Connect-To-Libraries (CTL)
Country of activity:
United Kingdom
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The objective of this project is to make computers and Internet access readily available to the
community, through out-reach centres based in local libraries. The project was initiated after research
had shown that there is a real demand for this type of training centre, based in a friendly
Non-threatening environment. Connect's vision in this area has been mirrored more recently by new UK
government policy which at present is attempting to widen access to information techNology and the
Internet in public places. CTL has given the citizens of Merseyside an advantageous 'head start' over
other areas of the UK in this respect. Connect is committed to making sure the general public have
everything they need to get the most from the CTL centres. We recognise that the Internet extends
people's reach and it is important to cater for the "IT have Nots" in the community. The centres are
required to be self-sufficient but the community has a need to offer the services at a reasonable cost
with concessions to the disadvantaged. We provide for individuals of all ages, from the unemployed to
the small businessman who does Not have a PC. Not only do we provide a full Internet service but
individuals can write CVs, letters and reports, produce accounts and even put together presentation
slides for that important interview. Our main aim is to break down barriers to IT and to provide a rich,
supportive and training environment to help people gain the most from the facilities on offer. The
Centres aim to: Overcome Barriers · commit to removing any barriers which may prevent people from
participating in, or benefiting fully from, access to computers and use of the Internet · deal with
attitudes and barriers to learning about IT which have, in the past, prevented people from fully
achieving their educational goals · create a positive and welcoming atmosphere in all our centres
ensuring the public are able to use our services and facilities without prejudice · take positive steps to
ensure staff reflect the composition of the wider community served by the centres · provide a suitable
Non-threatening environment for all, hence making learning fun Provide Support · provide full support
for all the facilities on offer · bring together library and information services, computer facilities, and
support from staff to help develop peoples' skills in information techNology · achieve results in
facilitating the participation of all members of the general public in techNological education, under the
right conditions · provide access to local on-line information resources like MerseyWorkPlace
http://www.merseyworkplace.com/ which provides details on jobs, funding opportunities, childcare
facilities and courses available in the North of England · offer free web-based email accounts using
MerseyMail http://www.merseymail.com/ allowing citizens to experience a new way of communicating,
challenging boundaries of geography, age, gender and race · provide an information hub so people
can access information that is relevant to their problems and interests Provide Training · provide
learning opportunities which enable all age groups, ethnic miNorities and the disadvantaged, to gain
the skills necessary to utilise computers and the Internet in their everyday life · establish a suitable
progression of courses for the complete beginner but also provide for the more advanced user. We
offer courses for the complete beginner who can then progress through our "Pick & Mix" courses onto a
more advanced programme such as the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
http://www.bcs.org.uk/ecdl/ · provide opportunities for on-line learning such as "Computers Don't Bite"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/cdb/ and "WebWise" http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/, which are aimed
at the computer illiterate. People are scared of computers and it takes a lot of time to learn to make
really good use of the Internet. People need the opportunity to become familiar with the techNology. ·
provide flexible training courses, of one-hour duration, covering all the software on offer in the centres.
