Position Paper for the South African Non-Governmental Organization Coalition

OnInformation Communication Technologies

The Global Information InfrastructureAnd

The Global Information Society

Strategies for Strengthening NGO Participation in the Digital World

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The Tsunami Wave of Positive Change

Walter MosleyMurohvi Rudzani

Pia Zain

Global Syndicate 5Spring 2002

Globalization and the Information Society:Information Policy and Development

Dr. Derrick Cogburn

1 Painting of a tsunami wave by Dr. Michael Scolaro – http://www.tightropeproductions.com/ LetThereBeHope.htm

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It is possible - for poverty to be eradicated - If you had said 10 years ago that South Africa would be a free, democratic nation, people would have said you are a dreamer. This is no utopian dream, but a practical possibility. It is possible if we spend less on arms and spend more on the reduction of the gender gap; more on enabling people to have access to social, economic, environmental and personal assets. It is possible if there is a more equitable economic order in the world. It is possible.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

What is a Tsunami Wave and why are we talking about one here?

Tsunami is the Japanese word for tidal or harbor wave. It is an extremely high and large wave that causes massive destruction when it hits shore. The highest tsunami ever recorded was 1,700 feet (518 meters).2 Tsunamis are regarded in legend as the natural force that created the underwater city of Atlantis, and their power is undisputed.

An analogy can be made between the force and power of a Tsunami, and the massive impact of Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) on our society. Tsunamis change everything – and the advents of the digital age on South Africa have changed the essence of how we live, work and engage with knowledge. Tsunamis are often regarded with awe and terror – but they can be survivable if one acknowledges their power, strength and impact. Many sectors of South Africa have met the challenges and changes brought on by the digital age – but civil society, on the whole, has not. It is imperative to recognize that a Tsunami is upon us – and we must ride the wave in order to empower ourselves.

Organizational development processes often recognize that sectors caught in turbulent change often ignore the cause of the change because they feel under equipped to deal with the issues: resources, capacity, knowledge and access all play a part in this feeling of frustration and disempowerment. But it is important to understand that we must begin somewhere – to ignore the power of the Tsunami of the digital age is to be left out completely and eventually marginalized by its rule. This paper acknowledges that, like a Tsunami, the advent of ICT’s upon our society has:

Been massive in scope and scale, but under-appreciated in its impact until the full force of it hits – exposing massive differences in reach and access.

Comes from multiple sources, particularly the North, and thus is often alienating to organizations and individuals in the South

A delayed impact upon less developed sectors and geographical areas, which creates a digital divide and leads to a digital impediment.3

Been relatively silent in many parts of the world – the global society that utilizes ICT’s is often so cut off from the rest of the world, that we do not understand the magnitude of the changes coming towards us.

Created a great deal of turbulence in its coming. Because of the fundamental shift in the way the world deals with work and information, ICT’s have already started to erode and change our “normal” patterns of interaction. This has created instability in the social, political and economic arenas of our lives.4

This paper offers suggestions and ideas – based on a strategic analysis of SANGOCO’s internal and external relationships with stakeholders – that will assist the Coalition in riding the digital Tsunami and harnessing her power. It is possible to counter the possible devastation

2 Information supplied by Dr. Hal Mofjeld at http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami/Faq/x005_highest3 Digital divide is defined in this paper as the division between those who have access to ICT's and those who do not. Digital impediments are limitations physical, societal, cultural, structural, or educational that prohibit members of a community from profitable participation in the opportunities created by the digital world and GIS/GII through the use of ICT’s. 4 While the authors have worked through the analogy between the Tsunami and the digital age, we have been influenced by the following work: Cocowitch, Victor and Fickenscher, Kevin, The Turn Around Imperative: A Leader’s Guide for Survival in a Turbulent Health Care Environment, American College of Physician Executives, 1996.

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that digital globalization can impose upon us by actively catching and leashing the force and power of the process. In order to do this, though, we cannot panic and attempt to implement a strategy that will ultimately fail because we try to do too much, too soon. Our suggestions are based on a realistic, careful approach which will incorporate the needs of the sector, while recognizing the urgency of our response. Furthermore, we aim to make all actions measurable and acknowledge that any plan should be revisited often to reflect the changing underlying structures of the Global Information Society/ Global Information Infrastructure (GIS/GII).

Introduction

This position paper for SANGOCO (the South African Non-Governmental Organization Coalition) arises out of a recognized need to meet the challenges inherent in the current socio-economic context of South Africa: a developing nation where massive inequalities exist in terms of access, development, and economic empowerment, and where the HIV/AIDS pandemic is decimating our population, particularly our workforce.

In per capita terms, South Africa is an upper-middle class country. However poverty and inequality are the benchmarks of life in South Africa for more than half of its citizens. At least 22 million people live in poverty, earning on average R144 per month (approximately US $ 15.00).5 South Africa’s Gini coefficient (a measure of the degree of inequality) is 0.58 – one of the highest in the world6. In terms of a landmark study on poverty and inequality in South Africa, these elements are also disaggregated by gender, race, class, and geographic location. A disproportionate share of poverty is borne by black rural working class women and their families. It has been estimated that up to 80% of female-headed households have no wage earners7.

