GISWatch 2012 Reports Published

The 2012 Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) reports have been published. GISWatch is a collaborative community committed to building an open, inclusive and sustainable information society, through collaborative monitoring of implementation of international (and national) commitments made by governments towards the creation of an inclusive information society.
It focuses on monitoring progress made towards implementing the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) action agenda and other international and national commitments related to information and communications. It also provides analytical overviews of institutions involved in implementation. GISWatch aims to make governments and international organisations accountable for meeting the commitments they make through contributing to building a strong and sustainable global civil society policy advocacy network.
The GISWatch Reports are a series of yearly reports covering the state of the information society from the perspectives of civil society.
GISWatch is not only a publication, it is a process. The long term goal of the project is to build policy analysis skills and ‘habits’ into the work of civil society organisations that work in the areas of ICT for development, democracy and social justice.
ICT4Democracy in East Africa network partners CIPESA and WOUGNET are contributors to the 2012 edition.
Download the reports here.
This article was published by the ICT4Democracy in East Africa Network on February 18, 2013.

Bridging Africa’s Internet Trade Deficit: The 2012 Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum

By Dr. Dawit Bekele, The Internet Society
With Africa importing almost 99% of its Internet traffic and with a consumer base of over 139 Million Internet users, the continent is facing what is known as an Internet Traffic Trade deficit or Transit deficit.
While similar to what was experienced in Europe and the United States during the late 1990s, African businesses and end-users also pay the high cost of local infrastructure. For example: Moving information from Johannesburg to London costs less than moving traffic from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
A scenario that not only stops local innovation and impedes economic growth, but it’s one that’s replicated across the entire continent.
But there are solutions.
Bringing people together via a forum for technical training, exchange of information, and networking can do so much.
AfPIF 2012 is this year’s key event for African businesses, policy makers and technical leaders. Taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 22-24 August, and organized by the Internet Society, AfPIF will bring together an incredible mix of local technical experts, policy and decision makers, and businesses to be part of the solution to Africa’s interconnection challenges.
Our theme this year is “Regional Interconnection: Addressing Africa’s Internet Transit Deficit.”
The event is structured to help build national and cross-border interconnection opportunities by providing a forum where key players from infrastructure and service providers, IXPs, regulators and policy makers can engage in a relaxed but business-like environment. It’s all about sharing experiences and learning from experts in the field.
AfPIF is designed to:

  • Promote the establishment of new, and the growth of existing, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) through building community co-operation and demonstrating the value of local, regional, and national interconnection.
  • Bridge the information asymmetry with respect to Peering and Transit economics. The peering and transit fundamentals enable the development of interconnection relationships and strategies for operators at the local, regional and global levels.

AfPIF’s 2012 Programme and speakers will address specifics such as:

  • Peering and Transit Economics
  • How to peer and What’s in it for You
  • Peering and Negotiation Strategies for Operators and Tools and Tricks of the Trade
  • The Role Submarine Cables Could Play in the Interconnection of Africa’s Internet
  • Terrestrial Capacity from Cape Town to Cairo: Reality or Illusion
  • Exploring the Content Business in AfricaTransition of National IXPs to Regional IXPs and the Local Content Formula

What else does AfPIF do?
It Builds Most Critical Internet Resource Of All: People
AfPIF is a link in a chain of important Internet technical community efforts to strengthen one of the most important critical Internet resources: People.
It is through informed and trained professionals that lasting networks are built. Since 1992, the Internet Society has trained local experts around the world to achieve our goal of an open, accessible, and reliable Internet in emerging economies that is on par with the rest of the world. It is through partnering with stakeholders like – AfriNIC, AfNOG, the African Union, governments, companies – that we bring locally trained experts to support and sustain technical infrastructure around the world.
I would encourage anyone who’s a small or big business, policy or decision maker, local technical expert to come to AfPIF 2012. You can register in person or follow us online (LINK)
By “linking” people together we can find the solutions to an interconnected Africa.

Kasese equipped with the use of ICT tools to share and disseminate information

As ICT becomes a necessity in our daily activities and operations, it has been approved that it’s quite easy to managed access and share information in our communities simply using ICT tools. Kasese district officials, the members from the civil society and Community members have been fully equipped with ICT skills.
This training which took place on 21st and 22nd June 2012 at the E-Society Resource Centre located at Kasese District Head Quarters was done by officials from The Collaboration for ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA).
CIPESA is one of the partners of the E-Society Resource Centre Kasese which voluntarily came in to support the centre in addition to what Ric-Net had offered. The training was facilitated by Ms. Lillian Nalwoga from CIPESA assisted by Mr. Jack Sseruwo from CIPESA and Edgar Asiimwe Napolean from SPIDER. The attendance and participation was good and everybody who attended at least was able to create personal weblogs, twitter accounts and had a full understanding of how to use other social networks like face book and Skype to promote citizen participation in governance issues. The training was launched by the assistant LCV Chairperson Hon. Muhindo Tadeo who greatly thanked the management of CIPESA for the partnership and pointed out that he is an ICT compliant who uses a lot of social networking to carry out his activities. The training revealed that in the near future, the world will be required to use much of social media like face book, twitter, weblogs, Skype, Google+ and so many others as innovations go on. A great thanks goes to the District Information Office for organizing the training to enhance civic competence.
This article was published by Kasese District News on June 23, 2012.