This flexible programme suits the busy life style of many people. Input from the general public helps
develop a monthly programme that satisfies their demand. This consultation with the general public
establishes a sense of ownership and involvement and a desire to learn more. · offer ECDL as a
self-taught programme, which is ideal in many situations enabling individuals to gain confidence by
working at their own pace and level. Further more individuals can vary their rate of progress as their
skills improve putting them in control of their training schedule and any examinations they wish to
take. · train library staff to run a centre and deal with the technical questions that arise. They gain
confidence, ability and experience, which can be used in their own centres, as PCs in public libraries are
becoming a fact of life. · provide Information, Communication and TechNology (ICT) clubs for local
primary school children to support them in their ICT curriculum. Teachers have input into the ICT
courses to ensure the work compliments coursework completed in their schools. · support teachers by
offering in-service training (INSET) days covering Basic Internet Awareness
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
Users' Needs · The centres provide for users' needs by offering the software required and supporting
the use of this software · Provision for unemployed access and concessions for the young, old and
disabled · "Pick & Mix" program driven by user requirements · The Internet gets mentioned in the
media daily and people do Not want to be left behind. · We give impartial advice on buying a PC and
connecting to the Internet · The centres provide access to the Internet for people to try before deciding
to have it installing it on their own PC Improved quality of life · "WebWise" and "Computers Don't Bite"
are backed by a campaign promoted by the BBC for 3 weeks in a year. We receive enquiries all year
round for these taster sessions, as they are often a person's first introduction in using the Internet. ·
People's lives have been improved, especially with email. It provides a quick form of communication
from anywhere in the world to the delight of most users. · Finding contacts on the Internet who can
help and support people with particular problems especially medical. · Finding information on projects,
problems and interests improves people's lives. · Finding jobs, courses and funding support locally
through the Internet. Measure of results · The main centre is full to capacity and requires further
extension to cater for the demand. · In the two years Liverpool CTL has been open it has seen over
55,000 visitors. · We retain 73 percent of users of 'WebWise' and 'Computers Don't Bite' · 80 percent of users
continue to use the centres on a regular basis. Even after they have brought a PC they still return when
they experience problems. · Approximately 18 percent of users are new to the centres. · 'Word of mouth' is
the main reason given why new people come to the centre · Over the next four years 500 library staff
will complete the ECDL qualification in the CTL centres. This qualification was identified as a
comprehensive foundation for library staff by the 'New Library's Network' document.
User needs:
Connect was first founded in 1994 with the sole purpose of introduced wider access to the Internet on
Merseyside. In 1996 the Internet Express was launched to take the Internet out into the community.
This was a roving programme of PCs, which visited Libr
Summary:
Connect was first founded in 1994 with the sole purpose of introduced wider access to the Internet in
Merseyside, a region of the Northwest of England. In 1996 the Internet Express was launched to take
the Internet out into the community. This was a roving programme of PCs, which visited Libraries within
the "Pathways" (ecoNomically deprived) areas of Merseyside. It typically stayed at a location for 3
weeks and offered up to 20 PCs with full Internet access. As an integral part of the project, once the
Internet Express had visited a pathways area, a PC with full Internet access was donated to the
community. The popularity of the Internet Express was evidence of a demand for a more permanent
facility at libraries, hence the creation of Connect-To-Libraries (CTL) centres. A centre was to be opened
in each of the five boroughs of Merseyside but by the time the project started KNowsley Borough
Council had opened a similar centre in Huyton Library with Connects support. These centres are
permanent out-reach centres, offering Internet and PC access to the community by providing
state-of-the-art equipment in comfortable surroundings. The general public can gain 'hands on'
experience of the facilities on offer, including full Internet access, Microsoft Office Professional,
desktop publishing, scanning and colour printing. Staff are available to support and assist with matters
relating to the Internet and the software available.
Competition year:
2000
CFPE Pont del Dargó
Country of activity:
Spain
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The Pont del Dragó School aims at the integration in our society of young people with severe driving disabilities.
Our main inNovation is the use of techNologies in almost all areas of training as integration means for our students.
There are in the centre specialists that elaborate specific software and hardware for our students.
There are No other similar centres in our country devoted to the integration of people with severe disabilities, who after four years of special training are able to be part to our society and develop some ordinary jobs.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
The fields of supervision are the following:
- The professional training adapted to students with driving disabilities
- The promotion of integration processes within the standard education, in working training, in schools for adults, in Non-standard training, and in work practices, from the second year of training in the school.
- The Information TechNologies use promotion in all fields of life.
- To search resources within the community by establishing relationships with health, social, and cultural organisations. To gather all the information about and to promote the approach to those resources specific for disabled people.
- To direct students at the end of the professional training
- To carry out projects of research and training.
User needs:
The Pont del Dragó School has been working with young driving disabled people from 1987. In those years we have thought about the importance that new techNologies have in the global training of a person, and have also realised the importance it has had in
Summary:
The Pont del Dragó Centre is leader in the use of new techNologies as a fundamental means for the training of young people with driving disabilities. All the students receive the individual educational support and technical help necessary for their professional training, with a special focus on those alternative systems of communication and movement.
The school works with design and audio-visual projects supported by the use of computers provided by companies and associations. The focus is on the maximum integration of pre-working practices and training.
