Project Leader:

        
 Project Details

 WSIS Action Lines: 1, 3, 4

Context: Why is this project important?

ICTs, especially the Internet, have hastened globalization—a process that often increases social and economic inequality among and within countries. Yet ICTs can also be powerful tools for giving the disadvantaged access to information and resources that foster their economic and social development. Africa faces considerable challenges in extending ICT access to the poor. Although the importance of increased investment in ICT infrastructure is acknowledged in many African national and regional plans, governments and the private sector typically define how and where ICTs will be used. Civil society is largely left out of these decisions partly because the agendas are set by those who control the ICT sector, partly because there are few opportunities for CSO participation, and partly because many CSOs do not have the knowledge and skills required to participate effectively in policy development. This project is creating information resources and tools that will help level the playing field so that CSOs can more effectively lobby for ICT policies that foster democracy and economic, social and environmental justice. For example, the results of APC’s policy monitoring and analysis is available through a website containing country reports, research and position papers, and other relevant materials. APC is also coordinating the drafting of a policy framework for CSOs to help guide individual and group efforts. And the book on ICT laws, which will recommend how to improve areas of ICT law that are now unclear or inappropriate, will help influence the adoption and implementation of more equitable laws in South Africa and other African countries.

The Project: How does this initiative address the development problem?

This project is helping civil society organizations (CSOs)—which include community cooperatives and service organizations, labour unions, youth and women's organizations, academic, religious and charitable organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and professional associations and foundations—play a greater role in shaping ICT policies in Africa. The project has three parallel components. In the first, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC)—an NGO that facilitates and coordinates civil society discussions about information society issues in the developing world—is monitoring and analyzing African ICT policy developments to give CSOs the insights they need to effectively participate in policy development. In the second, the Southern African non-governmental organization network (SANGONeT) is developing and delivering a series of seminars to increase CSO’s understanding of policy issues so they can participate effectively in policy formation. Finally, the South African law firm Lisa Thornton Inc. has led a project in which young lawyers from disadvantaged communities research and write a book recommending ways to make ICT laws in South Africa more equitable.

Objectives:

To achieve the full potential of ICTs as a means of improving the social, economic and cultural lives of individuals and communities, CSOs must work together to build an information society based on principles of transparency, participation and social and economic justice. But ICT policy issues are complex, and most CSOs have extremely limited resources. By providing access to information, training and other resources, this project will empower Southern African CSOs to collaborate to ensure that social justice concerns are enshrined in national, regional and international ICT policies.

Development Impact

Cumulatively, the three components of this project are raising awareness among CSOs of ICT policy issues, creating powerful information resources for CSOs, and empowering these organizations to participate in the development of ICT policies that ultimately build an information society based on social justice and human rights.

Outputs

• Telecommunications Law in South Africa, edited by Lisa Thornton, Yasmin Carrim, Patric Mtshaulana and Pippa Reburn

 

 

Edited by Lisa Thornton, Yasmin Carrim, Patric Mtshaulana and Pippa Reburn