The Information Society Week (ISW) in Cape Town will focus on practical plans and applications to bridge the digital divide, say delegates and organisers.
ISW, scheduled for 22 to 26 August, incorporating the Community Informatics Research Network and the WSIS civil society colloquium, will be jointly hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the Department of Communications, the City of Cape Town, and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC).
The civil society colloquium will be driven by the SA Non-Governmental Organisations Network (Sangonet) and provide a platform to discuss the position of the South African government and civil society.
In the past few months, Sangonet has compiled a draft WSIS civil society document with the support of various local civil society organisations. This draft document focuses on issues such as local content, community broadcasting, freedom of expression, diversity and pluralism, combating the digital divide, as well as education and ICT literacy.
Tracey Naughton, CPUT advisor and civil society activist, says the objectives for civil society will be to look at freedom of expression, why government roll-outs of community-based initiatives such as tele-centres were unsuccessful, and making the ICT connection for those from the underdeveloped sections of society.
"The input on these issues will be used in a document to be delivered at WSIS Precom 3 later this year in Tunis," she says.
Harold Wesso, PGWC director of the e-Innovations Centre, says there is a need for non-governmental organisations to play an increasing role in bringing ICT services to communities.
"We need more input from the NGOs as they are the ones who will promote the use of ICT," he says.
City of Cape Town CIO, Nirvesh Sooful, says while research projects have abounded, little actual practical work has been done to deliver ICT to communities.
"It is all very well having these high-flying visions, but things have to be done and implemented. Everyone has a vision on how various types of technologies can help society; however, the uptake is still small. Even for businesses, their vision comes down to marketing messages," he says.
The City of Cape Town`s Smart Cape Access Project will be showcased during the week. This project links the city`s 100 libraries that every resident, at no charge, can access via the Internet.
"This has helped economically marginalised people to access markets they were not previously able to, apply for employment and research topics of interest to them," Sooful says.
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