More people in South Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS (4.7 million people or 10.7% of our population)8 than have access to arguably one of the most important technological advances of the modern era. 2 million people have access to the internet - but according to research company BMI-Techknowledge, this number may actually be smaller, because 34% of these individuals have access both from work and home9. Therefore, approximately 1.32 million people (3% of our population) has access to the internet - a technology which is changing the way in which people across the globe live, work and learn.

It is within this environment that SANGOCO operates. An umbrella body formed in 1995, the Coalition consists of consists of provincial and sectoral affiliates, working in a wide range of development fields including land, health, gender, urban and rural development. SANGOCO's main aim is to enhance the work of the NGO sector to best meet the needs of the poor, in the most holistic and integrated manner possible.

Within that function, SANGOCO has identified six broad goals:

Promoting the development of pro-poor social, economic and development policy. Developing an enabling legislative and institutional environment for the NGO sector. Promoting the financial sustainability of the NGO Sector. Consolidating the organization of the Coalition and the NGO sector. Building the human resources of the NGO sector. Disseminating appropriate and relevant information within the NGO sector and to a

broader audience.

It is the contention of this paper that SANGOCO needs to begin to recognize that there are global forces at work that fundamentally impact upon the aims and direction of the Coalition.

5 Basic Income Grant Coalition Statement6 May, Julian, Poverty and Inequality in South Africa7 Blake, M., Govender, P. and Telela, R, Rights Up Your Street: A guide to human rights in South Africa, National Association of Democratic Lawyers Human Rights Research and Advocacy Project, 1998, p. 113.8 Berger, Jonathan M, “Tripping over Patents: AIDS, Access to Treatment and the Manufacturing of Scarcity”, University of Toronto School of Law, 2001. These are low guess-timates.9 Coetzer, Jennigay, "South Africa, Awake to the Internet!" SAWUBONA Magazine, February 2002.

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The world is "going digital", and while SANGOCO has engaged to a certain degree with the information revolution (through SANGONet), it needs to become proactive in terms of empowering its constituencies to be productive and profitable participants in the global society.

Whether we like it or not the digital revolution is upon us, globalization has and will continue to happen, and South Africans will be participants. For SANGOCO to ignore the impact of the digital revolution on a micro and macro level would be to ensure that the majority of South Africans will not benefit from the opportunities of technology in the global economy and as a result be subjugated to merely obligatory participants.

Information Communication Technologies and the Global Information Infrastructure / Global Information Society

Information Communication Technologies (ICT's) are rapidly restructuring the nature of work and education, and as a result, the fundamental essence of society, governance, power, knowledge and access. Furthermore, unlike past technological changes, the rapid development and diffusion of ICT’s has the potential to affect all economic sectors, organizational and work structures, public services, as well as cultural and social activities across all societies. ICT’s are inextricably linked with the phenomenon of globalization – in fact; it could be argued that ICT’s are the “motor” which drive the globalization process. Globalization by its very nature is an ongoing, interdependent process which creates interlinkages in every area of our lives. It is extremely difficult to pin down – everywhere and nowhere, the elements of globalization affect us on a micro level, while being decided and played out on a macro level. The value of intersecting with the “motor” of globalization should therefore be self evident.

For the purpose of this paper Global Information Infrastructure (GII) and Global Information Society (GIS) will be used interchangeably. From a definitional perspective, we define GII as both the “hard” and “soft” infrastructure needed as a precursor to a Global Information Society. “Hard” infrastructure being the actual physical elements of the infrastructure such as the computing equipment, electronics, or simply ICT’s. Likewise, “soft” infrastructure would be the legal, regulatory, and policy framework associated with infrastructure development.10

We also see GII as providing the platform for creating economic activity and jobs, while the GIS uses the developments of the GII to improve societal goals and aspirations. By using the term GIS/GII we are placing equal importance on economic and societal development both necessary for profitable and productive participation in society.

The GII/GIS which is arising out of the intensely quick development of ICT’s impacts upon the developmental issues which are the core focus of NGO’s in South Africa in the following ways: education, research and training; digital libraries; emergency management; SMME’s, employment creation and e-commerce; electronic government services; health care; debt management; legislation and legal services; universal access and innovation. The regime which has grown out of the GII/GIS is a critical one to engage with on several levels.

It is important as well to understand the nature of the GII/GIS regime. According to Manuel Castells, the new technological paradigm is marked by five main components:

The new technologies have been created to act on information. This is a marked difference from all other technological revolutions – this one deals with organizing and accessing the very fabric of our knowledge and how we engage with it.

The new technologies are pervasive in every part of our lives – and there needs to be an absolute recognition that our common and individual experiences will be impacted by this regime.

The new technologies use a networking logic which enables massive reach and depth in terms of the technologies and the information they carry and organize. This assures rapid growth and innovation within the technologies themselves.

10 Dr. Derrick Cogburn, Lecture: Globalization Seminar. February 5, 2002.

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The new technologies are flexible, and therefore can be reconfigured to the particular socio-cultural needs of the users. This enables the technologies to be reconfigured in a manner that allows optimum benefit to the users.

The new technologies have converged into a highly integrated system, which means that older technologies are becoming obsolete. The technologies of this technology are becoming interdependent on each other for optimum operation11.