Call for Expression of Interest to participate in the Youth Fellowship to attend the 5th East African Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF)

The EAIGF was established to create a Community of Practice that will be a sustaining foundation for meaningful participation of East African stakeholders in Internet governance public policy debates at the national, regional and international level. The EAIGF model allows for the informed participation, contribution and engagement of community members through the sharing of experiences, information, addressing common problems and challenges, the creation of new knowledge and increasing local capacity.
Since its inception, EAIGF has continued to act as a catalyst for an inclusive information society in region and has to date addressed issues ranging from interconnection, IXPs, affordable access, Strengthening ccTLDs in East Africa, among others.
After four successful meetings, held in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda from 2008, the fifth EAIGF will be hosted by the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANET).
The EAIGF is now accepting applications from youth representatives to attend this year’s EAIGF to be held July 17 – 18, 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya.
As an EAIGF Youth fellow, you are expected to contribute to the wider regional IG policy debate while providing valuable expertise and know‐how to the policymakers and decision makers who participate in IGF meetings.
The Fellowship Award 
Youth Fellows to the EAIGF receive the following assistance:

  • a round‐trip, economy class airline ticket to attend the meeting
  • hotel accommodation for the duration of the meeting
  • a small stipend to offset incidental expenses

Expectations for the Fellows 
Youth fellows are expected to:

  • prepare in advance to make a presentation on a selected topic of the EAIGF meeting
  • participate broadly in the EAIGF meeting agenda
  • contribute to the EAIGF blog
  • share the experience and knowledge gained at the EAIGF with their local communities when they return home (including writing a report on the activities)

Who should apply? 
EAIGF youth fellowships are for Ugandans aged between 20‐30 who have a strong interest in the issues and themes of the EAIGF and have demonstrated interest in promoting Internet policy in Uganda.
Selection criteria
Selection for the fellowship is competitive. All applicants must:

  • be between the ages of 20 and 30
  • Present a strong motivation for attending the EAIGF meeting
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Internet Governance issues both at the local, regional and international environment.
  • Demonstrate experience in leading Internet governance discussions at the national/ regional/international level and in multi‐cultural environments

The selection committee will also attempt to achieve professional, geographical, and gender diversity in the overall selections.
How to apply 
Send your expression of interest stating your motivation to attend the EAIGF, and how you meet the criteria above, to Lillian Nalwoga, at [email protected] CC [email protected] no later than Monday June 18, 2012.

Citizens' Perceptions on Open Government Data in Uganda

In addition to the study assessing Uganda’s Open Government Readiness, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) assessed citizens’ perceptions on open governance.
Based on a questionnaire, the study established that in Uganda there is a high level of knowledge about open governance, as well as great expectations of the benefits which Open Governance Data (OGD) would bring. Amongst the benefits mentioned were raising accountability by duty bearers, minimising corruption, promoting transparency, encouraging citizen participation in governance, monitoring service delivery, and aiding private sector innovation.
However, concerns were raised about the potential for misrepresentations and misinformation, increase in violent demonstrations as backlash from disgruntled citizens and increased administration costs associated with preparing data for open access. These fears need to be managed by both the state and by civil actors advocating open governance, in order to convince both citizens and government that OGD is for the good of the country.
The study made clear indications of what departments/ ministries should open up their data as a priority, and also identified various forms of data that citizens need to have greater access to. Moreover, the study has shown that the level of openness in government departments is severely low, even though there are laws that call for openness, and despite having clear examples of how increased openness results into public good. Government therefore needs to show greater political will to become more open, and this will need to be manifested in bold actions rather than simple declarations.
Whereas the results are not representative of Ugandan’s perceptions on open governance, they show a critical mass for demand and usage of open government data. The study establishes a key reference point which government should build on to roll out OGD, and which civil society can use in advocating and raising awareness about open governance in Uganda.
The study was conducted in the context of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Action Research Network, a project supported by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC).
Download the full report here.
See also assessment of open government data readiness in Uganda and Q&A with the research coordinator.