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BIRDS
OF A
FEATHER
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KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND CONTENT
“Balancing the three legged stool”
Introduction
There are three main areas that must be addressed when talking about
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): Technology, Connectivity
and Content. However it is clear that this conference like most ICT related
meetings, has concentrated on only two areas: connectivity and technology.
Little attention has been paid to content issues and this explains the sub
title ‘balancing the three legged stool’
We are treating ICTs like a stool and its third leg (content) seems to be
missing. The question is:
How do we balance the stool? (Or how can we sit on a two-legged stool?)
To ensure this balance is achieved, the knowledge generation and content
group (Birds of a feather) identified five (5) general issues that can be a
basis for further discussion, research and analysis.
Problem areas
1. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and specifically Copyright issues
2. Local Content (Creation and management)
3. Local Control
4. Complexity of ICTs
5. Balancing the three legged stool (Content, Connectivity and Technology)
Issues and Recommendations
An important question that was raised is “ whose knowledge is it anyway?
Content for what?" This was based on the relevance of the content.
· IPR and Copyright are policy issues, which are multidimensional,
multi-participatory and multi-purpose .The actors and issues within these
operate at various levels. Definitions of rights and infringements are
blurred and complex.
· An understanding of these different dimensions and a need for selective
choices on which angle to take is needed. E.g. in copyright, the preferred
angle could be that of ‘copy- left’ i.e. open access, as opposed to that of
copyright, limited to a mercantilist perspective.
· There are various projects and issues revolving around IPR and copyright
issues whether in terms of international regulatory mechanisms in place or
forums, initiatives and debates, which we need to fully grasp. There are
lessons that could be learnt around issues on traditional and modern forms
of content production; broadcasting, publishing and so on.
· Local content = appropriate content for empowerment
· Local content = local contribution to a global perspective, towards
socio-cultural development for all.
· If knowledge dissemination = knowledge production, an element of
consideration is how to access, disseminate and protect indigenous content.
How do we generate and manage knowledge and information in the digital era?
· What kind of content or pictures do we want our children to see? This ties
in with the aspect of marketing. Unfortunately market logic is by
percentages and not quality. By way of clarification, the global market may
demand more of pornography for commercial viability but is this the most
important content especially from an African perspective?
· Promote open content licensing to support IPR as a way of enabling sharing
of information and knowledge
· Promote recognition of authors through facilitating openness i.e. wide
access rather than restrictive copyright.
· Promote password protection of e-documents
· Africa has content, lots of content but how can this be captured and
shared (Indigenous knowledge). What ICTs can do, is capture this information
to a centralized area to ensure its preservation and easy access for anyone.
· Content is directly related to software, technology and connectivity. Once
people are equipped with It the next question is how do they use it and for
what i.e. technology should be directly related to the needs.
· Telecentres can only be useful to communities if they have relevant and
timely information, content in the right language and format (simplicity)
· Content issues should be more than simply focusing on local content. The
important aspects are relevancy and timeliness. (Usability and
accessibility) This is with reference to those who argue that should Africa
simply focus on local content generation and ignore the global issues.
· Need to create locally generated database on knowledge available in
Africa. If databases exist they must be updated constantly to retain their
relevance.
· Websites on local knowledge need to be publicised e.g. SWAPNET, Global
development Gateway but creation of networks can also enable people support
each other.
· Need to revisit the issue of repackaging information for rural communities
i.e. use simple technologies, for example, by using public address systems
and traditional media. The argument here is that people should use different
technologies to complement each other.
· How do we generate information? However, we should consider treating
generation and dissemination as separate issues.
· Identify further research issues
An Important question that was raised in the African context is “ how do we
generate information?” However there was a cautionary remark that we should
separate the issues of generation and dissemination. On the issue of
generation, we should start by asking the people their needs. Then we can
develop or repackage content from this basis.
Way Forward
Online discussion is to be set up. Set up a discussion list because we
agreed these issues are not exhaustive in the short time we had and we want
to continue talking to give implementable solutions e.g. new research ideas
on this area.
Members of the group
1. Catherine Nyaki Adeya
2. Julie Ferguson
3. Tonie Putter
4. Jacques Herger
5. Roland Cormer
6. Mkele Yvonne Maklafola
7. Sulaiman Adebowale
8. Florence Etta
9. Cissy Segujja
10. Paul Osborn
11. Jane Fances Asaba
12. Hilda Munyua
13. Ramata Thaine
14. Patricia Litho
15. Barbara Parker
16. Dennise Biggs
17. Kay Rasereka
18. Polly Gzite
19. Justin Arenstein
20. Dominique Rivard
21. Harry hare
22. Baguma Grace
23. Iasabelle Adam
24. Suzanne Drouiln
25. Meddie Mayanja
26. Malcolm Bryant
27. Gorretti Zavuga
28. Simon Burton
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