SANGOCO’s goals in influencing the GII/GIS regime should revolve around recognition that civil society has been extremely lax in engaging with the various initiatives around ICT’s in South Africa. There are indeed a few member organizations of civil society that concentrate solely on assisting South Africans to access ICT’s, and SANGONet offers a wide range of email/training initiatives, but SANGOCO, and therefore civil society on a broad level, has not engaged with the legislative and international implications of the GII/GIS regime. This engagement must be multi-leveled, coherent, and clear, and it must revolve around a simple and basic truth: if civil society does not act immediately to impact upon the GII/GIS regime, then civil society will find itself without a voice in the single most revolutionary process of our times. It is the suggestion of this paper that SANGOCO’s primary aim should be:

The integration of all South Africans, at a grass roots level, with ICT’s and the Global Information Society, in a manner that is holistic, empowering and innovative. SANGOCO should act as a conduit, educating civil society organizations, and acting as a forceful umbrella body in putting across the needs of all people in South Africa in relation to ICT’s and the GII/GIS.

Principles, Norms, Rules

Krasner defines regimes as sets of implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors’ expectations converge in a given area of international relations. Principles are beliefs of fact, causation, and rectitude. Norms are standards of behavior defined in terms of rights and obligations. Rules are specific prescriptions for actions. Decision-making procedures are prevailing practices for making and implementing collective choice.12 We also include enforcement mechanisms as a part of decision-making.

SANGOCO’s aim in its efforts with the GIS/GII regime is to change the regime itself.

In order to do this, SANGOCO must identify the primary elements of the regime that they can fully impact upon. It is the contention of this paper that it would be impossible, given the limited capacity of SANGOCO, to target all elements of the GII/GIS regime. Therefore, it is our suggestion that SANGOCO influence the development of the following regime components:

1. Principles2. Norms3. Rules

SANGOCO should be interested in influencing the principles and norms of the GIS/GII regime because they provide the basic defining characteristics of a regime13. In order to meet the defined goals of SANGOCO’s interaction with the GIS/GII regime these two components must be addressed. By establishing principles that take in consideration ideas such as inclusion of all countries and peoples in the information society and extending the global network to the far reaches of both urban and rural Africa, SANGOCO will be realizing its mission. Further, by influencing the principles and norms of the sector on a micro level, SANGOCO will be empowering its membership to interact with the GIS/GII. The way to do this is through the principle and norms. Affecting how the sector and global stakeholders behave, and how they

11 Castells, Manuel, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Volume I: The Rise of the Network Society, Blackwell Publishers, 2000, pp. 70 – 72. 12 Krasner, Stephen, "Structural causes and regime consequences: Regimes as Intervening Variables" International Organization (Spring 1982)13 Ibid

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think will enable SANGOCO to influence the GIS/GII regime in a way that will dictate the rules and decision making procedures of the regime.

A regime’s formal and visible instruments are its written rules, and its procedures for monitoring compliance and adjudicating disputes. Its surveillance mechanisms are often the instrumental form of a normative consensus. By influencing the norms and principles, SANGOCO can explicitly affect the rules of the GIS/GII regime. The rules component of the GIS/GII regime is important to SANGOCO because they directly affect the stakeholders they represent. Furthermore, by influencing and/or altering the rules it is possible to make changes within a regime.14

Strategic Targets

The authors of this position paper believe that it is equally important to understand the nature of the institutions and organizations that are being targeted. We feel that SANGOCO must begin to build a process of interaction with the GIS/GII regime that will be sustainable, measurable and have impact both on the macro and micro levels of the regime. We therefore suggest that SANGOCO’s strategy be limited to three key actors in the regime, at least within the first 12 to 18 months. Once measurable results are visible in these interventions, SANGOCO can begin to model its interventions amongst a broader pool of actors.

We feel that there are three specific actors who should be targeted by SANGOCO in the short term:

The NGO sector itself The South African government and its institutions Multi-national agencies which set ICT policy agenda

If SANGOCO could impact upon these three actors in a comprehensive manner, then it would set the stage for inclusion in the dynamic world environment of the GII/GIS. SANGOCO’s strategy in relation to these three actors is of vital importance because it will be the first time the Coalition has been proactive in engaging with the impact of ICT’s and the GII/GIS.

NGO Sector

We … affirm that issues regarding access to ICT’s are actually issues of equity, social justice and the right to communicate. In many cases, important policy decisions regarding the rollout, access and use of ICT’s are being made without the input of civil society. If those who most need access to these technologies (namely people that are marginalized because of race, gender, disability, geographic location, income, class, etc.) are not involved in these decisions, then universal access and a societal structure that supports and makes effective use of that access, will never become a reality.15

SANGOCO’s primary constituency is the NGO sector – those organized representatives of civil society that service the needs of the population in a space that does not belong to formal government or the private sector. It must be recognized that within this function, SANGOCO deals with a great deal of tension within the sector in terms of building social capital and civil society. The competition for scarce resources is intense, and the political agendas of many organizations tend to impact upon cohesive coalition building. Engaging with the impact of ICT’s and the GII/GIS should be seen as a way to build relationships within the sector, and a means of addressing some of the tensions between well resourced organizations and those that have lesser capacity.