Competition year:
2000
724
Country of activity:
Sweden
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
Totally new concept! WE have a generic independent quality service that works 24 hours a day all year. We will deliver the service to everything from online-toasters to advanced lifesupport systems.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
It is a growing project which will Not make any real substance for the users until about 2001-2002
User needs:
The founders were leading IT designers in one of Scandinavia's biggest banks. As the bank became a leading internet actor, they found new interests around generic independent quality services, something that will be needed globally in 1-3 years. They foun
Summary:
The founders working as designers of global electronic transaction systems for safe and secure online banking, found a new untouched area and started a confidential project together. After about 2 years the project had evolved into a company and the visions are huge. No contacted partner had denied cooperation. It is a real unique idea that independently quality-checks weak links in a complicated online world.
Competition year:
2000
SeniorSurf Sweden
Country of activity:
Sweden
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
Senior Surf Sweden has one prime objective, that is to come as close as possible to older people, wherever they may live in Sweden ( and even to Swedes who are living abroad ) and help them overcome the barriers of suspicion and fright of computers and techNology. The Surf is a method to tackle the hardships of catching the interest of those who haven´t been given the opportunity, because of their age, to learn about computers and the internet during their active working years.
By using the local libraries as meetingplaces in the communities, and by engaging older people as tutors, the Surf appeals to the seniors. The word about Senior Surf Day is spread on local basis, via media, around the country. Friends and neighbours show up in the libraries to get an introduction to computers and the internet. The libraries are well kNown localities to most seniors and offer a friendly and warm atmosphere.
The Senior Surf concept is unique as it builds on the conviction that the elderly prefer to be tutored by someone their own age, at their own pace, together with their friends and in an environment that is well kNown and comfortable. It is a one day happening that involves hundreds of libraries across the country and gets massiv media attention.
The internet services that are chosen for the tutoring are well balanced in respect to the particular needs of older persons. The usefulness of the internet on a private and individual basis is emphasized, on this one day event in order to create a lasting interest in surfing the web.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
The first SeniorSurf was pulled off on September 29th 1999 and was scheduled for the participation of some 200 libraries and hopefully 10.000 visitors. As it turned out, over 30.000 senior citizens marched off to 375 local libraries in different places in Sweden and got their first hands on experience of the internet.
It was the biggest single introduction to the internet ever carried out in Europe. The media coverage was massive and over 600 articles were published about the SeniorSurf Day. TV and radio coverage was also impressive during and right after the Surf.
As a direct result of the nationwide Surf on one single day in September 1999, the number of SeniorNet Sweden members rose, from around 2.000 to over 4.000 in less than six months.
87 percent of the participating libraries want to arrange aNother SeniorSurf in 2000. The overwhelming results have made the mother organisation, SeniorNet Sweden decide to run the Surf project on a yearly basis. The concept is a winner and tops all other efforts and methods of inspiring the seniors to start surfing the internet.
User needs:
The SeniorSurf is a result of the search for a nationwide manifestation on the UN day for the elderly on September 29th 1999. SeniorNet Sweden in cooperation with its sponsors came up with the idea of gathering people in the local libraries, using voloun
Summary:
SeniorSurf Sweden is a pillar activity within SeniorNet Sweden, the virtual and physical network for Swedish senior citizens. Today the SeniorNet Sweden is a fast growing network of over 4000 seniors, most of whom are active in the 45 local clubs that have been established since the start in early 1997. The aim of the SeniorNet organisation is to reach out to all Swedish seniors (55+) and catch their interest in the new communications tools, especially computers and the Internet.
SeniorSurf Sweden is a simple but very efficient concept and activity that has proven to work extremely well as a means to attract the seniors and make them try the Internet.
The SeniorSurf is a one-day event that takes place on the same day all over the country, in the public libraries. A number of computers are set up and inspiring tutors, also seniors, introduce the beginners to the wonders of the Internet. Seniors teach seniors in the local library using methods that cater well to the elderly .
The SeniorNet speciality is to tailor-make the computer encounter, and the Internet training, to the seniors in such a way that they can taste, try and learn without any technical intricacies. They can learn at their own peaceful pace. The SeniorSurf actvitiy is based on this philosophy.
