KN4DCXP

INTRA-REGIONAL WORKSHOP on ICT and Community E-Centres Development For Poverty Reduction and Business Services Promotion Among the OIC countries and IOR-ARC RegionIslamic Republic of Iran, Tehran

14-16 March 2011

Knowledge Networks Through ICT Access Points for Disadvantaged Communities - Western Asia

Nabil EidExecutive Secretary of Knowledge Nets- Western Asia

The World Summit on Information Society and the World Summit for Sustainable Development recognised the importance of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in narrowing the digital divide and attaining sustainable development.

Overview

The (KN4DC) is a project that was launched in late 2006 and funded by the United Nations Development Account. The five UN regional commissions ECA, ESCAP, ECE, ECLAC and ESCWA partnered to implement this project on a global level with ESCWA being the lead party, while every commission was tasked with the implementation of the knowledge networks on a regional level.

Within the framework of the project on Knowledge Networks through ICT Access Points for Disadvantaged Communities, the ICT division at UN-ESCWA lead the project.

Knowledge Network for Disadvantaged Communities

ObjectiveThe main objective of the project is to empower disadvantaged communities by transforming selected ICT access points/Telecentres into knowledge hubs that are networked at the regional and global levels. This objective will be reached by providing, developing, organizing, sharing and disseminating knowledge pertinent to targeted communities in key areas of sustainable development such as employment, education, gender and health. the project will improve the living standards of the targeted communities.

Many countries in MENA region “Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen and Jordan” have established 'Knowledge networks through ICT access points for disadvantaged communities.Many other countries that are members in ESCWA region will be included in the next phase.

Future Plans of KN4DC: Strengthening Regional and National Knowledge Networks

Source: Project document on “Knowledge Networks through ICT Access Points for Disadvantaged Communities”.

Transformation of ICT access points into knowledge hubs

Knowledge Hubs Built Around ICT Access Centres

KN4DC Project Relationship to MDGsThe project contributes directly to Goal 8 of the MDGs: “Global Partnership for Development”. Which includes “accelerated transfer of technology and improved employment opportunities for the growing ranks of young people in the developing world. ”It aims at accomplishing target 7 “In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.”

The project also contributes to:MDG 1: “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” By promoting employability, job creation and entrepreneurship; MDG 2: “Achieve universal primary education”, through the use of e-learning applications;MDG 3: “Promote gender equality and empower women”, through access to education, health services, jobs and political participation.

Knowledge centers in the following countries:Egypt 1Jordan 3Lebanon 3The Sudan 2Syrian Arab Republic 3Yemen 1Total 13

Regional Knowledge Portal• Information dissemination• Networking of knowledge hubs • Specialized discussion forums • Communities of practice at the local, national, regional and global levels

The following countries have been selected as access points in the ESCWA Region during the preliminary phase.

www.knowledgenets.net

Global Knowledge Network Porta

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Regional Knowledge Network Porta

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Workshops and MeetingSeven workshops on knowledge sharing and networking that covered:

Workshop on Regional Stakeholders’ Meeting, Knowledge Network StrategiesBeirut, LEBANON, 3-4 September 2007

Workshop on Knowledge Sharing and Networking in the ESCWA RegionBeirut, LEBANON, during 17-19 December 2008

Workshop -Telecentre Leaders ForumAmman, JORDAN, during 15-16 September 2009

Workshop on the Management and Sustainability of Knowledge Hubs. Khartoum, SUDAN, during 11-14 January 2010

Workshop on the Enhancement of the Networking Capacities of Knowledge HubsGeza, EGYPT 16-18 February 2010

Workshop on Consolidation and Expansion of the ESCWA Knowledge Network.Damascus, SYRIA, during 24-27 April 2010

Introductory Meeting of the ESCWA Knowledge Network Steering Committee and Global Knowledge Network Portal Training Workshop Beirut, LEBANON, 2-4 August 2010

• Highlight the purpose of the project and activities;• Discuss knowledge network strategies;• Develop consensus among stakeholders in the ESCWA region on strategies, mechanisms and tools to make ICT access points evolve into knowledge hubs.

Recommendations:

• Develop knowledge management strategies.• Creating a portal for networking.

Workshop on Regional Stakeholders’ Meeting, Knowledge Network StrategiesBeirut, LEBANON, 3-4 September 2007

Objectives:

Training: • Knowledge Management of Community Telecentres• Marketing for Community Telecentres• Using the regional knowledge portal

Objectives:• Differentiate between access point and knowledge hub;• Start using the knowledge portal as a tool for knowledge sharing;

Recommendation:

• Following an action plan from transforming access points into knowledge hubs.

Workshop on Knowledge Sharing and Networking in the ESCWA RegionBeirut, LEBANON, during 17-19 December 2008

Objectives:

• Build relations between knowledge hubs of the region;• Launch the regional knowledge portal;

Recommendations:

• Communicating through the various Web portals;• Using more effective marketing techniques.

Workshop -Telecentre Leaders ForumAmman, JORDAN, during 15-16 September 2009

• Address the sustainability challenges of individual Telecentres and of knowledge nets.