14 Stephen Krasner, "Structural causes and regime consequences: Regimes as Intervening Variables" International Organization (Spring 1982)15 From a paper, Recommendations for the Effective Participation of Civil Society in the Information Age, at the African Development Forum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 27th, 1999, presented b representatives of civil society. http://www.bellanet.org/partners/aisi/adf99docs/worddocs/NGOreport-eng.doc

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The sector as a whole has had limited interaction with the GII/GIS regime. There are a few notable exceptions16 to this contention, and certainly better resourced organizations are able to utilize the benefits of ICT’s. However, a conscious proactive decision to interact with the regime, and to begin to strategize around the needs of the sector in terms of the regime, has been sadly lacking. SANGOCO’s involvement in the GII/GIS will come about from making a commitment across the sector to proactively connect with it. From the start, this will require a significant influx of funds17, and it is necessary from the outset to make a commitment to provide the resources needed to implement the process. It is also necessary to recognize that while there is an element of urgency, the process will need to be visualized as a long term, comprehensive engagement that consistently requires evaluation and review.

The primary elements of change will come from engaging with the norms and principles of the sector in relation to the GII/GIS. We offer the following suggestions to begin to create a strategic focus for the Coalition:

1. Arrive at a common understanding of the impact of ICT’s and the GII/GIS on the varied sub-sectors of the Coalition

SANGOCO should commission a three month research project identifying organizations within the Coalition which actively engage in usage of ICT’s (and measure the impact of the usage on the organizations’ productivity and reach) as well as those organizations which actively engage in the growth and reach of the GII/GIS (this includes legislative and policy interventions as well as innovation in terms of the GII/GIS).

Part of the terms of reference of this research should include identifying the knowledge base of the sector as well as the number of organizations that directly utilize state and private sector sponsored tele-centers or multi-purpose community information centers with access to ICT’s. The research could also identify funding opportunities from state, private and international sources.

Champions could be identified through this research as organizations that are comfortable interacting with, and benefit from, an interaction with the GII/GIS regime.

This three month period of research would alert members of the sector to the principle decisions that SANGOCO national has made in terms of the importance of the GII/GIS regime, and would begin a process of awareness that would shift engagement with the regime, and thus impact upon the norms of the sector. It is important to recognize that research initiatives have already begun which set out clear measurables in terms of ICT’s and the NGO sector. NGO-Net, a non-governmental organization in France, has set out a fascinating process of researching and scanning NGO/development sector involvement with ICT’s.18 It would be useful to contact the organization to understand the impact of this assessment.

2. Disseminate information about ICT’s and the GII/GIS as broadly as possible, within the Coalition.

This would include provincial and local workshops, forums and training. Use of technologies such as radio and the internet would be valuable in disseminating information. The information stream would build on the specific issues identified by the research, and would require allocated funding from SANGOCO’s annual budget.

16 Note organizations such as the Telkom Action Group, the Black IT Forum, Bridges, etc. 17 A number of sites which list funders supportive of ICT initiatives is available on the World Movment For Democracy website at http://www.wmd.org/dict/tools.html. They include:Benton Foundation's Toolkit - Funders Supportive of Communications Technology: http://www.benton.org/Practice/Toolkit/techmoney.html, Helping.Org's - Find Technology Funding: http://www.helping.org/nonprofit/grants.adp, Internet Prospector Corporate Giving: http://www.internet-prospector.org/corp-giv.html, Npower's Fundraising for (and with) Technology: http://www.npower.org/resourcesandlinks/TechFundraising/TechnologyFundraisingMain.htm, TechSoup's Funding and Grants for Nonprofits: http://www.techsoup.com/resourcelist.cfm?resourcelistid=1718 http://www.ngo-net.org/docs/html/BePro-us.htm

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The aim would be to change organizations’ inherent comfort level in interacting with the GII/GIS on both an organizational level (actual usage of technologies) as well as a sectoral/political level (interaction with legislation and policy).

Champions could be used to disseminate the information, and to act as resources for less informed organizations. This dissemination would impact upon the principles and norms of the sector in relation to GII/GIS regime because it would move the sector towards a greater understanding of the usefulness of technology, and the critical need to begin to impact upon the direction in which the technologies are moving. It would also help the sector collectively identify over-arching principles

This process could have an initial roll-out period of approximately six months, however it should be recognized that this will be core activity of SANGOCO in the foreseeable future. SANGONet could be utilized to integrate the roll-out.

3. An ICT Working Group should be established within SANGOCO to monitor the progress of information dissemination within the sector, and GII/GIS policy nationally and internationally

This Working Group would begin to track the change within the sector in terms of how the sector utilizes ICT’s as well as important legislative and policy implications for the sector. They would be mandated to feed back to SANGOCO national and provincial around the usefulness of the process, and the key challenges and gaps which begin to become evident. This would impact directly upon the norms of the sector around ICT’s.

It is critical that this working group is comprised of broadly representational organizations – from small rural community based organizations to large well resourced urban national organizations, from champions with extensive ICT experience to organizations with no knowledge (but expressed interest) in the GII/GIS. This would ensure that buy-in is across the sector, and that an important conduit of information is established.

The working group could begin to identify important bodies on a national and international level to interact with, and the gaps and challenges the sector faces in order to establish presence and visibility in these spheres. A number of important multi-national initiatives and organizations include: the Global Information Infrastructure Commission-Africa19, the African Development Forum and the African Information Society Initiative, both part of the Economic Commission for Africa20 and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)21. Once these initiatives are identified and contextualized in relation to SANGOCO, principles of interaction can begin to be established.