SeniorSurf Sweden took place for the first time on September 29th 1999, during the Year for the older persons and will be repeated yearly from Now on. It has been described at Uns General Assembly as the most successful single activity carried out within the global effort to strenghten the position of older people in the information societ.y.
This year SeniorSurf Day will take place on October 17.
Competition year:
2000
MICROTUTEUR
Country of activity:
France
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The Microtuteur project: The idea: It's a role-game, interactive of course, which itself is based on a
fiction video interpreted by some actors - or directed in 2D or 3D computer, according to the budget -
seen only on the Internet, and which tries the incredible wager to initiate the schoolboy with network and
practice of computer through this software package exceptional that be Gingo, The tree of kNowledge,
settling by Michel Authier and Pierre Lévy under the impulse of Michel Serres a few years ago.. This
software is based on the following postulate: " Nobody kNows everything. Everyone kNows something "
The children drop patents in a tree, Gingo, whose symbolic system is very strong. These patents
correspond so that the children learn about the daily life (the recipe of a chocolate cake, programming of
the family video tape recorder, specialshooting in soccer, or rule of multiplication, therefore some
kNowledge is Not inevitably scholar). The child himself « appropriate » (significant word) the possibility to
revalue himself, to learn to locate, and consequently, take charge of himself through the discovery
of their personal competence.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
First objective: To take part in this game, children have to accept to be softly tested. Those tests must
enable us to evaluate the level of the child carefully and to detect those who have difficulties regarding illiteracy. These tests consist to approach practice of Gingo, to answer a questionnaire
developed by the author and leading to an approach of virtual trades, ... and some more. The last test
is based upon solidarity. One commits oneself helping a buddy - with the recreation, at his home, in
the street, while in the same time, why Not, the children adapt the practice of the computer, multimedia
and Internet.
Second objective. Solidarity. To put in contact the various " communities " of children
to avoid any ghettoisation of the system. We don't realize for handicapped young people,
deaf, blind or disfavorized children, we realize for everyone. Included, these are working assiduously at
school and everyone participates. The project is also based on local associations invited to initiate with
multimedia the children Not having hardware at home.
Third objective: To set up through these
exchanges some solid references (right families) being able to represent a solution with the problems of
incivilities. It seems to us that battle against violence will be also won at home, without having to
replace the work of the teachers - " education begins at home".
User needs:
My name is Gary Prieur-Généreux. I am 52 years old. Journalist of profession, I am also
president-founder of Tutorat Plus, school association of distance learning per telephone and daily
social reference mark for the schoolboys of disfavorized environment
Summary:
This system, obviously free, would be online at disposal of schoolboys (age 10 to 13) on the Internet,
starting from the experience accumulated for these six learning phone distance years and is based
mainly on the humanistic resources of the software package Gingo, tree of kNowledge.
KNowledge Tree (L'Arbre de Connaissances)
The tool which we will describe here is the software package "Gingo", developed in France by Michel Authier and Pierre Levy, authors of the book "Les Arbres de Connaissances" following french philosopher Michel Serres' initiative.
The package can be seen as a unique tool which is being increasingly applied in France and gradually also in other countries. The philosophy and opportunities for use behind the package support second generation competency thinking as formulated above.
The fruits of the tree of kNowledge
The software package Gingo can best be understood as a type of spreadsheet in which the cells are filled Not with numbers but with sets of qualitative information. As with other data sorting and storage systems, the input data is processed and presented in such a way as to make it available for answering questions. In this case, that is a tree structure with a trunk, branches and leaves. Such a 'kNowledge tree' then represents the collective kNowledge and skills of a group of people.
If we click on a box in the tree, we get an overview of all the members of the community who lay claim to a certain competency. If we request the competencies that worker X has at his/her disposal, then a number of boxes in the tree light up and we can see at a glance in what locations the worker in question is represented. If we want to kNow whether the group is relatively strong or weak in a certain competency, then we can compare this kNowledge tree with the trees of comparable groups. If we have a tree available to us that contains the 'desired'.
