emerging leaders for a digital world

Published by DiploFoundation (2011) Address: 4th Floor, Regional Building Regional Rd. Msida, MSD 2033, Malta E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.diplomacy.edu Layout: Rudolf Tušek Editor: Sheba Mohammid

This document has been produced in the context of the Capacity Building and Community Develop-ment Programme in Internet governance and ICT policy for ACP countries. The programme was run by DiploFoundation (lead project institution) with the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States as the con-tracting authority. The programme was funded by the European Union.The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circum-stances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union, Secretariat of the ACP Group of States, or DiploFoundation.

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EMERGING LEADERS FOR THE DIGITAL WORLD

CONTENTS

52 Angelic Caroline Alihusain-del Castilho from Suriname breaks through the barriers of development

58 Anju Mangal from Fiji defines development in the context of current realities

34 Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala from Vanuatu is raising awareness of Internet governance issues

42 Valmikki Singh from Guyana emphasises the need for Internet governance regimes and representation

46 Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala from Madagascar is bridging the digital divide

28 Shareeni Kala from Fiji makes the link between Internet governance and e-learning

14 Arlene Buckmire-Outram from Grenada seeks to marry education with ICT

24 Lenandlar Singh from Guyana talks about incorporating Internet governance issues into teaching

8 Sheba Mohammid from Trinidad and Tobago re-imagines the future

18 Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry from Mauritius believes in the power of personal contributions

38 Sam Goundar from Fiji is working to develop awareness of Internet governance issues

4 Foreword

6 Introduction

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82 Felix Samakande from Zimbabwe broadens his diplomatic bandwidth

94 Tracy Hackshaw from Trinidad and Tobago shares what his mother taught him

62 Eliot Nsega from Uganda faces the challenges of an Africa-wide ICT strategy

68 Maduka Attamah from Nigeria is working to strengthen the region’s participation in the continued evolution of the Internet and its applications

90 Judith Okite from Kenya opens her eyes to opportunity

72 Michele Marius in Jamaica ponders the impact of development on a society

86 Gaongalelwe-Gaolaolwe Mosweu from Botswana fulfils a promise

76 Sala Tamanikaiwaimaro from Fiji is on the lookout for ways to strengthen capacity in the region and to impact policy

100 Chronology of the ACP Programme: Major Points of Interests

102 Creating Effective and Sustainable Research Learning Networks

104 Impact in the making – Examples at national, regional, and sub-regional level

106 Beneficiaries and participants

118 In the wings: Lead Institution Team

119 Partnership: Lead institution, partners and support

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Foreword

These stories of emerging leaders are a vivid and impressive outcome of the ACP-Information and Commu-nication Technologies (@CP-ICT) programme, which was initiated in recognition of the importance of Internet and ICT for poverty reduc-tion and sustainable development of ACP member states. While we can witness the fast growth of the Inter-net in ACP member states, we can see that governance and policy struc-tures are still in many cases in their infancy, especially on a regional and sub-regional level. The full poten-tial of the Internet as an engine for social and economic development can be realised only within a proper policy and governance framework. The @CP-ICT programme aimed to address this specific need.

Capacity development is another priority for the ACP Secretariat. This is particularly the case in dealing with global policy issues. Many ACP states face the problem of increas-ing demand to participate in the global policy processes with limited financial and human resources. Most global issues, such as climate change, migration, trade, and health cannot be ignored by ACP states. On the contrary, they are very often crucial for their economic and social development. The ACP Secretariat is putting a lot of effort into meeting

this huge challenge. It is why our @CP-ICT programme aimed at address-ing a possible capacity gap in the emerging policy area of Internet governance and ICT policy.

DiploFoundation led one of the projects within the framework of the @CP-ICT programme, the results of which we see in this publication. More than 500 participants from ACP countries participated in the various training, research, and policy immer-sion activities. Of them, these unique and inspiring accounts showcase 19 emerging leaders for a digital world, attesting to a rapid and noticeable impact of the project. Even before it had run its course, we at the ACP Secretariat were proud to witness the first concrete impacts, with the participants in the project addressing real-life policy issues such as cyber-security in the Pacific region or the introduction of the .africa domain.

It is our hope that the emerging lead-ers showcased here, together with many others who benefited from the project, will contribute towards fast and sustainable development of the Internet in ACP countries.

Dr. Mohamed Ibn ChambasSecretary General of the ACP Group

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Introduction

The emerging leaders, whose stories feature in this publi-cation, are among 501 participants from 60 ACP countries who participated in the Capacity Building and Community Development Programme in Internet Governance and ICT Policy for ACP countries (the ACP Programme), financed by the EU @CP-ICT Programme 9th European Development Fund (EDF), and with support of the Secretariat of the ACP Group of states and seven partner institutions from the ACP region. The main focus of the programme was on capacity development for regional and sub-regional insti-tutions involved in IG and ICT Policy. The programme was based on Diplo’s capacity development methodology consisting of three main components: training, policy research, and policy immersion.

Key outcomes of the programme include:• A community of IG and ICT policymakers throughout

all ACP countries, working together to develop good practice in ICT policy regulations and promote greater stakeholder awareness of IG and ICT issues.

• A group of next-generation ICT/IG policymakers who have built their skills and confidence through the training of trainers component and are ready to facili-tate the continued development of this area.

About the programme

Back in 2005, Diplo sublimated its 10+ years of experience with online learning into the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) – a blend of online courses, policy research projects, fellowship opportunities, and community development, designed to assist individuals and institutions from both developed and developing countries to participate in the global decision-shaping debate and to impact local and regional policies meaningfully.

The successful delivery of IGCBP over the years with over 500 participants provided building blocks for the ACP Programme. The primary focus of the programme was on regional and sub-regional cooperation. The creation of (sub) regional policy communities involved participants from (sub)regional institutions, governments, non-govern-

mental organisations, private sector, media and universi-ties. Through a multistakeholder approach the programme reflected the reality of modern internet governance policy-shaping and decision-making.

The ACP programme ran from September 2009 to Septem-ber 2011 and consisted of several components.

Online training coursesTwo annual rounds of the 12-week foundation courses in IG were held – in 2010 and 2011 – introducing IG policies, processes, and actors, and covering five thematic baskets. Each basket focused on a specific perspective addressing issues related to infrastructure and standardisation, legal aspects, economic perspectives, sociocultural issues, and development. The course also included an understand-ing the IG process, actors, negotiations, and main policy instruments. The foundation courses were followed by specialised advance courses on issues such as intellectual property rights, privacy and data protection, infrastruc-ture and cybersecurity.

In 2011, an additional specialised course was introduced focusing on developing and implementing national/regional ICT policy and strategic plans, providing partic-ipants with a practical toolkit. The course focused on discussing and applying the various stages, approaches, methodologies, and techniques required for success-fully designing and implementing national ICT strategies. Topics included project plans, risks and mitigation strate-gies, change management monitoring and reporting, and continuous enhancement.

All course learning activities took place in an online classroom and included the analysis of course materials, interactive group discussions using a variety of communi-cation tools, assignments, and exams. Successful partici-pants were awarded a certificate of completion.

Training workshopsA total of 10 in situ training workshops for ACP offi-cials and professionals were organised in various coun-

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tries: Kenya, Ghana, Jamaica, Cook Islands, Fiji, Lithuania (at the global IG Forum), Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago, Ethiopia and South Africa. The workshops included the introduction to IG and ICT policy challenges and practical exercises on policy negotiations and planning. A number of regional and national experts were also involved as lecturers or within some of the many case-study group exercises, thematic debates, and process simulations.

Online policy researchThe policy research phase started with an introduc-tory online course which was held between October and November 2010 with the main purpose to provide partic-ipants with online research skills. After the course, 12 research groups started their collaborative research work in January 2011. The groups focused on e-commerce, education, e-government, e-learning, e-participation, human rights, ICT development, IG policy, infrastructure, openness and security. Research groups were assisted by international and regional experts and guided by certified Diplo online tutors.

Interactive group work identified 23 of the best students that completed their policy research papers reflecting burning local and regional IG and ICT challenges. The list of all papers and authors from ACP countries is available later in this book, while full papers have been published online at www.diplomacy.edu/acp

Policy immersionAfter training and research, policy immersion provided practical experience in dealing with ICT and IG issues. It included participation at the major IG/ICT events. Fellow-ship included participation of most successful participants in the 5th Internet Governance Forum held in Vilnius, Lithuania in September 2010, Pacific IGF held in Noumea, New Caledonia in April 2011, Latin-American and Carib-bean IGF held in Tobago in August 2011, regional African IGF meetings held in Brazzaville, Congo, and Johannes-burg, South Africa during summer 2011, and other.

Train the Trainers programmeIn June 2010, 15 of the most successful participants of the online course were invited to take part in the Train the Trainers online course. The course dealt with the practi-cal side of tutoring online courses, and included hands-on activities. After passing the final exam, successful partic-ipants were awarded certificates and certified as Diplo tutors. The online course was supported by several in situ activities during the IGF in Lithuania in September 2010. The additional practical training was provided in Decem-ber 2010, followed by the chance for trained trainers to participate in delivery of online courses throughout 2011.

Awareness building and knowledge sharingA wide range of media such as posters, comic books and multimedia was developed in order to facilitate awareness building and knowledge sharing on IG and ICT policy in ACP countries. The particular focus was on youth, women, people with disabilities, and others who are not suffi-ciently represented in the policy process. The resources included books and comics, movies and video anima-tions, illustrations and posters, as well as calendars, ‘do not disturb’ signs, USB memory sticks with materials, and other useful visuals in forms of gadgets.

Emerging leaders

The ACP programme has identified and empowered a number of emerging leaders in the region. These emerging leaders, supported by Diplo, managed to initiate regional IG forums; organise online debates on .Africa Internet Top Level Domain; drive further training and education in St Kitts and Nevis and around the Pacific; and reach out to government officials and get their support. We believe that it is these emerging leaders who will drive the econ-omy and the development of their regions by the mean-ingful usage of ICT and the Internet. There are many more emerging leaders we need to identify and empower. In the meantime, we need to continue to support these 19 in their endeavours. These are their stories. n

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Sheba Mohammid from Trinidad and Tobago re-imagines the future

People are always saying that things aren’t black and white and that there are many shades of grey. But two stories are told about the Caribbean: one is of white sand and blue seas; the other is of poor people who deserve sympathy. I am from Trinidad and Tobago. I was born in 1983, and my father named me Sheba because it was the strongest girl’s name he could imagine. My coming of age is inextricably intertwined with the Internet. Things aren’t always black and white; sometimes they are in colour.

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin island state that has miraculously survived its share of changed hands, revolution, independence, unimaginable cruelties, and earth-shattering

beauty. It is at once indigenous, colonised, independent, and global. Surrounding it is indeed the azure of the Caribbean sea but also the violent crashes of the Atlantic that tell of journeys made, lives lost, and civilisations found and founded. Long before globalisation became a fashionable term, this soil was stepped on by travellers from many continents who came as slaves, indentured servants, masters, and missionaries; they never left but became entangled in one dream. No island is an island.

Development = ?

I grew up in the midst of a country struggling to come to terms with development – how to achieve it and what it even

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meant. Was progress a straight line forward? The buildings got taller and the streets more full of homeless people that men in suits drove past in air-conditioned cars. Poverty and misplaced opportunities were real. There was a palpable frustration with systems that did not work. Fast-food chains popped up, and some people starved. Children were taught and not heard as they were tested and standardised to regurgitate answers to other people’s questions. But the mountains were still green after the rain, and there was a wildness in the waves and in masqueraders mocking history. Revelry remained.

Question everything

I once heard about a man who drove past a sign near a university that read in ominous black print: Question Everything. The next day he drove past again only to see that someone had spray painted ‘Why?’ My grandmother, an extraordinary woman, said that as a child I would ask endless questions. I had Audio Books Beta, if you will, as my mother read to me about everything, and my father told stories of his childhood adventures in a land that was being paved over. As soon as I could, I was reading and writing my own stories and drawing on every scrap of paper I could find, the backs of calendars and important documents. I was staining clothes with ground-up samples of hibiscus flowers, dipping litmus paper, and collecting specimens. I was

orchestrating worlds in which all the neighbourhood children would play along, and we would spend so much time playing that sometimes daylight would run out before we finished. And I was asking questions.

I was 16 when the world prepared for the apocalypse of Y2K and still 16 when nothing happened. Coming of age with the Internet meant that I got the sense that I could ‘e-Anything’ I wanted when I grew up. Coupled with this was the never-ending stream of well-meaning voices that explained in no uncertain terms that failure was inevitable.

Rethinking knowledge

When I chose to do both arts and sciences in school, people shook their heads. You did not get a scholarship with a combination like that. I went on

to win a national scholarship. When I asked the University of Manchester if I could do more than the Environmental Sciences degree I had applied for, they listened, and I went on to get first class honours in Built and Natural Environment, Literary Studies, and Drama. I studied poverty and policy, sociology and sciences, deconstructed imaginings and ideology, and media and methods. I had always been interested in multidisciplinary strategies for change and the potential of technology as a vehicle to move forward.

When I came back to Trinidad, they did not know where to put me. I didn’t fit into their system. I was released from my contract with the government, and Google called and paid me what I suppose is its highest compliment: the recruiter said that I was very ‘Googly.’ I

Sheba Mohammid

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started interviewing for a job in London. My files were in a folder locked away in a government building and I stopped at the local Scholarship Division to ask for directions. As serendipity would have it, the director had my CV on his desk and told me about a new section that was looking at national ICT. I blame what happened next on an unlikely combination of the following – destiny, that nagging feeling from too many 1980’s save-the-world cartoons, a family that is too remarkable for its own good, and that question, what is the point of anything if you don’t make a difference? So I stayed.

Working towards strategies for greater digital inclusion

Fast-forward half a decade, and you find me working in information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D). I did not fit what people thought IG/ICT looked like. Older men told me I had no

place here. Sexism and bigotry were condoned under the guise of culture.

I went on to study advanced Internet governance (IG) and its technical, economic, legal, sociocultural, and development dimensions, along with ICT policy. I was appointed research expert on the ACP IG Research Programme. Locally, there was great pleasure in working in the face of stagnant systems with dedicated people to effect positive change through National Policy, Connected Government e-Legislative reform, Multichannel Service delivery and ICT4Education.

When I visited Malta on official government business, the immigration officer looked at me, a twenty-something girl in a hoodie and quizzically looked back down at the official passport. I did not look like governance. However, I have journeyed to Egypt and Lithuania to speak as a panellist

and moderator for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and have been a Commonwealth fellow and an ACP fellow to the IGF. People were interested in the voice of a small island developing state, and they, too, asked questions.

I am humbled to be a facilitator in ICT policy and strategy e-learning for participants from all over Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean regions. I am also grateful to be regionally appointed as a DiploFoundation trainer for Internet Governance Capacity Building for South America and the mainland Caribbean region. I have met brilliant people from all over who believe in change. I have heard so many diverse perspectives from my visits to other countries while conducting ACP awareness raising of IG issues.

We are working towards strategies for greater digital inclusion. I have learnt the

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power of collaboration through the Regional Online Group on Caribbean IG and ICT Policy Solutions. I started with participants from over 15 countries. A groundswell in the developing world is rippling, and as one of the founding members of the Internet Society (ISOC) chapter in Trinidad and Tobago, I encourage other countries to get involved.

The many faces of IG

Of course, the girl is still questioning as she now conducts research on the sociology of the Internet, focusing on youth behaviour. My work applies digital ethnography to the developing world to investigate how young people there are using the Internet for identity

and social inclusion. Perhaps IG has many faces that one did not imagine.

This is only the beginning. There is so much work still to be done. There are so many unraveling threads. There is so much still to create. There is much need to better use the Internet for development. Beyond this, there is still much need for the developing world to play a more significant role in shaping what development means to them and in shaping what the Internet will become. When I was asked to contribute to and edit this collection of stories, I was again humbled as I had the opportunity to meet amazing pioneers who are changing the face of the Internet and changing

lives. I am grateful to them. I am grateful to people who push and believe in the face of naysayers, and to groups that have believed in me, particularly DiploFoundation, EU ACP, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Council of Europe. I am grateful to a beautiful and inspiring family and to my friends who have also grown up with the Internet and understand it in their own ways. These are not stories in black and white or even shades of grey. They are in colour. We are emerging not from something but towards something… perhaps a future we cannot even imagine.

Sheba Mohammid is an ICT Policy Specialist in Trinidad and Tobago. n

Sheba Mohammid

‘We are emerging not from something but towards something… perhaps a future we cannot even imagine.’

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‘Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.’

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Arlene Buckmire-Outram from Grenada seeks to marry education with ICT

I was born in Grenada, a small island at the southern end of the Caribbean archipelago, and grew up amongst books, as my mother was chief librarian on the island. From an early age, I was immersed in learning – reading was my only pastime. I was the youngest of three daughters, and while my two older sisters were one year apart in age, I had come nearly four years later. I was the sister no one knew, shy and content to live with my books.

I have overcome that shyness sufficiently and now have a family of my own with two children, one boy and one girl. I have delved into various fields of study, including Public Administration, International Relations, Tourism Management, and Human Resource Management. Now, somewhat

out of necessity, I am studying Education and working towards the marriage of Education with ICT.

Enthralled by Internet governance

My early thirst for knowledge has persisted to some extent, since for no good reason I have become enthralled in ICT and Internet governance (IG). My introduction to IG was at a brief ‘lecture’ at an ICT-related conference, and I was immediately taken by the complexities of the issues. Now, having completed the DiploFoundation course, these complexities no longer seem esoteric but, instead, extremely relevant for us in the Caribbean region as we journey towards becoming knowledge societies.

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Arlene Buckmire-Outram

Coming from a small island, with no natural resources other than our people, ICT is now being considered a possible vehicle for development, as is the case with so many other sectors. My island is currently very dependent on tourism and the provision of like services, alongside, of course, the traditional agricultural base. However, ours is the quest to diversify and to find the niche that can transform our economy, one which will allow us to climb out of the poverty cycle and improve the lives of our citizens. Traditionally exporters of cocoa and nutmeg, our agricultural sector was completely devastated in 2004 with Hurricane Ivan. Since then, the country has been struggling to rebound and has recently identified ICT as one of the ‘pillars’ on which it hopes to rebuild its economy.

Dedicated to ICT

The identification of ICT as such led to placing the ICT

portfolio under the Prime Minister’s Office, and I became the first dedicated Permanent Secretary to that area/sector. ICT was certainly not within my areas of training, and so I had to learn and learn quickly. The opportunity to explore the field of IG has been invaluable. It has opened my eyes to our everyday use of the Internet, which I had never focused on in any organised way before, but many issues are relevant and important for all users to be aware of. It is an interesting and fascinating field, and I have enjoyed exploring it tremendously.

The ICT sector here has, however, been hit and miss up until now. As with many of our Caribbean neighbours, policy is determined in five-year spans, and there is often little continuity between changing administrations. This, I believe, has plagued our approach and ability to benefit from the sector. Changing administrations, coupled with

a general lack of understanding of ICT by policymakers within the region, provides a clear picture of the problems we face. Admittedly, however, the islands are all at different stages in the adoption and use of ICTs for development.

I am now part of an IG community with a cadre of people within the regions of Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, who are able to advocate the need for collective decision-making with regard to the governance of the Internet. This community can, through collaborative effort, develop greater general awareness of the importance of IG and of the need for us in the developing world to ensure that our voices are heard and our interests recognised and considered.

Serious about responsibility

The implications for the use of ICT within the educational system are of particular importance. There has been

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the trend towards one-to-one computing within the educational system, with one laptop per child becoming a popular and largely political tool. However, even as we move towards creating greater access for school-aged children, it is increasingly necessary to control what youths are being exposed to. It is necessary to ensure the responsible use of technology and to stress the innovation and knowledge sharing that technology allows over the opportunity for piracy, slander, and other ‘negative’ activities.

Of critical importance here is social networking awareness in our students. Again, the value of such networking must be weighed against other factors. Whatever is placed on the Internet becomes part of our ‘footprint’ and can be monitored by those who wish us well or by those with less noble intentions. What is exposed in jest can later determine the course of our future employment and other opportunities, and our young users must be made aware of

this. From my perspective, little has been done to create such awareness or to stimulate thought amongst young minds in Grenada, and this is one area to which I will turn my attention.

As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, my journey into the realm of Internet governance, and now

into ICT Policy and Strategy, has equipped me to assist in shaping the structured and productive approach to ICT and Internet use within the school system and thus to contribute to the development of my country.

Arlene Buckmire-Outram is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education in Grenada. n

Copyright Khari Outram

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‘The opportunity to explore the field of IG has been invaluable. It has opened my eyes to our everyday use of the Internet, which I had never focused on in any organised way before, but many issues are relevant and important for all users to be aware of. It is an interesting and fascinating field, and I have enjoyed exploring it tremendously.’


Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry from Mauritius believes in the power of personal contributions

I am from the beautiful tropical island Mauritius, situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean. The total population of Mauritius is over1.2 million, composed of various communities, religions, and ethnicities which settled here during the British colonial era.

I was born in a small village called Sebastopol, situated on the eastern side of the island, which has always been surrounded by sugarcane fields, rivers, and mountain ranges. My village is a very calm place to live, where most of the inhabitants are labourers, skilled workers, farmers, vegetable planters, and some have their own little businesses.

I live with my mom, who is a housewife, my father, who is a retired administrative officer, and with my brothers, an uncle,

aunties, cousins, a sister-in-law, and a cute little nephew. I am the eldest son in the family.

The learning begins

After Mauritius gained its independence, primary and secondary education became free for everyone. I went to the village’s primary school, spending six years there, after which I was admitted to the secondary college in the next nearest village. It was during my college time that I got a PC (thanks to my dad and mom), and from that time I started showing an interest in computer studies. During that same period, I started doing art and technical designs. These subjects were what would make my future.

At that time, Mauritius had only one university serving the

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whole island: the University of Mauritius (UOM). God knows how my heart beat every time I passed by the university, thinking that one day I would be there. Unfortunately, after completing my secondary education, I was not admitted to the university because of tough competition and entry requirements. However, I was not discouraged. I applied to a private institution which was just getting started at that time and which was offering Bachelor programmes in IT and computer studies, using distance learning methods from a UK-based tertiary education institution.

Due to the high fees, I could not complete my Bachelor studies, so I finished them with a diploma in IT.

Embarking on a professional life

As I was fond of technical design and art, I had been playing around with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software since college. Then I discovered Macromedia Dreamweaver during

my tertiary education. Whenever I could, I used to design websites and their multimedia content. Eventually this became my passion, which I still have. After completing my diploma, it was hard for me to find a job so that I could finish my studies. I started doing every small job I could find. For some jobs I was either over qualified or under qualified (the latter due to lack of experience at that time). Some of the early jobs I did were carry-boy in textile factories, salesman, part-time graphic designer, and web designer and developer. Life taught me that there is no big or small job; any job done with honesty, which at the end of the day makes someone’s life better, is a great job.

So, after having done almost more than a year of part-time, graphic designer and web developer jobs, I got my first permanent job in a well known, established Mauritian company that was providing web-based solutions to its local clients. From there, I started my career as a web-based application

developer, multimedia designer, and project manager.

A career evolving

After some years of experience in the local market, I shifted to the emerging business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors of Mauritius. These BPO sectors were serving American and European markets in terms of online services, like web applications, online support and interaction services, and multimedia content. I got the chance to experiment with more than 90% of what an ICT-related profit-making business has to offer, ranging from technical tasks, like system and network administration, security, application development, technical support, end-user training, and project management, to non-technical tasks, like marketing and communications, and public relations management.

Despite not having any specialised training, I was able to do all these tasks in different posts and was able to deliver

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Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry

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quality work. Without any hesitation, I give all the credit to my colleagues and teams who shared their knowledge with me and provided their support during my career evolution.

After spending more than four years in European profit-making organisations based in Mauritius, I felt that I needed to do something that could reach more people in the region. I decided to shift to the non-profit-making world, which indirectly led to me direct involvement in the world of the Internet; this was far more than what I could have imagined at that time.