4. The next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SANGOCO should begin to establish operating principles in relation to the GII/GIS regime

These could include principles of universal access, accountability, inclusion, language, operability and integration. A critical principle would be to introduce the notion that all members of SANGOCO, no matter what their size, focus, or level of resource, must recognize the importance of ICT’s and begin to plan the incorporation of ICT’s in their work and capacity building. This guiding principle would have long-term impact on the sector. SANGOCO would make a concurrent commitment to up-skill organizations to deal with the Tsunami of information and technology approaching.

These principles would guide SANGOCO in its interaction with external actors, as well as internally, and would set the stage for an in-depth engagement with the decision making processes and enforcement mechanisms of the GIS.

5. The sector should be exposed to the positive changes inherent in ICT’s with the creation of a formal network, utilizing state, private, tele-centre and SANGONet

19 http://www.giic.org/giicafrica/20 http://www.uneca.org/adf99/ and http://www.uneca.org/aisi/21 http://www.nepad.com

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resources, which will allow creative linkages to occur between individual organizations in the sector.

The sector needs to be exposed to the positive changes inherent in ICT’s with the creation of a formal network, utilizing state, private, tele-center and established network resources, which will allow creative linkages to occur between individual organizations in the sector.

A guiding principle in SANGOCO’s interaction with ICT’s and the GII/GIS should be to recognize the possibility that the regime holds for improving the functions of the sector. Usage of ICT’s will positively change the ability of organizations to meet core goals and activities. One of the clearest means for establishing a normative interaction with ICT’s is to establish a mid-term goal of creating a vibrant network of civil society organizations which link with one another using ICT’s – the world wide web, discussion groups, forums, advanced communication tools, etc.

By centralizing this network, SANGOCO will be able to harness state, private, local and established actors to enhance the viability and power of the network. SANGONet, LabourNet and WomensNet are three such current models which have had varied levels of success in the local context. The principle of exposing the sector to the positive changes in work, expose, access and engagement that ICT’s can bring is one that needs to inform the creation of this network. By building slowly upon established institutions and networks, SANGOCO can ensure innovative and creative use of ICT’s by the sector.

South African Government

The information society is not an impossible dream; neither is it a sophisticated nicety. It is fundamental to the upliftment and the improvement in the quality of life of all the disadvantaged people of the world, to ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same disadvantages and that the principle of equal opportunities prevails.

Jay Naidoo22

In order to influence any component of the GIS/GII regime, government cooperation is necessary. SANGOCO’s goal is to make sure that all people, especially the historically poor and disadvantaged of South Africa are profitable participants of globalization. Government agencies and actors play a critical role in enabling this to happen. As leaders of NEPAD and the African Union, the world is looking to the South African government to provide a model for inclusion in the GIS/GII. This pressure creates an enormous potential to begin a shift in the norms, principles and rules around which government operates, and to create a movement towards full inclusion of civil society in the process.

Inclusion would consist of

Universal access to ICT’s Knowledge, education, and learning around ICT’s consistent with the structures of the

global economy23 for all people Developing the ability of the sector to effectively use ICT’s.

Within the context of strategizing SANGOCO’s approach towards government actors and agencies, we have identified three sub-sets which are critical:

1. Provincial Government2. National Government3. National Government Institutions (specifically Telkom and ICASA)

22 Statement by then Minister of Communications, Jay Naidoo, (http://www.doc.org.za/docs/sp/1998/sp980324.html) as quoted by DACST Deputy Director General, Rob Adam, at the EC’s Information Society Technologies (IST) Conference, Vienna, 30 Nov - 2 Dec 1998 (http://www.cordis.lu/ist98/global.htm)23 Cogburn, Dr. Derrick, “Globalization, Education, Knowledge and Learning in the Information Age” UNESCO Information Ethics Conference, Monaco, 1998.

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Provincial Government

Once SANGOCO has established the operating principles to which it will adhere to and advocate for in relation to ICT’s and the GII/GIS, it can begin to target, on a local level, provincial governments and request their support and superstructure in the process of upgrading capacity of Coalition members.

It is our suggestion that SANGOCO provincial and regional offices can begin to interact with provincial governments in the following manner:

a. Create partnerships

SANGOCO provincial offices should identify interested individuals, task teams, or departments within the provincial governments and begin to establish positive working relationships with them. By establishing these relationships, SANGOCO begins to set norms in terms of its inclusion in ICT and GII/GIS policy and legislation at a provincial level.

These relationships can be deepened to inclusion of SANGOCO provincial representatives on committees and units that are actively dealing with ICT’s on a local level. This paradigm shift – from SANGOCO organizations being recipients of provincial strategy and resources, towards establishing partnerships of skills and knowledge will enhance the operation of the provincial offices.

b. Begin to utilize Multi-Purpose Community Information Centers, and support the introduction of new Centers

A guiding principle of universal access is that all people have some ability to access ICT’s within a reasonable distance from their home or workplace. In partnership with provincial government, SANGOCO could encourage the upgrading of existing MPCIC’s and the introduction of new ones. SANGOCO member organizations could provide constituencies which would utilize the MPCIC’s.