Competency profile, then we can contrast it to the actual divisions and, for example, bring hiring and development policies in line. Having such an overview available creates exciting new opportunities for answering questions, making choices, and planning action in the area of KNowledge Management and Human Talent Development.
I n making a kNowledge tree. we begin with the naming of a competency and the formulation of a description. Then the request is made to describe a test which can determine who may lay claim to such a competency and who may Not. If I perform this test for myself and my own competencies, then my personal kNowledge tree appears on the screen. If we perform the test for a group then a set of competencies for the community is built. Competencies appear in the trunk, branches or leaves depending on what characteristic is given to competency. If it is more generic and basic, then it is stored in the trunk. If it is more unique, sophisticated or professional, then it is stored in the leaves.
When al I the information has been input, the fruits of our efforts consist of three overviews that we can call up on the screen :
a) Badges separate competencies with definitions, descriptions and tests.
b) A blazon (portfolio), a list of the competencies belonging to one person.
c) A kNowledge tree that gives an overview of the competencies of a unit or group.
For members of all four categories, a good overview of the field is important in enabling them to carry out (heir tasks. Without being exhaustive, we will give for each category an example of how kNowledge trees could be applied.
Competition year:
2000
Tea, Toast and TechNology
Country of activity:
United Kingdom
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
T3 aims to introduce older people to the information society in an inspiring and accessible way through
exploring their own creativity. There are very few arts opportunities for older people, and those that do
exist are usually based around reminiscence work. There are No other projects in the UK that we could
find that encouraged older people to look foward or that used new techNology. T3 is trying to do three
things; to break down the barriers that some older people have to new techNology, to encourage the
rest of the community to see older people as active and creative and for older people to feel a sense
of achievement and empowerment through the creation of their own artwork.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
So far the project has set up a Project Steering Group (50 percent of whom are older particiants),
commissioned a digital artist, worked with three (of the six) groups of older people who have produced
over thirty pieces of digital artwork, launched the T3 web site, set up a 'half way' exhibition in three
venues. Since the Project Steering Group was set up older members have been: photographed and
included in the Arts Council's Annual Report, recorded for Camelot's national radio advertising
campaign for the Lottery, interviewed live on Radio, given a presentation at a European Conference in
Rochdale, hosted a meeting with a Community Arts Manager interested in the project over from Japan
and launched the T3 web site. Alondside the tangible achievements of the project such as the artwork
and the web site the project has also succeeded in inspiring, motivating and building the confidence of
the older people involved. At a feedback session two particpants were asked to comment on what they
felt the project has achieved so far. Below are their direct quotes: "T3 gives older people the chance to
see what computers can do. It generates enthusiasm to take part, to think about the relationship
between 'art' and computers. It enables you to create images from everyday objects. T3 has given
people new experiences and expectations, people have come out of their shell and for the first time
started working together. Being on the Project Steering Group has made me more positive, we're Not
waffling along we're doing something, thinking ahead, it's a genuine project. The exhibition is going to
be shown to a lot of people so it's got to be first class." Connie Rawson (aged 80) "Some of us have
worked for 28 years and we feel as if we're just beginning to live. Before, with work and the family there
was No time to think about anything else outside. What the computer does with the image is a miracle.
But the ral miracle is what YOU can do withthe computer." Min Larby (aged 68) T3 has a representative
from each group on the Project Steering Group this way all participants can feed back how they think
the project is progressing.
User needs:
T3 came about because People Express (which a community arts organisation working with people in
South Derbsyhire) took time over three years age to look at who it worked with. Although our aim was
to work with all members of the community most of our wor
Summary:
Tea, Toast and TechNology (Now affectionately kNown as T3) is a two-year project that has been
successfully engaging older people in the creation of their own digitially based artwork for an
inter-active exhibition around the theme of love. Over the two years T3 will work with six groups and all
the participants will be over 65. The final exhibition will be toured to venues to attract an older
audience.
