Message-ID: <33D622F5.23A@wigsat.org> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 11:27:50 -0400 From: Sophia Huyer <mailto:shuyer@wigsat.org> Subject: GK97 Summary and Update To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
gk97-gender-digest Wednesday, July 23 1997 Volume 01 : Number 070
Topics in this issue:
Re: APC GK97 Living Summary
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Date: 22 Jul 1997 14:18:23 -0500 (EST) From: mailto:maureen@web.apc.org Subject: Re: APC GK97 Living Summary
************************************* APC's GK97 Online 'Living Summary' Issue 7 - July 3 - 18, 1997 *************************************
This is the SEVENTH in a continuing series of 'living summaries' of the online activities that have emerged around the Global Knowledge 1997 Conference that took place in Toronto, Canada June 22-24, 1997. Put together by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), these summaries will continue to provide brief updates of online discussions like the GKD97 mail list, the CIDA Village Well and the APC's own gk97.storyline conference through to the end of September. Each edition of this summary will be sent to a variety of places, including participating conferences and mail lists, on a bi-weekly basis.
If you have any ideas about how to improve these summaries, or would like to suggest that we highlight a new resource or list, email: mailto:lucho@web.apc.org
*French and Spanish translations of this Living Summary 7 will be posted in the next few days.
:::: Virtual Workshops and Discussions
1. Global Knowledge '97 (GKD97) List
This dynamic mailing list revolves around the question: How does the information revolution transform the development process? The GKD97 list has expanded significantly. Since the beginning of July, some 250 new messages have appeared! There is a new search-engine for those who want to browse the list archives by subject as well as a RealAudio feature (both available via the official GK97 homepage, which is mentioned below).
On July 9, a detailed and lengthy List Summary was produced, which provides an excellent overview of this now-mammoth resource.
On Thursday, July 18th, a real-time online conferencing session was held to discuss possible renovations to the management of the List (sub-groupings, topics, etc.) and the possible objectives of the List over a longer period of time. Look for the results of that session.
The sheer number of postings and topics discussed is so vast that it would be nearly impossible to summarize them all. That said, two recent conversations merit specific consideration because they have been amongst the most active recent threads.
The Global Virtual University (GVU) - - The emphasis here is on "tertiary education" and life-long learning philosophies which favour open educational opportunities in diverse areas, regardless of "academic" or "technical" qualifications. - - What about literacy? One participant questions the "universality" of access in light of high illiteracy rates right across the globe. - - It is also pointed out that although IT may provide new media for the dissemination of knowledge, it is, currently, dominated by linear and restrictive notions of learning. - - If the GVU already exists (as one participant claims), how can we get involved? Where is it?
The Role of the State and Multilateral Organizations - - Since this is at the core of the GK97 process, it ought to be a priority consideration. - - Should we encourage the development of National Information Policies? Or International Policies? - - How can these agencies, etc., catalyze free speech and democratic action? How about community-based development initiatives?
To subscribe to the GKD97 online mailing list discussion, email mailto:<majordomo@mail.edc.org> the following message: SUBSCRIBE GKD97.
2. APC Virtual Conference Project
The APC is hosting three facilitated online discussions (listed below) that fed directly into the GK97 physical conference. APC members spoke, strategized and intervened at the GK97 conference on behalf of list participants. The findings of those who attended the conference are already being aired here. All of these lists will be active right up until the end of September, at which point conference/list findings will be collated and prepared for publication.
To participate in the global conversation, visit the APC GK97 Virtual Conferencing Project site <http://community.web.net/gk97>, visit the APC conferences noted in parentheses, or follow the instructions listed below. These discussions are being facilitated in English, French and Spanish, and your contribution is welcome in any language.
a. Storyline (gk97.storyline) Conference
This list/email conference exists to ask the question: What is Knowledge for Development? The Storyline is a document prepared for GK97 conference organizers, intended to be a jumping-off point, outlining the key challenges of the information age, and their relevance for communities in developing countries.
Now that the GK97 physical event is over, the time has begun to turn our attention to The Storyline, where many of the central problems of the Information Age are writ large. GK97 is not just a three-day event: it is an ongoing process. The contributors to gk97.gender have already demonstrated how the voices of real IT users can have an impact. Its not too late. And it doesn't take much to start things off. So introduce yourself and keep the conversation going.
b. Gender (gk97.gender) Conference
Using a recent report on Gender and Information Technology, prepared by the APC Women's Programme, this list focusses on the impact of the IT revolution for women. So far, more than 100 participants from around the world have signed on, introduced themselves and exchanged ideas and strategies. The gender discussion has been organized according to Focus Topics, which change on a regular basis to maintain a regular and integrated exchange of ideas. Additionally, a number of excellent, concise reports from the GK97 physical conference have been posted to gk97.gender. The reviews are mixed, but the APC's outlook is forward-thinking and positive.
