ICTS – Transforming Agricultural Extension?
• The concept of ‘tele-accessibility’, not ‘teledensity’, should now be embraced as a developmental indicator for the telecommunications sector • Define and specify measurable goals and objectives for the sector, including contributions to achieving poverty alleviation, improvements in healthcare, food security, environmental protection, technological advances and human resource development. The report on the National Consultation was formally presented to the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, and presented at the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. Anecdotal information indicates that the National Consultation has had a significant influence on the Telecommunications Bill and the formulation of universal access programmes. The process used by the Network of Trinidad & Tobago NGOs for the Advancement of Women is well documented in its report, and elements of this process might be replicable in other countries. *Association for Progressive Communication – support for civil society ICT policy advocacy The Association for Progressive Communication (APC) supports a number of initiatives for civil society ICT policy advocacy, including the following: • The ‘APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor’ (www.apc.org/english/rights/africa/research.shtml), which has researched and published a series of country reports examining the role of civil society in advocating for improved national ICT policies, with special attention to universal access and rural coverage. The Policy Monitor’s primary goal is to enable civil society organisations to engage in ICT policy development. The project conducts research, and collects, interprets, produces and disseminates ICT policy information; builds the awareness and capacity of civil society to understand these issues; and assists civil society organisations to formulate their interest in ICT policy and to support their lobbying and advocating for policies. Among its initiatives, the Policy Monitor provides an extensive website for ICT policy resources (categories include gender, ICT policy, local content, and telecommunications); an email list; a quarterly Chakula newsletter on African ICT policy news, analysis and events; and links to detailed ICT statistics for several African nations • ICT Policy for Civil Society Training Curriculum (APC, 2003a: www.apc.org/english/capacity/policy/curriculum.shtml). This is a set of well crafted training materials which allow trainers to build up their own workshops from the components provided. Materials include workshop handouts, lists of additional resources, trainers’ notes, PowerPoint presentations for workshop sessions, workshop exercises and workshop evaluation tools • APCWNSP Policy Guide for Gender and ICTs (APC, 2004: www.apcwomen.org/summit/policy/wnsp_policyguide.html). This is a clear and succinct 10-point policy guide
22