Message from the Executive Director
Dear Colleague,
On 24 November 2010, I had the privilege of celebrating the first anniversary of the Foundation by felicitating Myrna Padilla, the first ambassador of the Telecentre Women: Digital Literacy Campaign spearheaded by the members of Telecentre.org in over 60 nations around the world. Recognising Myrna marks the beginning of celebrating thousands of Telecentre Women who have contributed to society. After serving as a nanny for more than 20 years, Myrna was able to reap the benefits offered by digital technologies for her own progress, so also in the lives of 300 women she employs today at the BPO centre in Mindanao. Today, Myrna is the President of Mynd Consulting. The Telecentre Women Campaign is an opportunity to produce at least a million more Myrna Padillas, and I invite all readers to join hands with the Foundation in this Campaign.
Telecentres are often misunderstood as technology experiments in remote places, often engineered by some groups who are bent upon proving that telecentres are panacea for all problems facing the society. In that prima facie although completely false, of late, we have seen people comparing telecentres with mobile phones, mainly to suggest that the latter is much more effective in alleviating poverty. It is fancy these days to say that ‘Mobile phones alone can end poverty’ than anything more sensible – a decade of new hype! I believe that with convergence, there is room for mobility devices as tools for change. But, I sincerely believe that these tools are meaningless unless these are used to develop skills, support in decision-taking, and in translating information into time-tested knowledge for daily application. The world may have overcome the power of computing, expanded the scope of communication and the speed of transmission, yet the potential of human capabilities alone can help to take right decisions at the right time, especially in emergency, dire dependency and unpredictable changes the world witnesses due to the Climate Change phenomenon.
The telecentres are all about enhancing the capabilities of millions of intermediaries who can use digital technologies and tools at our disposal today to help make the change. It is important to believe in the inherent strength of human capabilities and the combination of their wisdom and the modern scientific knowledge facilitated through ICT tools as means for mitigating risks, saving costs and increasing income, and enhancing the quality of life. In this, the role played by telecentre based knowledge workers is critical. It is therefore inevitable for public and private systems to help millions of Myrna Padillas to reap the benefits of ICTs, and the Campaign in this new year of the Foundation is a golden opportunity in that direction.
Yours Truly
Basheerhamad Shadrach
Executive DirectorPartner Speak
Our author for this month is Ms. Gabi Barna, Executive Director of EOS Foundation Romania. As the first co-chair of Telecentre-Europe, she has helped it reach the position that it enjoys today. As a partner of Telecentre.org, Ms. Barna tells us about Telecentre Europe and the role that Telecentre.org Foundation continues to play in the now registered organisation.
Telecentre Europe: Let’s Include Everyone!
By Gabi Barna
Digital Inclusion is a serious issue that affects us all. We all know someone who is not connected to our information society. Yet, without strong action, we seemingly accept this situation, since it is not ‘life-threatening’ and doesn’t impact on their life in any noticeable, negative way. In today's knowledge based society however, digital technologies represent a gateway to economic and social development. Across the wider Europe, almost 300 million people live in digital exclusion.
The European region contains an estimated 100,000 telecentres with more than 250,000 staff and 100,000 volunteers. Average usage numbers suggest that these telecentres work directly with at least 25 million digitally excluded citizens per year across the European region.
In April 2008 at the initiative of Telecentre.org, a number of organisations from across Europe met and made a firm commitment to collectively support those who are being left behind. This commitment is called Telecentre-Europe.
Over the past 2 years, Telecentre-Europe, with support, guidance and funding from Telecentre.org has helped many European organisations create relevant and scalable approaches towards achieving e-Inclusion for the next 292 million Europeans. This could only be achieved through real partnerships, and as a main partner, Telecentre.org through its global reach has provided Telecentre-Europe with many opportunities to learn from others and share its own findings.
