Proposal for the

Asia-Pacific Youth Teleconference 2003-2004

“Our vision is a world in which the digital divide has been bridged, where communication is a fundamental right, a world where we become closer in a global human network.”

Youth Forum DeclarationITU TELECOM ASIA 2002

Outline

Executive Summary....................................................2

Introdution to Teleconference Proposal.......................2What?..........................................................................2Why?...........................................................................2How?...........................................................................2Our Goals....................................................................2When?.........................................................................2Who will participate?...................................................2Discussion Topics.......................................................2Conferencing Technology...........................................2

Project Organisers.......................................................2

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Executive Summary

Project Title: Fountain of Youth – ICT-literacy promoting initiative

Project Short Title: Fountain of YouthEstimated Start Date: Quarter 1, 2004Estimated End Date: December 2004Implementing Body: 1st ITU Youth Forum Asia alumniPartner : International Telecommunication UnionProject Site: Asia Pacific RegionBeneficiary Countries:

At this stage: Australia, China, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, New Zealand, Pakistan and Singapore. More countries from Asia-Pacific region are potential to join the project.

Brief Description:

The digital divide refers to those who are information-empowered and technology-empowered and those who are not. Cooperation between youth in the Asia-Pacific has unique potential to address the issue of Digital Divide, which is particularly evident in this region, by providing a broad base of support for grassroots initiatives.

In order to initiate a process of creative change of the situation in the region, To address this increasingly important issue, we propose to have a series of teleconferences centred in the regionAsia Pacific. Participants will share experiences, generate ideas, and communicate perspectives on increasing ICT-inclusivity in the Asia-Pacific, which . These conferences are expected to lead to concrete actions and follow-up initiatives across the region.

Most organisational details of this event will be undertaken voluntarily by our action group, comprising a subset of the ITU Asia 2002 Youth Forum alumni.

The proposed conferences will be conducted using telephone video linkup, Internet, satellite transmission and other communication technologies depending on infrastructure available in participating countries. Ideally, we will have 10-15 active participants at 6-8 locations. The participants will be youths selected from written submissions relating to the teleconference theme.

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We currently seek socially-responsible, international organisations willing to join us in this project as technological and methodological partners.

In addition to this advisory and technical support, we will be seeking sponsorship and grants over the next two months. On availability of funding, the event will be widely publicised and the call for essays will made.

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Introdution to Teleconference Proposal

The digital divide as we know it refers to the gap between those who are information-empowered and technology-empowered and those who are not. Moreover, eEvidence shows there is a significant correlation between the extent of the digital divide and social divides among different various societies. In the Asia-Pacific region this is particularly significant.

The young people of today are in a unique position compared to previous eras. The young people of today were born into era of digital technologies and grew up as part of the information society. Young people are particularly well-equipped to engage in the quest for bridging the digital divide and thus influence social, economical and other aspects of the global society.

We believe that cooperation between youth in the region has unique potential to address the issue by providing a broad base of support for grassroots initiatives. We, as the alumni of the first ITU Asia Youth Forum 2002 consider the following proposal not just a chance to discuss the solutions, but the beginning of the solution itself.

What?

Our initiative will bring together young people from all over the Asia-Pacific region who are active and interested in bridging the digital divide. The gathering will be in the form of to facilitate a series of teleconferences centred in the region. Participants will come together to share experiences, generate ideas and communicate their perspective on more effective, sustainable and fair use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The central theme of the teleconferences will be about creating a world where knowledge, opportunity, and information-empowerment are attainable regardless of ethnicity, culture, nationality, religion, gender or other social orderings.

The purpose of the teleconferencing is to facilitate an ongoing dialogue between young people from diverse backgrounds about the meaning, impact and future of ICT. More specifically, the focus will be on causes of the digital divide, such as lack of ICT-literacy, lack of cultural acceptance, and methods to improve the situation such as capacity building, education, and economic development. The thrust is heavily towards increasing ICT-literacy and capacity for the bridging of the divide. Thereby, we will assist in the development of a more balanced and equitable world (primarily as

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regards digital technologies, but – through this – in many other respects too).

