[Kictanet] KICTANet Civil Society Caucus Meeting Report

[Wainaina Mungai]

KICTANet Civil Society Caucus Meeting

Monday, October 3, 2005
Held at Jacaranda Hotel, 11.00 - 14.30hrs, Nairobi, Kenya

I) WORKING DEFINITION
KICTANet (Kenya ICT Action Network) is a network of stakeholders moving
the Kenya ICT Policy into Action. It comprises Trade Associations, Civil
Society, Private Sector, Professionals, Media, and other interested
individuals working on ICT issues in Kenya.

II) DRAFTING CONSORTIUM 
The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus that proposes the following ten
resolutions and action items is comprised of: Dorcas Muthoni (LinuxChix
Kenya) Wainaina Mungai (OneWorld International) Alex Gakuru (KICTANET)
Bill Kagai (FOSSFA) Alice Wanjira (APC/CATIA)

III) FORCING FACTORS
Acknowledging;

.       That Civil Society voices and issues have not been adequately
represented not only within the network but throughout the general ICT
policy development process at the national level as well as the global
WSIS process that is currently underway
.       That the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is an important
multi stakeholder forum, which has provided space for different
stakeholders interested in ICT issues to come together and by focussing
on the collective goal of sharing skills, resources to stimulate and
catalyse ICT related activities in Kenya.
.       That Civil Society Organisations particularly NGO's working in
communication/ICT sector have not been involved in a unified and
organised manner.
.       That Civil Society Organisations will require strengthening and
capacity building to empower them to participate actively not only
within the multi stakeholder network, but also contribute to our
government's efforts to harness ICTs for national development.

We the KICTANet Civil Society Caucus thus resolve;

.       The Kenya ICT Action Network Civil Society Caucus has been
formed.
The caucus focal point is One World. The caucus will strive to represent
Civil Society voices within the multi stakeholder network KICTANet.
.       The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus is aware that diversity is a
reality and will work with all the other stakeholders represented within
the network, including government, private sector entities, trade
associations, media and others, to strength the effectiveness of the
joint collaboration, to improve impact, while articulating civil society
perspectives on the ICT policy development and implementation process
for our beloved country Kenya.



IV) STATUS CONSTANTS
KICTANet Civil Society Caucus therefore makes the following ten
resolutions:

1.      KIP mailing list should be moved to KICTANet list.
a. The list should be localized in line with developing local content.
b. Creation of sub mailing list groups along thematic as well as sector
specific lists. These lists already exit; they were previously used to
contribute to the ICT policy development process. We should continue
using them for the various groups, which include KICTANet civil society,
KICTANet Media, KICTANet private sector, KICTANet gender, KICTANet
academia, KICTANet Youth. The KICTANet.or.ke website will be managed by
LINUX CHIX Kenya.

2.  Civil society needs to be empowered to participate effectively
within the network. Therefore, we shall create a web log for CS issues
within KICTANET website, and other Internet tools which will be used to
represent CS voices.
3.    KICTANet civil Society Caucus will develop a communication
strategy
4.    OneWorld is the focal point for KICTANet civil Society Caucus.
Their role will be inter alia to strengthen civil society participation
within the KICTA network.
5.   One World has been mandated to organise a one-day
strategising/brainstorming meeting. This meeting will focus on needs for
civil society to empower the sector to engage in network activities.
6.      Fundraising for KICTANet Civil Society Caucus activities will be
coordinated by One World
7.      The KICTANet civil Society Caucus will engage as an equal
partner with other stakeholders, including government, private sector,
media and others, in harnessing and accelerating ICT development in
Kenya.
8.      KICTANet civil Society caucus will actively promote
participation of marginalised groups within the network and nation as a
whole
9.      The Caucus will work towards harmonising its activities towards
government efforts to harness ICTs for development
10.     The Caucus will aim to ensure that it is represented not only at
the network level but also at national implementation of WSIS Action
Plans, including representation in implementation of the Digital
Solidarity Fund, and the National Universal Access Fund. The Caucus will
ensure that there is civil society issues articulated at most ICT policy
and implementation related activities in Kenya as well as at the
regional and global levels

V) ACTION FRAMEWORK
1.      OneWorld is mandated to take the lead in rejuvenating Civil
Society within the Kenya ICT Action network. Activities will include,
outreach, capacity building, understanding other sectors, etc
2.      LinuxChix Kenya will coordinate the development of a
communication strategy, which will include participation in the
development of the multi stakeholder website KICTANet.or.ke, newsletter
and as well as capacity building for civil society organisations within
the network
3.      KIP mailing list members willing to remain engaged and informed
of
ICT policy development and implementation activities/processes will be
requested to subscribe to various sector/thematic specific lists as well
as the general KICTANET list before the IDRC Kenya ICT Policy project
closes in October
4.      One world will organise a one day civil society workshop early
November 2005 before the Tunis summit
5.      Oneworld International and LinuxChix Kenya will represent civil
society voices in the planning and organisation of the national ICT
consumer awareness campaign activities
6.      CATIA should continue to serve as the host and convenor for the
KICTANet and should continue supporting and fundraising for network
activities until such a time that another organisation/firm/corporation
assumes leadership.
7.       The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus has been formed and will take
over the former Kenya WSIS Civil Society Caucus
8.      The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus focal point One World will
represent civil society organizations within national WSIS task force
and will officially communicate the same to all stakeholders, including
government ICT institutions development partners, private sector groups
and others.
9.      The KICTANet Civil Society Caucus will strive to engage NGOs and
household community based organisations (CBOs) involved in ICT for
Development to ensure their participation at the national and global
arena.
10.      FOSSFA will support the said NGOs and CBOs to have an internet
presence established within the 'Making Civil Voices Heard' initiative
supported by HIVOS.

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