MPCIC’s would improve provincial governments’ ability to utilize electronic-governance, and would, in the long-term, save provinces significant amounts of money. They would also be able to claim to have increased the capacity of the electorate in participating meaningfully in governance. These norms are positive spin-off’s that need to be forcefully conveyed to provincial partners.

c. Access funds through provincial relationships with donor agencies and states

Provincial governments have access to their own relationships with international donor agencies and governments. While SANGOCO national needs to acquire their own funds for roll out of a national program, provincial offices need to network with government sources for access to funds. Utilizing professional relationships that have been created in a win-win scenario will enable the provincial offices to deeply root the process of systemically changing norms of behavior within the sector.

National Government

SANGOCO, as grassroots representatives, provides an excellent vehicle for the government to connect directly with their constituency, the people. We will leverage the power of the vote, to encourage the national government to assume its position as a world leader and advocate for inclusion of all people in the GIS/GII. We have identified the following national ministries and organs to target:

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Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science, and Technology24

The mission of the Ministry is to enable the full potential of arts, culture, science and technology in social and economic development, in nurturing creativity and innovation, and promoting the diverse heritage of our nation.

Its goals include: The linguistic diversity of our country as a resource in empowering all South

Africans fully to participate in their country's social, political and economic life; the development of science and technology expressed through the enabling mechanism of the national system of innovation for communities, researchers, industry and government and lifelong learning and accessibility to South African citizens.

The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)25 is appointed by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology to advise him (and through him, the Ministers Committee and the Cabinet) on the role and contribution of innovation (including science and technology) in promoting and achieving national objectives, namely to improve and sustain the quality of life of all South Africans develop human resources for

science and technology build the economy strengthen the country's competitiveness in the international sphere.

Government Communication and Information System26

GCIS goals are to formulate policy proposals and draft legislation within the areas of restructuring government communication, access to information, information development, developmental communication and the media environment.

GCIS also: makes information about Government accessible to the public by developing the government web site, producing repackaged information products and answering information enquiries; monitors and evaluates the print and electronic media with the aim to contribute to professional and timeous government communication; and conducts communication research and provides communication research advice services.

Ministry of Communications27

The mission of the Ministry of Communications is to strive towards universal service to enable ordinary people to have access not only to traditional media but also the convenience of information technology. These will include services that will create a flourishing information society such as tele-medicine, tele-education and other convenience measures that will improve the way people

work, live and play, while contributing to the economic growth of our country. The Ministry’s policy making affects state-owned enterprises such as Telkom SA Limited, South African Post Office (Pty) Ltd, Sentech and the SABC, as well as the regulators – the Independent Broadcasting Authority, the Universal Service Agency and the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

24 http://www.dacst.gov.za25 http://www.naci.org.za/home1.cfm26 http:www.gcis.gov.za27 http://docweb.pwv.gov.za/main.html

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While the strategy for intervention is broad, on a national level, it must include the actors mentioned above. In order for SANGOCO to effectively create a presence in the dynamic, fast paced, and hotly contested ICT policy framework, it must engage with national government in the following areas:

a. Lobbying and Advocacy

The key to “getting your way” with governments worldwide, is lobbying. Disney and other multinational and global corporations have been able to get unprecedented laws and “favors” on their behalf because of their aggressive lobbying campaigns. Although NGOs do not normally have the same financial resources as corporations, they do have a currency that is just as valuable to democratic governments. The power of the vote can be used to persuade the South African government, agencies, and officials to move toward the goal of inclusion.

There are also opportunities for SANGOCO to partner with multinational and global corporations in order to push our lobbying agenda. In exchange for marketing access to our constituency base and potential goodwill28 when applying for government licenses, we can leverage their financial resources and potential lobbyist already active in government.

The successes of organizations that have been able to retard the use of ICT’s by all people have been through aggressive lobbying campaigns. For example, Telkom has been able to get away with raising prices above the level set by ICASA with government and court backing. The price of telephone service is so unreasonable that out of the 2.1 million lines Telkom has installed 1.4 million or 2/3 have been disconnected with another 300,000 projected disconnections by the end of this month.29 Telkom is raising their profits at the expense of SANGOCO’s constituents and they are doing that through their lobby.

By implementing an aggressive lobbying campaign targeted at national government SANGOCO can influence the government to take the necessary steps toward inclusion for all people in the GIS/GII. SANGOCO’s overall goal would be to encourage the government to take a larger role in influencing the principles and norms of the GIS/GII with their active voice and by the example shown in South Africa.

b. Convene public hearings so that government understands the needs of the electorate

Each identified government agency needs to address the public and give the public an opportunity to address them. In the form of a public hearing, the SANGOCO constituency base can hear the relevant goals and objectives of the government bodies and likewise give the people an opportunity to voice their needs and opinions. These public hearing can held in a synchronous manner using ICT’s combined with alternative access points (i.e. multi-purpose centers or post offices) to have the dialogues; thereby creating a prelusive forum to some of the potential power and uses of ICT’s in governance. Members of the voting public should also be able to participate asynchronously as well by using ICT’s to comment on the recorded or transcribed public hearings.

The overall goals are to 1) conduct a user needs analysis, 2) allow the people direct access to their government, and 3) use the power of ICT’s in governance in order to include everyone.30

c. National Conference

Based on the finding of the public hearing, SANGOCO with other ICT policy leaders and government will hold a conference to disseminate the information learned at the public hearings as well as developing solutions to the presented problems. This conference should

28 Most licensing contracts29 Bidoli, Marina. Financial Mail, Let This Man Do His Job. February 8, 200230 Again we acknowledge that we are not going to be able to include everyone due to issues of the digital divide(s) and the digital impediment(s). Furthermore, not everyone is going to want to participate. However, this is a long range strategy and inclusion of all South Africans is of the upmost importance here.

