Message-ID: <199609020753.JAA11854@wn.apc.org> Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 22:10:08 +0000 From: Peter Benjamin <mailto:peter@WN.APC.ORG> Subject: Re: community access centers for information technologies To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear Francine,I am involved in many community information / computing / resource centre projects in South Africa. The PhD I have recently started is on the use of infomatics for community development, and I sit on the National IT Forum in SA, where I coordinate some communtiy computing projects.
In SA there are many initiatives currently in this area. They have different names, but the most common one is Multi-Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs). There are currently around 50 of thesein the country. Each is very different, reflecting the needs of the area, but most use IT as a backbone for information / communication / resource centre. Also, all have a large degree of community control. The services offered range from training (in computers and more general ABET), small business support, community info projects, support for developmental projects, govt information.
I and others in this work are about to start a 6 month study / survey into all the MPCC and related projects in SA (community library, ABET centres, community resource centres etc). This will feed into some policy processes that SA govt is starting into IT policy and community development.
The best research I have seen on this area internation ally has been done by the IDRC (International Development Research Centre), a Canadian NGO in this area.
If you (or others) are interested in this work, please let me know and I can send documents (I won't put them out on the list).
I am very interested in learning of other projects in other countries in this area and link up / exchange information.
Regards, Peter Benjamin mailto:peter@wn.apc.org Tel +27 11 643 3241