Moving to the Internet world

In 2007, I joined the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) as webmaster and multimedia designer. Compared to my previous posts, this role was, if I may say, in a lower hierarchy, but at that time I wanted to contribute to a cause that was greater than just making a profit for a business organisation and which could reach a greater audience. AfriNIC is one of the five regional Internet registries (RIR) in the world responsible for the Internet number resources management for the African and Indian Ocean region. AfriNIC is a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation, which is run independently of governments and private sectors operating in its service region.

At AfriNIC, we have a small team of people who invest their

time and effort in maintaining and bringing more Internet development to the region, despite the limited financial and human resources.

At AfriNIC, I am exposed to the international world, so that I can qualify as being more ‘connected’ to the big, renowned organisations in the field of the global Internet, such as, but not limited to:• IANA / ICANN• NRO/ ASO• ITU• ISOC• IGF• Cisco (trainings)• Google

At regional level, I have the opportunity to get directly involved with entities, like African Network Operators Group (AfNOG), African Asian Forum, and African Government Working Group (AfGWG).

At AfriNIC, apart from my technical job, I have the opportunity to push my limits by multitasking and becoming multiskilled, delivering quality

services with fewer resources. I serve the technical department, communication and marketing department, and the training section at the same time. I do this by managing projects that enable the quick and smart implementation of online solutions through rich multimedia web content and applications, while having the least cost involved.

Continuing my education through work

As a direct result of my exposure to the Internet world, I started orientating myself towards:• open source technologies;• policy discussions going

on in the African region regarding Internet number resource management;

• Internet governance (IG) issues;

• infrastructure, network technology, and application;

• standards, accessibility, and usability issues; and

• topics related to IPv4 and IPv6 at the regional and international levels.

After almost four years in such a dynamic environment as AfriNIC, I have become more aware of what I call the ‘ICT governance issues’ (rather than just calling it IG, for Internet governance) in the African region.

Why ‘ICT governance?’ In my opinion, we can start discussing the Internet if, first, we have the required basic infrastructure needed for the Internet to exist. For that to

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happen, we need reliable energy sources, combined with data transmitters (coppers, fibres, or wireless), whereby, in the end, we have data-capturing devices, such as mobile computers, phones, or PCs.

Some of the major issues in the African region that we, as individuals, have to face are infrastructure implementation, awareness, and education. Luckily, there have been encouraging steps taken by several stakeholders and the younger generations to move forward with ICT development in the region. One such example has been the development of mobile services and open source technology development and adoption in order to provide easily accessible education, which is the source of all development.

After a long time, I decided to complete my Bachelor’s degree. This time I was accepted to the BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology course at Greenwich University in the UK. I completed it through distance

learning, while working at the same time.

During that same period, a colleague from the office circulated an e-mail regarding the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP11) course by DiploFoundation. I applied and received a scholarship. The IGCBP introduced me to something that I can say has become a growing passion: ICT governance and capacity building through interaction, awareness, and education for, not just technicians, but for everyone, without any form of exclusion.

Before joining the course, I had the perception that my country was not well positioned or was lagging behind when compared to those African countries, like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and many others, which are catching up quickly in regard to Internet connectivity and bandwidth. I was always complaining that the local bandwidth is not worth the price we are paying for it and about the poor service

quality. During the course, I had the privilege to join the Pacific group. That was in itself a different experience, which put me in contact with several technicians and non-technical people. I learned about their situation related to their ICT operational conditions, which were facts based on their geographical, cultural, economical, and educational background.

Since then, I have learned to value what I have as ICT-related facilities on my island, which are not the best or of worldwide standard, technically speaking, but I now love my 512 kbps dsl Internet connection more than I did before joining the IGCBP.

Taking the initiative

What I didThe more I learned from my classmates and course lectures, the more ready I was feeling to start initiatives based on the capacity building programme. The first initiative that I took during the course was to become a sustainable member of the Internet Society (ISOC). Sadly, the local ISOC chapter was in a ‘coma’ period, due to several factors. Nevertheless, with the support of my CEO (Mr Akplogan) and CTO (Mr Goburdhan) of AfriNIC, I started contributing actively to the preparation of the first stakeholders meeting for the ISOC Mauritius Chapter rejuvenation. During that initiative, I got in contact with the ISOC Chapter and Members Manager, with whom I coordinated the preparation of


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the meeting. At the same time, I took care of all the logistics, along with the reception of the meeting attendants.

Why did I invest my personal time and effort in all this? I believe in contributing to the establishment of an organisation which could become a platform for all the inhabitants of a country where they voice their opinions and concerns regarding ICT development and the services available to them. If I am not wrong, I was among the first group of people on the island who started using Facebook when it still had less than one million members. As someone from the new generation, I started setting an example, and that was my first effort to show other youngsters that

technology ameliorates certain aspects of life, but it also requires contribution (technical and non-technical) from each and every person who is or could be a potential user. That contribution can range from something as simple as replying to an ICT policies-related mailing list, to joining forums/platforms/organisations which operate for the promotion of ICT development.

That was also why, during the IGCBP foundation class chat sessions, or in my hypertext entries and forum posts, I always made the argument with my classmates that you must start making changes to yourself instead of counting on others (governments, business sectors, and regulators) to do the work for you.

What I plan to do My second initiative, about which I am currently in negotiation with potential support partners and stakeholders, is to provide ICT governance workshops (based on the IGCBP foundation model) to students from colleges and universities, as well as to the general public. Also, as part of the capacity building initiative, I am preparing a course targeting small and medium-sized local enterprises, especially for women entrepreneurs. This particular capacity building programme will be about equipping the entrepreneurs with necessary online skills that will allow them to communicate and market their products using many of the freely available open source tools and social

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‘Some of the major issues in the African region that we, as individuals, have to face are infrastructure implementation, awareness, and education.’

networking techniques based on a set of compiled tutorials. I plan to provide these courses myself.

Educating for the future

After successfully completing the IGCBP foundation level, I had the privilege and honour of receiving a second scholarship from DiploFoundation for the advanced course with a focus on the intellectual property rights (IPR) module. I have also been selected as the alumni moderator for the IPR forum.

During this phase, I am expecting to learn more about the IPR digital era as compared to the classical IPR era. This will help me in the preparation for the LLM course in ICT law that I am planning to take next year, after which I want to become an ICT governance practitioner and advisor once I have reached the required level of expertise. During that period, I am thinking of two possible theses which I can research, either related to e-governance and/or an ICT legal framework template for quick adoption by developing countries.

Moving forward

The IGCBP opened my eyes regarding several matters, but it also confirmed one of my opinions. I won’t say that the situation is alarming, but I believe that, with the collaboration of the required stakeholders, we can still do a better job at achieving sound and flourishing ICT development, not to compete

with others but rather to make one’s life easier.

I also noticed from the network which I developed during the foundation course that the first thing we should start working on is the mindsets we have

inherited due to our cultural and economic backgrounds. Then the rest of the elements will gradually follow.

Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry lives in Sebastopol, Mauritius and works for AfriNIC. n


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Lenandlar Singh from Guyana talks about incorporating Internet governance issues into teaching

I was born one Saturday morning in February, 1979, in Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, Guyana. My village was so named by the Dutch. Apparently, it was once a cotton plantation. My parents were both farmers who were themselves raised by farmers. My mother later became a full-time homemaker, while my father still farms up to this day. My great-grandparents came to Guyana from India as indentured immigrants. Incidentally, I spent most of my early years growing up with my great-grandmother, while my parents were busy with farming.

Legend has it that I was destined for something outside of farming and perhaps in ‘education’. This, I unapologetically say, was as a result of what appeared then to be my over-sized head. This did not prevent my grandfather

from presenting me with a calf from his flock on my ‘9-day’ (the official christening). The story continued through my first ten years. I spent most weekends looking after cows, while juggling school work on weekdays. I enjoyed both thoroughly. In 1990, high school called. My dad had no hesitation to part with the cows, much to my chagrin. He was convinced, beyond any doubt, that ‘schooling’ was better than ‘chasing cows’. He often reminded us of the times when his parents had no choice but to send him to the farms instead of to school. The old saying was something to the effect of ‘they can take all the cows from you, but they cannot take away your education.’

I am the oldest of four siblings and have been happily married for almost a decade. For about

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Lenandlar Singh

six months I was a happy father-to-be, but disaster struck in July, 2010, and I lost my son. It was equally devastating for both my wife and me. I have often said that I would give up all my education for my lost son, but life does not work that way, I suppose.

Graduating without the Internet

I entered high school in 1990, and by 1996, while pursuing A-levels, I thought about university. My dream at the time was to do well at my A-levels, try out for a Guyana scholarship, and head to England. This never materialised, as I lost all of my teachers halfway through my A-levels. I resorted to plan B. A

number of areas interested me, including my parents’ dream – medicine. However, for some strange reason, I opted for Computer Science. Interestingly, I hadn’t touched, owned, or seen a computer before. I was encouraged by an elder cousin and grew to like the idea of studying Computer Science. I started at the University of Guyana in 1996 and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. In 1997, I had my first experience with the computer. In those days, it was MS DOS, DB4, Pascal, etc. There was no Internet! In fact, my entire undergraduate years were spent without the Internet and without my own computer. The Internet came to Guyana in the late 1990s and was very much out of the reach of the

majority. It was only after 2000 that more people started to have access. Needless to say, my first years online were spent accessing www.yahoo.com and the directory services provided then. It was as if Yahoo! were the Internet for me.

Engaging with Internet technology

In the summer of 2000, I submitted my undergraduate thesis on ’A model of E-Commerce Integration in Guyana’. Yes, e-commerce, even though I hadn’t spent a single session in all of my undergraduate years studying anything remotely related to Internet technologies. I tried something, as they would say, and it worked. I started

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job hunting, and after dozens of application letters and a similar number of ‘Sorry, we have no vacancy’ replies, I was offered a job in my department as an assistant lecturer. I started learning about Internet technologies with the help of a VSO colleague and friend from England. I was soon teaching HTML and JavaScript and learning server side programming with PERL and Java. This was effectively my official introduction to the Internet. During these years, I pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Education – so I am qualified to teach. In 2006, I was offered a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in England. My dream of studying in England finally came true. I completed an MSc in Internet Applications Development at the University of Brighton. I returned home in 2007 and continued engaging with Internet technologies.

Contributing to Guyana’s National ICT Strategy

In 2005/2006, I was invited by the Government of Guyana to work on a team, put together by the President to develop the Guyana National ICT Strategy. I was designated chief rapporteur of one of five thematic areas covered in the Strategy, that of capacity development. This was a first for me. Afterwards, I felt satisfied, having worked on a project that is potentially significant for national development. I have since contributed to other similar projects, including the Ministry of Education’s Strategic Plan for Distance Education.

I have been fortunate enough to study on scholarship courses in e-government, ICT4D, and e-learning. Personal growth and development are my own personal responsibilities, and I pursue them deliberately

and with a passion. I strongly believe that personal development is most important for my teaching and research. Indeed, I have always been keen to improve my areas of expertise and share newly acquired knowledge with my students.

Completing this course on Internet governance with Diplo, through the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP), has been most timely and fulfilling for me. Interacting with the course material, participants, and especially with the tutors, has provided me with a solid foundation on IG issues. Incidentally, I have already been incorporating IG issues into my teaching. For a number of years, I have engaged my students with discussions on technical, social, and other issues associated with the Internet. I have indeed been imparting knowledge on IG

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Lenandlar Singh

issues but under another name and the IGCBP solidified my appreciation of IG, enhanced my understanding, and facilitated the development of my confidence to go forth and continue the work I have begun.

Future vision and aspirations

I would like to contribute in specific areas of capacity development. I have pledged to introduce a course on Internet governance in my department. I will be pursuing that with more energy shortly. I hope to

have this course developed and approved within the next six months or so. I will continue my research on cybersecurity and information-sharing frameworks to mitigate cyberthreats. I have already researched and presented a paper on ‘The role of information sharing amongst stakeholders’ in the fight against cybercrime’. I hope to increase this and engage national stakeholders on the issue. Hopefully, my research aspirations will culminate in PhD studies on IG. At national level, I would like to continue

working with institutions on policy development, education, and technical capacity development in IG. I believe that education is a key element to development and that it is no less important for IG. Armed with the tools I learned on the ICGBP, I will continue to share my knowledge and understanding of the issues at every possible opportunity and forum.

‘I strongly believe that personal development is most important for my teaching and research. Indeed, I have always been keen to improve my areas of expertise and share newly acquired knowledge with my students.’

Lenandlar Singh is a member of the Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana. n

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Shareeni Kala from Fiji makes the link between Internet governance and e-learning

I work for Fiji National University (FNU) as a lecturer in Computing and Information Systems. I have over ten years of experience as a teacher and am the mother of three beautiful children. I have pursued my career focusing on the information systems field and have received my Master’s degree in this area.

Juggling home and work

Being a working mother is very challenging. I had to continue

my education after getting married. My husband is also working in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and is very understanding. He was able to share his knowledge and skills with me. This gave me inspiration and motivation. With the help of my family, I managed to complete my Master’s in Information Systems and my Diploma in Tertiary Teaching. Working as a lecturer and being Head of Department with the very capable and kind

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staff at the university is also very valuable and encouraging.

The department has 22 lecturers and tutors who all come together to create new knowledge. I teach Certificate IV level courses in Information Systems at Diploma and Bachelor degree level. FNU is around 18 months old. It serves the majority of the national youth and education sector for tertiary qualification.

I enjoy teaching students from certificate to degree levels. They are either secondary school graduates or mature students. The challenge is how to work in the classroom environment, motivating different kinds of students and making them learn. The class sizes vary:

sometimes I have large classes of 150–200 students, and other times I have small to medium-sized classes of 25–40 students. I also teach in the trimester mode, which means 15-week semesters, three times a year.

Recently, I have been engaged in developing the curriculum for the Bachelor’s programme. I had to consult with the local industry and an Industry Advisory Committee was set up. This Committee looked into the approval of the syllabus we developed in the department. This was a successful exercise

with help from an overseas graduate staff member who joined the department for a short time. Approval was given by the university senate.

The emergence of Internet governance in Fiji

Fiji is a Pacific island with a little over 800 000 people. I am an Indo Fijian, born and bred in Fiji, and went to primary school, secondary school, and received tertiary education in the central eastern part of the country, in Suva, the capital of Fiji. Fiji is a tropical country with costal

Shareeni Kala

‘Students and teachers do not have to sit in the classroom or be face-to-face but can now take part in e-learning from anywhere in the world and at any time, thanks to online facilities.’

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islands and is heavily dependent on the tourism industry as its main source of income.

Fiji trains and produces qualified graduates in science, medicine, agriculture, commerce, and ICT. There are two universities in Fiji, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and FNU. USP caters not only to Fijians but to the regional countries of the Pacific Islands as well. For the local people of Fiji, FNU was recently erected as an affordable and quality education provider.

Both universities produce ICT experts, who work in the private and public sectors and in universities. Internet governance (IG) is an emerging area within telecommunication, the judiciary, trade, commerce, and academia. In the last two years, the telecommunications sector has gone through

major reforms. The regulated framework has given greater flexibility to and placed greater importance on Internet access, cost, and bandwidth. Legislation in the countries Crime Decree now includes cyber protection and covers privacy issues.

IG and Diplo

In 2010, IG training from DipoFoundation reached not just Fiji but generated awareness through the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat in Fiji. Other Pacific Island countries were also trained in the importance of IG issues. It is a challenge to have capacity-building workshops and to train policymakers in the area of IG; Fiji is no exception. The Information Ministry and stakeholders are working together to develop awareness and create better IG in the region.

Although I worked as an ICT academic, I never directly used IG as the focus of my teaching. I began to understand IG better when I joined the Internet Society Forum with the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC). The IG 2010 call for the Capacity Building Programme through scholarship made it all possible for me. The essence of IG only became clear to me when the theory was covered and discussions facilitated by the e-learning medium.

I successfully completed up to the research portion of the ICT Strategies online course. I managed to write a proposal for FNU to test the e-learning system. I was able to find out about and elaborate on the requirements of obtaining e-learning for the university. My paper emphasised the advancement of learning

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Shareeni Kala

technology. Students and teachers do not have to sit in the classroom or be face-to-face but can now take part in e-learning from anywhere in the world and at any time, thanks to online facilities.

The literature review in my paper covers similar attempts to establish e-learning in nearby, developed countries, like New Zealand. E-learning as an IG issue is becoming widespread, technologically tested, and

refined to suit targeted audiences. For FNU, it is vital that a curriculum for identified e-learning courses is developed. Online learning theory and practical assessment needs to be tested. The next step is to secure the technological infrastructure for e-learning.

Discovering new meaning in learning

E-Learning is important to me, and DiploFoundation has

been an important supporter of e-learning. I encourage others in the field of ICT and the Internet to go through the programmes. I have discovered new meaning in learning by doing this research and hope that when others are given the opportunity, they will take heed of my success story.

Shareeni Kala is Head of the Computing and Information Systems Department at Fiji National University. n

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‘We are having Internet Governance discussions and meetings and a very large number of people are discussing the future of the Internet who have no clue as to what the Internet is except that it is important and that they have to be involved.’

Steve Crocker

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Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala from Vanuatu is raising awareness of Internet governance issues

My name is Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala, which I think is the longest name in the world. I have four sisters and three brothers. There were nine of us originally but one of my brothers died. We were brought up on Aurora, which has since been renamed Maewo, part of the Vanuatu island nation. I love Maewo for its two famous and important characteristics: its water and its culture. Maewo is known as ‘the water king island’ as it has many streams, waters falls, and rivers, as well as the highest rain fall. It is also famous for its traditional culture, which involves magic, sorcerers, and cultural dances.

Although our parents raised us with few financial resources, we were rich in natural resources, like food in the form of root crops. We also owned chickens, cattle, pigs, and other animals, as my family loves all types of animals.

I was a sickly child for the first six years of my life, with a right leg peripheral artery disease. For this reason, my parents did not allow me to attend school. At the age of seven, my parents finally allowed me to attend primary school because they were sick and tired of the same old, loud, monotonous chorus I sang each morning, wanting to follow my sister to school. From age 12, my illness started to fade away. I’m now enjoying a normal life, and I thank God that I’m a happy woman enjoying her new job.

A long walk to school

I attended a primary school named Gambule Primary School, located on Maewo. I had to walk three to five kilometres each day to school. My primary school days, especially at the end of the school year, were some of the greatest days of my life because I always received

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Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala

school gifts for the outstanding marks I scored on my tests. In 1988, I was selected to go to Navuturiki Junior Secondary School in West Ambae. Again, my parents and I had a big fight because they were worried about who would assist me when I was sick. However, in Ambae I was very well looked after. I thank the late Michael Toka and his wife, who were so kind and whose children I spent most weekends with.

I was one of the luckiest girls on Maewo at that time in

1992, when I was selected to attend the Instituate Nationale Technologie Vanuatu (INTV). I did my best, and I was offered a scholarship to attend the Solomon Island College of Education in 1994. Ask me who did my applications and my answer would be that I still don’t know up to this day. It was a ministry who applied on my behalf. All I can remember is that I was to bring my passport and be ready to travel. I travelled with a small suitcase (which included two pillow cases, two bed sheets,

two t-shirts, and two skirts) and was the only odd traveller that day at the airport, as everyone was in their best clothes and shoes, while I was wearing my slippers. Tears rolled down my cheeks because I felt out of place, especially when they were taking our photos.

I spent three years in the Solomon Islands instead of two because I loved my friends in the Solomons and had to find a way to stay another year. I graduated in 1997 with a diploma in Finance and

‘With the number of training courses I have attended, including attending the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), I have learnt a lot.’

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Administration and at the same time applied to work for the University of the South Pacific (USP). In 2001, I wanted to further my knowledge and applied to USP, where I was accepted and completed my BA in only two years. Later, in 2010, I was fortunate to be accepted to USP to pursue an MBA. I’m currently undertaking intensive after-hours courses to complete my MBA focusing on Telecommunications.

Establishing a professional life

In 2003, armed with my BA, I was promoted to senior clerical assistant. I worked really hard until 2008, when I left USP to join the newly established Office of the Vanuatu Telecommunications Regulator, which was just in its second week of operation, as office manager. The Office of the Telecommunications Regulator is still my baby

today. In 2010, under the former regulator’s leadership, I was promoted to operations manager. I was pleased to take up the post, although telecommunications was fairly new for me. As operations manager, I have travelled to many different countries. I’m currently managing Consumer and Communications Affairs at the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator’s office in Vanuatu.

Commitment to community development

During my working life, I have also been involved with a lot of community work, including scouting, youth activities, and sports. I was a leader in the first Tagabe Scout Group and plan to one day become an executive on the National Executive. With my commitment and willingness, I am now the honorary treasurer for the Vanuatu National Scout Association.

Because beach volleyball is my favourite sport and being committed to sport activities, I ended up being elected to chair the Vanuatu Women and Sports Commission in Vanuatu. The role of the Commission is to promote more women participants in sports. With this title, I also represent Vanuatu on the Oceania Women and Sports Commission. The two bodies are regionally recognised organisations, as they fall under the umbrella of Vanuatu National Olympic Sports Association.

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Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala

Capacity building

In the last two and a half years, I have been concentrating on upgrading my skills in telecommunications, as well as information communications technology (ICT) as a whole. I thank our good Lord for the opportunity I had to attend the ICANN meetings and, in particular, for learning about and coming to understand the issues regarding the Internet. From the ICANN meetings, I learnt about DiploFoundation and had the opportunity to apply for the course modules. It was tough for me at that time because the Internet was another world. At the end of the course I took on Internet governance (IG); I realised that it had really broadened

my knowledge base. Through DiploFoundation, I ended up in countries I don’t think I would otherwise have gone to.

With the number of training courses I have attended, including attending the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), I have learnt a lot. I now have an idea of what IG is about, and managed a project on drafting an Internet policy for Vanuatu, which is currently open for formal public consultation http://trr.vu. I’m currently undertaking a role in consumer affairs of ICT where I have also taken the lead on raising awareness in rural areas on the benefits of the Internet and other ICT tools. In addition, I have also helped out with running meetings on Internet

issues in Port Vila. As part of the public consultation on IG, public meetings will be held in July 2011 to identify the main issues faced by consumers of ICT in Vanuatu. The Regulator, with my assistance, is consulting with the main stakeholders for raising awareness of and providing training on the Internet issues facing Vanuatu. This is great news. More and more awareness programmes are also being planned and are about to be implemented.

Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala manages the Consumer and Communications Affairs at the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator’s Office in Vanuatu. n

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Sam Goundar from Fiji is working to develop awareness of Internet governance issues

I am an academic and have been teaching at universities for the past fifteen years. I have also worked in the IT industry as a data entry operator, computer operations supervisor, and IT manager in private organisations, as well as in government ministries. I have also taught in commercial schools and secondary schools.

My introduction to ‘Computers,’ as IT was known then, was not my choice. After finishing secondary school, I couldn’t afford to go to university, as my marks were not good enough to get a scholarship. My mother, who was working as a housemaid, earned just enough to sustain the two of us. My two elder brothers were married with families of their own. Since I could not afford to pay the university tuition fee, I accepted it as my fate not to go to university and started looking for full-time jobs to assist my mother. For the next two years, my search for a full-

time job was unsuccessful. Instead, I took on odd jobs, like cutting grass, farm work, and for a while laboured for a construction company.

At this time, I played soccer for the local district team. One of my teammates was going to enrol in a computer course at our local university (computer courses were becoming very popular at that time), and I joined him. I had saved enough money to pay the year’s tuition fee to complete a Certificate course in Applied Computing.

My career in academia was accidental as well. There was a military coup in my country, and many of the qualified teachers migrated overseas. The university was closed, and when the schools reopened, there was a shortage of teachers. Non-graduates were given the opportunity to teach. I was a semester away from graduating with my Certificate in Applied Computing. I applied

‘The most positive outcome of the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) for me was being able to pass on the knowledge I learned to my students and making them aware of IG issues.’

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Sam Goundar

for a teaching position and was appointed to teach in a commercial school. I was on top of the world because, although I would only be paid half of what a fully qualified teacher was paid, teachers are regarded very highly and command great respect in my country. At the age of 18 I was a newly appointed computer teacher and went to teach my first class. I was very nervous, as I had not received any teacher training. As I went inside the classroom, I panicked because all the students were much older than I was. The students were equally bewildered when I told them that I was going to be their new computer teacher. I could sense their disbelief as they tried to ascertain how and what they could learn from someone so much younger than them. I knew that I needed to make an impression and take control straight away or risk losing it all. I can still remember the moment when I started that class with ‘What is a computer?’