The proposed discourseconference is expected to lead to concrete actions and follow-up initiatives in the form of youth projects to address the glaringevident inequities in the Asia-Pacific region. We believe that young, unbiased and original thought will produce an impetus for successful projects that can be highlighted and replicated by youth in other parts of the region (and other parts of the world), in order to create an even bigger impact than what might be initially anticipated. The accumulated effect of the local youth activities offers great potential to initiate this process of change we envisage.

Our action group, comprising a subset of ITU Asia 2002 Youth Forum alumni, will organise the event on a voluntary basis and take an active role in the panels and discussions.

Please read the Conferencing Technology section for more information about the technical infrastructure and the format of the conference activities (panels, moderated discussions and debates). For more information about the actual content of the conference see the Discussion Topics section for a listing of proposed topics and discussion themes. For more information about our action group, please read the Project Organisers section at the end.

Why?

The gap between the ICT-empowered and those who are not is very real and a combination of commercial, cultural and other influences is exacerbating the problem. We advocate a holistic approach which would appreciate the essential human need for effective communication and recognise how critical it is to address this need. Empowering people to be able to use and access ICTs effectively will stimulate the economies of the region and ultimately bring our societies closer in a global human network, while at the same time allow the preservation of our individual cultural identities.

The continued development of ICT is inevitable, and it has been shown that investment in ICT is a key factor to boosting a country’s development. There are two sets of issues regarding ICT; firstly, those relating to its actual development, and secondly, those relating to the social, cultural and economic impact of the new technologies. We will focus on the second set in order to promote development of ICTs and assist people to utilise the technology to help them in their everyday life. The emphasis will be on issues such as accessibility and ICT-literacy.

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We will focus on ICTs and how they can be fairly spread across social and cultural boundaries. It is this communication through which people are going to be more aware of and better equipped to utilise new ways of learning, new ways of making their life easier, and attaining the basic necessities of life. We recognise that awareness will be only the first stage. Awareness and intellectual proficiency regarding ICTs will be the key factors for actually achieving ICT-empowerment.

Our Goals

By undertaking this project, we aim to achieve the following practical goals:

Promote youth action towards local and local initiatives based on cooperation and aimed to bridge the digital divide.

Increase the awareness of the different aspects of the digital divide and empower youth voices on the subject.

Make our voices to be heard by relevant institutional authorities, to shape their policies accordingly

Encourage developed countries to invest in the field of ICT in developing countries so that information and knowledge is spread more fairly and effectively.

How?

We will facilitate a series of teleconferencing sessions in which young people can participate. The sessions will be coordinated and moderated by their peers. The event will also involve mentors and panellists from educational institutions, NGOs, regulatory bodies and other government agencies, as well as the private sector. Panellists and mentors will be able to enrich the discussion by drawing on their experience. They will also have a part to play in ensuring an appropriate focus.

Conferences will be conducted using telephone video linkup, Internet, satellite transmission and other communication technologies, or combinations of these, depending on the infrastructure available in the participating countries. Each conference session will be documented for circulation among all participants and selected material will be published online. The knowledge generated and experience gained during the project will be used as a catalyst for further discussion and action by motivated youth groups at the region, like our action group.

Please see the Conferencing Technology section for more information about the teleconferencing infrastructure we intend to use.

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Our Goals

By undertaking this project, we aim to achieve the following practical goals:

Promote youth action towards local and local initiatives based on cooperation and aimed to bridge the digital divide.

Increase the awareness of the different aspects of the digital divide and empower youth voices on the subject.

Make our voices to be heard by relevant institutional authorities, to shape their policies accordingly

Encourage developed countries to invest in the field of ICT in developing countries so that information and knowledge is spread more fairly and effectively.

When?

We aim to launch a series of bi-monthly teleconferences during 2004. Every two months a different country will “host” the event by moderating and defining the emphasis of the discourse. We are ready to launch the first conference within 5 months starting from the funding availability.

During the first two months, the call for papers will be issued and we will advertise the teleconference throughout the Asia-Pacific region via :

online notices, email, public postings, notices in established publications with common goals to us, and hopefully with the support of government and youth

organisations who can spread the information via their own websites, publications and

by word of mouth. At the end of this “road show” we plan to have a significant number of papers written by young researchers submitted for the teleconference. During the following two months, the submitted papers will be reviewed and participants chosen.

We have already started to seek for local and international partners to help us with recruitment of the needed

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Suggested Timeline

facilities in countries where such facilities exist. Thanks to the number of volunteers working on the project, the technological aspects will be taken care of along with participants’ selection.

