Arid Lands Information Network(ALIN)

Is a Network of over 2000+ grassroots development, workers (CDWs) drawn from NGOs, CBOs as well as government departments, all offering a form of extension service in their fields of expertise.

ICTs & Climate Change:ICTs & Climate Change:Practical roles in Adaptation & Practical roles in Adaptation & MitigationMitigation

Presented at the BCO Open DayPresented at the BCO Open Day1919thth December 2008 December 2008

ByByRaphael MarambiiRaphael Marambii

Innovation & Knowledge Management Innovation & Knowledge Management specialistspecialist

Arid Lands Information Network(ALIN)

Is a Network of over 2000+ grassroots development, workers (CDWs)

drawn from NGOs, CBOs as well as government departments, all offering a form of extension service in their fields of expertise.

Core bizz

Mission

Vision

To facilitate information exchange among communities

To enhance livelihoods of communities through information exchange

A knowledge-driven society

CENTER LOCATIONS

ALIN’sALIN’sCOMMUNITY COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE

CENTER CENTER LOCATIONSLOCATIONS

EASTERN EASTERN AFRICA AFRICA REGIONREGION

ALIN Focus on

the Semi-

Arid and Arid Dry

lands

The project focuses on the dry areas of Kenya, semi-arid to arid, pastoral and agro-pastoralist

Areas are chronically food insecure experiencing frequent food shortages and increased reliance on relief operations

Are highly vulnerable to climate change effects

Practical Climate Change adaptati

on &Mitigation Roles of ICTs

1. Advocacy and Visibility

2. Providing technical information on Climate change & adaptation strategies

3. Providing alternative livelihoods especially for the youth

4. Enabling participatory community monitoring, reporting & lobbying to protect their environments

What we do

Info support

Capacity building

How-to-do it publications

Partnerships with research institutions to spread technologies that address food security.

Information support- Development of small scale-drip irrigation manual

Information on conservation farming techniques

Video – audio demos

Providing Access to Knowledge

In collaboration with other partners, we establish and equip Community Knowledge Centres (CKCs) with ICT equipment to enhance:

– information access

– Local content creation and sharing

– and new skills development among rural communities.

The Community Knowledge

Centres

Most centres powered by solar energy

equipped with various appropriate ICT tools that include –a computer, CD-ROMs, a worldspace radio, printer and GPRS modem card

3 Centers have now been connected via VSAT Broadband through collaboration with University of Michigan

Use of Trusted Infomediaries

These are the people who act as a source of information and knowledge for the rest of the community out of duty or social responsibility.

Are of high social standing and regarded as knowledgeable

Are trusted by communities

Live and work within communities

Sharing Knowledge via Farmer Forums

• Farmers forums organised to share experiences and knowledge

• farmers, local leaders, teachers and extension team attend the forums

• The forums offer a platform for participants to share info on various development issues

• ICTs will provide “virtual exchange forums” enabling scaling out of such benefits

We involve the Youth in knowledge activities at the CKCs.

They assist in content creation and dissemination

We are training youth on web 2.0 – blogs, podcasting, and various digital media skills

We are also training them as grass roots journalists

This improves their skills and prepares them for the job market.

Young Infomediaries

Lessons Learned

ICTS can increase community visibility and get their voices heard on difficult issues

ICTs can be developed as a hub facilitating various business and information services that help adaptation

ICTs are especially useful to the youth exposing them to new skills and possibilities

The use of multi media tools simplifys high level research findings enabling speedier adoption

ICTs are important tools to facilitate climate change adaptation mitigation

Thank You!info@alin.or.ke www.alin.or.ke