The son of determined parents

I am from Fiji, a tiny group of islands in the South Pacific. I am a Fijian of Indian descent, and I am very proud of my unique ancestry and roots. My great-grandfather was bought as a slave in South India and forcefully shipped to Fiji to work on the sugarcane farms. The British government at that time ruled over India and Fiji. The natives of Fiji, known as ‘kaiviti,’ had no knowledge of sugarcane farming, while the Indians from India had been successfully used as sugarcane

farm slaves in South Africa and the Caribbean. My great-grandfather was 18 years old when he was taken aboard a ship travelling to Fiji around 1900.

After the indenture system ended in Fiji around 1930 and slavery ended, my great-grandfather was a free man but with no money to pay his way back home to South India. He continued working as a labourer until he could collect enough money to buy his own piece of land in western Viti Levu. Viti Levu is the biggest island in Fiji. My grandfather was born in the north western town of Rakiraki

in Fiji, and my father was born there as well. My father was a cane farmer, farming my grandfather’s land. I have done my share of cane farm work as well and continue to do so today, as part of my traditional obligation whenever I visit my relatives who are still cane farmers.

At some point, my father decided to do something different and ended up cutting copra (dried coconut) on the island of Taveuni (Fiji’s third-largest island). That’s where he met my mother, on the coconut plantation. My father, who was a very fast and skilful copra

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cutter, used to help my mother complete her quota (they were paid according to the number of sacks of copra they had cut at the end of the day), and the helper became the husband.

My mother gave birth to three boys while working full-time as a copra cutter. I was the youngest. Because we didn’t own a piece of land, or have a house of our own, the Fijian village of Waimaqera allowed us to build a shack to live in, and that’s where I spent the most memorable six years of my life. When the time came for me to start school, my mother decided that we should move to the capital city, Suva, as she saw education as our salvation from poverty.

We moved to Suva, and my father started driving a taxi for our living. Again, we squatted on land near the outskirts of the city in a lean-to house with no water and electricity. I started attending school. In my first year of school, my father passed away after suffering a heart attack. My mother started working as a housemaid to support and educate us. I studied up to sixth form – year 12 equivalent.

Part-time student, full-time teacher

I have only spent one semester as a full-time student. After that, I completed a Certificate in Applied Computing, a Diploma in Computing, and a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Computing Science and Information Systems. All these

qualifications were completed while I was working full-time as a computer teacher and studying part-time or through the University of the South Pacific’s Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) mode.

In 1996, I joined the University of the South Pacific’s Fiji Centre as a computer tutor. Once I joined the University, I realised the value of educational qualifications and the importance of becoming a University academic. While tutoring at the University, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and a Master’s of Business Administration. In 2007, I started on a PhD, focusing on e-government in Fiji. I have continued writing my research thesis even though I have left the university. In 2009, I moved to New Zealand to teach at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and continue my PhD with a New Zealand university. I hope to submit my PhD thesis by the end of this year.

An inspirational role model

Since then, I have published 12 research papers and presented my research on e-government in Fiji and have lately presented my paper on cloud computing at more than 12 international conferences. At the moment, my research focus is on using mobile devices in education. My research has taken me to countries, like the Solomon Islands (2007), Samoa (2007), India (2008), Thailand (2008), New Zealand (2008), Malaysia (2009), Hong Kong (2011), and Indonesia (2011).

I love my academic career, as it does not confine me to the routine of an 8-5 office job. I count my success by the number of students that successfully learn from me and advance in their lives. Many of my students have completed their PhDs and are respected academics at their own universities. Whenever I meet former students and they tell me that I inspired them as a role model, I feel that my mission in life has been

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Sam Goundar

accomplished. My mission was to change at least one life, but with my profession I change and influence hundreds of students every year.

Once I complete my PhD, I intend to apply to teach at universities in developing countries with a three-year tenure in each country until I reach 60. I hope to live that long because that’s when I am going back home to the same tiny island that made me what I am today – where I can live to the end of my days and contribute towards my country in whatever way I can.

Fiji and IT: one size doesn’t necessarily fit all

While employers and tertiary institutions have been providing Internet access to their employees for the last 10–12 years, the majority of Fijians have only been able to afford Internet access at home within the last five or six years when the telecommunications industry was deregulated and ISP packages became affordable.

As many people are still coming to terms with the technology and learning how to use and access the Internet, not much thought has been given to Internet governance (IG).

I was privileged to get Internet access in 1996, when I started teaching at the University of the South Pacific. After some time, I started deliberating with others on the issue of IG and attended forums on IG and ICANN meetings. I have also been a member of the Pacific Chapter of the ISOC (PICISOC) since 2006 and have regularly attended their annual conferences.

We have now formed a Pacific Internet Governance Forum, as we feel that some issues are unique to the Pacific Islands and one-size-fits-all policies cannot be applied to our tiny, remote, and Internet-connectivity-deprived nations. Fiji is being introduced to IG at the moment, and a few amongst us are developing awareness amongst the rest of the countries about IG issues.

Building IG capacity

As an Internet user and an Internet teacher, IG issues have been an integral part of my life. Meetings, fellowships, and conferences are part of my learning and teaching process on IG. The most positive outcome of the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) for me was being able to pass on the knowledge I learned to my students and making them aware of IG issues. In addition, I have started a ‘snowball’ effect that will see the flow of knowledge about IG issues to the entire country and region. I have insisted that my students speak about IG issues to their parents, siblings, friends, and families.

Professionally and personally, I have benefitted a lot from the IGCBP. I am now able to better advise my students, friends, and family about the importance of IG and other related issues, as almost everyone nowadays is using social media websites, like Facebook, to keep in touch, as well as for entertainment. The knowledge gained from the IGCBP has made me a better and more knowledgeable academic, as I am better able to relate to the issues when addressing questions from my students. Professionally, the programme has enabled me to look at my PhD research from the IG perspective as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji

Fijian Sam Goundar teaches in New Zealand at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic while he researches his PhD on e-government in Fiji. n

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Valmikki Singh from Guyana emphasises the need for Internet governance regimes and representation

Born in Guyana to working class parents, I was brought up in an environment that nurtured values such as integrity, honesty, and respect for others. It was also instilled in me at an early age that education was of great importance and that it affords a better standard of living and understanding of life in general. These basic, but important teachings have been and continue to be a major guide for me, both personally and professionally.

I am currently the Managing Director of the National Frequency Management Unit, and have the core responsibilities of managing the Radio Spectrum and Number Resources in Guyana. I am a trained Engineer, with postgraduate training in the areas of Telecoms Regulation, Policy and Management. I have also served for approximately ten years on the Council of

the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. Even though my main responsibility is in the area of Spectrum Management, I have a strong interest in Internet governance (IG) matters, particularly cybersecurity.

I have represented my country in the joint European Union/International Telecommunication Union funded HIPCAR (Enhancing Competitiveness in the Caribbean through the Harmonization of ICT Policies, Legislation and Regulatory Procedures) project. Here, I participated in workshops, where several draft bills were developed. These included Freedom of Information, Data Privacy and Protection and Cybersecurity/e-Crime.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have also been

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involved in volunteering to assist others in need, such as mentoring young people and working with others to donate blood on a periodic basis.

Guyana moves into ICT

Guyana is located on the north-eastern shoulder of South America. It has an area of approximately 215 000 km2 and is populated by approximately 780 000 people. Traditionally, Guyana’s main exports include gold, sugar, rice, and bauxite. However, in order to enhance its development and diversify its export base, Guyana has been pushing to expand information and communication technology (ICT) services, non-traditional agriculture, and adding value to its primary products.

To facilitate the expansion of the ICT services, Guyana has committed to liberalising its telecommunications sector. To this extent, new and modern bills have been developed; they are expected to be laid before the National Assembly in the near future. Recently, the Access to Information Bill was tabled in the National Assembly. Other laws pertaining to IG are still to be tabled and legislated.

In order to reduce poverty and facilitate the development of a knowledge economy, Guyana recently launched the One Laptop per Family Project (OLPF), where one laptop would be given to each of 90 000 of the poorest families (approximately half of all households) in Guyana. In addition to this, Guyana’s

Computer for Schools initiative envisages computer labs for all primary and secondary schools. In order to augment Internet connectivity, the government has invested in landing a second fibre optic cable in Guyana.

Looking and clicking…with consequences

My first real experience with the Internet occurred after I graduated from University with my first degree. I was working on a project and was required to conduct some research on the Internet (which had only

been introduced into Guyana approximately one year before) on a particular product. Not being au fait with the Internet, I asked one of my colleagues for some guidance. She said ‘it is very simple; all you have to do is look and click’.

That was about 14 years ago. Since then, the Internet, its applications, the services it facilitates, its ubiquity, etc., have all grown exponentially. The threats and dangers of using the Internet have also grown at alarming rates. The Internet is no longer a space

Valmikki Singh

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where you can simply ‘look and click’ without the possibility of serious negative consequences. Because of its rapid growth, the Internet has become a huge magnet for attacks by criminals and hackers. The consequences of cyber-attacks are increasing daily, even affecting those who are not online.

Despite this reality, Internet usage is growing, simply because it is seen as a vital enabler for poverty reduction and development. Indeed, the Internet can be a double-edged sword. Consequently, given man’s innate quest to have stability, reliability, and certainty in his life, governance of the Internet is only a natural evolution. In an environment where the Internet is or is quickly becoming mainstream, it is imperative that every country establish an IG regime.

Extending the debate

The OLPF project and computers in schools would expose a huge number of Guyanese, particularly the young, to the Internet, many for the first time. In such a scenario, a suitable IG regime needs to be in place to provide protection for these users. Guyana has a responsibility to protect vulnerable users (especially young children) who are expected to go online in the near future.

Given the growing ubiquity, importance, and uniqueness of the Internet and the fact that it has been revolutionising the way we work, socialise, organise, communicate, etc., everyone needs to be involved and given a space to participate in the IG process.

Having said this, I have a particular concern that the ordinary people in the street are not very involved in the debate/discussions on IG. There are many reasons for this, including a lack of understanding/appreciation of the issues involved, ignorance about the discussions, uncertainty of how it would impact them. One way of engaging them in a meaningful way is by facilitating capacity building programmes for them and extending the debate to social networks, of which many are regular users.

Building confidence

Like many developing countries, Guyana is facing a host of

problems; its focus is usually on issues, such as sea defence, healthcare, education, flood, and drought mitigation, etc. So when it comes to allocating scarce resources and determining priorities, it becomes a challenge when matters such as IG have to be dealt with.

Notwithstanding this reality, the Internet is unlike anything else. It is an extremely powerful and potent tool for development; it can also cause significant disparities and actually retard development, if people lack confidence in it.

As such, I strongly believe that IG and everything else that is needed to build confidence in the Internet should be placed as a top priority of the agenda of every developing country. Developing countries also need to raise their voices and get meaningfully involved in IG at regional and global level. To do otherwise will commit the citizens of the developing world to perpetual poverty and life on the wrong side of the digital divide.

It is therefore my intention to not only raise the awareness of the importance of IG in my country, but also to demonstrate the linkages and synergies between current development and poverty reduction initiatives and an effective IG regime and representation.

Valmikki Singh is Managing Director of the National Frequency Management Unit in Guyana. n

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Valmikki Singh

‘Indeed, the Internet can be a double-edged sword. Consequently, given man’s innate quest to have stability, reliability, and certainty in his life, governance of the Internet is only a natural evolution.’

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Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala from Madagascar is bridging the digital divide

I was born in Befelatanana, Madagascar in 1986 as the eldest of two brothers and one sister. Being the eldest instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and maturity, as my father passed away when I was still very young. Since that time, I have worked hard in my studies to become more independent and to help people. What I can say is that perseverance is one key factor of success.

From a young age, I was very inquisitive and asked about anything and everything. Today, travelling and meeting new people are exciting experiences for me.

I spent my childhood and teenage years between 1991 and 2003 at College Saint Francois Xavier, where I earned my Baccalaureate degree in Literature. In 2004,

I enrolled at the University of Antananarivo in the Faculty of Management, which is one of the most prestigious public schools in Madagascar. In 2008, I got a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), majoring in Finance and Accounting and graduating with Distinction. The same year, I was selected as an alumnus to participate in the ITU Telecom Asia 2008, held in Thailand.

Giving a little, getting a lot

Since 2007, I have volunteered and been president of a charitable association, called Youth of Tomorrow. Our main mission is to school and equip gifted children and young people from poor households. To these ends, we grant financial help to hundreds of students across the country by paying their school fees until they

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Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala

graduate and by providing various educational training.

My experiences in leading people have pushed me to learn more about leadership. In a country like Madagascar, it is not an easy task to be a young leader. In 2008, I enrolled in the National Leadership Institute of Madagascar (NLIM), which was created by the government to form a generation of high-profile change agents.

In 2010, I decided to enter into public administration. I am now studying at the National School of Administration (ENAM) and am preparing my final thesis in order to obtain a degree in Taxation.

Madagascar is the fourth biggest island in the world and is

located in the Indian Ocean off the southwest coast Africa. In recent years, the government and private sectors have made a joint initiative in building Madagascar as an IT-driven economy through the elaboration of our national ICT policy document and investment in setting up a national backbone and links through two international submarine optic cables (Lion and Eassy).

Internet governance (IG) is a new field which lacks expertise in Madagascar. Some of the pressing issues in Madagascar are the digital divide, IT illiteracy, and the inadequacy of national jurisdiction with technology advances. For instance, cybersecurity, electronic signatures, and e-commerce are some areas

which require serious consideration. What’s more, the lack of understanding of those issues by government bodies, legislators, and politicians is delaying the adoption of new laws.

Envisioning a bright future

My mission is to bridge the digital divide in Madagascar. In 2007, I initiated various ICT basic training programmes in partnership with local ICT centres, targeted at members of our association. In 2009, I organised an ICT workshop in the rural municipality of Fiadanana, where thousands of students saw a computer for the first time and learnt about the uses of the Internet. My future project is to set up a Computer Learning Centre, a one-stop-

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shop lab for teachers, children, and youth in this region.

I envision Madagascar as a nation where the digital divide is bridged and the full potential of ICT is positively leveraged to benefit the whole population, as well as the private sectors, and public administration. I strongly believe that the appropriate use of ICTs presents a unique opportunity for developing countries to make up for missed opportunities.

Emerging as a leader

DiploFoundation’s learning approach fostered my curiosity for various subjects I was previously unfamiliar with. The IG course has equipped me with an in-depth understanding of the impact of ICT and its relationships to other fields, such as the social sciences, economy, and finance. The course on ICT Policy Strategy has taught me how to successfully use ICT as a tool for development. As a future member of the Ministry responsible for Inland Revenue, I can now play a significant role in helping the fiscal authorities design a sound national policy and develop laws on international taxation.

Moreover, the economic aspects of IG have been interesting for me. The course has given me insight into key public administration issues and other urgent issues regarding electronics.

This interest has translated into my journey into IG research,

where I have chosen the specific topic of the taxation of electronic commerce in Madagascar. In fact, for the Malagasy fiscal authority, e-commerce is a new domain where many electronic transactions remain untraceable and may represent a huge loss for the state revenue if no measures are taken in the years ahead. It is worth noting that the Malagasy general code of taxes does not include directives on the taxation that will rule online commerce.

My journey into IG has been an amazing experience, and I feel proud and confident to be called an Emerging Leader. I would like to encourage others, particularly from developing countries to get involved in Internet governance.

Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala is studying at the National School of Administration (ENAM) and preparing his final thesis in order to obtain a degree in Taxation. n

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Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala

‘Internet governance (IG) is a new field which lacks expertise in Madagascar. Some of the pressing issues in Madagascar are the digital divide, IT illiteracy, and the inadequacy of national jurisdiction with technology advances.’

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‘All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.’

Calvin Coolidge

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I was born the eldest of seven in April 1967 in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. From my earliest years I was curious and active, exploring everything I was allowed to. As I grew older and had sisters and brothers, it came naturally to me to take the lead and protect, as well as support, my siblings. I learned from my mother very early on that it was important for a woman to be independent and educated. I always enjoyed attending school and drove some of my teachers to their wit’s end; from the time I knew how to talk, I never had a problem expressing my opinions and ideas.

As I grew up, I found myself always organising something, whether a school vacation for my friends or a programme with the aim of learning and sharing knowledge. By the time I turned 23, I decided to become involved with politics in my country. We had gone through a difficult time in Suriname, and I felt that I could no longer stand on

Angelic Caroline Alihusain-del Castilho from Suriname breaks through the barriers of development

the side-lines and just watch. I became the Chair of the Youth Forum of the party I joined. Meanwhile, I was studying agriculture at university. While studying, I travelled around my region and developed a taste for experiencing different cultures and speaking many languages. I became more and more capable of seeing the bigger picture. I found that my heritage made it very easy for me to blend in anywhere in the world. I experienced goodness in people all around me and realised that people of all ages are usually very eager to learn, if only provided an opportunity. Due to all my activities and broad interests, I built networks across oceans with people and organisations. I think what defines me is my healthy curiosity, my willingness to learn, and the need to share my knowledge.

Creating opportunities

Since my graduation as an agricultural engineer, I have worked in the private sector, with NGOs and multinationals, as well as with the government. In these different positions, varying from HR manager to consultant/trainer, programme director, and ambassador, I have strived to turn my employees into a team and to create opportunities to train and exchange knowledge with

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Angelic Caroline Alihusain-del Castilho

those who worked with me and for me. Because of my broad interests, I have also participated in many events and organisations nationally and internationally, especially those aimed at promoting the political participation of women. Some of these were the Vital Voices of the Americas and the Women’s Parliament Forum in Suriname. I believe that as a woman, you have to build a strong belief in yourself without becoming arrogant; you have to realise that no matter how much education you have, there is always something left to learn and you need to remember the importance of building yourself a strong and broad network.

My continuous drive for education, as well as high performance in my jobs and my political activity, led me to the nomination for ambassador. In 2007, I became Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Indonesia. A few months ago I finished my posting and returned to my country to work at our Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A little about Suriname

Suriname is a small republic in South America, and our official language is Dutch. We are a multi-ethnic, multicultural country, and my ancestry is European (the Netherlands,

Britain, Spain, and Portugal), mixed with indigenous Surinamese. Suriname has a very rich cultural history, starting with the indigenous Surinamese who were the first here. After them came Europeans, Africans, Asians, as well as Jews, Lebanese, and Syrians. Nowadays, Suriname represents all the cultures and religions in the world even though we are the smallest republic in South America. Every Surinamese family, my own included, represents this very valuable characteristic of Suriname.

Surinamese, in general, are well educated people and naturally

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embrace new communication technologies. However, for many it is still expensive to have Internet connections at home, especially ADSL. It has to be said that there are a number of Internet cafés and that many Surinamese use their phones to access the Internet. However, the coverage area is limited, and those living outside the coastal areas face more challenges accessing the Internet. Our laws have not yet embraced the IT era, meaning that very few issues that arise because of the Internet can effectively be dealt with through the judicial system. Also, many Internet users’ skills and understanding of the Internet are limited to sending e-mails only. The deeper and more significant meaning of the Internet as a capacity-building tool is not implemented. For many years now, the government has expressed the wish to use the

Internet to break through the isolation of communities in the hinterland and offer them equal access to education. This, however, has not yet been realised. Nowadays, some schools have a computer room where students can use computers, but the use of the Internet as part of all classes is not yet taking place. Recently, there have been some new initiatives launched by the government and NGOs to promote the use of computers, but they are still on a very small scale.

Personally, I am not involved with negotiations in the IT sector. However, I argue for universal Internet access to anybody who will listen, and I teach and share knowledge with as many as possible on how to use the Internet for educational or economic benefits.

My relationship with the Internet

Prior to taking part in Diplo’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP), I was already making use of the Internet for my own development, networking, and communication, and I was promoting its use to all who cared to listen. My experience in Internet governance (IG) issues came from using the Internet to improve my work on and understanding of different issues relating to my life and interests. One of my first projects in my first job was motivating the company I worked for to start a promotion for Christmas bread through the Internet. It was not customary then to use the Internet for promotions, but it was a success!

I needed the Internet to assist me in being in more than one

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place at the same time, which it did by allowing me to take care of different responsibilities online. As an ambassador, I wanted to run a Facebook page but was concerned about the security and access to my information. I once purchased tickets online and never received them. But I also continued my education online and so was able to guide my career to higher levels while working. The Internet allowed me to be on top of things while travelling and to be very efficient and effective.

I look at Internet governance mostly through a capacity-building lens and one of increased access and benefits, especially for the developing world. Currently, I work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname. Even though there are many computers in the office, Internet access is restricted or unavailable. The use of computers and the Internet for more than just sending an e-mail is not really promoted and does not really exist. It has to be said that people are eager to learn, but the Internet is not something that is recognised

as of yet as a priority area for in-office use, let alone for the execution of diplomacy.

When I was doing my post-graduate course in contemporary diplomacy, a course in e-diplomacy was also offered. For various reasons I chose not to take the course then. Over the years, however, I realised more and more the importance of the Internet for development and communication, not only personally but also professionally. Therefore, I retained my interest in finding out how it all works and where all decisions concerning the Internet are made. For one who does not know much about it, the Internet can sometimes seem to be close to magic, guided by some unknown force and which is, for no apparent reason, very expensive. I experienced a knowledge gap when it came to an explanation of how the Internet works.

Exploring the Internet in more detail

While I enjoy the many benefits of Internet access, I am keenly aware that many in my country do not enjoy this facility. There

are still many in the districts that miss out on chances for continued education, because courses are only run in the capital. They cannot afford the time and money to travel up and down to participate in these courses. At this moment, there is no Surinamese institute or agency offering courses online.

My main focus when I started the Diplo course was to learn more about something that I had been using for years now and could not do without. I looked mostly towards understanding what more I could do with it for my own benefit, for the benefit of those around me, as well as for my country. Capacity building is necessary to allow for equal participation for all Surinamese. It will require all of us who have leadership positions to gain more knowledge in order to be able to provide, promote, and support Internet access for all. There are still many, also in leadership positions, across sectors in Suriname who do not understand the important role the Internet can and should play in the development of individuals, institutions, and the country.

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I truly enjoyed all aspects of the Diplo course and learned a lot from my peers, as well as from the official lectures and our tutors. The highlight was the online party we celebrated in a virtual Brazilian indigenous village, my first online party ever. The programme provided me with a lot of new information, both technical and related to where and how decisions are made on a global level. I developed a better understanding of and a deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities provided by the Internet. The interaction with people from my own region allowed me to recognise similar challenges and share ideas on applicable solutions. It also allowed me to broaden my network of friends in the region. Now I can even advise the staff of our ICT division in the Ministry on whom to contact to broaden their network and share information with them on initiatives in the region. It was funny for me to realise that I actually had an opinion and ideas that mattered in this area, an area that always seemed very technical and difficult for me. I have taken many classes online on different topics. In this course, you could apply the knowledge and skills at the same time that you were learning them. Also, issues that I had never considered in relation to the Internet were brought forward, forcing me to consider more angles and viewpoints than before. Some good examples are the language used, the use of the Internet to promote culture, and the issue of copyright.

Moving forward

Now that I have finished this programme, and along with what I have gained from others like it, I feel confident that I can play a role in promoting and discussing the importance of participating on a global level in making decisions regarding Internet governance. I can also be of assistance by advising and/or sharing knowledge with those in the Ministry and with others. Personally, I have increased my knowledge and formed a concrete vision of the importance of the Internet for capacity building. Currently, there are, to some extent, discussions on the Internet, whether on security or on education in the country. With my newly acquired knowledge, I am planning to publish some articles on these issues and to assist in increasing awareness. My goals for the Ministry are to use the Internet effectively and efficiently in promoting our country and strengthening our diplomacy, while country-wide they are to break through the isolation and provide equal

opportunity to all. These goals have not yet been achieved, but the first steps have been taken.