The last month will be used to resume the logistical preparation. At the end of the fifth month, the event will commence. It will officially run for a day, but this is subject to change. After conducting the first conference, we intend to coordinate a series of conferences.

Who will participate?

The teleconference program will have a strong emphasis on participation in and from the Asia-Pacific region. Enthusiastic and committed young researchers in the field of ICT or within domains which relate to the digital divide are expected to participate in the teleconference as well as young people with non-academic interest in the field.

To participate in the panel, candidates are expected to submit an original paper related to the teleconference theme which is 500-1000 words in length. The paper may be either purely academic or more practical and personally motivated. Successful applicants’ papers will be required to demonstrate an interest in sharing their ideas regarding the digital divide and/or possible original solutions and actions within the broader Asia-Pacific community. In addition to the paper, applicants are expected to submit a letter of motivation no longer than 500 words. All submitted papers will be subjected to peer-review on an anonymous basis. Judging criteria will include:

tTechnical quality , rRelevance to ICT , oOriginality, s S ignificance, and c C larity.

In the selection process, the profile of the selected group of participants as a whole will be taken in consideration. The selection process aims to select a team which is as complementary, multidisciplinary and multicultural as possible.

Discussion Topics

Following the goals of the project and in an attempt to promote action through the teleconference, we suggest the following ideas to be discussed during the different events of the project:

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1. Cultural components of the digital divide: Does technology compensate for the traditional cultural

barriers within and among the different countries? What are the new cultural barriers created by new

communication technologies? What is the role of technology in promoting

intercultural dialog: pushing forward or pulling back?

2. How to preserve the local while accepting the global: Local culture in the threat of cultural globalisation:

Can new technologies eliminate the physical borders and allow mixture of cultures?

The ICT market is clearly dominated by Western companies and Western culture, but will it westernise the local cultures as well?

Is it good? How do we preserve local culture after all the

influences it will face?

3. Discussion of economical aspects of investment in telecom infrastructure in developing countries.

Is it economically efficient and profitable to invest in rural countries/areas?

When is it profitable? Highlight of case studies Presentation of completely new, young and seemingly

crazy ideas of profitable ICT projects in underdeveloped areas/countries.

4. The role of international community and international cooperation in bridging the digital divide. What has been done (case studies) and what can be done (emphasizing the role of youths)?

5. The potential role of youths in bridging the digital divide, emphasizing the practical aspects. Brainstorming on whatever we can do right now, making the most of the network created during the Youth Forum.

6. How can we go about increasing ICT-literacy in different regions of the Asia Pacific? Generating young and creative ideas for projects and activities aimed to increase the ICT-literacy and ICT-inclusiveness.

7. Communication – a tool for bridging up of digital divide?

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8. ICT for peace: how can ICT be used to promote peace all over the world?

Additional topics will be developed and considered throughout the process of the project.

Conferencing Technology

The technology we intend to use is point-to-point video. Participants are clustered in groups of 10-15 in 6-8 separate locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Communication is completely decentralised.

This technology was chosen over other forms of teleconferencing, such as audio conferencing and web conferencing. Audio conferencing puts participants who are not as proficient in the specified language of the conference at a significant disadvantage (and discomfort), which is unacceptable for a region-wide conference such as this. Web conferencing, where audio is supplemented by a live webcast or where participants simultaneously view static web documents, is deemed insufficiently media-rich for the quality of communication we wish to provide between participants.

Teleconferences will be complemented with a “back channel” of sorts to facilitate public addresses in text or video format. This will also provide sponsors with opportunities to advertise or gain exposure during the event.

Technical resources required:1. Videoconferencing site: One for each location (may be a

fully set up room tailor-made for that purpose or one hired/borrowed and fitted out for the conference). NB: Public rooms are available in many countries (often, not always, via the leading telecommunications company). One can rent these, usually by the half-hour. They come with all the necessary equipment and support personnel.

2. MCU bridging services or funds to achieve this through a third party provider.

3. Technicians: One for each location (may be provided by sponsor, may be one of the technically adept volunteers, or may be hired for the occasion).

4. Conference telephone connections for duration of conference.

5. If we are fitting out the videoconferencing sites, we may need to provide monitors, cameras, microphones, speakers, and the necessary telephone cabling and switching devices in addition to items 1-4.

