The cultural organization STADTWERKSTATT Linz arranged together with partners from development cooperations, art and science, the international festival TREFFPUNKT AFRIKA.  The 2010 Festival which took place from 20th to 22nd May 2010 in Linz Austria, was partly held at a ship (the MS Negrelli) on the bank of the river Danube and focused on a two-day symposium with topics on "African-European developments" and "African Networks".

The first chapter of the symposium was intended to give an update on relevant topics as: media, technology in daily life, raw materials and social matters. The lectures were accompanied by filmscreenings , a DJ and concert nightline with musicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Germany and Austria and a soccer tournament.

Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) was privileged to be part of this festive and made a lecture presentation entitled “Digital Media: The Future of Rural Communities in Uganda” which mainly focused on the social aspect of the digital citizen, how specific technologies are being implemented in rural areas of Uganda and how web2.0 tools are being used by WOUGNET in bridging the digital divide between rural and urban communities.

The main purpose of the symposium was to bring together partners from development cooperations, art and science to discuss topics and experiences on topics of “African-European developments“ and “African Networks“. It is believed that digital media fills a media void on issues in rural communities that, as mainstream media may be unable to, owing to censorship. Often, the main stream media agenda is very narrow so a range of  issues in mainly rural areas do not get attention.

Africa, particularly Uganda cannot oppose the rise of technology, and the investment in digital media from various media intuitions needs to be considered. It is therefore important to acknowledge the role Citizen journalists who have become central to exposing the ‘underdevelopment’ in many countries; often giving a voice to rural communities that would otherwise not be heard.

The Symposium enabled sharing of WOUGNET’s experience on how she has trained rural communities on the need to practice citizen journalism and on the various web 2.0 tools she uses to share information and network. A number of Network organizations presented on their various activities.

Maureen Agena represented WOUGNET.