I’m glad to see that Matthew Dawes and All Amber are continuing their efforts to promote the Mobile Web in Africa. Last october, i attended and chaired part of Mobile Web Africa which took place in South Africa. This was the first event focusing on this topic in Africa, and this was a real success (see my previous post about it). Now Matthew is working one more local instance, in a booming market, East Africa. After our recent visit, i’m convinced that this is a great choice for the location of this event. Mobile Web East Africa will take place 3 and 4 february 2010 in Nairobi, and the preliminary agenda and the list of already confirmed speakers are impressive (most of them we just met while travelling in Kenya and Uganda): Eric Cantor from Grameen, Erik Hersman from Ushahidi, Jon Gosier from Appfrica, Dr Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary. It is going to be a very exciting event, and the Web Foundation is very happy to support this event. For those who are interested, i recommend you register quickly or contact All Amber, as the South Africa instance was full weeks before the event!
Good Job Matthew!
Stephane
Dan Whitman
December 14, 2009
Can funding be available for providing internet connections to African journalists?please see the blogafricainfo.ning.comfor more information on this.many thanksDan WhitmanDeputy Director (ret.)Office of Public Affairs and Public DiplomacyBureau of African AffairsDepartment of StateWashington, DC(now professor, American University)
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Stéphane Boyera
December 17, 2009
Hi Dan,Connectivity, and particularly cost of connectivity is an issue. It is also true that discussion, coordination and cooperation between journalists themselves, and with others living somewhereelse on earth is critical to ensure freedom of information, and verification.That said, the Web Foundation has not connectivity as one of its focus. I personaly don't know which funders is interested in this domain. I would recommend looking at the Knight Foundation whois focusing on journalism. Anybody else has idea or suggestion ?stephane
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