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work towards understanding the constraints and concerns presented by the people and developing short term and long term solutions around these constraints and concerns. Although this conference will be addressing national concerns even on the grass roots level, it will be global in focus. This conference should be an example to the rest of the Continent on how to work towards inclusion of all Africans into globalization as profitable participants.

Although the people of South Africa will not be at this conference, they will still be able to participate using ICT’s at alternative access points in an asynchronous manner. We believe it is important to live what we are fighting for. By leveraging the existing technology to inform and allow participation across the country, to all groups of people, we are using ICT's to create opportunities for profitable participation were historically there was not even participation at all.31

d. Incorporating SANGOCO and members of civil society into Advisory Boards for funding

As the government allocates money around ensuring access, it is important to have SANGOCO and other NGOs/CBOs as a watchdog groups making sure the funds are used properly and allocated towards projects that will move South Africa closer towards inclusion of all people in the use of ICT’s. SANGOCO is also requesting that a recommendation board be developed that searches for ideas and projects around:

Universal access to ICT’s, Knowledge, education, and learning around ICT’s consistent with the structures of the

global economy for all people, and Developing the ability of the sector to effectively use ICT’s; and makes

recommendations on the projects behalf for funding.

e. International representation with South African government

SANGOCO is determined to influence the principles, norms, and rules of the GIS/GII. As part of that effort, it is imperative to have the support of the South African government. As the government and its officials travel the globe to attend conferences and delegations with other countries, SANGOCO needs be apart of the advisory committee and speakers to push the mutual goal of inclusion in the globalization process. In particular, as the South African government leads the Continent with the NEPAD movement, of which a key component is the inclusion of Africa in the global economy and global society, SANGOCO can aid government in pushing this agenda.

The New Partnership for Africa’ s Development (NEPAD) is a pledge by African leaders, based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction, that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development, and at the same time to participate actively in the world economy and body politic. The Program is anchored on the determination of Africans to extricate themselves and the continent from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalizing world.32

NEPAD’s greatest supporter, South Africa President Mbeki has traveled across the globe to present Africa’s plan of which the goal of inclusion in globalization is prevalent. In his presentation to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Mbeki called for not just South African

31 Again we acknowledge that there are many official languages in Africa and content will need to put into a language or languages that everybody can understand. Furthermore, we will need to enlist the help of other NGOs and CBOs to give the proper training so that people can utilize the ICT’s in these alternative access points.32 http://www.nepad.org

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inclusion but the entire Continent to be included in the benefits of globalization. There is a great opportunity to follow up on the words of the president with some action. SANGOCO can partner with the government follow through with that action.

f. People’s report – government feedback using ICT’s

It is important that the government receives useful feedback from the people. Again we will use the power of ICT’s to survey the people, gather the opinions, voices, and needs of the people, and their ideas for improvement. SANGOCO and other organizations that are partnered on this effort can compile quarterly or yearly reports. SANGOCO and its lobbyist will be making sure that the government takes action on this information. This process will facilitate “buy-in” by the people and give SANGOCO more currency in lobbying and interacting with government.

Telkom and ICASA

There are two national players, both owned or mandated by the national government, whose very public fracas has presented an immediate strategic opportunity for SANGOCO to impact upon the GII/GIS regime, particularly around the principle of universal access. These institutions are:

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa33

The core responsibility of ICASA is to regulate broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest. Under the ICASA Act the new Authority must act impartially and perform its functions without fear, favor and prejudice. ICASA independently writes the regulatory policy of the telecom industry after a public process. The Minister of

Communications must gazette them before they have the force of law.

Telkom34

Telkom is 67% government owned, with the remainder (33%) owned by US-based SBC Communications Inc. SBC was awarded license by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting in 1997. The license grants the

Company the exclusive right to provide public switched telecommunications services (PSTS) for a period of no less than five years.

In return, Telkom is committed to modernizing over a million non-digital lines, adding 2.8 million new lines to its network and delivering on demanding service quality targets part from being the only fixed line operator currently allowed to do business in South Africa, Telkom also owns 50 percent of the country's leading cellular operator, Vodacom.

For us, it is difficult enough to regulate in an environment where the government is a major shareholder in the single operator, but this is compounded when the 30% shareholder in Telkom is the one that calls the shots. That is why the tussle between Telkom and ICASA is critical. It is about ensuring universal (and therefore affordable) service for all. It is about more than the cost of a telephone call. Simply put, the case symbolizes the refusal of a telecom monopoly to submit to an independent regulatory body recognized by the Constitution

Mandla Langa, Chairperson, ICASA35

33 http://www.icasa.org.za34 http://www.telkom.co.za35 Langa, Mandla, “Its about more than the cost of a call”, Sunday Times, January 13, 2002.

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The fight between ICASA and Telkom, around the price of telephone calls, which Telkom has raised over ICASA’s rates regulations, cuts to the very core of the GII/GIS regime. What makes this disagreement even more fascinating is that both actors are inextricably bound to government, and they expose the tension between the government’s need for revenue (through Telkom) and its commitment to the principle of universal access. The Ministry of Communications has enhanced the tension by refusing to gazette ICASA’s regulations, thus allowing Telkom to slip through the loophole.