Competition year:
2000
Neighborhood Information Units (NIU)
Country of activity:
Colombia
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The main objective has been to set up "Neighbourhood Information Units" (NIUs) where individuals
and organizations can learn to use the electronic communications to find relevant information and to
participate in local community development. Specific objectives are: - To develop information system
tools. - To create local capacity to run the centers by providing women to women training sessions and
materials. - To design and publish information resources relevant for the local community. - To provide
links with other information systems. - To develop a community-based information system using
Neighborhood Information Units, that through the electronic communications establish contact with
others, both locally and globally. - To democratize access to new communications techNologies, to
strengthen the interlocution capacity of the community based organizations that host the NIU. - To
support the development of each NIUs concrete projects whose most representative inputs and
products contain a considerable information component in development issues such as housing,
environment, peace, health, education and culture, for example. - To strengthen the community's
interlocation capacity, before the local government, other state entities, international cooperation
agencies and/or credit agencies in the country and abroad. - To achieve that the NIUs integrate the
neighborhood and its residents, in an dynamic exchange that makes them visible as services and
information providers to the state, and accessible to organizations that can support their processes,
and at the same time to others whom are interested in their information sources will have easy access
to these resources. We believe this project is inNovative because: - It provides access to new
information and communication techNologies for people generally excluded from their use. - It permits
access to local sources regarding the actual state of the development of the neighborhood (in physical
terms) and social-ecoNomic information related to the population living in these neighborhoods. - Its
oriented towards the development of local information systems for the purpose of strengthening
community participation. The proposed ones are mainly oriented towards neighborhood improvement.
- It provides training for women in male dominated environments, and a place for youth to show their
capability. - It uses low cost high-tech systems such as Linux servers to provide internet connectivity to
the NIUs.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
Achievements according to International Development Reseach Centre IDRC article written by Luis Barón
"Experiments in Community Access to New Communication and Information TechNologies in Bogotá -
Anticipating the Future to Seize the Present": - Establish and maintain UIBs in peripheral areas of the
city. - Develop a constructive and respectful relationship between NGOs and grassroots organizations. -
Contribute to relations with local institutions and to the internal communications of organizations and
their institutional strengthening. - Provide training to allow the units' teams to master the use of
computers and programs. Although the training process was difficult, it gave its recipients greater skills
and self-esteem and helped them position themselves proactively within their organizations. - Retrieve
and organize information from their organizations for posting on the Internet. - Provide a permanent
opportunity for grassroots organizations to have access to Internet services and email. - Prepare Web
sites for each of the institutions. - Enable relationships with other persons and institutions in the zone.
And the lessons learned: - As pilot experiments that can serve as a point of reference for other places,
other groups and other times, it is important to think about the conditions needed for these
telecenters to be self-sustaining and viable, both from a techNological viewpoint (telephone lines,
electricity supply, servers) and from the cultural perspective (social and historical characteristics,
pressing needs, cultural outlook, space and timing, levels of education and literacy), ecoNomic (income
levels and ability to pay on the part of individuals and community organizations), and political
(participatory mechanisms, political networking and interaction, power relationships). Addressing these
factors is essential to the survival of the telecenters, and to ensuring that they can have a positive
impact. - Experience should be examined to determine what can be done through these units and what
canNot be done. - The need to undertake clearly defined projects for telecenters that will fit into the
broader objectives of the organization. - The need to define the characteristics and profiles of the
telecenters, either as places for public access to new techNologies or as places devoted to achieving the
social, cultural, political and educational objectives of the organizations themselves. - The need to
think about the congruence of social and techNological objectives so as ensure greater clarity about the
impacts, dimensions, challenges, methodologies and indicators from these experiments. - The need to
seek ways to ensure greater autoNomy in designing and undertaking projects of this type by grassroots
organizations. - The need for cooperative relationships with other organizations and institutions
(including NGOs and international cooperation agencies), from a perspective that will strengthen the
autoNomy of the grassroots organizations. - Exploring new proposals for training and capacity building
for internal and external users. As well, seeking various uses for the information carried over the
Internet and by email. - The need to establish more clearly the priority groups to be targeted by this
work. Similarly, the need to introduce information and promotional packages specifically designed for
groups and individuals in each zone. - Exploring other ways of performing community work. -
Recognizing the ability and disposition of youth and children to use the equipment and take advantage
of ICT.
User needs:
4 years ago, we were looking for ways to probe if well-informed communities in richer information and
kNowledge environments would participate more efficently in the construction of cities and citizenships.
