ICVolunteers Projects Calendar

In an increasingly globalized world, the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the economic, social, cultural, political and individual spheres of life has dramatically transformed societies. The role of young people in shaping their societies is becoming increasingly evident, particularly in terms of challenging the mores and practices that have redefined traditional concepts of social interaction, means of communication and participation, development of ideas, and involvement with issues of global significance. Young people are the forefront of global change, the future work force and leading creators and earliest adopters of ICT. They must, therefore, be empowered as learners, developers, contributors, entrepreneurs and decision makers.

In this context, the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) are organising a Global Forum "Youth and ICT as Agents for Change. The event aims to involve young people in open discussions with policymakers and high-ranking government officials, thought leaders and representatives from the private sector and civil society, and to explore ways to empower them and encourage their full participation in society through the use of information and communications technology. During seven roundtables and seven workshops participants will discuss topics such as "ICT for inclusion", "Opportunities offered by ICT's in generating Youth Employment", "ICT and health", "ICT and governance" and "Digital divide".

Panel: Cybervolunteering: A Millennium Solution for Development by Young Africans

Date, time and place:

25 September 2007, 14:00 to 15:30, room 5-6, ICCG

Aim of the workshop:

The aim of the workshop is to facilitate exchange around concrete ICT initiatives presented by young people from Africa. These will be the basis for discussion and exchange to identify ingredients needed for best practices and project creation around ICT4D.

Expected outcomes & achievements:

Statement; guidelines for the involvement of young people in South-South and international initiatives to address the most pressing social and humanitarian needs in Africa; reporting and feedback from the field in view of reporting mechanisms by young people for ICT4D.

Moderators:

François Grey, CERN; Viola Krebs, ICVolunteers

Workshop contributions:

The role of young people in Volunteer Computing:
Speakers: Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi, Ghana; Eloi Appora-Gnékindy, Central African Republic; Kalli Sihem, Algeria
Participants from 18 African countries took part in a workshop on volunteer computing in Muizenberg, South Africa from 16 to 22 July 2007. Many of the workshop participants were young people, involved in computer science, biology, health and more. Some of them are planning to implement what they learned during their stay in South Africa, to develop volunteer computing projects in different parts of Africa. They will share their experience, vision and approach.

School project:
Speakers: Representatives from Collège Candolle de Genève and Lycée de Ferney-Voltaire; Earth Focus Foundation; Daouda Baba, Niger
Education and empowerment of young people plays a critical role in development of communities, countries and society as a whole. The example of young people from Niger, Switzerland and France show how young people and the communications among them can not only help them understand the world of today, but be an active part in it. The Ouladnagim desert school in Mali is an example of high school children managing development initiatives (More: http://cyber.icvolunteers.org/index.php?what=prj&id=294).
Youth and ICTs in Mali:
Speakers: Oumar Diamoutene, Youth and ICT, Mali; Tidiani Togola, Mariam Togola, ICVolontaires-Mali
Back in July 2004, "Jeunesse et TIC-Mali" (Youth and ICTs-Mali) was founded in Bamako. It has since become a catalyst for youth initiatives in West Africa (http://initiatives.net.ml/article.php3?id_article=38)

Self-sustainability, agriculture and ICTs:
Speakers: Marc Foukou-Mfoutou, Azur Développement, Congo-Brazzaville; Simelane Vulindlela, University of Swaziland, UNISWA Foundation, Swaziland
The University of Swaziland is currently playing a vital role in education of Swazi youngsters. It is helping link agricultural traditions with opportunity creation for the generations to come. In Congo, Azur Développement has been working in the field of sustainable development and youth for years. (More: http://www.icvolunteers.org/index.php?what=news&id=230)

Organizer:

ICVolunteers (www.icvolunteers.org), is an international non-profit organization specialized in the field of communications, in particular languages, conference support and cybervolunteerism (www.cybervolunteers.info). Development, exchange of information and service to the society at large are the key elements shared by the communities or organizations involved and by the individuals volunteering though the ICV Network.