It is our contention that SANGOCO could use this opportunity to establish itself as a major voice in the GII/GIS debate in South Africa:

a. Organize public support for ICASA

SANGOCO’s ICT Working Group could begin to write articles, speak at forums and publicly advocate on behalf of universal access. This would bring the voice of civil society to the fore of this contentious issue, and would establish SANGOCO’s right to speak out on ICT’s and the GII/GIS regime. This would create a norm in terms of SANGOCO’s subsequent interactions with the regime, but it would also positively support ICASA’s attempt to create norms and principles around the regime.

b. Request Special Rates for Civil Society

SANGOCO, through its relationship and support of ICASA, could begin to advocate for special telephone rates for members of the Coalition. This would change the rules and regulations of the telecommunications function, but would be based on the principle of universal access – that members of civil society could, through their preferential rates, assist constituencies in accessing ICT’s.

Accessing preferential rates would reinforce the norms of ICT usage that SANGOCO established in the internal strategy.

Multinational Agencies

There are a wide range of multinational agencies that set ICT and GII/GIS policy and procedure. It would benefit SANGOCO to identify only one agency to impact upon in the short to medium term. Focus should strategically be on building internal capacity, as well as impacting externally on a national level. However, there is one multi-national agency which is African in focus, and whose constituency would empower and enable SANGOCO:

GIIC-Africa36

The mission of Global Information Infrastructure Commission - Africa is to serve as a forum for private sector leaders to develop and advance the African Information Society. Within this function, SANGOCO could make the needs of civil society heard by the private sector, and forge creative and mutually beneficial relationships with the private sector in Africa.

a. Integration of Voice of Civil SocietyThe partnership between GIIC- Africa and SANGOCO should create ways in which the needs of all the people in order to be profitable participants in globalization. SANGOCO will use the information gathered in the public hearings and its continual research on the limitations of the people to use ICT’s to help GIIC-Africa develop initiatives that accurately addresses these needs.

b. Meetings With Private Sector LeadersSANGOCO with its vast knowledge of the needs and limitations of the people in South Africa in respects to the use and access of ICT’s, can address the needs of the people with the private sector such that products and services are created to meet those specific needs. 36 http://www.giic.org/giicafrica/

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SANGOCO can also be a facilitator in a participatory design process of new ICT’s and information resources.

c. Commitment Of Skills TransferAs noted by Cogburn, a critical issue of globalization will be the central role of knowledge, education and learning in order to ensure success in the GIS/GII.37 The private sector will always need employees and SANGOCO would like to make sure that those employees are trained and given transferable skills that will keep them employable in the GIS/GII. Fighting for the commitment of the private sector to do this is imperative towards the movement of inclusion.

Conclusion

Globalization is upon us. She rewards us for good decisions and punishes us for bad ones. Unfortunately, not every country is in position to take advantage of the opportunities presented by globalization. Developing countries often times do not have the necessary infrastructure, hard or soft, to be profitable participants in the global economy.

Globalization and its motor Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) are like the Tsunami wave, a powerful and seemingly overwhelming force. Tsunamis change everything much like globalization. The challenge is upon us to tame the Tsunami and harness its power. We must make sure that the GIS/GII regime is inclusionary in principle and in practice and that all the people of South Africa may profit from their participation. Throughout this position paper, SANGOCO has presented a strategy that is sustainable and measurable and is focuses against three actors the NGO sector, the South African government and its institutions, and multi-national agencies which set ICT policy agenda. The resulting goal of this strategy is to influence the GIS/GII regime components of principles, norms, and rules in order to ensure inclusion of all South Africans in the profitable participation of our global society.

37 Derrick L. Cogburn, “Globalization, Education, Knowledge and Learning in the Information Age” UNESCO Information Ethics Conference, Monaco, 1998.

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References:

Berger, Jonathan M, “Tripping over Patents: AIDS, Access to Treatment and the Manufacturing of Scarcity”, University of Toronto School of Law, 2001.

Bidoli, Marina. Financial Mail, Let This Man Do His Job. February 8, 2002

Blake, M., Govender, P. and Telela, R, Rights Up Your Street: A guide to human rights in South Africa, National Association of Democratic Lawyers Human Rights Research and Advocacy Project, 1998.

Castells, Manuel, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Volume I: The Rise of the Network Society, Blackwell Publishers, 2000, pp. 70 – 72.

Cocowitch, Victor and Fickenscher, Kevin, The Turn Around Imperative: A Leader’s Guide for Survival in a Turbulent Health Care Environment, American College of Physician Executives, 1996.

Coetzer, Jennigay, "South Africa, Awake to the Internet!" SAWUBONA Magazine, February 2002.

Cogburn, Derrick L. “Globalization, Education, Knowledge and Learning in the Information Age” UNESCO Information Ethics Conference, Monaco, 1998.

Langa, Mandla, “Its about more than the cost of a call”, Sunday Times, January 13, 2002.

May, Julian, Poverty and Inequality in South Africa.

Stephen Krasner, "Structural causes and regime consequences: Regimes as Intervening Variables" International Organization (Spring 1982).

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