Programmes like these have been beneficial to me and would be beneficial to others, since they allow for a deeper understanding of the history and current issues regarding the Internet at the same time as providing insights on what is to come in the future. The latter is especially important for our countries to focus not only on what the Internet means for today, but also to know what to prepare for. Knowing who is making the decisions on a global level and where allows for a better analysis of current challenges and how to solve them. I will share all my information with the staff of our ICT department, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of the IG/ICT sector and leading them to become stronger and better at what they do. I share my lessons on a daily basis with anyone who is interested in the department. Because of my increased knowledge of Internet governance, combined with

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my diplomatic background, I am now the contact for university students who want to research the use of Internet communications technologies (ICT) by the government and specifically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such programmes allow us to strengthen our knowledge and thus provide us with an opportunity to support, assist, and argue more strongly with our governments and other stakeholders about the crucial influence the Internet and its global governance has on the

development of our people and countries. A lot of my growth is related not only to my access, but also to my knowledge of Internet use. Small countries like mine are not attractive to prestigious universities, but we can cross that bridge with the use of the Internet. We may not have the money to have our ‘diplomats of culture’ travel the world, but through the Internet we can bridge that gap. We may not have the money to travel and meet others, but through the Internet we can break through that isolation and make friends and allies

worldwide. There is a lot more to say, but, in short, a thorough understanding of all aspects influenced by the Internet can allow a small republic like Suriname to allow all Surinamese an improved chance of developing their potential to the fullest, an improved chance of sharing with and learning from the world.

‘Capacity building is necessary to allow for equal participation for all Surinamese. It will require all of us who have leadership positions to gain more knowledge in order to be able to provide, promote, and support Internet access for all.’

Angelic Caroline Alihusain-del Castilho lives in Suriname and works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. n

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Anju Mangal from Fiji defines development in the context of current realities

Life has been my art. I grew up wondering what type of person I would when I was older. We are continuously challenged to accept change but it takes time. I am trying my best to ensure that my work, thoughts, and new ideas are in sync with the changes around me. At the end of the day, we are all trying to make a difference in life.

My family is my inspiration

My approach to finding the right balance in life and transforming my ideas into reality is having inspiration. My beautiful parents have inspired me the most. I carry my parents’ support, confidence, and vision with me each day of my life. Without their continuous support and nurturing, I wouldn’t have felt inspired to write this piece.

My parents and brother are loving and caring people who have given me the strength to do whatever I set my heart and mind to. What inspires me most is how my parents’ beautiful nature and generosity makes other people feel and how good it makes me feel when I see people’s reactions to them. I both envy my parents and love them for who they are. They are simply beautiful people.

My brother is a lawyer, and he inspires me through his

knowledge and wisdom. Of course there are times when we don’t see eye to eye only because we both have strong opinions, but he accepts and loves me the way I am. He also gives his whole heart to everything he does, and I admire him for his straightforward attitude to life and work.

As I write, I am grateful that I am alive. A few weeks ago, I was involved in an accident, and it certainly made me question the way I do things in life. Life is precious, and we should live it to the full but always be cautious. We never know what’s coming our way. We should always take note of what we are doing.

I am part of the human race and a member of society, but I am still an individual. My identity defines me and rests firmly on one fact: that I am a woman with many thoughts and a regular life. I am a Fijian and happy to be one. Fiji is a beautiful island nation in the South Pacific Ocean made up of diverse cultures. My personal knowledge reflects other cultures and types of people in Fiji and the Pacific. I live not only with one race but with many who have different cultural and traditional values. I have learnt a lot from my people and the people in the Pacific,

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and I believe that I fit in well with people from many different races. We are a multicultural society.

Keeping development in mind

The most interesting task for me is to define development in the context of current realities in the Pacific. I am working at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), a regional/international organisation that works with/for the 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories in the region. I specialise in information, knowledge management, communications, Internet governance, ICT for development, and community-building. I am currently coordinating the development of information and communication technology (ICT) and IKM (Information Kerala Mission) activities in SPC and in an advisory role, oversee staff implementing ICT-IKM activities. I also provide leadership and am a trainer on the use of ICT

and e-learning platforms in the Pacific.

I have acquired the necessary skills in the ICT field and have successfully achieved a BSc degree and an MA in Governance. My mini research paper for the Governance course was titled: Internet Governance in the Pacific – whether the IGF Forum is a Multi-stakeholder process. Developed in 2009, the paper talks about Pacific participation and understanding, and its impact across Internet Governance Forum (IGF) issues. The survey helped me understand concerns, ideas, and expectations relating to the IGF. My research was a step towards understanding the Internet and ICT development in the Pacific. It helped me reach out to stakeholders, policymakers and decision-makers at national and international level who are or will be interested in improving Internet accessibility. It was geared towards helping

government sectors to consider and implement a policy and strategy that would benefit people in the Pacific.

In 2009, I successfully completed DiploFoundation’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Program (IGCBP). Diplo has given the Pacific countries an opportunity to understand the concept of Internet governance and improve their knowledge on ICTs to better manage the challenges we face in the region. I am now a part-time tutor on Diplo’s ACP 2011 ICT Strategy Course and was selected as a research expert for the Research Phase. I was also an ISOC Ambassador to the 2008 IGF in Hyderabad, India and a Commonwealth IG Secretariat fellow in Sharm-el Sheikh, working in close collaboration with the UN-IGF Secretariat team.

With Diplo’s support, I was selected to work as a fellow for the UN-IGF Secretariat in

Anju Mangal

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Geneva, Switzerland and I thank them for recognising my talent and ability to be a powerful agent of change in addressing the key challenges in our Pacific region related to IG, ICT, inclusiveness, human rights, and diversity.

I was also selected to represent my country and organisation in the Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue (EPLD) in 2010. EPLD 2010 brought together 120 high-calibre mid-career participants from business, government, trade unions and the community service sector selected through an open call

from more than 20 Pacific region countries/territories. It was funded and sponsored by government agencies and the private sector across the Pacific, particularly the Australian Government. During the EPLD tour, I was fortunate to meet great leaders in the Pacific and also had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne (Royal) who was the guest of honour at the EPLD conference.

Reaching out

I am continuously inspired to help facilitate discussions on Internet governance, ICT policy

and diplomacy through the participation of all stakeholders in diplomatic practice and international relations in the Pacific region. I received my introduction to the field of Internet Governance five years ago through the Pacific ICT mailing list - Pacific Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC). I was a Board member of PICISOC and served the board for two years. I continue to serve the interests of the Internet community and am determined to increase participation of women, youth, people with disabilities and the disadvantaged who are amongst the most neglected group in ICT.

I am also the Chairwoman of the Pacific Women in ICT Special Interest Group, which aims to help Pacific women better, understand the current state of access, participation and leadership of Pacific Women in ICTs. As the Chairwoman of PICISOC_Women in technology (WIT), I try to assess issues such as applications, technology and content, and determine use of ICTs and women’s participation in ICTs and development. Regionally, the SPC works to promote a regional IGF and discussions. Today, we are reaching out to a number of Pacific Islanders to study the Introductory Internet Governance and ICT Policy course.

My role is to coordinate and develop new regional capacity building programmes in information, communication and knowledge management, and ICT for development. I provide

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leadership on IG issues to young people and our stakeholders in the Pacific. I have assisted with the formulation of the youth in agriculture strategy towards fostering ICT for development. I provide advisory and support role to the Youth and Agriculture Coordinator for administering and delivering programmes for youth and ICT in the community.

Collaborating with others

I am keen to work with others within my organisation, and with development partners and stakeholders to contribute to the improvement in the

livelihood of our people in the Pacific Island Countries. I also promote participatory approaches to support sustainable management of natural resources through participatory geographical information systems (GIS) and continue to coordinate appropriate training to build capacity in ICTs using the Internet to access web-based information systems within the 22 Pacific Island Countries. In 2005, our project was won the World Summit Award in the category e-culture for Participatory 3D Modelling (P3DM) for Resource Use, Development Planning and

Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. This was one of my biggest achievements.

I continue to strengthen collaboration and improve the capacity in sharing the information among our stakeholders and regional and international networks. Throughout my personal and professional life, I have come to respect the professionalism that characterises any organisation, its employees and the people we work for.

Anju Mangal works at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Fiji. n

Anju Mangal

‘The most interesting task for me is to define development in the context of current realities in the Pacific.’

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Eliot Nsega from Uganda faces the challenges of an Africa-wide ICT strategy

I was born in post-independent Uganda during the reign of President Apollo Milton Obote. I was born when there was a political crisis in the country, resulting from President Obote’s abolition of the much-cherished traditional institutions. This led to a chain of events, which culminated in the ousting of the traditional Buganda King in a bloody massacre at the battle of Mengo. These events, which later culminated in the 1966 constitutional crisis, had the undesired effect of unearthing Major General Idi Amin, who would later oust Obote in 1971. Four years old at the time, I still vividly recall the feeling throughout Uganda following these events as one of relief and jubilation.

Sooner rather than later, however, Amin began committing various documented

human rights violations and implementing policies that culminated in the expulsion of the Indian community from the country. This was indeed a period of upheaval, as the Indians were the backbone of Uganda’s economy. This period was marked by shortages of supplies, various failed coup attempts, and the continued threat of war from exiled Ugandans in Tanzania. This lasted until 1979 when Amin was ousted by the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA).

These upheavals characterised most of my formative years, as I witnessed crisis after crisis. The result of this was the emergence of a power vacuum that typified much of the 1970s and 1980s. There were revolutions and counter revolutions, coup after coup,

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Eliot Nsega

disputed elections, violence and lawlessness, and guerrilla warfare that lasted from 1980 to 1986.

It was perhaps as a result of our chaotic recent history that the sitting government, under the current reign of President Yoweri Museveni, deemed it necessary to restore the once-abolished traditional institutions.

The starting point

My home is located in rural eastern Uganda, in the Kaliro district of the Busoga region. I come from a humble rural background, dwelling in grass-thatched houses built from mud and wattle. Ours is one large community, woven together by geography, history, and culture. We are a subsistence family, where we grow both food crops and cash crops, for survival.

I am the fourth born in my family. My father was a civil servant in the Uganda Local Administration as a road overseer, and my mother was a

housewife. Calamity befell our family early on when my uncle, who was the financial backbone of the family, drowned, leaving my parents with the responsibility of taking over the raising of all of his children, along with their own, so that there were 17 children under one roof.

Raising such a big family with meagre resources was never an easy task, especially as my parents had little income. Undeterred, however, my parents sacrificed and took on this huge responsibility and enrolled all of us in school. They struggled to their last breath to see that all of us, without discrimination, received an adequate education. It is comforting to note that, by the time of their death, all of us were successfully on our way to establishing ourselves in the world.

Pre-university days

I was enrolled in primary school at age six. After passing the primary leaving examinations,

I was admitted to Kiira College Butiki for high school. By the time of my admission, Kiira College was well known but largely for the wrong reasons – for having undisciplined students and as leading in school strikes. In fact, in 1984, during my first year at the school, a very destructive student strike took place, which forced many parents to relocate their children to other schools. However, my parents could not afford to relocate me, as the fees had already been paid. While all this was going on, I felt compassion for myself and my poor parents, and this state of affairs instilled in me an unwavering resolve to stay and succeed. Undeterred by this negative publicity, I embarked on a silent mission to be an example of what high schooling should be. I remained in this school for six years, during which time the school administration noticed my resolve and bestowed upon me the responsibility of serving the school as library prefect. Soon, the school administration noticed my contribution to the

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school’s academic achievements, which improved steadily during my time, and they decided to honor me with a Certificate of Merit due to diligence of service exhibited.

At times it was difficult to pay school fees on time. Sometimes I had to stay home for weeks during the school year, missing out on studies. My parents used to sell off our farm animals – cows and goats – so that school fees could be met.

Through providence, it was during this time of great uncertainty that my elder sister and her husband moved to Botswana for employment. I was lucky that as soon as they settled, they began sending money back home for our school fees. I am greatly indebted to them for their selfless love and the care that they extended to us, which enabled me to complete high school.

While waiting for the release of the advanced level examinations, I decided to find something to do to augment

my parents’ income. I decided to move to the capital city to stay with my relative who was a newspaper vendor. I decided to join his trade of selling newspapers on the streets, as I believed that there was pride in legitimate hard work.

Graduating with honours

I began attending Makerere University in 1992 on a three-year undergraduate degree programme. Fortunately, I was admitted on a full government scholarship. However, it was during that time that the idea of cost-sharing was being fronted by the World Bank through its Structural Adjustment Programme, and it was worrisome that the government was buying in to the idea.

I was unsure of my future, should this grand plan become a reality. Being from a humble background, my survival instincts immediately urged me to join the Needy Students’ Scheme, an initially despised scheme that was started after

general student allowances were abolished as part of the government’s economic restructuring in response to the World Bank. Undeterred by scorn from fellow students and society, I boldly joined this scheme, which enabled me to receive a stipend that assisted me in my studies.

At about the same period, after successfully completing my first year of university in July 1993, it happened that the university was searching for the most resilient students to uphold the name and dignity of the university and intern at organisations and companies in the country. I was honoured and greatly humbled to be chosen by the university, and I was sent as a student volunteer to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Thanks to this attachment, I was catapulted into an international setting, an experience that has continued to shape my world to this day. The understanding was that I would be attached to UNICEF for the three-month-long summer vacation and that I would resume normal studies upon the reopening of the university in October. After my initial three-month service, however, UNICEF would not let me leave. Instead, they chose to retain my services, the reason being, in their own words: ‘the dedication, commitment to service, and attention to detail exhibited’.

These events thus obliged me to fulfill a dual-mandate: achieve university academic excellence, at the same time as satisfy my

General Information about my Country Uganda

Uganda is a land-locked country located in Sub Saharan Africa and lies

astride the equator, more than 2000 km west of the Indian Ocean. It borders

Kenya to the east, the United Republic of Tanzania and Rwanda to the

south, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west, and Sudan to the

north. The total area of the country is about 241 000 square kilometres, 16%

of which is covered by fresh water bodies. Most of the land forms a high

plateau at an altitude of between 900 and 1500 metres above sea level. The

country’s western and eastern borders form the shoulders of the rift valley

which contains Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga and the Rwenzori mountain range.

Uganda’s economy is predominantly agricultural, the sector employing over

80% of the work force. Agriculture contributes more than 90% of Uganda’s

export earnings and over 40% of government revenue with coffee contribut-

ing the largest percentage. Uganda’s main exports are currently the coffee,

fi sh and fi sh products, tea, tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame.

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employer’s expectations. I look back at those years with satisfaction and pride as I was able to satisfy both obligations to my best ability. I successfully completed my university education, and in 1996 I was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science with honours.

I am indebted to such an early induction to working life; my UNICEF experience would help me later in life to accept challenges and struggle for necessities. It was also my volunteering experience that shaped my attitude towards volunteerism as being universal and inclusive, the values of which always need to be upheld: those of free will, commitment, engagement, and solidarity. I later pursued a Master’s degree in Information Science.

Embarking on a professional career

After the expiry of my initial attachment, UNICEF decided to retain my services on short-term consultancies to backstop

the organisation’s information management procedures. UNICEF later seconded me to UNHCR, where I successfully completed my two-year assignment in information management and documentation. I later joined Kyambogo University, where for eight years I served a dual role as assistant librarian and lecturer.

I am currently on an international appointment with the African Union (AU), based in Banjul, Gambia. I was posted to serve at the AU Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, an organ of the AU mandated to promote the rights and freedoms set out in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as ensure their protection across the continent, monitor and advise on the implementation of the Charter, and interpret its provisions.

I am responsible for developing, planning, and conducting activities designed to provide information about the AU, as well as promoting increased awareness about its aims

and activities through various information tools and mechanisms. I carry out this function by identifying human rights violations on the continent and documenting best practices using national, regional, and international instruments.

The part the IGCBP has played

The call for applications for the 2010 Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme popped up on one of the professional list serves that I belong to. Since I believe in life-long learning, I thought I could join and participate in the e-leaning experience. I was very fortunate to have been admitted to the course.

This was my first e-learning experience, and I loved it. What intrigued me most was the fact that whereas e-learning exists in a virtual classroom, with the IGCBP, I had the feeling that I was attending a face-to-face class, given the expert tutoring that is involved. I particularly

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liked the experience of a student-centred approach to learning, as opposed to a teacher-centred approach, which exists in many formal educational institutions.

The first online session was especially critical, considering that it was my first exposure to communicating through hypertext entries. Our course tutor knew how to conduct a discussion and motivate trainees. She was also knowledgeable in the broad range of subjects that we discussed, so that I read both ahead and widely in an effort to cope with her immense store of knowledge.

The course continues to shape my destiny up to today. Whereas I was toying with the idea of pursuing a PhD in Information Science, I have since changed course, thanks to Diplo. After successfully completing all three postgraduate diplomas in Internet Governance, Intellectual Property Rights, and Policy Research Methods, I was fortunate enough to have been admitted for a Master’s degree in Contemporary Diplomacy at the University of Malta. The idea of diplomacy has captured my imagination to such an extent that I am considering pursuing it to greater heights.

Thanks to the course, I now pride myself in disseminating information in a diplomatic and professional manner. In the social sense, the course has helped me to gain a strategic advantage, especially as I am working for

a regional organisation. In my office, diplomatic skills are abundantly required for one to be able to balance the intricate questions surrounding the operationalisation and day-to-day functioning of routines. My job specifications revolve around documenting best practices and sharing them with colleagues in a diplomatic, professional manner. I am also responsible for issuing public statements both within the organisation and to the wider public, globally. Thanks to Diplo, I am now conversant in providing mutually acceptable solutions to a common challenge, and I have gained the necessary tools that I need in the phrasing of statements in a non-confrontational, polite manner.

My vision for the future

The main challenge for Africa today is infrastructure development, so much that

communication within Africa is a big nightmare. In this digital age, and with the AU in place, it should be possible for all of Africa to be connected to the Internet.

Unfortunately, attempts in this regard have been met with a certain number of setbacks, ranging from laying the wrong sea cables to cable breakdowns in some parts of Africa. The continent continues to face challenges, including the slow pace of ratification, domestication, and implementation of Internet communication technology (ICT) instruments and decisions. In addition, there is inadequate coordination and coherence among the AU organs and institutions with the RECs in terms of policy initiation, development, and implementation. The capacity and resources for implementation have not matched the progress achieved

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Eliot Nsega

in adopting ICT instruments and establishing institutions.

There is a need, therefore, to address these challenges in order to enhance the capacity of the AU organs and institutions and member states to better respond to instances of ICT policy in Africa.

As part of the evolving African governance architecture, there is a need to formulate an ICT strategy within the context of accelerating continental integration through shared values.

A ‘multistakeholder approach’ to ICT policy is also necessary, as this opens the door for bottom- up policy development processes. This approach challenges the traditional ‘secret diplomacy’, and it

introduces new principles of openness, transparency, and rough consensus in global negotiations. Indeed, this is one of the distinctive features of Internet governance.

The AU was established in 1999 by member states belonging to the African Unity. It was mandated with the mission of accelerating the process of integration on the African continent so as to enable Africa to play its rightful role in the global economy, while addressing multifaceted social, economic, and political problems, compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation.

To achieve this, there will need to be in place an African-wide ICT strategy, based on principles, standards, and norms

that permeate the various legal and policy instruments of the AU and Regional Economic Communities within the realm of ICT, democracy, and governance. Such a strategy should strengthen the ongoing AU and RECs initiatives to develop synergy and avoid duplication of efforts and resources in order to ensure effective functioning of the African development agenda.

The recent Africa Internet Governance Forums held in Addis Ababa and South Africa are good starting points that should catch Africa’s attention.

Uganda-born Eliot Nsega is currently on an international appointment with the African Union (AU), based in Banjul, Gambia. n

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Maduka Attamah from Nigeria is working to strengthen the region’s participation in the continued evolution of the Internet and its applications

I was born in Enugu in South-East Nigeria. Enugu is famous for the large deposits of coal that lay encrusted deep within her belly. In post-independence days, Enugu was the hotspot for coal mining. Little wonder Enugu still carries the label of the Coal City State. Enugu is also fondly referred to by its analog telephone code: 042. Although long overtaken by the GSM era, the name still sticks.

Nigeria is endowed with natural resources and fertile soil. Coal used to be one of the mainstays of the nation’s economy. However, since the oil boom of the 1970s, much of Nigeria’s other mineral reserves have remained largely unharnessed. Nigeria’s huge petroleum reserve is a key factor in the country’s economic strategies and politics.

I come from a large family with seven siblings. Lots of relatives and friends come in for vacation or longer periods of study or work. Life was fun growing up, the endless chatter, the pranks, and I was always surrounded by laughter. Loneliness was a concept I only read about in books. My father worked as an accountant on the State Board of Internal Revenue. He subsequently worked as a legal practitioner before he retired. My mother worked as a teacher in the same primary school that my siblings and I

attended. Later on, she became an educational administrator on the State Education Commission. As children, our parents did not buy many toys for us, but we had a large playground with lots of trees, and we played in large groups and told folk tales in the moonlight. We often improvised our own play objects from wood and other household materials. We had a very large farm too, such that farm work and home chores were never lacking after school.

A young, tech enthusiast

In our family, we all studied different courses at the university. However, wanting to be different was not the motivation for my choice of Electronic Engineering as an undergraduate. As a boy, I had always been thrilled by electronics. I would often work with friends to construct TV ‘antennas’ from household scraps to improve signal reception in our home. At the University of Nigeria, I joined a group of young tech enthusiasts in what was then called the Information Technology Academy (ITA). Not only did ITA, with demanding software programming projects, run in tandem with the school’s academic sessions, the fees were much higher than my fees at the university. This was tough to support financially. However, the following year,

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I got a full scholarship from Chevron-Texaco, which took me through graduation. I also started working as a part-time instructor at the academy, which earned me enough to pay for subsequent ITA sessions. I also got involved in a couple of other electronic design clubs. As such, my undergraduate years were quite intense, passionate, and full of exciting adventures.

After graduation, I was posted to a rural area in South-West Nigeria for a one-year compulsory national service under the National Youth Service Corps. During that year, which ended in early 2008, I worked as a secondary school teacher, teaching physics and mathematics. We also embarked on other community development programmes, which included rural outreach initiatives, such as refurbishing

village squares, charity farming, and educating the community on topics, such as HIV/AIDS.

At the end of my service year, I enrolled in an MSc programme at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan. Towards the end of the programme, I joined the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit of the university as a systems analyst. At the ICT Unit, we design, build, and maintain networks in the university, as well as develop and maintain network-based services and applications on the campus network.

Embracing Internet governance

My first substantial experience in the field of Internet governance was through the Internet Society’s Next

Generation Leaders (ISOC NGL) e-learning programme, which Diplo anchored. It was a novel e-learning experience for me. Diplo’s online classroom facilities and modes of interaction provided a compelling atmosphere that accelerated my learning and involvement in Internet governance issues. What happened in the following 24 weeks was a rapid and exciting exposure to new horizons and perspectives from around the world. The course involved 23 participants from the most varied backgrounds, three experienced and omnipresent tutors, and lots of interactive study, research, and debates.

ISOC NGL participants were invited to join the policy research and implementation phases of the Internet Governance Capacity Building

Maduka Attamah

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Programme (IGCBP) after completing the NGL e-learning programme. Since I did not know exactly what policy research was, I decided to find out. This meant committing to a further 16 weeks of study and research in a new field. The course focused on evidence-based policy research and policy implementation. At the time, this whole exercise seemed somewhat irrelevant, since my major passion was not policy-making. However, towards the end of this course, I received a fellowship from AfriNIC, the Regional Internet Registry for Africa, to participate in its 13th meeting in Johannesburg (AfriNIC meetings discuss policy proposals relating to the allocation and management of Internet number resources in the AfriNIC service region). Witnessing the open community policy development process at the AfriNIC community

led me to further appreciate the importance of the Policy Research Phase of the Diplo IGCBP. AfriNIC-13 was an eye opener on the application of public policy research and implementation by core technical people.

The seeds of IGCBP bear fruit

By enabling greater and more intense community involvement, the seeds of Diplo’s IGCBP are yielding rich fruit at grassroots and local community level. I became more aware of and able to talk about a wide range of Internet governance issues. At the end of the research implementation phase, I had the privilege of being called to be part of the Information Technology Committee of the University of Ibadan, where I was charged with developing ICT strategies and policies and overseeing

their implementation. My experience with the capacity building programmes was good preparation for this.

