Forthcoming publication: The Global Information Technology Report 2001-2002: Readiness for the Networked World. The "GITR" is a joint publication of the Center for International Development at Harvard University and the World Economic Forum. It was produced in partnership with infoDev, a multi-donor programme of the World Bank.

Zimbabwe is one of 11 African countries with substantial Internet usage, although limited telecommunications infrastructure hampers the penetration of information technology in the country, according to a report by the United Nations [source: allafrica via The Big Change].

This is a story of the ingenuity of the common man and woman. From across the fields and villages of the India, and scientific labs, a whole range of technologies have emerged to make rural life a little less difficult. But can this vital information reach out to those who actually need it?

SANGONeT, in association with LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand, is offering a certificate course designed to promote computer literacy.

Two recent announcements in South Africa raise sharp issues that characterize the raging debate between open source and Microsoft operating systems -- a debate that will ultimately affect developing countries around the world.

Cote D'Ivoire used to be one of the economic success stories of West Africa but with a military coup and economic slowdown its star has dimmed. Now a civilian government is back in the saddle and things may change. THis report from News Update focuse on the ICT sector in the country.

The news media were yesterday challenged to establish a self-regulatory institution. Such an institution would offer protection against criticism and accusations from government and other sources, the visiting director of the International Press Institute, Prof Johann Fritz, said.

Journalism standards appear to be the latest victim of Zimbabwe's hotly contested presidential election, according to an independent media watchdog.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed about 2,100 mt of food to over 442,400 vulnerable people in and around Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the beginning of its emergency operation in the wake of the lava flows from Mt Nyiragongo on 17 January, the agency reported on Friday.

About 20 representatives from major civil society groups met at NEDLAC on Thursday 14th February 2002 at an extraordinary meeting convened and chaired by the South African Council of Churches. The meeting was convened to seek a resolution to disagreements and concerns raised around the Civil Society Indaba of the coming WSSD Summit.

The political bureau of the Benin Renaissance party, [former President Nicephore] Soglo wing, has condemned the ordinance issued by the government in power. It also noted, with regret, the gradual drift of the country towards dictatorship, the annihilation of moral and political values, the increase in the embezzlement of public funds, corruption at all levels of government, incessant strikes and general social unrest, and the suppression of all anti-government voices.

Basildon Peta, the secretary general of the Zimbabwean Union of Journalists, has denied allegations that he was fired by the Zimbabwean newspaper, the Financial Gazette. He says the number of threats he had been receiving in the state-controlled media had become unacceptable. Peta emphatically denied reports from Zimbabwe that he was fired by his local employer.

OneWorld U.S. now offers a Daily Headlines e-mail service. We save you time by culling through hundreds of nonprofit and specialized news agency articles every weekday to find the most topical and engaging articles on environment, development, human rights, U.S. foreign policy, and globalization.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)Commercialisation Bill, which was passed by parliament, has been gazetted into law, "The Herald" reported on February 4.

Peopleandplanet.net is an exciting gateway and educational resource exploring the connecting issues of population, environment and sustainable development in an open, independent, and balanced way. The site has been organised into 14 key topics, each introduced with an authoritative Overview, together with Feature Articles, Facts and Figures, News, Links, Glossary and Book and Film reviews. A new key topic on People, Poverty and Trade will be on-line in April.

Adili is a fortnightly newsletter produced by Transparency International Kenya’s Public Awareness Programme.

Communicating research findings to potential users outside the academic community - whether in government, in business, in the voluntary sector or in the general public - has become an essential element in most social scientists' working lives. And one of the most effective ways of reaching your target audiences, influencing policy and practice and changing public opinion is to make use of the media. This publication provides some practical guidelines on how to develop a media strategy that will enable your research, your research programme or your research institution to have a greater impact on the national debate.

Bob Bailey, Ph.D., Chief Scientist for HFI shares his annual review of web design reccomendations. Worth a read for any web developers out there.

The Southern Africa Institute of Fundraising advises you of a further two workshops: How to deal with the media and a course on presentation and public speaking skills.

Bill Gates's backing of Mbeki's NEPAD translated into action when he promised to provide technology to South African schools. The computer billionare promised South Africa R100-million a year in perpetuity. He also promised 32 000 schools computers and 90% discounts for private schools and universities.