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We are looking for socially-responsible, international organisations that will join us in the project as technological and methodological partners.

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Project Organisers

Sze Ling (Vicky) YuenChina, age 23

Vicky was born in Hong Kong, China. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems in the University of Hong Kong (HKU) with Honours in 2002. Currently she is completing her Master of Philosophy (specialising in Information Systems) in HKU.

Vicky was a research assistant in the Melbourne University in 2002 and currently she was a research assistant in HKU for the School of Business and the Telecom Research Project. Her research experience includes "Interconnection issues in Asia-Pacific region", "Mobile Internet", "Electronic Transformation", "Toyota Production System", and "Business Process Redesign" in the logistics industry. Recently, she is interested in "Structuration Theory", "Technology Adoption", and "Groupware Messaging".

Vicky attended the ITU Telecom Youth Forum 2002 in Hong Kong. She wishes to contribute what she has learned so far in bridging the digital divide, using a youth way, youth mind, and youth voice.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/vicky.htm

Arief PrasetyoIndonesia, age 22

Arief is Indonesian, born in 1981. He completed his Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from Diponegoro University. He has been actively involved in many youth organizations and has represented his country and the Asia Pacific Region in many international events.

In his country, he was the Secretary of the Indonesian Electrical Engineering Students Forum. Arief is also an active member of the Indonesian Scouts.

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Arief attended the ITU Telecom Youth Forum 2002 in Hong Kong. Following this, he became a member of the Youth Caucus for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) and attended the WSIS Regional Asia Pacific in Tokyo and the 2nd WSIS Preparatory Meeting in Geneva.

Arief believes that the youth can make difference and play a major role in bridging the digital divide, of course with little 'trust and support' from governments and the industry. Youth were brought up and live with the technology, and so it is only right that we are involved (and involve ourselves) in the effort to bridge the digital divide.

Arief is presently working in the Department of Communication of the Republic of Indonesia as an IT staff, but he will soon move to work as an engineer for an international oil company, Schlumberger.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/arief.htm

Dmitry EpsteinIsrael, age 24

Dmitry was born in Russia and moved with his family to Israel in 1993, where he now lives in Jaffa. He acquired his BA in economics from the Tel-Aviv University and is currently finishing his Masters degree in media in communication studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

While studying he has actively participated in various social projects and student activities. He was elected twice to represent the School of Economics in the student council and, as such, established a tutorial project to help young students, a scholarship fund for sponsoring sports activity for students in need and a learning centre for children of Jaffa. Also he worked for the “Perach” (flower) tutorial project for children in developing areas, both as tutor and as coordinator. In recognition of these and other activities he was awarded the Tel-Aviv University President’s Prize for Students Performing Outstanding Volunteer Work in the Community.

Last December, he attended the ITU Asia-Pacific Youth Forum in Hong Kong. Following the forum, he is now working on promoting ideas and facilitating activities among youth to bridge the digital divide.

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In the not-too-distant future, Dmitry hopes to continue in post-graduate studies. At the same time, he plans to continue his social activities in technology-related fields with further dedication.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/dima.htm

Lisa ThurstonAustralia, age 21

Lisa was born and grew up on a farming property in rural South Australia. She completed high school there in 1999.

In 2000 she began studying Information Technology (specialising in multimedia) at the University of South Australia. Currently she is completing her honours in this degree.

While studying she has worked in various education jobs/projects which have helped raise her awareness of various aspects of the "digital divide" as we know it. At various times, these have involved teaching, tutoring and mentoring both students and teachers in the areas of information technology and multimedia at schools in South Australia including one remote rural school and several disadvantaged schools in Adelaide's low-income northern suburbs.

Last December she attended the ITU Asia-Pacific Youth Forum in Hong Kong. The forum brought together two youths from each UN state in the region. In March this year, at the Australian Communication Authority's international training program, she presented the perspectives of the region's youth as regards the ICT industry and regulation. She also represented the interests of remote consumers in the digital television debate at the Australian Broadcasting Authority's annual conference in May.