Meetings among Fedevivienda and ColNodo were mad
Summary:
Neighborhood Information Units (NIU), are defined as Internet access points in poor neighborhoods
that provide information related to the neighborhood and the urban area to which they belong,
about the organizations that operate the NIU, and about the people that work with these organizations. The
idea is to use these new information techNologies to provide information and communications in order
to benefit local institutions as well as organizations and the community where they are located: to be
able to receive information and to be able to communicate, to access other Non-traditional sources of
information, to consult and be consulted, to be trained and train others, to generate alternative ways
of income.
Competition year:
2000
business@jamtland
Country of activity:
Sweden
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The main objective of the project is to get at least 300 SMEs in the Jamtland region to engage consultants to produce a web site for their business.
The reason for the objective is to increase the use of internet amongst enterprises in the Jamtland region. Access to internet is No problem, the region is very “computerised”, the whole region has access to AXE and most areas have access to ISDN. “Broad band” is being offered since a few month in the town of Jamtland, Östersund, and will be offered to other areas this year.
Since there is No lack of technical access the project focuses on increasing the mental access to Internet. Our experience is that that available techNology needs promotion to be used, otherwise people do Not kNow what to do with the techNology.
The background to the objective is that Jamtland is a disadvantaged area because of its location in the Northern inland and is inhabited by few people. For this reason Jamtland is an objective 6 region in EU. In Jamtland there are 6.100 enterprises (around 3.000 are active) and 98 percent of the enterprises are micro and there are No enterprises with more than 500 employees. The consequence of our sparsely populated region, for the enterprises, is that their markets are far away and that access to high quality consultants is low. This is a disadvantage compared with enterprises located closer to their market and Internet is an important tool to get closer to your customers.
The objective of the project will be achieved by:
A financial grant to enterprises, max 50 percent of the consultant fee
An invitation to a all web producers to get on the “list” of available web producers that is presented to interested enterprises
Seminars for the web producers to enhance their competence
Seminars for participating enterprises
Individual training for each enterprise that participates
An extensive common web site for all people involved
The unique aspect of this project is that both enterprises and web producers are seen upon as target groups and are treated as such. The model of interaction is carefully developed and includes the two groups and additional individuals like suppliers to web producers, trainers and regional organisations. What is appreciated in the group is also the approach to invite people and the flexibility, meaning the wide range of possibilities for within the project
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
In the Jamtland region there are 6.100 enterprises of which around 3.000 are active. The main objective was that 300 enterprises would produce their own web site. Today, one year after the start of the project (activities started in may 99) 278 enterprises are participating in the project and the project will easily reach the number of 300 before the end of the project, December 2000.
The purpose of the objective was to increase the interest of internet among SMEs and today the awareness and use of IT is much higher then when we started. Each participating SME also communicates with other SMEs which makes a good multiplier effect in the region. Participating SMEs are very pleased with the quality of the project and they will continue to work with their web site.
The involved web producers, 62 today, are by Now aware of each other and can find other web producers to co-operate with. The seminars have brought up a discussion on quality towards client and this discussion will continue. The contact within the group are increasing and the mailing list that was set up is Now being used a lot.
The web producers have also gained a considerable experience because of the increased number of demand and clients.
The training concept was developed by university students and graduates and this work has given them a better understanding for SMEs and the way they work. The method to visits each enterprise is working fine and is an effective way to approach
SMEs.
Internet is Now a hot topic for frequent and broad discussions in the Jamtland region and the business@jamtland project has shown that concrete action is an important contribution to increase the use of internet.
The “working model” that has been developed during the project is considerad as a success in the region and will be made transferable to other development projects in the region. The model is based on broad interaction and the “inviting” approach to both SMEs and web producers (demand-supplier).
User needs:
Tell the story of how your project came about.
Summary:
The Jamtland region is a disadvantaged area since it is situated in the Northern inland of Sweden, which means that enterprises have to compete on different terms than others situated in a very populated area. Markets and clients are far away and all kinds of communication are intense. IT and especially Internet is an important tool to bring the enterprise closer to clients and also to find new clients.