Training:

Management of Small Projects and businesses

Objectives:• Ensure sustainability of the regional knowledge network;• Bring together Telecentre managers from various parts of the ESCWA region in order to exchange experiences and consolidate relationships that will lead to the strengthening of knowledge networks.

Recommendations:• Forming a steering committee for the regional network;• Selecting a secretariat for the regional network;



Site visits to Telecentres in Khartoum

Workshop comprised two site visits in Khartoum :

The first one to the Sudanese National Society for the Deaf

The second one to the training locale of the union of retired police officers .

During those visits, participants learned from the Sudanese experience on how deaf people contribute to the manufacturing of handicrafts and the use of computers, and how retired police officers are trained on the efficient use of

computers .

Training: Writing Good Business Proposals


Objectives:Increase initiatives aimed at the enhancement of networking capacities and knowledge hubs services;

Recommendations:• Upgrading the regional knowledge portal;• Increasing knowledge-based services.


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Site visit to the charitable society for child care

Workshop comprised site visit to the Charitable Society for Child Care .The visit was organized in order to benefit from the experience of this association as a successful knowledge hub in the Giza area which provides services to disadvantaged children. Different sections of this site were visited, namely the library, residence, workshops, sport area and IT club.

Recommendations:• Looking at the possibility of securing resources aimed at the funding of a skeleton infrastructure for the global knowledge network in order to ensure its sustainability;• Determining a continuing role for ESCWA as a sponsor of the regional knowledge network that will extend beyond the lifetime of the KN4DC project.


Objectives:• Set a plan for the expansion and future activities;• Discuss upgrades on the new portal;

Training :Effective communication for the promotion of development projects.


The workshop took the form of site visits to the two Knowledge HubsThe Computer Training Centre (CTC) in Damascus and Zabadani Telecentre in rural Damascus. The CTC represents new vistas for persons with disabilities, as it cares for those with hearing, visual and physical disabilities or impairments. The centre provide employment opportunities and economic development for disabled.The center trains and takes care of PwDs through ICT

Site visits to two knowledge hubs in Syria

Introductory Meeting of the ESCWA Knowledge Network Steering Committee and Global Knowledge Network Portal Training Workshop Beirut, LEBANON, 2-4 August 2010

Objectives:•Bringing together, for the first time, the members of the EKNSC to agree on the committee’s terms of reference and to devise a strategy/plan of action for the sustainability of the ESCWA knowledge network;•Training telecentre managers on the use and administration of the newly-created GKNP.

Recommendations Related to the EKNSCThe TOR of EKNSCEligibility criteria for joining and expanding the ESCWA Knowledge NetworkESCWA will be a member of EKNSC

Recommendations Related to the GKNPThe portal will be enhanced based on the suggestions of knowledge hub leadersKnowledge hub leaders will ensure that specialized regional and global networks

knowledge Means Force for Development of Disadvantaged Communities

Role of knowledge networksSalamieh Knowledge center successful model in KN4DC project.

Salamieh knowledge hub/center put two main objectives: The first accomplishment is specifically concerned with transforming Salamieh Telecentre from conventional to smart knowledge hubs. " Salamieh Knowledge Hub" Secondly, SalamiehTelecentre intended to empower the poor and disadvantaged communities in rural areas of Salamieh through further conversion of this knowledge hub into regional/global knowledge networks.Salamieh Knowledge Hub organize and disseminate knowledge directly related to socio-economic development.

Description of the achievements of Salamieh knowledge hub in relation to the main objectives of KN4DC

The main successes of the projectPromoting sustainable Telecentres and Knowledge Center.Knowledge sharing - sharing experiences, skills and expertise.Implementation - lessons learnt and best practices, and sharing knowledge on methodologies and tools used for telecentre assessment and evaluation.Work towards knowledge sharing and knowledge fusion.Work with local and national organization and NGO's to identify specific projects for donor funding in partnership.

Salamieh Telecentre Transformation to Knowledge Centre

Rural Women's & Youth Empowerment


Children's Empowerment


Empowerment of the Elderly & People with Disabilities


Increasing Knowledge, and Raising Awareness of Local Community

Communicate with national, regional and global Knowledge Hubs.

Share suggestions, ideas, resources and recommendations on knowledge management and how to accomplish the goal of transforming ITC access points into access hubs.

Lead the development and implementation of many centers and use of ICT Access Points in MENA region.

Rural and digital inclusion.

Implementation of public policies for development and innovation.

Partnerships and enhance knowledge interchange in different ways.

Empowering the operators.

Use of ICT as tools for knowledge and education.

Expectations of the KN4DC project

United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Western AsiaDr. Yousef NusseirChief, ICT DivisionDr. Mansour FarahSenior Information Technology Officer and Chief, ICT Policies Section ICTDMr. Georges YounesInformation Technology Officer, ICT Policies Section ICTDMr. Marc KhayatResearch Assistant, ICT Policies Section ICTD

Special thanks to those who struggle to success the project

Nabil EidExecutive Secretary of Knowledge Networks for Disadvantaged Communities- Western Asia

[email protected]

www.knowledgenets.net

Recourse: UN-ESCWA-Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD)

KN4DCXP

Documents

Transcript of KN4DCXP