The Diplo/ISOC capacity building programme strongly motivated me to develop an outlook in which a deep understanding of Internet technologies and the consequent societal issues are employed towards effective public policies. I am particularly passionate about furthering relevant scientific knowledge and about the acquisition of strong technical skills in the African region in order to strengthen the participation of the region in the continued evolution of the Internet and its applications.

Maduka Attamah is a Software Engineer and Systems Analyst at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. n

‘Witnessing the open community policy development process at the AfriNIC community led me to further appreciate the importance of the Policy Research Phase of the Diplo IGCBP. AfriNIC-13 was an eye opener on the application of public policy research and implementation by core technical people.’

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Michele Marius in Jamaica ponders the impact of development on a society

My life began in Jamaica, where I was born the elder of two sisters to a doctor and a teacher. My father is from Saint Lucia, and so when I was six, my family migrated to Saint Lucia, where most of my schooling took place. My parents considered me a bright and disciplined child. In Jamaica, the school I had attended was guiding me through an accelerated learning programme, but similar schemes did not exist in Saint Lucia. As a result, the pace of my education slowed down considerably, so much so that I sometimes wonder how different my life would have been, had we remained in Jamaica.

Nevertheless, I attended the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, where I studied Electrical and Computer Engineering. Thereafter, I pursued a Master’s degree in

Communications, Controls, and Digital Signal Processing at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. After that, whilst living and working in Saint Lucia, I attained a Law degree through the University of London’s External Programme.

A tale of two cultures

The slower, and at that time, simpler way of life made growing up in Saint Lucia an excellent foundation for the experiences I have had to date. Since my mother is Jamaican, my sister and I grew up experiencing two cultures at the same time – Jamaica in our home and Saint Lucia outdoors – and we married the best of both into our psyches.

Additionally, at the time we immigrated to Saint Lucia, the country was on the brink of

I never anticipated the journey my life has taken so far…

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Michelle Maurius

change. The banana industry was about to experience a boom, and comprehensive electricification, construction, and telephone roll-out projects were imminent. In less than ten years, radical economic development occurred. People’s lifestyles and spending power improved considerably, but I was of the view that attitudes and outlook lagged behind. The transformation I witnessed is an experience that I continually refer to whenever I have to consider a small, developing country’s desire to improve its economic position, and the price that it might have to pay to achieve it.

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Regulating telecommunications

I have had many opportunities over the years to ponder the impact of development on a society. A considerable part of my professional life to date has been in the field of telecommunications regulation. Telecommunications, and now Information and Communications Technology (ICT), are considered key drivers of economic development. To varying degrees, and in diverse roles, such as chief executive, regulator, and consultant, I have been involved in telecommunications regulatory

processes in Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, and in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu in the South Pacific.

Telecommunications regulation is challenging, but I have greatly enjoyed the experience and am grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me. It has allowed me to contribute, be it directly or indirectly, to improving a country’s economic situation and to increasing the availability and affordability of telecommunications services in a society. However, over the last few years, I have been keen to broaden my skills and experience, and ICT, which

‘As a participant, I was also impressed and proud of the contributions of my fellow classmates. Many were erudite and eloquent in their comments, so not only were they a joy to read, they added such value and perspective to the discussions.’

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is a natural progression of telecommunications, is where I have been directing my attention.

Embracing ICT

I must admit that I was initially hesitant about, or perhaps defiant of, embracing ICT. Although I recognised that the shift to ICT was inevitable, I sensed that people, especially policymakers, did not appreciate the importance of telecommunications as the foundation for ICT. Further, they had no idea what ICT truly entailed and the diverse issues that needed to be addressed. Hence, when I decided to jump onto the ICT bandwagon, and taking into account my professional background, I wanted to focus on policy and governance issues as they relate to ICT.

Due to my experience in regulation, I had been exposed to a number of the topics that are considered to fall under Internet governance (IG). However, the topics are diverse, and when I began my own research on global IG policy, I became overwhelmed by the number of issues being discussed, the organisations involved, and their individual jurisdictions.

Internet governance: a holistic view

Participating in Diplo’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) 2011 has really helped me to develop a holistic view of the IG discussion. I am more aware of the salient issues that are currently being discussed, the key arguments that are being made, and the main entities

involved. As a participant, I was also impressed and proud of the contributions and views of my fellow classmates. Many were erudite and eloquent in their comments, so not only were they a joy to read, but they added such value and perspective to the discussions. They really reminded me of the breadth and depth of the expertise and experience we have in the Caribbean and of what we can offer to the rest of the world if given the opportunity.

Perhaps more importantly, the programme brought home to me how uninvolved and underrepresented the Caribbean region has been in this global conversation. I am currently based in Jamaica, a country that is seen as a leader in the region, but in the global IG conversation, it has not been

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica

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Michelle Maurius

present. Perhaps, similar to how I felt prior to the IGCBP, many are grappling with ‘where to start?’

Having a voice

I am also very concerned that civil society and the public at large within the Caribbean do not appear to have a voice in IG issues. This is the area where I hope I can make a difference.

A critical activity will be information dissemination – educating people about IG issues and assisting them in formulating views and opinions

that can not only be applied to their lives, but which can be communicated to national and regional leaders as appropriate. In January 2011, I launched ICT Pulse (www.ict-pulse.com), a blog aimed at discussing ICT issues from a Caribbean perspective. To date, a number of the articles I have published have dealt with topical IG matters, and thanks to my own increased awareness of the issues, I intend to use the blog as a platform for generating more discussion on the subject.

Additionally, since my professional endeavours are still

focused on telecommunications and ICT development, I fully expect to have the opportunity to continue to promote IG as a part of substantive projects I am involved in. In that regard, I hope to help developing countries around the world understand IG issues that should be important to them, especially as the world transitions to information societies and knowledge-based economies.

Michele Marius is an ICT/Telecoms consultant based in Jamaica and Editor and Publisher of ICT Pulse (www.ict-pulse.com) n

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Sala Tamanikaiwaimaro from Fiji is on the lookout for ways to strengthen capacity in the region and to impact policy

My name is Salanieta Tudrau Tamanikaiwaimaro, but my friends call me Sala. Fiji is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, a rich melting pot of people from the Pacific Islands, Asia and Europe. It also has an indigenous population called the I-Taukei, of which I am a part.

We I-Taukei are identified by our extended family unit, our clan, our tribe, and finally our village: my Totatoka (extended family unit) is Vuniuto, my Mataqali (clan) is Natamavarua, my Yavusa (tribe) is Naveisere, and my Koro (village) is Naisausau.

A cultural childhood

I have awesome parents who inculcated a rich awareness of our environment and the world around us in my two brothers (Aisea and Tevita Jnr) and me.

The impact of their parenting, coupled with the guidance of my grandfather who was a constant source of wisdom, instilled within me a deep sense of social responsibility. I remember from a very young age that, when I found something new and useful, I always wanted to share it. For example, I would invite the other children in my neighbourhood to a programme called ’Happy Hour’ with Mrs Pickering.

The nature of my Ta’s (Dad’s) work as an engineer for a sugar company that ran its operations throughout the country meant that my family was constantly moving. Consequently, I was continuously experiencing change, being immersed in diverse cultures, picking up the various official languages, and thus developing an appreciation of the localities where I lived. My Nau (Mother) teaches secondary school students, and her constant encouragement helped me persevere. One of the poems that she taught me was ‘Don’t Quit’.

One of the best parts of moving from place to place was developing an appreciation for the country’s diversity. Fiji’s most precious resource is not her natural resources, or her beautiful rainforests, or her white sandy beaches; her most precious resource is her

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people. For this reason, I have developed a love for people and for interacting with them and appreciating the challenges that they face. This led me to join organisations that were actively involved in making a difference. Having attended public and private schools, an Indian school, a Muslim school, a Catholic school, government schools, and a Chinese school, I came to appreciate and respect the diversity of perspectives.

At a very young age, I witnessed the first recorded major political upheaval, 17 years after Fiji’s independence from Great Britain. As a seven-year-old, I saw the impact this had on the various communities that I would eventually become a part of, and this left its mark on me. Segregation consciously started, and I witnessed my friends migrate. At this early age, I saw how the economy was affected by the political turbulence.

Education

I went to university to study Education and Technology, but

this was disrupted following the Coup d’ Etat in 2000. I did not fancy AutoCAD, as I had never taken Technology Drawing in my life. My father had warned me that Engineering was not for me, but I wanted to try it anyway. Nevertheless, I came to see the wisdom in my father’s counsel and opted to study law instead. I was inspired by a scripture that had seemed to leap out at me, ‘Seek justice for the oppressed and defend the fatherless and the widows.’

I had to travel to another part of the Pacific to study law, to the beautiful island country called Vanuatu. Whilst in Vanuatu, we also visited the Solomon Islands following its political crisis and saw firsthand the impact on the economy, with the one chicken costing $59 Solomon at that time.

Career and introduction to ICT

I continue to witness the challenges that most Pacific Island countries are facing. High oil prices affect energy grids, transportation, and

subsequently information and communication technologies (ICT) deployment. Using C.W. Mills ‘Sociological Imagination’ tool, it is possible to see how this affects individuals and communities in the Pacific. Whilst there are moves by governments in the region to invest in alternative renewable energy programmes, even these are expensive to start up. I worked as an associate in a law firm, and then as a senior analyst within the Regulator of Capital Markets and subsequently interned as a young professional within the Political, Governance and Security Division of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, so I have had the opportunity to see and appreciate the structures that hold things together. The mentoring I received from C-WBN through its sectors, such as the Reformation Teaching Advance, the Global Leadership Interlink, and from Josiah Qalovaki, has harnessed and developed my ability to quickly distil issues, find the root and crux of problems, and solve them by designing solutions.

My introduction to the ICT realm took place when I joined a licensed telecommunications operator. I engaged in this world with a passion to absorb and assimilate as much new information as possible. I found this world fascinating, so dynamic. I did a few telecommunications courses with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on universal services obligations and with Neotelis on telecommunications

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essentials. At a Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) conference that was held back-to-back with the ITU and Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) conference in Nadi, Fiji, I met Gisa Purcell, who had lost her luggage in Geneva. Out of character for me, I had ‘over-packed’ and shared my clothes with her – which is the Pacific way. We became firm and fast friends, and it was at dinner with Gisa and a few others that I first learned about Diplo.

Introduction to the IG world

My immersion in the world of IG began with DiploFoundation. I was excited about studying with classmates from around the world. The dynamic facilitation created an enabling environment. My classmates, all established professionals from around the world, rocked. My brother also enrolled in the class.

My immersion in IG helped me to better understand the ICT industry – it just began to make

sense. My favourite part was the poem by John Godfrey Saxe about the blind men and the elephant and the importance of appreciating the various perspectives on IG issues. I met people from the far side of the world who were passionate about development.

It was great to attend the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Vilnius, Lithuania, where I met great people from all walks of life and most especially my wider Diplo ‘online’ family. This was possible through the generous sponsorship of the Canadian government through the ITU. I also was fortunate enough to have been sent by Diplo to Noumea earlier this year, where I attended the inaugural Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (PrIGF), where I met interesting people. I actively participated in the PrIGF and raised the challenges that I saw facing the Pacific region and the need for a multistakeholder process to policy-making, training, capacity development, etc.

Keith Davidson from Pacific Internet Partners, one of the organisers of PrIGF, approached me a few months later to ask me to represent the Pacific at the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) and to speak about the PrIGF in Singapore, which I did. I was also invited by Dot Asia’s Edmon Chung, one of the organisers, to help judge the Youth IGF at the Nanyang Technological University, where the themes discussed were cyber-addiction, digital divide, and privacy. I saw the excellent work being done by the APrIGF in ensuring succession. I was also invited to speak at the ISOC Advisory Meeting, which was a closed meeting on the PrIGF. I have seen post-liberalisation challenges facing the telecommunications industry and the capacity development needs within regulators. As a practitioner, I have also seen how Pacific Island countries are often ill-advised about adopting model laws without first conducting clear, holistic, empirical research on matters on the ground. I have witnessed the challenges and bottlenecks that come with this approach. I am a strong advocate of empirical research preceding policy formulation, which precedes regulation.

The future

There is still a lag in the region as key stakeholders are slow to recognise the importance of IG and its impact on the economic, sociocultural, and political structures within the country. I have a strong sense

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of responsibility to advocate IG wherever I go.

I also see an increasing responsibility for leaders to govern equitably, fairly, and with justice. Their flexibility and openness to drive the nation and the region forward is becoming increasingly evident. I sense that a generation is emerging that is taking the bull by the horns and taking ownership of their destiny as individuals, as communities, as a nation, and as a region. There is an emergence of internal strength, resolve, inner wealth (in the form of values such, as relationship, partnership, sense of community, collaboration, sharing of resources), passion, and drive to create sustainable solutions that will benefit our people. Our Pacific leaders have had the foresight to create a

Pacific Plan. I believe that IG needs to be incorporated into that plan.

At the moment, I wear a few hats, one of which is as Chair of the Fiji Cyber Security Working Group. I was appointed to this by the Ministry of Defence in October 2010. My training with Diplo has helped me better understand the issues and has also allowed me to tap into the network of Diplo alumni and the global IG community from whom I can draw on. We ran our first workshop and did it in a multistakeholder fashion. I am also one of the coordinators of the Young Professional Training Development Forum, which is made up of professionals from various Pacific Island countries and from all walks of life who are committed to developing the region. I am passionate

about improving the quality of life within Fiji and in the Pacific. A look at developed economies will reveal that strong economies have robust ICT structures. In the Pacific, where the challenges are diverse and complex, the advocacy of IG is a critical part of the equation in bringing sustainable solutions. It will help address all sorts of issues, such as poor anti-dumping laws, intellectual property laws, e-commerce, universal service, and the lack of Internet exchange points. I am always on the lookout for ways to strengthen capacity in the region, and for the means to impact policy.

Sala Tamanikaiwaimaro is Chair of the Fiji Cyber Security Working Group and a coordinator of the Young Professional Training Development Forum. n

Sala Tamanikaiwaimaro

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‘To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.’

Kofi Annan

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Felix Samakande from Zimbabwe broadens his diplomatic bandwidth

I am the youngest of twelve siblings born at Mary Mount Mission, a Roman Catholic Mission Hospital situated in Zimbabwe at its border with Mozambique. When my father retired from being a school headmaster to become a farmer, he bought land in the same province, Mashonaland Central, in the district of Mt Darwin, not too far from my birthplace. From subsistence farming, my parents raised and educated me and my siblings through a timeline that traversed three eras: colonial rule, liberation war, independence.

This timeline is significant to my life, as it defines my humble beginnings and upbringing. I was a teenager when the liberation war reached fever pitch in the 1970s, and Mt Darwin was one hot war zone. While I was too young to go to combat, I was just the right age for the role of ‘war collaborator’ for the liberation fighters. I used to go out there on foot

patrols, with no resources, to gather intelligence and report back to base. It was in this liberation war era that I learnt to be creative and work with limited resources. The fact that I survived the war and its aftermath is a story worth a thousand words, but suffice to say, I have had a generous share of moments of grace. My next birthday cake will have 50 candles on it, and looking back I feel humbled, and most of all energised, to have served others and to have been an instrument for their moments of grace.

Moments of grace

Let me contextualise by taking you through one of the many days that helped define who I am today. I was 15, and the liberation war was raging. The colonial regime, overwhelmed by the onslaught from the liberation guerrilla fighters, took desperate measures. They rounded up all the families in Mt Darwin district, forced them

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into high security enclosures or ‘protected villages’ (PVs), and imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. This was meant to isolate the guerrilla fighters and terminate their support network within the people. One Sunday, a resting day for most, I was one of the few appointed to tend to the farm animals and return before dusk. I enjoyed full monopoly of the family bicycle, took the cattle to drink water, milked some cows, and was on my way back.

The route back traversed six farms, and on farm four I was to team up with two friends. While crossing farm three, I came to a screeching stop on the gravel road when I saw what looked like two puppies crossing the road. Five metres in front of me, I watched these two healthy young animals cross the road as it became clearer to me they were definitely not puppies. My adrenaline started pumping as I sifted through my limited data bank that told me these could be cubs of either hyenas or lions. Instinctively, I started walking backwards with very little cooperation from the bicycle. It was obvious the parents of these cubs were lurking in the bushes, and I kept imagining how vicious animals are when they have little ones of their own – including our own domesticated dog. After backtracking for a while without seeing any activity, I turned and cycled as fast as I could back to the previous farm-gate. I threw the bicycle over the gate, crossed over, and started down the winding road.

I took a longer alternate route to get to farm four and hurried on with my friends, trying to beat the curfew. Unfortunately, we did not; we found the gate shut and the sentries withdrawn. The sunlight was already diminishing into darkness, and we were frightened of being outside and consequently felt courageous enough to do things in the dark. We decided to crawl through the 22-strand outer fence before it was too late. With two of us wrestling with the barbed wires, we got one friend inside; I went in second with my bicycle and milk jar. As I turned back to help the last friend, some guns went off, firing at us in both automatic

and single fire. We abandoned the third friend and ran for our lives. I picked up the milk jar, and my friend took the bicycle and ran towards a rock. A few bullets hit the rock, causing sparks with whizzing sounds, and we both fell to the ground. I got up with the now empty milk jar and continued to run. I emerged at the other end of an abandoned orchard, where women were gathering water from a communal borehole. I joined the queue with my bucket, muscles twitching at each gunshot. When the gunfire died, I walked home to my praying mother. We all survived, but to this day I ask myself

‘I believe whistle-blowing websites have a greater role to play in the future of the humankind. These are a few of the issues that I became aware of through DiploFoundation, on whose blogosphere these issues continue to be debated.’

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what happened to the cubs’ parents.

Words of wisdom on war

The liberation war was the first of the wars I was actively involved in. I went on to join the Air Force of the newly independent Zimbabwe after high school in January 1981. After full military training, I undertook apprenticeship training in operations room (Ops Room), which included air traffic control and communications. This placed me at the periphery of the Zimbabwean civil war in Matabeleland during the early 1980s. I later left the Air Force after three years because I felt I did not like the ‘straight-jacket’ military lifestyle. I went on to join the Foreign Ministry, which posted me as a consular officer to our Embassy in Kenya. At the time, Kenya was an island of peace surrounded by wars in Rwanda, Somalia,

Sudan, and Ethiopia. Fast forward to 1998, I was posted to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo) at the peak of its war against Rwanda. Kinshasa was on the verge of being overrun by rebels, and I was there amidst the frenzy. I picked up quite a few values from these exposures to war, to the extent that I feel that war, in its variations, has had a stake in who I am today.

If I am to offer any words of wisdom on war, it is to remind all that war is against both sides. Today at the United Nations (UN), I find myself surrounded by the war agenda, or at least the fallouts thereof. The toughest negotiations we have on our Fifth Committee calendar are the annual Peacekeeping/Peacebuilding budgets. Development, one of the three pillars of the UN, is more often than not centred on states rising from the ravages of war or sanctions – both of which cause underdevelopment. The role of technology in all this has both negative and positive potential. Technologies, such as global positioning systems, make it possible to carpet bomb a precise grid in the Sahara desert, while other technologies, like Internet working, come in to fast-track its development.

The voice of reason

I see Internet governance (IG) as the voice of reason, actively persuading all stakeholders to optimise technology for the common good, while discouraging its negative potential. Internet working

technology has opened the floodgates for collaborative innovation that captures human capacity at its best. This brings me to my final lesson learnt from the many wars: that people command enormous power as long as ‘I’ is transformed into ‘We’. History has never presented people with a more opportune time to wield their power. Let me give an example, which is not entirely hypothetical. People could decide that the biggest distortion to the distribution of wealth on the planet is the economic system, which is resulting in poverty and wars over resources. To dismantle the rogue corporatocracy empires, people could network on a global scale to boycott particular products and services until the empires collapse one at a time.

Some neo-liberal theorists have been peddling the notion that humans are selfish, greedy, and thrive on the conquest of others; the reality could not be further from the truth. Progressives conducted more plausible research only to prove that, after all, humans are human, empathetic beings with a care-span that exceeds our lifespan. Complementing our empathy, technology now offers us greater opportunities to root out ills, like money laundering, corruption, and, invariably, poverty. I believe whistle-blowing websites have a greater role to play in the future of the humankind. These are a few of the issues that I became aware of through DiploFoundation, on whose blogosphere these issues continue to be debated.

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Felix Samakande

How Diplo found me

I have been saving the best for last, and I will get to how Diplo found me. Returning home from my first diplomatic stint in Kenya in 1996, my flair for computers earned me a place in the e-government project team. The task was to consult and come up with a feasibility study, but I found myself appointed to the project implementation team. To fit the bill, I ended up taking several diploma and advanced diploma courses. A private computer engineering workshop took me in for six months of industrial training, and this put me strides ahead of my team. A couple of years down the line, I realised I had been training myself to be a worker rather than a manager, so I enrolled for an Applied

ICT degree programme at the University of Zimbabwe.

I dropped out of the Applied ICT degree programme to assume my post at the Permanent Mission of Zimbabwe to the United Nations, New York in 2006. This is where Diplo found me, through its outreach programme. After completing four progressive phases of the Capacity Building Programme, I can safely say I effectively broadened my diplomatic bandwidth. I am now in a position to develop synergies between divergent issues, like technology, development, and international law. I can now draw a bold line in the sand.

Diplo also increased my diplomatic footprint by taking me to the 2010 Internet

Governance Forum in Lithuania. There, I saw Diplo at its functional best and emerged with a profound respect for it. The online learning delivery model of the Capacity Building Programme nurtures within students a culture of give and take: giving through sharing personal experiences and taking from others and the huge knowledge database. Within me, Diplo developed an indefatigable appetite to stay abreast of Internet governance issues and to apply the wisdom gained and to pass it on to those who matter.

Felix Samakande is from Zimbabwe and is currently based in New York, USA on a diplomatic assignment as Second Secretary in the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United Nations. n


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Gaongalelwe-Gaolaolwe Mosweu from Botswana fulfils a promise

The first time I ever saw a computer in my life was at a neighbour’s house at the age of nine! That was 20 years ago in Serowe, the village where I grew up, located in the Central District of Botswana. After that, I saw a computer in my mother’s office. She knew how to use the ’little TV with a typewriter attached to it’ (at least that’s how I saw it). The first time I used a computer would be some five years later, in my first year of secondary school. To say I was fascinated would not even begin to describe how I felt. I made a vow that I would learn everything about computers that I possibly could. (Ok, I don’t think I know everything now either, but at the time I graduated from secondary school, I had learned quite a lot. I graduated with an A in

Computer Studies, so I reckon I did learn a lot there!)

Education and IGCBP

I was going to study Computer Science at university, but by some twist of fate I studied Business Administration instead, specialising in marketing, for which I received my Bachelor’s degree. I then studied for a diploma in Computer Studies. At 24, I was chosen to be one of three youths to represent Botswana at the NEPAD eAfrica ICT Youth Conference, where we met other young people from across Africa. I met a fellow youth from Egypt, who then introduced me to the world of Internet governance (IG), and I subsequently took part in Diplo’s online Internet

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Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP).

During the IGCBP course, we received a call for applications through the mailing list for the first ever ICANN fellowship programme. I applied and was chosen to be one of the pioneers at a meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in June 2007. From that meeting alone, I learnt so much about ICANN, its role in the Internet, the processes it undertakes, and the greater Internet community. The contacts I made there came in handy later.

Botswana: a bright ICT future

It is worth noting that, in terms of information communications technology (ICT), Botswana is relatively young when it comes to the Internet and even younger with regard to IG issues. As with most developing countries, there are more fundamental bread-and-butter issues, such as connecting to

power sources. Because Internet adoption and access is still relatively low in Botswana, IG issues have not been a priority. I am optimistic, though, that the landscape is set to change in a few years’ time, as the last-mile connectivity costs decrease, thereby increasing access. The government has invested in major cables to increase bandwidth capacity.

I can confirm, however, that the level of awareness of IG issues is increasing amongst the general ICT community, and even more people from Botswana are getting involved in IG issues at local level and key stakeholders are finally taking notice. IG issues are now being added to the agenda at many national ICT fora.

Wearing two hats

I am passionate about development issues and, in particular, have focused on how ICT can contribute to

the development of people in Botswana and beyond. I have applied my knowledge, passion, and experience in the local ICT industry with a view to contributing to catapulting Botswana into an information and knowledge society. This is something that really excites me and I look forward to the future of this country. To this end, I wear two hats.

