United Nations Economic Commission for Africa launched the Africa Knowledge Network initiative under its ICT Science and Technology Division. To be implemented  through an International Network of telecentres and strategic  Partnerships  the launch workshop was held  at Dar-Es-Salaam  from the 2^nd – 3^rd July 2009.

The workshop is the third major activity in a seven activity joint United Nations ESCWA led Regional Commissions’ initiative whose outcome is that of empowering poor and disadvantaged communities through the transformation of selected ICT access points into knowledge hubs of global knowledge networks. A number of activities had taken place prior to this including a regional stakeholders’ workshop which culminated inputs to the knowledge network strategies, mechanisms and tools and a review and assessment undertaken in the East African Community which identified services and best practices in community ICT access points. Participants were from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Implementation Plan of Strategy

In an environment that requires appropriateness and availability of technologies, the knowledge Network will use a unique approach involving social inclusiveness and an openness to new ways of work. The strategy will operate using the following six pillars of the UNECA region knowledge network transformation strategy. These pillars underlie the implementation plan of the strategy as activity categories within which activities targeting specific actions of the knowledge network project phases will be executed. These include;

        * Conducting Participatory Research to inform Strategy implementation and Knowledge generation.

        * Strengthening ICT and Knowledge Management Training and capacity building activities.

        * Strengthening Public  Access, Network infrastructure and shared or low cost end user devices.

        * Creating content and applications appropriate to local languages and context.

        * Forming national and regional knowledge networks and participation in the global knowledge network.

        * Sustainability of telecentres/regional knowledge network as knowledge hubs and network.

Organization of the Network

The Network will be supported by a Secretariat and a rotational steering committee chosen from Participating countries and members. Serving for an initial period of time,  in the short term, the secretariat will be housed at UNECA , supported by the three members of the steering committee that were chosen during the launch workshop. The first steering committee is composed of the following countries and contact persons.

        * Burundi- Burundi Telecentre Network – Mr Paul Barera

        * Uganda – Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) – Ms Janet C. Achora

        * Kenya –Kenya Network of telecentres (Kentel) – Mr Owondie

For more information please visit www.uneca.org