... PJ Adamz Abuja Nigeria. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