With my civil society hat, I am Vice President of the Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS). BITS is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation that is emerging as the voice for ICT in Botswana. Over the last two years in this role, I have organised capacity building initiatives for women in ICT, along with other general training.

The other hat I wear is being in charge of marketing and communication for the Botswana Innovation Hub, a science park geared towards ICT and other high-tech services. This is an exciting venture both for me personally and for the entire country, as it is set to transform Botswana’s economy. On a personal level, it is a perfect marriage with my passion for ICT4D and my professional qualifications, so it gets the best of out of me!

Reflection and advice

I have always had a passion for uplifting the lives of other people in my society and have thus taken to doing this through my voluntary involvement in ICT for

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development. In particular, I took a keen interest in IG and received some recognition within IG circles, which ultimately helped me gather the confidence to become more involved at local community and national level. This has helped me to become a voice and agent of change for IG issues in Botswana.

If you are thinking of going into the same area, I would advise you to learn about particular ICT

policies that apply to your own country. Get other people from other countries to share their experiences with you. Have the confidence to seek out those who are in charge and offer your assistance. (I have done the latter a number of times – it works!) It also helps if you are part of an established group, as it makes it easier to be taken more seriously.

In closing, I have learned that one of the most important

things is to network, to meet people, and to introduce yourself to them. You never know when these connections will come into play. Be yourself: don’t try to act too cool – be honest and pleasant.

Gaongalelwe-Gaolaolwe Mosweu is Marketing and Communications Manager for the Botswana Innovation Hub and Vice President of the Botswana Information Technology Society. n

‘I can confirm, however, that the level of awareness of IG issues is increasing amongst the general ICT community, and even more people from Botswana getting involved in IG issues at local level and key stakeholders are finally taking notice. IG issues are now being added to the agenda at many national ICT fora.’

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Judith Okite from Kenya opens her eyes to opportunity

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My father is originally from Uganda, and my mother is from Tanzania, and I was born in Nairobi, Kenya; in short, I am an East African and a Christian by religion. I am the second born in a family of five, with four boys and one girl.

My father began his career as a secondary school teacher and then later changed to a financial clerk. He worked with the government telecommunication company, Kenya Posts and Telecommunication Corporation. Later, the Corporation split into two: Posta and Telekom Kenya; one entity to handle postal (parcels, letters, etc.) and the other telecommunications (landlines, mobiles). My father remained with Telekom Kenya until his retirement seven years ago.

My mother began as a secretary in the public service office and then later changed her career to banking. She worked with

the former East Africa Building Society (EABS), which was later bought by a West African bank and changed to Eco Bank, where she worked until her retirement two years ago.

A little about Kenya

Kenya is in the eastern part of the African continent. The country is named after Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa, located in the central part of the country. The country’s geography is as diverse as its people. It has a long coastline along the Indian Ocean, and as you advance inland, the landscape changes to savannah grasslands and arid and semi-arid bush. The central regions, and the western parts, have forests and mountains, while the northern regions are near desert landscapes. Our pride is in the wildlife; I don’t think that there is any kind of wildlife that cannot be found in the different

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Judith Okite

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parks across the country. We produce world renowned tea and coffee and more recently became a major exporter of fresh flowers to Europe. The service industry is driven by the telecommunications sector. Kenya is also a major and world-renowned athletics powerhouse.

My education

In my early years, we lived with my aunt (my father’s sister). She is the one who actually brought us up. With both parents focused on their careers, she was the one who was there whenever we needed anything. At the age of five, I started attending pre-school, simply because I did not want to stay in the house while my elder brother went to school. When he came back home, we couldn’t play anymore because he didn’t want to be disturbed. He had homework to do, and I thought to myself, ‘This is cool, I want this!’ I stayed in pre-school for one year and then joined primary school a year earlier than required. There was nothing much that they could do; they couldn’t take me back to pre-school because I was a bright student. In Kenya, the educational system is known as 8-4-4, meaning eight years in primary level, four years in secondary school, and four years in university, depending on what you’re doing.

Unfortunately, my education was cut short. I got into a road accident and had a spinal injury, staying in a coma for 18 months. Then the longest journey to recovery began. I

am a devoted Christian, and I believe that it has taken the hand of the Lord to be where I am today because even science does not have an explanation for it.

My love for computers

In my earlier years, my dream was to be either a doctor or a lawyer. I wanted to be able to interact directly with people, to help them out, save their lives, make a difference.

Computers did not have a place in my life. I could not understand how one could stay for hours staring at this ‘dead’ box. What has always kept me going is passion, and, in whatever I do, I must be passionate about it for it to succeed.

After seven years of visiting one doctor after another, one hospital after another, one country after another, I figured the time had come for me to work out my life and

my future. My career had to definitely change! My parents had spent all they had on my medication and treatment. They told me they did not have any more money to spend on me, so I began the search for sponsorship. First, my church sponsored me to get a certification in computers. It took me an hour and a half to get to class, but I did this for three months until I completed it with credit. After this, I began to love computers. While training in a leadership class in my local church, there was a lady, Mrs Josphine Kingo’ri. We got to talking, and she told me she was working with the National Council for Churches in Kenya. We became very good friends, and I became very open with her and shared with her my new found vision ‘to empower and improve the lives of people with disabilities’. She advised me to go slow, ‘First things first, let’s get you more educated.’ Two weeks after this initial talk, things moved so fast. There was a young man

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that the Council had sponsored to go to college. Unfortunately, he had passed away. ‘So that the Council does not lose this money,’ Josephine said, ‘Please write your proposal, look for a good college, and attach the prospectus, stating what you would like to do but do not exceed this amount of money.’

Online learning and teaching

That’s how I landed in Kenya College of Communications Technology (KCCT). This is where I met Mr John Walubengo, my mentor. He introduced me to KictaNET, the national ICT mailing list. I went to face-to-face meetings with him and got involved and more interested in ICT and what it was doing and what it could do at a time when Kenya was revising its national ICT policy, which became the Kenya Communications (amendment) Act 2009. At this time, I was working on a project, an open source e-learning platform. Mr Walubengo invited me to join the discussion group to add my input, and, more importantly, to sample the e-learning platform that was being used. That was my first interaction with the Diplo platform. I was thrilled

about Hypertext and at the opportunity of ‘playing around with the platform’ to familiarise myself with it. Trust me; I took full advantage of it. Time flies too fast when you’re having fun. Soon, the discussion came to an end, and I asked Mr. Walubengo if I could continue accessing this platform. He introduced me to the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) and told me he would send me the application when it opened and that hopefully, if I got sponsored, I could get to use the platform again.

I continued with my project and downloaded an open source e-learning platform with all its dependencies, worked on it with all my heart, and when it was up and running, it was one of the most satisfying things I had ever done in my life. For two years on a contract basis, I lectured at KCCT in user proficiency courses, on web development, on Linux and Unix Basic, and on administration, and I hosted the exams on the e-learning platform. It was great! The initial plan was for KCCT to adopt it, but they did not. In late 2007, the Director at Malezi School called me to implement the platform in

his school, which I did gladly. Unfortunately, the aspect of free and open source software was not very well understood and so within six months I was out of there.

In 2008, I was selected for the IGCBP. I did the foundation phase, then advanced and got into the research phase. I met wonderful people online, and it was as if the tutors were always physically around. I got the opportunity to be in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Hyderabad, India – the third Forum.

Opening my eyes to opportunity

I have stayed active in the IGF. If you open your eyes wide enough, there is always an opportunity. For example, when I attended the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) on behalf of the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) in 2009, I saw great potential in West Africa and joined the African Caribbean Pacific states (ACP) training. Additionally, we at the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) hold our stakeholders conference every two years. This was a great opportunity to get a wide number of people within ACP countries together.

In Kenya, I am part of the KIGF team. I co-coordinated the online discussions alongside my colleague Barrack Otieno from Diplo that led to the Kenya National IGF report 2010. The West Africa Internet

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Judith Okite

‘Computers did not have a place in my life. I could not understand how one could stay for hours staring at this ‘dead’ box. What has always kept me going is passion, and, in whatever I do, I must be passionate about it for it to succeed.’

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Governance Forum is run by a consortium, where FOSSFA is the lead partner and I was the coordinator in 2010, on behalf of FOSSFA. I was part of the secretariat (programme and logistics coordinator) at the 2009 EAIGF in Nairobi, Kenya.

Final reflection

While consulting with the National Council for Persons with Disability, I have been able to digitalise the registration of persons with disabilities. The first phase was registering 50 000 people, and now in the second phase,

we would like to extend this beyond the capital city, seeking partners who can fund the resource centers to make work easier and more manageable.

The Internet is the greatest tool ever invented. Wisely used, it can greatly improve lives and the development of any nation. The question is how to give it top priority and keep it away from politics.

Parting shot

I have found my place and will work until I have achieved my vision.

I will forever remain grateful to Mrs Josphine Kingori, Mr Cornelius Amukwachi, Ms Nnenna Nwakanma, Mr John Walubengo, Ms Alice Munyua, Mr Sebastian Buettrich and the large Diplo family and many more that I cannot write here. Just to say ‘You are a great contribution to who I am today’. Thank you very much and God’s blessings be upon you.

Judith Okite lives in Nairobi and is FOSSFA’s IG Coordinator. She is also consulting with the National Council for Persons with Disability in Kenya. n

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Tracy Hackshaw from Trinidad and Tobago shares what his mother taught him

More than anything else, who I am today, what I am doing, and any successes I have achieved along the way have been due to my mother – the classic 1960s teenage rebel – and what she taught me from a very early age: work hard, read a lot, ask questions, stay curious ... and never take no for an answer.

It was in 1995 when I was not yet 23, that I fired up Netscape Navigator on an Intel 386 and 14.4 kbps dial-up connection at my desk while doing some research work at the Ansa McAl Psychological Research Centre at the University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. Little did I know the path this relatively minor anti-establishment act would lead me on, but I will come back to this later.

In the Christmas of 1984, my mother, Istra Marion Hackshaw,

took out a major bank loan and purchased my first computer, an Apple IIe – a reward for passing and being accepted to the secondary school of my first choice. In 1984, a computer would have easily cost about three to four months of a typical public servant’s salary (my mother was a nurse and a midwife, as well as a single mother). I knew that I was one of the few 11-year-olds in Trinidad and Tobago to have one. The only computers I had heard about then were the BBC Micro and the Commodore 64 – the computer of choice for my more well-off peers who were of the Atari gaming generation.

My mother had always encouraged me to explore new dimensions of whatever I was interested in – no limits were ever placed on me or my imagination. I was a fan of all kinds of video games, technological gadgets, as well as the most modern and accessible technologies of our time – radio, LPs, and cassettes (later CDs). In my desire to explore and discover, I may have – on my own and to my mother’s chagrin – invented the term ‘mashup’ in the 1980s.

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So, fastforward a couple of years of Karateka, Prince of Persia, Ms Pacman, and some valiant attempts at BASIC programming, and my computer hobbyist activities were now being taken up a little more formally at school.

The secondary school syllabus for computer studies was pretty intense, at least for the 1980s. My school – St Mary’s College – was one of the few in the country to possess a computer lab, and so I began my discovery of the PC. MS-DOS, WordPerfect, and Lotus 1-2-3 were my shiny, new toys. I was an atrocious physics student ... but somehow computer studies seemed to be my cup of tea. It was a pity that St Mary’s found a way to

link the two together, so if you wanted to pursue computer studies, you had to study physics as well. I was forced to study mathematics, biology, and chemistry.

To cut a long story short, I found myself at the University of the West Indies several years later, steeped in the social sciences. This was after a sojourn in the electronic media industry (television) when at age 18 I became a foundation technical staff member of Trinidad and Tobago’s third (and arguably first, truly independent) television station – a result of government policy facilitating the demonopolisation and opening up of the media industry in the

late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1991, therefore, I took my love of gadgets and technology and ‘how things work’ to a new, professional level.

How things work

My two year ‘sabbatical’ from school resulted in a quantum shift away from studying the physical and natural sciences into a new curiosity for how things REALLY work. Why do people do the things they do? Where do people, society, politics, mass media, and technology intersect? I hoped that my undergraduate course in sociology and psychology would provide me with the answers. I voraciously devoured everything I could – cultural anthropology,

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gender studies, sociologies of education, mass media, poverty, criminology, social psychology, politics and geo-politics, and I even became President of UWIMedia. Mine was an appetite that never seemed to be satisfied until that fateful day in the Psychological Research Centre when I came face-to-face with Netscape.

I had heard about this thing called ‘the Internet’ from my peers in Computer Sciences and Engineering. They were using it to do all sorts of, perhaps less than politically correct, things – and my quest for knowledge and my hunger for answers drove me to the little Compaq machine in the Research Centre. Only a few of us knew it was able to connect to the Internet, and it was to be used for ‘research purposes only’ ... once I was in, I was hooked forever.

I pursued the Internet with a passion and drive that surprised even me. With my first ‘real’ salary, I obtained

an external dial-up modem and got a dial-up connection connecting at speeds of light – 18-21 kbps. I learned HTML. I began building rudimentary websites for my personal use. I convinced my director in my first major postgraduate job at the Department of Women’s Affairs (soon to be renamed Gender Affairs) to establish an e-mail address to communicate with our international bilateral

and multilateral counterparts. This ensured that Trinidad and Tobago was kept more up to date globally than most other governments, ministries, and agencies of the day (in 1996) regarding its portfolio relating to women’s and gender issues. We utilised this advanced information to consistently mainstream gender issues into government policy, to train staff, and to sensitise friends, family, and peers.

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Internet evangelist

This evangelisation of the Internet and the burgeoning World Wide Web continued in my next job as a project and research specialist at the Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1998, I convinced the Chamber’s Executive Council to move online, working with a team to conceptualise and create South Trinidad Online, one of the first and most comprehensive business and community web presences in Trinidad and Tobago (http://web.archive.org/web/19991122170356/http://www.southchamber.com). I also convinced the Chamber to begin a series of educational and capacity building workshops targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. One of the major thrusts of the workshops was to expose these enterprises to online business.

These were exciting and revolutionary times – the dot com bubble was growing bigger and bigger, and in 1999,

the government of Trinidad and Tobago took notice. The Chamber nominated me to represent its interests at the ground-breaking National e-Commerce Policy Committee, and I was honoured, privileged, and humbled to contribute to one of the world’s first National e-Commerce Policy documents (you can find it online at http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/caricad/unpan008535.pdf). Several of the recommendations contained therein have since been implemented and have created significant change to the national Internet and information and communication technologies (ICT) landscape in Trinidad and Tobago.

Making a difference

Having now moved formally into the private sector, my mother’s sole piece of job advice kept repeating itself in my head like the chorus of an 1980s power ballad – ‘Whatever you do in life, wherever you are, always

seek to make a difference.’ Moving on from the Chamber, I accepted an offer from the ICT group with one of the Caribbean region’s largest conglomerates to initiate their thrust into the Internet space. We worked with some of the largest technology companies in the world at that time – Oracle, Microsoft, and Vignette, among others – to slowly but surely move several of the region’s largest private sector organisations and government agencies onto the Internet and to take advantage of Internet-based technologies. The exposure and learning gained from this assignment was life-changing in more ways than one. During this period, I undertook postgraduate studies in International Management at the University of London, and, practicing what I preached, chose to embark upon these studies through ‘flexible learning’, a mixed mode of distance learning, online education, and face-to-face interaction. Life began moving at Internet speed. The lines

Tracy Hackshaw

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between work, family, and life began blurring, moving rapidly and rollercoasting through highs, lows, achievements, challenges, disappointments, marriage, fatherhood, birth, death, loss, despair, loneliness, happiness, all the while searching for the path that would lead me to bring into effect what my mother had taught me ... ‘make a difference, make a difference’.

Today, I have shifted again. I am now working for the government of Trinidad and Tobago (and have been since 2004), designing, architecting, and implementing transformational solutions – largely based on Internet technologies – that are intended to change the way the government does business, improve the level of quality of and satisfaction with governmental service delivery, and, most of all, reorient the government’s interaction with its citizens, netizens, and all of its stakeholders. The latter is being done by placing the focus on their NEEDS as opposed to what the government WANTS to deliver to them. I have also embarked upon another life-changing journey with DiploFoundation, participating in the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP), first as a learner, and now in several other meaningful capacities. I successfully received various fellowships (ICANN) and ambassadorships (Internet Society – ISOC) to attend Public Meetings of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), as well as various

Internet Governance Forums between 2009 and 2011. At these meetings we are trying to raise the voices of the developing world, especially those of small island developing states (SIDS), and call attention to our different needs.

Finding my niche

I particularly feel that it has all led to this: I have now found my niche. I have come literally full circle, first as a naïve, nascent, and humble Internet user, observing in amazement and wonder the development of the Internet. Now I am equally humbled to have found myself in a position to utilise the Internet and all of its potential and underlying capacity to be the catalyst for development

and transformation in my country, in my region, and in SIDS.

As I write this, I finally feel, I finally hope that I am using the opportunities that I have been provided to truly make a difference, to fully act upon the trust that has been placed in me and to truly actualise what my mother taught me.

Dedicated to the memory and life of Istra Marion Hackshaw, RN, LM. 18 May 1946–24 March 2010.

Rest in Peace, Mom. I love you. I miss you. Your pain is gone now.

Tracy Hackshaw works for the government of Trinidad and Tobago. n

‘My mother had always encouraged me to explore new dimensions of whatever I was interested in – no limits were ever placed on me or my imagination.’

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Chronology of the ACP programme: Major points of interests

Over the two years of the ACP programme, a number of activities took place: two rounds of online foundation courses in Internet governance (IG); two rounds of online courses in advanced IG topics; an online course in ICT Policy and Strategic Planning; online training for tutors; ten training workshops in the ACP region; and five rounds of fellowships where the best participants attended important regional and international events... and much more!

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Chronology of the ACP Programme: Major Points of Interests

Online Foundation Course in IG and Policy 1 March–31 July 2010

Release of IG visuals and publications 15 April 2010

Training workshop in Nairobi, Kenya 11–12 March 2010

Training workshop in Accra, Ghana 13–14 May 2010

Online Advanced Courses in IG and Policy 1 June–31 July 2010

Online Training for Trainers course 10 June–31 July 2010

Training workshop in Kingston, Jamaica 30 June–1 July 2010

Training workshop in Rarotonga, Cook Islands 25 August 2010

Training workshop in Suva, Fiji 1–2 September 2010

Training workshop and Training for Trainers in Vilnius, Lithuania (at the IGF) 13 September 2010

Online Policy Research course 1 October–30 November 2010

Fellowships for 5th global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Vilnius, Lithuania 14–17 September 2010

Training workshop in Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago 12–13 November 2010

Online Training for Trainers course 1–31 December 2010

Policy research projects 15 January–1 March 2011

Training workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 6–8 April 2011

Fellowships for Pacifi c IGF, Noumea, New Caledonia 9–10 April, 2011

Training workshop in Pretoria, South Africa 12–14 April 2011

Online Advanced Courses in IG and Policy 13 June–12 August 2011

Online Advanced Course in ICT Policy and Strategic Planning 13 June–12 August 2011

Training workshop in Burundi by partners 28–29 June 2011

Fellowships for Caribbean IGF and LAC Preparatory meeting for global IGF, Port of Spain, Trinidad 8–11 August 2011

Fellowships for Central African IGF, Brazzaville, Congo 10–11 August 2011

Fellowships for Southern Africa IGF, Johannesburg, South Africa 31 August–2 September 2011

Follow-up through Community of Practice 31 August 2011 ongoing

Online Foundation Course in IG and Policy 7 March – 31 May 2011

Training workshop in Gaborone, Botswana 19–20 October 2010

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Creating effective and sustainable research learning networks

Addressing the complexity of emerging ICT policy issues with very limited resources is a reality in the ACP region. It comes as no surprise, then, that developing countries import major policy papers and ideas. Implementation of these recommenda-tions without adjustment to the specific cultural, political, or economic needs of a country often results in awkward strategic plans that lack sustain-ability, public ownership, and potential for imple-mentation.

Nevertheless, developing countries have amazing potential in terms of human capacity that remains relatively untapped. A number of successful participants continued into the Policy Research phase which consisted of two components: (1) an educational programme introducing the concepts

Research papers

Benson Ncube, Botswana

Adoption and adaptation of e-health systems for developing nations: The case of Botswana

Karim Attoumani Mohamed, Comoros

Evaluation of the status of the e-government in Comoros

Alimata Belemou, Côte d’Ivoire

Le code du travail burkinabé face au teletravail

Nnenna Nwakanma, Côte d’Ivoire

Social media and networks: What potential is there for policy engagement by citizens in West Africa?

Sam Goundar, Fiji

Cloud computing: Opportunities and issues for developing countries

Shareeni Kala, Fiji

E-learning at Fiji National University

Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro, Fiji

Cybersecurity in the Republic of Fiji

Fitahiana Rakotomalala, Madagascar

For an effective taxation of electronic commerce in Madagascar

Tiwonge Manda, Malawi

Maturity of cybersecurity initiatives in Malawi: A comparison with the drive for fast and ubiquitous Internet

connectivity

of policy and policy research, objectives, method-ologies, and techniques, and (2) practical policy research work aimed at encouraging participants to produce relevant localised policy papers on burning ICT and IG issues.

The authors are practitioners representing various stakeholders with a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds. Throughout the research process, they were assisted by certified tutors and facilitators as well as a number of regional experts and professionals. Their work thus introduces a fresh breeze of thought into the already well-mapped thematic field of IG, enabling the locali-sation of IG challenges and a better understanding of national or regional specificities that should be taken into account in future ICT planning.

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Creating effective and sustainable research learning networks

Maduka Attamah, Nigeria

Bandwidth management: The public policy approach in a university campus network

Keisha Candice Taylor, Trinidad and Tobago

Inter-governmental organisations sharing and linking open and real-time data for inclusive governance:

Development effectiveness and protection of privacy and security

Eliot Nsega, Uganda

The use of ICT in human rights promotion: A case study of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’

Rights

Rumbidzayi Gadhula, Zimbabwe

Internet governance and service provision in Zimbabwe

Felix Samakande, ZimbabweExploring the need for speed in deploying information and communications technology for international

development and bridging the digital divide

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Impact in the making – Examples at national, regional, and sub-regional level

Pacific and e-Health

After completing the online courses and workshops and participating at the global IGF in Lithuania as a fellow, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro from Fiji started a Pacific-wide e-discussion on ICT for Health and e-Health with doctors and the officials from the Ministry of health. They are discussing a possible regional project: Building on advocating e-health in our communities.

The birth of the Africa IGF

During the very inspiring training workshop in Addis Ababa in April 2011, participating officials from the African Union and professionals from various stakeholders in Africa agreed to set up the foundation for the first pan-African Internet Governance Forum. The news spread quickly through social media!

The Commonwealth and ACP

In cooperation with the Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum (CIGF), several fellows from ACP countries started blogging on burning IG and ICT issues in their regions – issues such as domain names, youth, Internet eXchange Points, the Commonwealth of the Internet, and other topics. The CIGF Blog is available at: http://www.commonwealthigf.org/cigf/blog/

The blossoming of regional IG forums

The online courses which gathered professionals from the Pacific region were followed by interactive training workshops in Fiji and Cook Islands which encouraged, connected, and empowered participants to start the first Pacific IGF meeting – it took place in early April in Noumea, New Caledonia, under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community with support of PICISOC (Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society) and a number of regional and international partners.

Some months later, thousands of miles away, the makings of the first Southern Africa IGF (SAIGF) emerged from a successful training workshop in Pretoria, South Africa, in April 2011. It was the result of the continuous group-work of a number of professionals and institutions from the region within online courses and the Research Project phase. The first SAIGF is planned for the end of August 2011, in Johannesburg, with support from NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, Association of Progressive Communications, and the Southern African NGO Network. of Progressive Communications and Southern African NGO Network.

The following key outcomes of the programme were envisaged in the original objectives:

• A community of IG and ICT policymakers throughout all ACP countries, working together to develop good practice in ICT policy regulations and promote greater stakeholder awareness of IG and ICT issues.