So far, reports from the face-to-face meeting have covered these topics:
General Impressions / Breakfast Honouring Women in Technology (including a copy of Dr. Shirley Malcom's keynote address, and some comments on James Wolfensohn's comments) / Women and Information & Communication Technology in Ukraine
These GK'97 workshops were reported on from a gender perspective:
Learning and Using Policy Lessons / Empowering Information Tools for Grassroots Women / The Development Impact of the Internet: Why and How to Measure It / Promoting Grassroots Women's Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries: Three Tools / Telecommunications Deregulation and The Issue of Universal Access (ITU, CIDA) / Extending the Reach: The GK97 Virtual Conferences
Amongst the new discussions taking shape are the following:
Lobbying for Gender Considerations in National Policy - - women should become aware of the economic considerations of the various vested interests and be more watchful at all levels to see that a gender sensitive policy is shaped at every level - - how can we even think of talking about Global Knowledge, without considering the social inequality of women: one of the biggest problems in Haiti is educational, where 33 per cent of Haitian girls 10-14 years old already work full-time -- in 3rd world countries, national policies are very important
Software Design - - computer engineering and human computer interface development must take into consideration women's specific needs and environments - - many web sites developed by women for women are highly innovative, and have been deliberately created as social environments instead of mere information reservoirs... the interaction devices available are specifically geared to provide opportunities for social networking, support, role modeling and mentoring in order to support women's movement efforts and enhance women's careers and education
c. Information Technology and Development: Lessons Learned (gk97.lessons) Conference
Set the record straight! The purpose of this list/conference is to share the experiences of Association for Progressive Communications (APC) users and others who have triumphed, struggled or been by-passed during the information revolution.
This list invites subscribers to post examples of APC network successes, and to develop ideas, strategies and projects that can take advantage of and/or subvert the current information mania. This is the one APC list that is not being directly facilitated. Rather, it is driven by people who want to talk about concrete, instructive examples of IT projects. Though intended primarily as a resource centre for concerned IT users, it has become clear that Lessons is also going to spark a lot of discussion.
Here are some of the most recently posted examples:
- - From Papua New Guinea: using the Internet, environmentalists concerned about the destruction of rainforest lands rallied to the defense of a Supreme Court Justice who was knifed after releasing the names of people and companies involved in the illegal harvesting of trees. - - From Africa: an excellent summary of a number of successful projects, including the use of IT in the development of a Francophone, African women's conference.
Add your own example, or look around for the topics that interest you the most.
*HOW TO PARTICIPATE*
To post a new message to any of these discussions, address it to:
a. mailto:gk97-storyline@igc.apc.org b. mailto:gk97-gender@igc.apc.org c. mailto:gk97-lessons@igc.apc.org
To subscribe to the list, send a message to: mailto:majordomo@igc.apc.org
Do not enter a subject. In the body of the message, type ONLY the text: subscribe gk97-gender (or gk97-storyline or gk97-lessons)
Follow the above procedure and type *unsubscribe* to get off the list.
NB. A digest (once-daily) version of the gender list is also being offered. To subscribe in this way, follow the above procedure and include the following text: subscribe gk97-gender-digest
3. CIDA Village Well Gathering Site
<http://www.villagewell.gk97.gc.ca>
As the name suggests, this site is meant to be a "virtual space" for networking and sharing ideas and stories. Intended to build upon the main themes of the GK97 conference, the Village Well has been visited by numerous professionals, non-governmental organization (NGO) activists, students and academics from across the globe. At the Village Well, you will find interesting case studies, dynamic exchanges and broad philosophical debates.
In the past few weeks, activity in the Village Well has dropped off significantly, although its archives are well worth perusing.
New postings to the Well include:
- - In the "Stories from the Well" section, a message from someone who is starting up a "global friendship/mentoring"network based on the complementary use of email and radio technology. - - In the "Sharing Strategies" section, a note from someone in San Francisco, USA, who is interested in helping people in developing countries set up websites
NB. In the coming days and weeks, look for new information in the "Keep Updated" section!
For further general information, email <mailto:info-vw@gk97.gc.ca>.
:::: WWW Resources (in Brief)
1. Global Knowledge 1997 Conference Home Page
<http://www.globalknowledge.org>
This site is set to expand in the coming weeks, as more and more of the conference findings are posted. Currently, you will find notes on various speeches made at GK97 (including speeches by Hugette Labelle, the President of CIDA, John Manley, the Canadian Minister of Industry, and Diane Marleau, the Canadian Minister for International Cooperation and la francophonie). You will also find a series of "recommendations and cases" culled from the GKD97 list here.
2. Web Networks Community Resource Centre/GK97 Home Page
<http://community.web.net/gk97>
This is the main intersection for all of the APC online virtual conference activities.
3. Information for Development (infoDev) Home Page
<http://www.bellanet.org/partners/infodev/>
InfoDev has its own online conference list (to subscribe, email mailto:<listproc@internet.idrc.ca> the following message: SUBSCRIBE INFODEV-L *your name*) that draws upon many similar and relevant themes.
4. IISD Home Page and Resources
<http://iisd1.iisd.ca/about/enb.htm>
Involved in and present at GK97, the IISD works on a variety of different fronts. Their Earth Negotiations Bulletin which focusses on international negotiations, covenants and treaties having to do with development issues is of particular interest vis-a-vis GK97.
During the GK97 Conference the IISD provided real-time information on the meeting, including daily 2000 word summaries, photos and RealAudio recordings of the Plenary sessions. Following the meeting they also wrote and posted a comprehensive summary of the meeting. All of this can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/sd/gk97/ (English) http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/sd/gk97/index_fr.html (French)
:::: If You Don't Have WWW Access
If you do not have WWW access, but want to see the introductory documents, summaries and/or reference materials for ANY of the above discussions or resources, send a message to: mailto:getweb@ecn.apc.org
Enter no subject, but include the following text in the body of the message: get (URL of your choice, for example: http://community.web.net).
:::: APC/Web Networks Contact Information
Please feel free to contact us with questions about this project:
English Facilitator: Maureen James (mailto:maureen@web.apc.org) French and Spanish Facilitator: Lucho van Isschot (mailto:lucho@web.apc.org)
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End of gk97-gender-digest V1 #70 ********************************
-- Sophia Huyer Women in Global Science and Technology Network (WIGSAT) International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study (IFIAS) 39 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2S9 CANADA mailto:shuyer@wigsat.org = shuyer@ifias.ca www.wigsat.org/index.html