News 31 of 433

Acacia Projects Chosen as Finalists for Stockholm Challenge Awards

2001-07-13

The Rosslyn Learning Project and the Timbuktu Multipurpose Community Telecenter (MCT) Project, funded by the International Development Research Centre through its Acacia: Communities and the Information Society in Africa program initiative and other donors, are among the 100 finalists for this year's Stockholm Challenge Awards. The Stockholm Challenge is a global arena for pioneering information technology (IT) projects that focus on the benefits of technology to people and society. The winners in seven categories will be announced in a ceremony at Stockholm City Hall on September 26, 2001.

The Rosslyn Project focuses on community access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and distance learning. In order to help people become active participants in the "knowledge society", they must be encouraged to learn constantly — to become lifelong learners. Factors that affect the efficiency of distance learning include access, availability, time, cost, and the relevance and packaging of the learning material. This project will address some of these factors, and the results will enable stakeholders to improve the impact they can have on the development and growth of individuals.

Promoting cooperation

The project is unique in promoting cooperation among companies, trade unions, and the community of Rosslyn in South Africa. Under the project, workers at participating companies are given access to computer training and distance learning opportunities with the joint support of their trade unions and company management. The Internet courses are accredited within the South Africa National Qualifications Framework.

The Timbuktu MCT project aims to help rural radio stations provide development information of interest to rural communities, using the Internet. The project team has organized training sessions for radio animators, who use CD-ROMs and the Internet to prepare daily broadcasts on a variety of themes such as agriculture, the environment, women, energy, the economy, nutrition, health, society, water, etc. The project has shown that the Internet can have positive impacts on the rural development. For example, the number of prenatal visits to physicians has increased, child mortality rates have been reduced, and new agricultural techniques have been adopted by a large number of farmers. In addition, community members now have a better understanding of democracy.

Top of Page

News 31 of 433