• A group of next-generation ICT/IG policymakers who have built their skills and confidence through the training of trainers component and are ready to facilitate the continued development of this area.

In addition to achieving these objectives, the project has impacted policy in ACP countries and regional organisations.

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The impact on regional processes

‘Currently at the West African IGF we have nine countries (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone) actively participating in the national, regional and global forum. Seven of these nine countries are being represented by Diplo ACP Alumni members acting in the capacity of National resource persons, meaning they are the lead people driving the IGF process in their countries!’

Judy Okite, FOSSFA, 28 July 2011 at WAIGF in Lagos, Nigeria

Capacity building in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Telecommunication Union and the Government of St Kitts supported an IG and ICT Policy training workshop, implemented in cooperation with Diplo, within the EU-funded Information and Communication Technology for Improving Education, Diversification, and Competitiveness (ICT4EDC) Project. The training took place in St Kitts and Nevis, 14–15 June 2011, and featured participants from various SKN and regional stakeholders, as well as several experts from the region.

Regional discussions in Central Africa

Two ACP programme partners – the Burundi Youth Training Centre (BYTC) and the Centre Africain de Complémentarité Scolaire, Universitaire et de Promotion (CACSUP) – worked together on a local IG training workshop in Bujumbura, Burundi, on 28–29 June 2011. The Central African IGF became even stronger as result of the continuous cooperation between the two partners and Diplo focusing on online collaboration and knowledge exchange among various stakeholders of the region.

Online discussions on .Africa

Provoked by constructive discussions during the training workshop in Pretoria in April 2011, and supported by Diplo, the African alumni initiated an online discussion on policy challenges and opportunities for establishing a continental Internet Top Level Domain for Africa: .Africa. Issues such as political management, funding, knowledge, multilingualism, and African identity also emerged during the discussion. The discussion aims to provide a set of opinions, concerns, and proposals by African professionals on the way forward for .Africa, suggestions that would be useful to African decision-makers. The discussion is available at: http://discuss.diplomacy.edu/dotafrica/

Impact in the making – Examples at national, regional, and sub-regional level

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Beneficiaries and participants

501 Participants60 ACP countries5060

Stakeholders

Government: 126

International Organisation: 9

Regional Organisation: 53

Regulator: 28

Academia: 82

Business: 101

Civil Society: 98 Media: 4

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Name Country Institution Stakeholder

Derek E. Browne Barbados Office of Trade Negotiations Government

Mosheera Abdul Kareem Barbados Copyright Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Civil Society

Niel Harper Barbados First Caribbean International Bank Business

Kevin Harris Belize Ministry of Education Government

Michelle Longsworth Belize Central Information Technology Office, Ministry of Finance Government

Inaldi Cardona Belize Government of Belize Government

B. Rivaldo Alain Kpadonou Benin — Academia

Pierre Dovonou Lokossou Benin Canadian International Development Agency Government

Alfred Ndabeni Botswana South African Development Community (SADC) Regional Organisation

Benson Ncube Botswana Cabling for Africa Business

Boammaaruri Malemenyane Botswana Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Finance And Development Planning

Government

Boipelo Patrick Botswana Limkokwing University College Academia

Boipuso Kopoedi Botswana Botswana Telecom Authority Regulator

Boipuso Tshweneyagae Botswana Administration of Justice Government

Boitumelo Tlhalerwa-Tau Botswana Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Academia

Charity T. Mangope Botswana Botswana Tourist Organisation (BTO) Government

Eva Kentshitswe Botswana Botswana Telecom Authority Regulator

Gao Mosweu Botswana Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS) Civil Society

Itumeleng Garebatshabe Botswana Intellegere Holdings Business

Jerry Thebe Botswana Government of Botswana (DPSM) Government

Karabo Mosteki Botswana — Academia

Keolebogile Rantsetse Botswana Limkokwing University Academia

Kutobe Modie Botswana Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Attorney-Generals Chambers Government

Lebogang P. Diteko Botswana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Government

Leseka Monamo Botswana German Development Service International Organisation

Masego Rankowa Botswana Botswana Harvard Partnership Civil Society

Moakofi Kamanga Botswana Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Business

Modisha Maribe Botswana Debswana Civil Society

Muhammed Ismail Botswana Weblogic Business

Neo Nwako Botswana Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS) Civil Society

Poshesho C. Pesetsue Botswana Botswana Information Technology Society (BITS) Civil Society

Seepelo Malefhu Botswana Botswana Telecom Authority Regulator

Sefalana Matambo Botswana MFA and Int’l Cooperation Government

Thato Mosweu Botswana Ministry of Health Government

Zibani Mbotho Botswana Botswana Police Service Government

Alimata Belemou Burkina Faso National Telecom Office (ONATEL-SA) Business

Bernard Yameogo Burkina Faso National Telecom Office (ONATEL) Regulator

Idrissa Bourgou Burkina Faso Yam Pukri Association Civil Society

Inoussa Traoré Burkina Faso Yam Pukri Association Civil Society

Issoufou Seynou Burkina Faso ICT Regulation and Policy consultant Business

Moussa Guebre Burkina Faso Ministere des Postes et des Technologies de L’Information et de la Communication (MPTIC)

Government

Rimtarebsida Serge Gildas Nana Burkina Faso Ministry of Security Government

Alain Didier Ndarusanze Burundi Centre Universitaire de Recherche pour le Développement Economique et Social (CURDES)

Academia

Antoine Kantiza Burundi National Radio-Television of Burundi Media

Audry Masabo Burundi Nations’ Light Ministries Civil Society

Brice Zirakiza Burundi AfriRegister S.A. Business

Claver Nigarura Burundi Rybeya & Co-advocates Business

Donald Karerwa Burundi University of Burundi Academia

Emmanuel Wakana Burundi ICTs and Sustainable Development in Burundi Civil Society

Félix Ndayirukiye Burundi Centre Burundais de l’Internet (CBINET) Business

Félix Niyonsaba Burundi World Vision Burundi Civil Society

Francis-Olivier Cubahiro Burundi Ministere des Télécommunications de l’Information de la Communication et des Rélations avec le Parlement.

Government

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Hindu Mbonabuca Burundi Burundian Youth for Peacebuilding and Young Refugees Integration Civil Society

Jean Bosco Harerimana Burundi ActionAid International Civil Society

Jean-Claude Kamwenubusa Burundi Association pour la Solidarité et L’Assistance Socio-Sanitaire (ASASS)

Civil Society

Leonard Ndikiminwe Burundi Association for the Development of Gihinga (ADEBAG) Civil Society

Sabin Nikoyagize Burundi Ministry of Telecoms, Information, Communication & Relations with the Parliament

Government

Sitaki Eustache Burundi National Radio and Television of Burundi Media

Albert Kamga Cameroon — Government

Asahngwa Constantine Cameroon Ministry of Secondary Education Government

Constantine Asahngwa Cameroon Ministry of Secondary Education Government

Djamaa Bouba Cameroon National Agency for Information and Communication technologies Regulator

Pascal G. Bekono Cameroon — Business

M’rhombaye Seraphin Mbaitoubam

Chad — Civil Society

Mbae Taoufiki Comoros National ICT Regulatory Authority (ANRTIC) Regulator

Alliance Kingst Tony Mayeko Congo Warid Congo S.A. Business

Wilfrid Ngoyi Nzamba Congo DRTVnet Civil Society

Alain Ilunga Congo DR Auto Transport Company (Nissan DRC) Business

Baudouin Schombé Congo DR Centre Africain d’Echange Culturel Civil Society

Natasha Kashal Congo DR Telecommunication Regulation Authority of Congo (Autorite de Regulation de Poste et Telecommunication du Congo, ARPTC)

Regulator

Anonga Tisam Cook Island Ministry of Education Government

Geoff Tama Cook Islands Ministry of Tourism Government

Maureen Hilyard Cook Islands Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) Civil Society

Tepua Hunter Cook Islands Ministry of the Prime Minister Government

Robert Matheson Cook Islands Ministry of Education Government

Behou Brice Abba Côte d’Ivoire SAGEM Security Business

Ya Hippolite Vincent Esse Côte d’Ivoire ICT Ministry Government

Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre Dominica Marigot Foundation High School Academia

Craig Nesty Dominica National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) Dominica

Regulator

Abebe Chekol Ethiopia ECA - ICT and Science and Technology Division Regional Organisation

Abel Teshome Woldeyes Ethiopia Prosperity for Ethiopia Civil Society

Ahmed Al-Awah Ethiopia United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Regional Organisation

Ali Drissa Badiel Ethiopia International Telecommunications Union (ITU) International Organisation

Aman Semir Ethiopia Oromia International Bank (OIB) Business

Ambassador Olusegun Akinsanya Ethiopia Institute for Security Studies Academia

Asfaw Seyoum Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Government

Asrat M Beyene Ethiopia — Civil Society

Aster Denekew Ethiopia United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Regional Organisation

Ayenew Haileselassie Ethiopia United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) - ICS Regional Organisation

Baba-Moussa Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Berhanu Tufa Ethiopia African Development Aid Association (ADAA) Regional Organisation

Bernard Barandereka Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Bethel Gebremeskel Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) Government

Biniyam Siraj Ahmed Ethiopia United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Volunteers (UNDP/UNV)

International Organisation

Birhanu Yifru Abayneh Ethiopia Ethio Telecom Business

Bruck Sewnet Ethiopia ECA - Electronic Data Processing Unit Regional Organisation

Christian Minoungou Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Derrese Degefa Ethiopia ECA - Regional Integration, Infrastructure & Trade Division Regional Organisation

Dr Morissanda Kouyate Ethiopia Inter-African Committee (IAC) Regional Organisation

Elizabet Kidane Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Government

Getu Abdissa Ethiopia GeoMark Systems Business

Girma Dessalegn Ethiopia ECA - ICT and Science and Technology Division Regional Organisation

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Guy Ranaivomanana Ethiopia ECA - Governance and Public Administration Division Regional Organisation

Habtamu Minassie Aycheh Ethiopia CRTC - Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Government

Hallelujah Lulle Ethiopia Institute for Security Studies Academia

Hassen Redwan Hussen Ethiopia Addis Ababa University Academia

Henok Kebede Ibsa Ethiopia Ethiopian Insurance Corporation Business

Makane Faye Ethiopia ECA- ICT and Science and Technology Division Regional Organisation

Maleda Getachew Ethiopia Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Regional Organisation

Mesfin Woldmariam Ethiopia Addis Ababa University Academia

Mihret Demissew Woodmatas Ethiopia International Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Organisation

Milkias Belay Ethiopia Ethio Telecom Business

Mkhululi Ncube Ethiopia ECA - Regional Integration, Infrastructure & Trade Division Regional Organisation

Moctar Yedaly Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Mulutsega Bekele Ethiopia Ethiopian Electric Agency Business

Nebiyou Zewdu Ethiopia GeoMark Systems Business

Rekia Mamadou Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Sultan Mohammed Ethiopia ECA - ICT and Science and Technology Division Regional Organisation

Tegene Tesfaye Liranso Ethiopia Ethiopian AIDS Resource Centre Civil Society

Tizeta Zewide Ethiopia United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Regional Organisation

Yalew Gizaw Ethiopia Ministry of Communications & Information Technology Government

Yinebeb Abebe Ethiopia Info World Link plc Civil Society

Yohannes Bekele Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and IT Government

Yohannes Neda Lemma Ethiopia Ethiopian Civil Service College Academia

Yohannes Tekuma Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and IT Government

Yonas Hailu Ethiopia Ministry of Communication and IT Government

Zewdu Gebreweld Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Zouli Bounkanou Ethiopia African Union Regional Organisation

Jolden Johnnyboy Federated States of Micronesia

Ministry of Transport and Communications Government

Pamela Joseph Federated States of Micronesia

— Business

Aisake Vuniwai Fiji KidaNet/FINTEL Business

Alfred Prasad Fiji iO Technology Business

Anju Mangal Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Organisation

Asesela Wata Fiji Department of Agriculture Government

Ashraf Mohammed Fiji Information Tech Computing Services Business

Aslam Khan Fiji Vodafone Fiji Ltd Business

Ateen Kumar Fiji Vodafone Fiji Ltd Business

Captain John Hogan Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Craig Smith Fiji Digicel Business

Dan Aiafi Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

David Eyre Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Dhiraj Bhartu Fiji University of the South Pacific Academia

Dr Brij Lana Fiji Ministry of Education Government

Eliki V. Salusalu Fiji Information Technology Centre Civil Society

Ellen Strickland Fiji University of Queensland Academia

Elvin Prasad Fiji Department of Communications Government

Eugene Singh Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Fipe Tagicakibau Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Franck Martin Fiji Avonsys Business

Fred Christopher Fiji Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) Regional Organisation

Hon. Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum Fiji Minister for Communications Government

Hon. Dr Neil Sharma Fiji Ministry of Health Government

Ioane Koroivuki Fiji FINTEL Business

Ivan Fong Fiji Telecom Fiji Business

James Lave Fiji Fiji Police Force Government

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Jito Vanualailai Fiji University of the South Pacific Academia

Jonacani Cakaunitabua Fiji Public Service Commission (PSC) Government

Jone Wesele Fiji KidaNet Business

Kuini Waaqsavou Fiji Ministry of Agriculture Business

Larry Thomas Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Lauren Frey Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Lepani Bevu Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Maria Karalo Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Megan Streeter Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Mere Nakota Fiji Ministry of Primary Industries Government

Mere Rakuita Fiji State Solicitor Attorney General Office Government

Merewai Toganivalu Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Milika Narogo Fiji Ministry of Health Government

Moape Qiolevu Fiji ITC Services Government

Mosese Kalodrau Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Nawin Avikash Dewan Fiji University of the South Pacific (USP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ICT for Human Development

Academia

Pasemaca Vatu Fiji Ministry of Health Government

Rachna Lal Fiji Office of the Attorney General Government

Rohitash Chandra Fiji Fiji National University Academia

Romulo Votu Fiji United Blind Persons of Fiji Civil Society

Sakaraia Tuilakepa Fiji FINTEL Business

Salanieta Saketa Fiji Ministry of Health Government

Salanieta Tudrau Tamanikaiwaimaro

Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Sam Goundar Fiji Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Academia

Sanjay Maharaj Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Seamas Chang Fiji Vodafone Business

Sera Miller Fiji Telecom Fiji Ltd Business

Sereana Narayan Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Shareen Nisha Taiyab Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Shareeni Kala Fiji Fiji National University Academia

Shinya Murakami Fiji University of the South Pacific (USP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ICT for Human Development

Academia

Siaosi Sovaleni Fiji Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Organisation

Sokoveti Tuimoala Fiji Ministry of Information Government

Tevita Tamanikaiwaimaro Fiji Fiji Sugar Corporation Business

Uraia Goneyali Fiji ITC Services Government

Bakary Njie Gambia Gambia College Academia

Gabriel Ndow Gambia University of the Gambia Academia

Lamin Jabbi Gambia Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency Regulator

Poncelet O. Ileleji Gambia The Gambia YMCAs Computer Training Centre & Digital Studio Civil Society

Abena Appiah Ghana Ministry of Communications Government

Charles Amega-Selorm Ghana — Civil Society

Daniel Ahuluter Madjitey Ghana MTN Ghana Business

Daniel Ofori Ghana Vodafone Ghana Business

Dorothy K. Gordon Ghana AITI-KACE (Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT) Academia

Eleanor Afful Ghana AITI-KACE (Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT) Academia

Emily Nyarko Ghana TV3 Network Limited Business

Emmanuel OK Adjei Ghana AITI-KACE (Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT) Academia

Eric Akumiah Ghana Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana / Africa Top level Domains Organization

Civil Society

Eric M.K Osiakwan Ghana African Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA) Business

Francois Sekyere Ghana Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Academia

Hawa Yakubu Ghana Ministry of Communications Government

Isaac Kobina Kwarko Ghana National Communications Authority Regulator

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Jacob Odame Ghana Ohio University & 1Village Group Academia

Joseph Yawson Ghana National Information Technology Agency Regulator

Kofi Kwarko Ghana AITI-KACE (Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT) Academia

Kwadwo Osafo-Maafo Ghana Ashesi University College Academia

Kwasi Adu-Boahen Opare Ghana Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Academia

Kweku Koranteng Ghana University of Ghana Academia

Michael Commey Ghana Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) Government

Nii Nai Nai-Kwade Ghana Arto Connect Ltd Business

Patricia Dovi Sampson Ghana Ministry of Communications Government

Teki Akuetteh Ghana Ministry of Communications Government

Victor Way Kuvodu Ghana Public Services Commission Government

Worlali Senyo Ghana — Civil Society

Alice Bain Grenada Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Regional Organisation

Arlene Buckmire-Outram Grenada Government of Grenada Government

Shevon Licorish Grenada National Training Agency Academia

Nelson De Barros Guinea Bissau Communications Institute, Telecom Regulator Agency Regulator

Adityanan Singh Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Aneal Giddings Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Bevan Narinesingh Guyana Ministry of Trade and Industry Government

Bruce Glen Guyana — Civil Society

Deborah Barrow Guyana Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat Regional Organisation

Debra Lowe Guyana Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat Regional Organisation

Dwane Edwards Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Lenandlar Singh Guyana University of Guyana Academia

Rawl Prescott Guyana Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat Regional Organisation

Sandra Bart Guyana Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat Regional Organisation

Valmikki Singh Guyana National Frequency Management Unit Government

Kayreen T. H. Stephenson Guyana/ St. Kitts and Nevis

Ministry of the AG, Justice and Legal Affairs Government

Blaise Arbouet Haiti Compassion Civil Society

Daniel Jean-Louis Haiti YABT Haiti Civil Society

Erna Marguerite Rodriguez Haiti AHTIC - Haitian Association for the Development of Information, Communication and Technology

Civil Society

Freud Dimitri St Louis Haiti Centre Spécialisé de Leadership Civil Society

Gerard Jean Andre Benault Haiti Population Services International (PSI) HAITI Civil Society

Jhonson Vilson Haiti Centre Spécialisé de Leadership Civil Society

Jimmy BRUCE Haiti Young Americas Business Trust Haiti Civil Society

John Junior Dessources Haiti Multilink S.A. Business

Klaus Eberwein Haiti DataVision Business

Laury LAMOTHE Haiti Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Jamaica Government

Maude Louis Jean Haiti Digicel Haiti Business

Michael Verch Haiti CompHaiti S.A. Business

Reynold Guerrier Haiti GaMa Consulting Business

Schiller Jean-Baptiste Haiti National Council on Telecommunications Government

Andrea Manderson Jamaica Ministry of Education Government

Audrea Ricketts Jamaica Police National Computer Center (JCF) Government

Bianca Welds Jamaica — Business

Carlton Samuels Jamaica University of the West Indies (UWI) Academia

Cecil McCain Jamaica Office of the Prime Minister Government

Curtis Robinson Jamaica Office of Utilities Regulation Government

Cush Lewis Jamaica Women’s’ Resource and Outreach Centre Ltd Civil Society

Debbie-Ann Robinson Jamaica Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust/ National Training Academy (NTA)

Civil Society

Devon Blake Jamaica Jamaica Sustainable Development Network Civil Society

Elizabeth Terry Jamaica Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust/ National Training Academy (NTA), ICT4D Jamaica

Civil Society

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Floyd Green Jamaica Jamaica Association of Young Professionals Civil Society

Gary Campbell Jamaica Office of the Prime Minister Government

Gina Leslie Jamaica ICT4D Jamaica Civil Society

Karlene Francis Jamaica Organisation of Easter Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat Regional Organisation

Kay-Ann Miller Jamaica National Environmental Planning Agency Government

Kevin Senior Jamaica Jamaica Archives and Records Department; Records and Archives Section, Library and Information Association of Jamaica.

Government

Kisha Sawyers Jamaica University of the West Indies (UWI) Academia

Lyndel McDonald Jamaica Jamaica Fair Trading Commission Government

Mark-Shane Scale Jamaica University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of Library and Information Studies

Academia

Maureen Kerr-Campbell Jamaica University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of Library and Information Studies

Academia

Mavis Williams Jamaica Gleaner Co. Ltd Business

Melody Palmer Jamaica Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust/ National Training Academy (NTA), ICT4D Jamaica

Civil Society

Michele Marius Jamaica — Business

Nicole Brown Jamaica Focal Point Consulting Business

Rodney Taylor Jamaica Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Regional Organisation

Zelris Lawrence Jamaica Jamaica Sustainable Development Network / Liguanea Cybercentre Civil Society

Antony Odhiambo Otieno Kenya Nairobi University Academia

Cleopa Otieno Kenya KenTel Business

Edward Muthiga Kenya Siemens Enterprise and Communication Business

Emmanuel Oloo Khisa Kenya World Vision MFI (KADET) Civil Society

Gathura Thomas Gitonga Kenya Multimedia University Academia

Grace Githaiga Kenya Media Empowerment and Democracy in East Africa (MEDIAeA) Civil Society

Grace Mutung’u Kenya ICT Consumers Association of Kenya Civil Society

Grace Mwakio Kenya Kenya National Assembly Government

James Muendo Kenya Timsoft Technologies & Solutions Ltd Business

James Njenga Kenya University of the Western Cape Academia

James Okech Kenya Strathmore University Academia

Jevans Nyabiage Kenya Nation Media Group Media

Joshua Amolo Kenya East African Community Regional Organisation

Judy Ann Okite Kenya Multimedia University College / Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA)

Academia

Maina M. Olembo Kenya Strathmore University Academia

Meshack Oriama Kenya Family Health Options Kenya/ Nakuru Youth Resource Center Civil Society

Nicholas Kipkurui Kiget Kenya Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Academia

Norman Boinett Kenya Kenya Investment Authority Government

Samuel Wetungu Kenya Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Academia

Solomon Wamburu Kenya Ovid Afrika Medi Civil Society

Terry Njoroge Kenya Technology Partners Ltd Business

Victor Kapiyo Kenya Institute for Law and Environmental Governance (ILEG) Academia

Victor Maina Kenya Communications Commission of Kenya Regulator

Bwanouia Aberaam Kiribati Telecommunications Authority of Kiribati Regulator

Meere Karotu Kiribati — Business

Charles Gaye Liberia Internet Society (ISOC) Liberia Civil Society

Kolubahzizi Howard Liberia Liberia Telecommunications Authority Regulator

Alisoa Razafitsara Madagascar Projet d’infrastructures, de communication pour Madagascar (PICOM)

Civil Society

Andry Rasoanindrainy Madagascar UN System of Madagascar International Organisation

Fitahiana Rakotomalala Madagascar ITU Youth Fellow Alumni Civil Society

Haingo Rasolofomanana Madagascar Focus Development Association Civil Society

Jean Marie Rabevohitra Madagascar Ministry of Telecommunications, Posts & ICT – Madagascar Government

Zafera Marion Claude Madagascar Ministry of Telecommunications, Posts & ICT – Madagascar Government

Alinafe Mbendera Malawi Chancellor College, University of Malawi Academia

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Bruce Zamaere Malawi College of Medicine, University of Malawi Academia

Charles Fodya Malawi ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) Civil Society

Donnex Kujaliwa Malawi Department of Information Systems and Technology Management Services

Government

Dr. Paulos Nyirenda Malawi Malawi Sustainable Development Network Programme (SDNP) Civil Society

Fraser Gobede Malawi Department of Information Systems and Technology Management Services

Government

Gerald Nyasulu Malawi Townsville Multicultural Support Group Civil Society

Goodal Nyirenda Malawi University of Malawi Academia

Hendrix Saka Malawi Civil Service Civil Society

Kettie Mughogho Malawi Department of Information Systems and Technology Management Services (DISTMS) under the Ministry of Information & Civic Education.