Since its start, Telecentre-Europe has grown rapidly, month on month, and has become a trusted partner for many international, national and local organisations and projects. In October 2010, Telecentre-Europe received its legal registration as an International Not for Profit Association (AISBL) and will continue to work with Telecentre.org Fundation and networks across other regions to make a difference for those who most need support and who are hardest to reach.
For more information, visit www.telecentre-europe.org
News from our partners
CICT Philippines, PhilCecNet and Telecentre.org organized the 6th Knowledge Exchange Conference (KEC) on Community eCenters
The 6th KEC was held in Cebu City on 24-25 November 2010 The theme for the conference was “Innovate for Strength and Sustainability”. It focused on strengthening the potentials of existing CeCs for self-sufficiency, relevant to the communities they serve and a powerful tool for empowerment and participation of underdeveloped communities.
One of the important events during the KEC was the Launch of Telecentre.org’s Telecentre Women: Digital Literacy Campaign.
Telecentre.org partners in Colombia continue to contribute to digital literacy
Another leg of digital literacy skills programs was initiated in November across Libraries in Hailstorm and Country Valdez districts of Colombia.
The project was jointly initiated by Telecentre.org partner Colnodo, along with Ministry of ICT, the National Network of Telecentres and Libraries as well as the Makaia Corporation. With this training the participants saw ICT as an essential tool for their lives. It is expected to help integrate them into society, where they feel actively involved. Read..
ITU Asia Pacific Centre of Excellence's Training Workshop
Telecentre.org partner ITU organised a training workshop on “Inclusive e-Services & e-Applications for Communities”.
This workshop focused on the importance of effective deployment of ICT applications, services and contents for inclusive and sustainable ICT development particularly in rural and/or remote areas. Addressed to Policy Makers, Regulators, Corporate Executives and Managers, administrators and officials dealing with telecentre and/or rural ICT development related activities, this training aimed to build necessary skills and to provide an opportunity to share and learn practices in different locations, conditions and circumstances.
A big leap towards a knowledge society in Bangladesh
Telecentre.org congratulates D.Net for playing a fundamental role in preparing Bangladesh for the launching of Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) in all 4501 union parishad complexes across the country. D.Net introduced the concept of public access to ICTs for rural people for improving their livelihood and empowerment. On November 11, 2010, hon'ble PM Shaikh Hasina launched 4501 UISCs across the country through video conferencing.Read..
Telecentre.org partner Fundacion Esplai led a 2 day training for virtual tutors in Barcelona
In November, under the project European VET Solutions for e-Inclusion, Fundacion Esplai trained a team of multinational tutors in preparation for rolling out its first virtual pilot course across Europe in February 2011. The tutors were trained on strategies and methodologies about e-learning. The seminar also drew a route-map of the e-learning activities for the next 3 months. Read..
Telecentre.org partner DEF announces the Manthan Award South Asia 2010 Finalists!!!
Manthan Award was launched in 2004, by Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in partnership with World Summit Award, Department of IT, Govt. of India, and other stakeholders like civil society members, media etc. engaged in promoting digital content inclusiveness in the whole of South Asian nation states for development.
The winners will be announced and awarded during the Manthan Award South Asia 2010 Gala Evening on Dec 18, 2010.
DEF is consulting with Telecentre.org for establishment of the India Telecentre Network
ATACH participates in the 3rd International Seminar of FIA: “Tools to improve the competitiveness in agriculture”
Telecentre.org’s partner in Chile, ATACH participated in the 3rd International Seminar on agriculture and ICT organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and FIA. Important national and international delegates deliberated on topics related to “More and better connectivity”, “Digital content development related with agriculture” and “Training rural digital”. Read..
Telecentre-Europe Summit 2010
Telecentre.org’s partner Telecentre Europe organized the 3rd Telecentre-Europe Summit in Budapest, Hungary during 13-14 October 2010. The key theme was - how telecentres could maximize their contribution towards a successful European digital agenda.Discussions were held on achieving European eCitizenship, eSkills for everyone, Building telecentre capacity.