In the not-too-distant future, Lisa hopes to work for AusAID, the Australian overseas aid scheme, as an IT professional or educator, bringing her teaching skills and IT expertise together to help build up some aspect of the IT industry or teach computing subjects in a third-world country.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/lisa.htm

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Touhid ZarringhalamiIran, age 24

In 1997 Touhid got a diploma in Mathematics from Alborz high school in Tehran. He has obtained B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (Mechanics of solids) from the Polytechnic University of Tehran in 2001. During his studies, he has learnt different computer software and worked on different projects, as well as having published various articles in the university's scientific journal.

Touhid has been a students' representative at college and he is fluent in English due to his studies at the Iran Language Institute. Since September 2001, he has been studying for M.S. in Applied Mechanics at Tarbiat Modarres University.

Touhid participated in the ITU youth forum for the Asia-Pacific region in December 2002 with an article titled "Development opportunities and the role of the youth" Touhid is interested in Telecommunication affairs (ICT sector) and eager to be an active fellow of the ITU in order to improve his knowledge and participate in the development of his country. He has been studying German language in the embassy of Germany in Tehran since last year.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/touhid.htm

Ayesha RaufPakistan, age 21

Ayesha was born in the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah and shifted to Pakistan with her family in 1984. Her current city of residence is Peshawar, in the province of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. She did her matriculation at Presentation Convent School and finished her college education with an A+ and an overall third position in her province. At present, Ayesha is graduating in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar. Her academic career has been superb throughout, but she wishes to increase her participation in volunteer activities related to awareness of ICT among young people.

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Last year she participated in ITU Youth Forum 2002, Hong Kong representing Pakistan. She presented a paper addressing the theme of "Helping the World Communicate" at the World Telecom day in May 2003 which was attended by the Information Technology & Telecom Minister of Pakistan. Her presentation was very well-regarded, but Ayesha credits her increased awareness and perception in this regard to the seminars she attended as part of the ITU Youth Forum. Ayesha now plans to make other people more aware of the importance of ICTs and its beneficial use. She intends to gain experience so that she herself can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of these in order to assist others and make universal access to such technologies a reality in Pakistan.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/ayesha.htm

Clarry ShchiglikNew Zealand, age 23

Clarry was born in 1980, 2 years after his parents arrived to Wellington, New Zealand from Ukraine. He has lived in Wellington ever since.

Clarry has been studying at Victoria University of Wellington for the past six years. He holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Commercial Law, a Bachelors degree with Honours in Information Systems, and a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting. Currently, Clarry is studying towards his Masters degree, which looks into the quality of m-commerce applications.

Clarry is a former New Zealand Karate age group champion, but nowadays his interest outside of academia lie in gym training and the digital divide. Clarry volunteers at Smart Newtown, a project which aims to create a community where residents have the skills and access to become active participants in the online world.

Last December, Clarry represented New Zealand at the ITU Asia-Pacific Youth Forum in Hong Kong. Later this year, he will travel to Perth, Australia, to present his Honours research project at the 14th Australasian Conference on Information Systems.

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Clarry is a vehement believer that access to information is a human right; that information is able to solve many social problems for both individuals and nations. He also feels strongly that youth have a critical role to play in realising this human right.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/clarry.htm

Hwee Gee SengSingapore, age 21

Hwee Gee was born in Singapore, in 1982. She graduated from Singapore Polytechnic in June this year with a diploma in Multimedia Software Engineering. At present, she is on an exchange program in Soonchunhyang University in Asan, South Korea.

In her secondary school days, Hwee Gee was a member of the Student Volunteer Corps (SVC), an aegis of the National Council of Social Service, which aims to promote student volunteerism amongst teens in Singapore. She has worked with several welfare organisations including the Metropolitan YMCA. She was also the secretary of Student Voice, a branch of SVC which conducts workshops and talks in schools in Singapore.

In 2001, Hwee Gee signed up for a community service project in Guiyang, China, where she taught basic IT skills to secondary school students aged 16-21. In December 2002, Hwee Gee participated in the ITU Youth Forum, held in Hong Kong. Following the forum, she completed her internship at a multimedia educational software company in Singapore, and remained with the company working as an IT trainer at a local primary school.

Hwee Gee intends to commence undergraduate studies in Computer Science at university next July. At the same time, she hopes to gain more experience and acquire a deeper understanding of ICT-related issues and problems surrounding this field.

Online profile: http://macs.unisa.edu.au/lisathurston/ituasia/docs/teleconf/huiyi.htm

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