Government

Maxwell Phiri Malawi ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) Civil Society

Patrick Mtingwi Malawi — Government

Rehema Msosa Malawi Civil Service Commission Government

Tiwonge Davis Manda Malawi University of Malawi Academia

Towela Nyirenda Jere Malawi New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency Regional Organisation

Walusungu Gondwe Malawi Chancellor College, University of Malawi Academia

Moses Atezah Mbangwana Mali Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa Civil Society

Apaya Apuahe Marshall Islands — Business

Bakurally Abdoos Samad Maruitius Internet Society of Mauritius Civil Society

Bocus Mahmad Aleem Maruitius Member of the Mauritian Bar Civil Society

Dave Kissoondoyal Maruitius Internet Society of Mauritius Civil Society

Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry Maruitius The African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) Business

Osvaldo Micas Paulo Zandamela Mozambique Mozal Business

Zeferino Filipe Zandamela Mozambique ActionAid International Mozambique Civil Society

Zeferino Saugene Mozambique Eduado Mondlane University Academia

Ndapewa Vistorina Hangula Namibia POCiT Business

Ndeshipanda Ndilula Namibia Office of the Prime Minister Government

Richard Yawe Namibia Secretariat Regional Organisation

Ziegie Willemse Namibia Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (SACU) Government

Criden Api Nauru Ministry of Transport and Telecom Government

Anibe Onuche Nigeria Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria Business

Babatunde Adedokun Nigeria Waveploy Global Systems Ltd Business

Ene Abah Nigeria The Nigeria ICT Forum of Partnership Institutions Civil Society

Florence Okwudili Nigeria National Planning Commission Government

Ijeoma Precious Ebere-Uneze Nigeria National Universities Commission Government

Muhammed Rudman Nigeria Chairman Technical Committee of Nigeria Internet Registration Business

Nkem Nweke Nigeria Digital Sense Africa OSA Civil Society

Nnenna Nwakanma Nigeria Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) Civil Society

Olufisola Oladipo Nigeria Chareese Technologies Business

Rhoda Geoffrey Nigeria Nigeria ICT Forum of Partnership Institutions Civil Society

Rising John Osazuwa Nigeria Management Information System Unit, University of Ibadan Academia

Seun Samson Ojedeji Nigeria University of Nigeria, Nsukka Academia

Seyi Osunade Nigeria University of Ibadan Academia

Solomon Ingba Nigeria Ministry of Information and Communication Government

Sonigitu Ekpe Nigeria Cross River Farm Credit Scheme Civil Society

Takkon Chin Palau Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce Government

Bill Tomon Papua New Guinea

PNG University of Technology Academia

Henao Iduhu Papua New Guinea

Ministry of Communications Government

Kila Guli-Vui Papua New Guinea

Regulatory and Foreign Affairs Government

Parkop Kisokau Papua New Guinea

Magisterial Services of Papua New Guinea Government

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Patrick Gairo Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea University of Technology Academia

Stanley Osao Papua New Guinea

Maximum IT Systems & Consultancies Business

Aimee Usanase Rwanda Rwanda Development Gateway Civil Society

Annonciata Dusabe Rwanda Sonrise School Academia

Beata Mukangabo Rwanda Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency Regulator

Emmanuel Mugarura Rwanda Judiciary of Rwanda Government

Emmanuel Twagirayezu Rwanda Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency Regulator

Pierre Claver Ntamushobora Rwanda Sonrise school Academia

Tite Nganyirimana Rwanda Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency Regulator

Amicia Mussenden Saint Kitts and Nevis

Government of St Kitts & Nevis Government

Eurta Chiverton Saint Kitts and Nevis


Juanelle De Silva Saint Kitts and Nevis

Ministry of Education Government

Pierre Bowrin Saint Kitts and Nevis


Annie Sealy-Auguste Saint Lucia Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Academia

Gerry E. George Saint Lucia DigiSolv Inc. Business

Margaret Fleur Nelson Saint Lucia International Business Registry Business

Marlon Narcisse Saint Lucia EMPAC Services Business

Monique Anthony George Saint Lucia Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Academia

Richmond Felix Saint Lucia ICT & eGovernment Project Government

Ronald Isaac Saint Lucia Ministry of Education Government

Shane Joseph Saint Lucia Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Academia

Yasmin Tyson Saint Lucia Ministry of Education Government

Fuatai Purcell Samoa International Telecommunications Union (ITU) International Organisation

Lemalu Nele Leilua Samoa Woman’s Time Magazine Media

Sovala Agiava Samoa Youth Officer Civil Society

Elisa Kohlhase Samoa Regulator office Regulator

Deolindo Costa Boa Esperanca Sao Tome and Principe

Telecommunication Regulation Authority Regulator

Fatimata Seye Sylla Senegal Academy for Educational Development Academia

Thierry Sanzhie Bokally Senegal Institut Africain de la Gouvernance Academia

James Vincent Sierra Leone iCARDS Business

Sahr Foryoh Gborie Sierra Leone Centre for Media Education and Technology (CMET) Civil Society

Sulay-Manah Kpukumu Sierra Leone Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the UN Government

Alfred K Ghemu Solomon Islands Central Bank of Solomon Islands Business

Frederick Waiti Solomon Islands — Government

Peter Psalm Ramofolo Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Youth for Change Civil Society

Ahmed Ugas Somalia Somali ICT Development Association Civil Society

Aurobindo Ogra South Africa University of Johannesburg Academia

Caroline B Ncube South Africa University of Cape Town Academia

Chris Morris South Africa Internet Society (ISOC) Civil Society

David Barnard South Africa SangoNeT Civil Society

Elise Flore Kamdomg South Africa New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency Regional Organisation

Emilar Ethel Vushe South Africa Association for Progressive Communications Civil Society

Francine Picard Mukazi South Africa PAN African Parliament Regional Organisation

Gilles Eric Foadey South Africa The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency Regional Organisation

Henrik Almstrom South Africa Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Civil Society

Kagiso Moloto South Africa Department of Communications Government

Kerryn McKay South Africa The African Commons Project Civil Society

Lee Martin South Africa Dabba Telecommunications Business

Malibongwe Sakawuli South Africa University of the Western Cape Academia

115



Moses Hoboyi South Africa Department of Communications Government

Nector Mbilima South Africa Pan-African Parliament, Division of Legislative Affairs Regional Organisation

Palesa Legoze South Africa Department of Communications Government

Richard Gerber South Africa Department of Communications Government

Richard Jonathan South Africa Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa Academia

Richard Masipa South Africa Department of Communications Government

Selebaleng Montwedi South Africa Department of Communications Government

Simla Budhu South Africa UniForum S.A. Business

Thabelo Vele South Africa DNS – South African Internet Excahange Business

Tholakele Mkhize South Africa Ukwakha Business Skills Development Business

Titilayo (Titi) O. Akinsanmi South Africa LINK Centre, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg Business

Henry Owera Southern Sudan South Sudan Civil Society

Norris N Parsons St Vincent and the Grenadines

Eagles Computer Technology Business

Rudi Daniel St Vincent and the Grenadines

Daniel Charles Consulting Business

Suenel Fraser St Vincent and the Grenadines

Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines Government

Telojo Valerie Onu St Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Consulting and Project Management Ltd Business

Ashraf Ahmed Hagelnur Swar Eldahab

Sudan Sudasat Business

Azza El-Badawi Sudan International Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Organisation

Khalid Mohammed Yousif Babiker Sudan Catholic Relief Services Civil Society

Mustafa Ahmed Ali Almahdi Sudan National Telecommunications Corporations (NTC) Business

Omer Abdelhamid Ibrahim Gibreel

Sudan Seoul National University Academia

Shareef Babikr Abdulrahim Sudan ASAWER Oil & Gas Co. Ltd Business


Suriname Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Aileen Mallya Tanzania East African Community Regional Organisation

Andrew Mboma Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Government

Baraka Mwakipesile Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Government

Bryton Sunguya Tanzania Mic (T) Ltd Business

Connie Shirima Tanzania Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority Regulator

Hector Mongi Tanzania University of Dodoma Academia

Simon M. Balthazar Tanzania Tanzania Network Information Centre Civil Society

Sunday Richard Tanzania Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority Regulator

Damnam Bagolibe Kanlanfei Togo Togo’s Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART&P) Regulator

Hervé Typamm Togo ESIBA Academia

Nahmsath Yabouri Togo Association Togolaise des Utilisateurs de Logiciels Libres (ATULL) Civil Society

Nésitang Abina Togo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Norbert Komlan Glakpe Togo Education Environment and Development Association (EED) Civil Society

Ptangme ºPeketi Togo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government

Amanda Laurence Trinidad and Tobago

United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area International Organisation

Brent Hector Trinidad and Tobago

National ICT Company Ltd (iGovTT) Business

Chanzo Greenidge Trinidad and Tobago

BRAVO Language Services Civil Society

Clyde Hoyte Trinidad and Tobago

Summit Communications Consultants Business

Dev Anand Teelucksingh Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society Civil Society

Dulcie Furlonge Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC), also a member of T&T Computer Society

Civil Society

Gary Kalloo Trinidad and Tobago

National ICT Company of Trinidad and Tobago Business

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Georgia Popplewell Trinidad and Tobago

Global Voices Civil Society

Gerard Ahee Trinidad and Tobago

Ministry of Science Technology and Tertiary Education – Distance Learning Secretariat

Government

Karen Lequay Trinidad and Tobago

University of the West Indies (UWI) Academia

Keisha Candice Taylor Trinidad and Tobago

GuideStar International Business

Kerron Ramganesh Trinidad and Tobago

ICT4EDC Project Task Force Civil Society

Kevon Swift Trinidad and Tobago

ICT Secretariat, Ministry of Public Administration Government

Shaka Nkhosi Trinidad and Tobago

Ministry of Legal Affairs Government

Sheba Mohammid Trinidad and Tobago

National ICT Company Business

Simon Harold Fraser Trinidad and Tobago

University of the West Indies (UWI) Academia

Tracey Hackshaw Trinidad and Tobago

National ICT Company / Internet Society Business

Anisi Penitusi Tuvalu Tuvalu Telecom Corporation Business

Opetaia Simati Tuvalu — Government

Brians Komakech Uganda Kampala International University Academia

Chongomweru Halimu Uganda Islamic University in Uganda Academia

Danny Gotto Uganda Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) Civil Society

Deborah Kulabako Uganda Datamine Technical Business School Academia

Eliot Nsega Uganda African Union Regional Organisation

Eric Aliama Shalom Uganda Continental Signs (U) Limited Business

Eric Kamara Uganda True African Uganda Civil Society

James Wire Uganda Cured Ltd Business

Jerome Kasekende Uganda Tracenology Business

John Murungi Uganda Intelligent Solutions Ltd Business

Lorna Tingu Makuma Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports Government

Milton Aineruhanga Uganda Women of Uganda Network Civil Society

Moses Kyamakya Uganda Ray of Hope Africa (RAHA) Civil Society

Namusoke Sylvia Uganda National Agricultural Research Organization (Naro) Civil Society

Rachael Kadama Uganda I-Network Uganda Government

Robert Kikonyogo Uganda Kyambogo University Academia

Sarah Kiden Uganda Uganda Christian University Academia

Tom Kizito Mayengo Uganda Mulago-Mbarara Teaching Hosiptals’ Joint Aids Program (MJAP) Civil Society

Vincent Kiberu Uganda Posta Uganda Business

Vincent Solomon Aliama Uganda School of Computing and Informatics Technology - Makerere University

Academia

Andrew Molivurae Vanuatu PICISOC / Telecom Vanuatu Ltd Civil Society

John Crook Vanuatu Office of the Telecommunications Regulator Regulator

Lizzie Taura Vanuatu Office of the Telecommunications Regulator Regulator

Loyd Fikiasi Vanuatu Office of the Telecommunications Regulator Regulator

Marianne Berukirukilu Vanuatu Office of the Telecommunications Regulator Regulator

Tchilumba Mera Vanuatu Office of the Telecommunications Regulator Regulator

Vira Josiah Vanuatu Parliament of Vanuatu Government

Abdon Mawere Zambia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva covering the ITU Government

Alex Fwanyanga Siyengo Zambia Southern Africa Telecentre Network Civil Society

Annabel Kangombe Zambia ZAMNET Communication Systems Ltd Business

Maambo Handahu Chilepa Zambia Lusaka City Council Government

Michael Mukuka Zambia National Assembly of Zambia (Parliament) Academia

Muyoyeta Simui Zambia Pan African Parliament Regional Organisation

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Sherin Shoukry Zambia Common Market for Eastern and Southern African (COMESA) Secretariat

Regional Organisation

Felix Samakande Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Permanent Mission to United Nations Government

Rumbidzayi Gadhula Zimbabwe United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)

International Organisation

Wisdom Machacha Zimbabwe Africa University Academia

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In the wings: Lead Institution TeamManagement Team

Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation and Programme ChairVladimir Radunovic, Internet Governance Capacity Building ProgrammesVirginia (Ginger) Paque, Educational Courses in Internet GovernanceEva Tanner, Project Development and ReportingMartin Aquilina, Accounts ManagerStephanie Psaila, Web and CommunicationsAdela Elena Danciu, Content DevelopmentSheba Mohammid, Emerging LeadersDejan Dincic, Technical Director and Online ArchitectMary Murphy, Project SupportMilica Virijevic Konstantinovic, Events CoordinationMina Mudric, PublicationsDragana Markovski, PublicationsSeiiti Arata, Community Facilitation

Certified Programme Tutors and Educators

Marsha Guthrie, Barbados/JamaicaBenson Ncube, BotswwanaJean Paul Nkurunziza, BurundiAnju Mangal, FijiKwasi Adu-Boahen Opare, GhanaMwende Njiraini, KenyaJudy Okite, KenyaStephanie Psaila, MaltaUlemu Nyasulu, Malawi/AustraliaEmmanuel Edet, NigeriaKatitza Rodríguez, Peru/USAAdela Elena Danciu, RomaniaBiljana Glisovic-Milic, SerbiaPriyanthi Daluwatte, Sri LankaTracy Hackshaw, Trinidad and TobagoSheba Mohammid, Trinidad and Tobago

Experts and Regional Support

Rodney Taylor, BarbadosGaongalelwe Mosweu, BotswanaJean Philemon Kissangou, DRC CongoJimmy Bruce, HaitiJohn Walubengo, KenyaChipo Kanjo, MalawiGisa Fuatai Purcell, Samoa

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African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) is composed of signatories to the Georgetown Agreement between the ACP and the European Union, offcially called the EU ACP Partnership Agreement or the Cotonou Agreement.

The ACP Group of States consists of 79 Member-States, of which 48 are from Sub-Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean, and 15 from the Pacific. The Group was originally created with the aim of coordinating cooperation between its members and the EU focusing on negotiating and implementing cooperation agreements with the European Community. Over the years, the ACP Group of States has extended its range of activities beyond development cooperation with the EU and now covers other issues such as trade, economics, and culture, in diverse international forums such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The main objectives of the ACP Group of States:• Promote sustainable development of its Member-States and

their gradual integration into the global economy, which entails making poverty reduction a matter of priority and establishing a new, fairer, and more equitable world order.

• Coordinate the activities of ACP States in the framework of the EU ACP Partnership Agreement.

• Foster and strengthen solidarity among ACP States, and understanding between ACP peoples and governments.

European Union’s European Development Fund (EDF) is the main funding instrument in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement (EU ACP Partnership Agreement) for providing the European Community’s aid for development cooperation with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). One of the objectives of the EDF is to promote the economic, cultural, and social development of the ACP states.

Partnership: Lead institution, partners and support

The ACP Programme was financed by the European Union @CP-ICT Programme, 9th European Development Fund (EDF), with support of the Secretariat of ACP Group of States.

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DiploFoundation is a non-profit organisation which works to strengthen the meaningful participation of all stakeholders in diplomatic practice and international relations. Our activities revolve around, and feed into, our focus on education, training and capacity building:

Courses: We offer postgraduate-level academic courses and training workshops on a variety of diplomacy-related topics for diplomats, civil servants, sta. of international organisations and NGOs, and students of international relations. Our courses are delivered through online and blended learning.

Capacity building: With the support of donor and partner agencies, we offer capacity-building programmes for participants from developing countries in a number of topics including Internet Governance, Human Rights, Public Diplomacy and Advocacy, and Health Diplomacy.

Research: Through our research and conferences, we investigate topics related to diplomacy, international relations, and online learning.

Publications: Our publications range from examination of contemporary developments in diplomacy to new analyses of traditional aspects of diplomacy.

Software development: We have created a set of software applications custom designed for diplomats and others who work in international relations. We also excel in the development of online learning platforms.

Diplo is based in Malta, with office in Geneva and Belgrade. Diplo emerged from a project to introduce information and communication technology (ICT) tools to the practice of diplomacy, initiated in 1993 at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta. In November 2002, Diplo was established as an independent non-pro. t foundation by thegovernments of Malta and Switzerland. Our focus has expanded from the application of information technology to diplomacy, to include other new and traditional aspects of the teaching and practice of diplomacy and international relations.

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DiploFoundation was the lead institution in the implementation of the ACP programme, working in cooperation with seven partner institutions from the ACP countries:

Botswana Information Technology Society

BITS is a non-profit, voluntary organisation, working to assist individuals and organisations to benefit from current ICT developments and advancements. Its focus is to undertake activities that contribute to increasing the beneficial uptake of ICT and improving the effectiveness of the ICT sector. It is against this backdrop that BITS works in capacity building for ICT professionals. BITS represents the various ICT stakeholders in government, industry, and academic sectors (public and private) in Botswana.

Its constitutional framework enables its members to come from different backgrounds and bringing together a variety of skills and experiences, spanning technical, application, and management knowledge of ICT. The members share an interest in IT application and deployment in Botswana, in maintaining high standards of practice in the IT profession, and in contributing to maximising returns on IT investment in the country.

BITS is emerging as the voice of the ICT industry, and continually seeks to provide better value for its members as well as the nation at large with regard to ICT awareness and uptake, liaising with both government and industry leaders, as well as being more involved in advocacy.

Website: www.bits.org.bw

Burundi Youth Training Center

BYTC is a youth-managed ICT training institution catering to economically disadvantaged youth. Its aim is to empower young people and to encourage ICT competencies as a way to enter the job market. Since 1998, it has grown from a small youth centre to a fully equipped centre providing ICT-based services to the local community (e.g. by providing secretarial activities, business cards, invitations). Through financial support from various donors, BYTC’s facilities and services have continued to expand. BYTC has collaborated with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and Africa Computing in providing training workshops on computer maintenance and networking and web design.

In January 2006, the Computer Learning Caravan for Secondary Schools of Burundi was introduced focusing on providing ICT within the Burundian education system. Computers were installed in classrooms to train teachers, students, and other staff members on ICT basics. A computing club was set up within the school to encourage proper computer usage by all users.

Over 400 participants have been trained since 1998. In 2007, BYTC relocated to the Ecole Indépendante de Bujumbura. This new location has allowed it to expand its training to include participants from the University of Ntare Rugamba.

Website: www.bytc.bi

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Centre Africain de Complémentarité Scolaire, Universitaire et de Promotion (CACSUP)

CACSUP is an NGO registered in Congo-Brazzaville in 1998, and approved by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) during PrepCom-3 of the Tunis phase. CACSUP aims to contribute to the development of Africa through education and the promotion of ICT. To date, it exists in several African countries including Senegal, Benin, Congo-Democratic, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Cameroon.

CACSUP was created to assist African communities affected by challenges that may require new approaches and strategies to better face and find solutions. Namely, it aims to promote inclusion as a way to achieving sustainable development, through education and ICT.

CACSUP has conducted a number of projects at local and sub-regional levels in several fields such as environment, ICT and policy, health, capacity building, and Internet governance. Through its work, CACSUP has strived to ensure that Africa can, more rapidly, join the information society.

Young Americas Business Trust Haiti (YABT Haiti)

YABT Haiti is a non-profit organisation operating in Haiti. It is a national chapter of the YABT Washington DC an organisation affiliated with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS). It supports the work of the OAS in creating employment and opportunities for young people in the Americas.

YABT Haiti is dedicated to promoting, developing, and implementing the programmes of the YABT DC as well as those created by itself alone or in partnership with local and/or international institutions. YABT Haiti works with government, NGOs, and the private sector, as well as educational institutions in the OAS member states and beyond to support and sustain its programmes and activities.

YABT Haiti focuses on four priority areas:• Leadership and Networking • Training and Practical Experience • Technology• Strategic Alliances and Partnerships

ICT4D Jamaica Limited

ICT4D Jamaica is an open, Jamaican-based network organisation legally registered and established to define, promote, and facilitate the use of ICT in the development process. It believes that the effective sharing and use of information for learning and earning, producing more with less is critical if we are to achieve growth and competitiveness.

Its philosophy is to demonstrate new levels of democracy, open, void of prejudices, characterised by tolerance, the ability to learn, the propensity to share, the willingness to be fair and to distribute benefits in accordance with equity considerations and as a reward for contribution. Its approach is one based on partnership with existing entities, that takes full advantage of ICTs to develop the group and maintain its services. It operates along networking lines and principles, and therefore within a non-hierarchical structure and framework.

Website: www.ict4djamaica.org

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Multimedia University College of Kenya (MMU)

The college was founded in 1948 as Central Training School catering for the training needs of the then East African Posts and Telecommunications Administration. In 1992, it was upgraded to a College of Higher Learning and became a fully autonomous subsidiary of the Kenya Posts and Telecommunication Corporation (KPTC). In 1999, when KPTC ceased to exist, KCCT became a fully owned subsidiary of Telkom Kenya Ltd.

Over the years, KCCT has been giving quality training programmes to individuals and organisations, locally, regionally, and internationally. In addition to other courses, the College offers high-quality programmes, courses, and seminars, in areas of Management, Information Technology, Telecommunications Engineering and Operations, Postal and Courier Services Management.

In 2008, KCCT was elevated to a constituent college of JKUAT. Consequently it was renamed the Multimedia University College of Kenya (MMU). MMU is Kenya’s premier institute of higher learning in Telecommunication Engineering, Human Resource Management, Postal and Courier Services. As the giant trainer in telecommunication in the East African region, its clients come from all over Africa and beyond. MMU has a long working relationship with international and national organisations such as PAPU, UPU, ITU, JICA, ESAMI, INTELSAT, KIM, and CCCA.

Its student numbers vary from time to time and can reach a peak of 15 000 at one given time. The College does not go to full recess due to the nature of clients and their varied needs which demands the service throughout the year. However, the staff holiday and other breaks are taken as scheduled for each department. The College has two campuses: Mbagathi and City Centre Campus.Many of the courses offered lead to professional qualifications, which have national and international recognition.

Website: www.mmu.ac.ke

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, St Lucia

The College is an open, comprehensive, flexible, learning institution, commit-ted to excellence, and responsive to the needs of its students, and to the chal-lenges that face the St Lucian society. Its mandate as a community college is to:

• be a resource to the community;• foster the personal development of its students;• equip its students with relevant and appropriate career entry,

advancement, or retraining skills and competencies; and• increase opportunities for tertiary education and training.

The mission of the College is to pursue its vision and fulfill its mandate in the most effective, efficient, and equitable manner possible while giving due attention to:

• Excellence in teaching, research, administration and service.• The social, cultural, and artistic development of its students.

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A number of international, regional, and sub-regional organisations worked hand-in-hand with the lead institution and the partners:

• African Union (AU)• UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)• NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency• Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA)• Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)• Pacific ISOC Chapter (PICISOC)• Caribbean Telecommunication Union (CTU)• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)• Association for Progressive Communications (APC)• Internet Society (ISOC)

• The need to develop and foster self-directed and lifelong learning.

• Appropriate community participation in the functioning of the institution.

• The professional development and welfare of its staff.• Regular and systematic monitoring and evaluation of its

priorities, programmes and operations.

Website: www.salcc.edu.lc

The greatest resource on the face of the Earth is not gold or diamonds but people. Diplo recognises this and tirelessly supports human beings from around the world, equipping them to understand the issues and empowering them to interface within the Internet ecosystem and be catalysts for change wherever they are. I love all the good people that Diplo has brought me into contact with, from Tunisia, Indone-sia, Venezuela, Serbia, and the world over.

Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro (Fiji)

Using engaging discourse on cutting-edge issues, Diplo has distin-guished itself as a fine institution. Diplo’s commitment to solving real-world problems through excellent scholarship is demonstrated in the skills of its tutors and its learning resources. Personally, I have devel-oped a solid understanding of emerging issues and have developed the confidence to help solve some of these problems. Further, inter-action with students from diverse backgrounds, with diverse experi-ences provides a hands-on global perspective to learning.

Lenandlar Singh, Guyana

Both during and after the Diplo programme, I became more aware of and could talk to a wide range of Internet governance issues. By enabling greater and more intense community involvement, the seeds of Diplo’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme are yield-ing rich fruit at the grass roots level in local communities.

Maduka Attamah, Nigeria

emerging leaders for a digital world

Documents

acp programme

internet governance

importance of internet

acp group of states

acp countries

regional building regional

cpict programme

impact of development