Telecentre.org brought speakers from around the globe to deliberate on: priorities and requirements for nurturing capable telecentre operators, targeting financial, institutional, social and technology sustainability, best practices from a global arena, etc.
The summit also witnessed the first General Assembly of the newly registered Telecentre-Europe a.i.s.b.l.
Read..
Workshop - Discover the Free Software at CNFC in Benin, West Africa
Telecentre.org MENA in the Nat'l Congress for the development and sustainability of their women and technology program; and also launched the Month of Yemen
Internet in African cities: Abidjan case study
Global Impact Study launches extensive public Access venue inventory database
Green drive by Koslanda Nenasala of Sri Lanka
Stop Violence Against Women's Week (25th Nov-1st Dec). Join Telecentre and Gender discussions
Sri Lanka re-elected to UNESCAP's ICT Committee chairmanship
News from the Foundation
Telecentre.org Foundation is one year old!!
On 24th of November 2010, Telecentre.org celebrated its 1st Foundation Day. It is in this day that the Telecentre.org Foundation officially took over the responsibility to support and steer the Telecentre.org program from IDRC and was registered in Manila, Philippines as a non-profit international organization. Starting with the appointment of its first trustees and Dr. Shadrach as its Executive Director, the program has gathered great momentum over the last one year. Read more…
Telecentre.org Foundation’s 3rd IAC meeting held in Cebu City on 22nd November 2010
The Foundation team met with the members of the International Advisory Council (IAC) to present updates on the developments at the Foundation. While addressing the meeting Mr. Richard Fuchs, Chairman of the Board, stressed on important aspects of the Foundation’s work: the upcoming Telecentre Women: Digital Literacy Campaign and its relevance. He felt that the focus on women in telecentres was long overdue. He recognized the importance of Telecentre.org Academy and felt that it answered the need to endorse and recognize the skills that people learn in the telecentre space, and the Academy provided a global way to acknowledge such people. He felt it was very important to focus on technology for the poor.... Read..
Telecentre.org launched its first campaign "Telecentre Women: Digital Literacy campaign" on 24th November 2010
On the occassion of its 1st Foundation Day, Telecentre.org Foundation, along with its partners launched the Telecentre Women: Digital Literacy Campaign, announcing the inspiring Myrna Padilla as its first ambassador. Read more
http://www.telecentre.org/profiles/blogs/telecentre-women-digital
http://women.telecentrefound.org/
Please join us in extending a warm welcome our new team members
Ms. Amparo Montemayor- De Asis, Capacity Building Manager (adeasis@telecentre.org)
Ms. Anna Liza Pineda, Program Assistant for Technical Operations (apineda@telecentre.org)
Ongoing activities at the Foundation
Upcoming Global Meeting
The Foundation together with its partners in the Latin America and Caribbean region will host the biennial global meeting in Santiago Chile in April 2011.
Capacity Building
Councellors’ Workshop on Telecentre Management Certificate Course
Telecentre.org Academy organized a Councellors’ workshop on its Telecentre Management (TM) Certificate Course on 29th and 30th November in Mumbai. The workshop was co-organised by IGNOU, MSSRF and GGA.
The main objectives of the workshop were to introduce the TM curriculum to the telecentre operators, analyse their understanding of the curriculum, motivate the participants to become Telecentre.org Academy Counsellors (TACs), develop a concrete support system and assign specific roles and rules for TACs.
Networking
As an outcome from the recent BoT and IAC meeting, it was decided that existing partners will be invited to join as Telecentre.org 'members' in a more formal manner. The Foundation will be in touch with all partners in signing up as members.
For more details, contact our People & Organizational Networking Manager, adavid@telecentre.org
Community Learning
The Russian community website is under construction and will be available soon. Also, improvements on look and feel of main Telecentre.org website and the global community website are currently on, as well as discussions about additional Community Learning Coordinators (CLCs) for the African region.
For more details contact our Manager, Community Learning babdon@telecentre.org
2010-12-02
Telecentre.org Foundation Newsletter, December 2010
via hosted.vresp.com