The aim of this project is to increase the use of Internet among SMEs in Jamtland.
The objective is that 300 enterprises set up their own web site.
There is No lack of techNological access, it is the “mental” access that is low, meaning that the use of IT is still rather low compared with its capacity. The project aims at increasing the use of internet by promoting concrete use of internet. When the SME decides to set up a web site they will have to start learning how it works and what to use it for. The project promotes the SME to take a decision to set up a web site by offering a grant to cover max 50 percent of the costs for a web producer. During the process a visit from in an internet-trainer is done and gives an introduction to internet and also discuss any issues raised by the SME. The SMEs that start working with internet seems to continue to work on the site and develop it further.
What is of great importance in this project is the working method. There have been clear aims from the beginning to co-operate closely with web producers and with other IT-projects. Regional organisations are involved and this broad interaction has been of great benefit for the good results in the project.
ANother clear aim in the project has been to put an effort in making it simple for the SMEs to apply and participate in the project.
The development of meeting place situated on the internet has been successful and is being used for many purposes and target groups. Several mailing list have been set up and are being frequently used, distances within the region are huge and physical meetings are expensive.
The result is that enterprises have been very interested and that nine months before the end of the project 278 of 300 enterprises are already in the project.
The broad interaction and intensive dissemination together with the many participating enterprises have resulted in internet-friendly atmosphere in Jamtland.
Good lessons have been learnt and they will be brought into future development work.
Competition year:
2000
Youth point of acces ( Y P.A )
Country of activity:
Mali
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
This is trying to take the myth out the youth conception of computers and at last the new information and communication techNologies ( NICT ), it is single its strategy : by and for the youth and its mass initiation policy.
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
-People (users ) are very satisfied because they can sent some informations anywhere they want, participate in some debates, do researches with little money.
-90 percent of users who have never touched a computer are about to create their own pages
User needs:
We have received the information about the PAJE during the 27th ordinary session of Ministry of the CONFEJES in February 1999.
Summary:
Youth point access
Competition year:
2000
Talent Nursery
Country of activity:
Russian Federation
Web site:
Category:
A Global Village
Vision, objectives and goals:
The project was designed to facilitate or achieve the following:
- Give the successful talented students the opportunity of the part time job, paying high eNough to facilitate their
studies and even create some additional income for their families;
- Give them full time Internet access and access to the various most modern computer equipment for doing their
homework as well as professional studies;
- Give them real hands-on programming experience in various fields of software development, corresponding to the
main field of their studies as well;
- Give them the good professional guidance of more experienced colleagues in a "real project" environment;
- Give an additional incentive for them to study languages, because the company caters mostly to the customers
abroad
- Offer the best of the trainees an opportunity to see the world, working with the on-site company teams all over the
world;
- Have the best of that pool of talent as potential future full time employees of the company
How ICT contributes to the organisational objectives:
The Talent Nursery gave the opportunity to the talented programmer students from low-income families to learn their
trade from more experienced colleagues in the real software development company environment. It also gave them a
chance to make their living while improving their major skills and learning new. Thus, it Not only fulfills user needs in
better education, but also gives them a chance to earn while they learn!
User needs:
At the time when the company was small and could Not afford to dedicate material resources and time of the qualified
programmers for Non-productive applications, there was a situation, when one programmer student - a relative of the
company owner - was
Summary:
At present, an average monthly family income in St. Petersburg is No more than $70, monthly state stipend for the
students is equal to $5. Thus, the talented youth from low-income families is placed virtually into the situation of
survival, with the only options either to give up their hopes for the higher education or to look for the full time job that
gives them the means to sustain themselves, but distracts them significantly from their main occupation. Not to mention
that they canNot afford to buy the computer equipment they need for their homework, neither they can afford to pay
for the Internet access, which is priced $0.39/hour the least ($50/month for the unlimited access).
The project was conceived in early 1999 to attract the most talented programmer students into the Talent Nursery
department of Arcadia, Inc., where they work as part time software developers on the real projects of the company,
guided and lead by the experienced project managers. Since the language of operation of the company is English,
Talent Nursery participants also receive the extensive "at work" language training.
Competition year:
2000