Media.Knet.Ca

Heather Hudson's new book includes a case study about the work of K-Net ... 

From Rural Village to Global Village
Telecommunications for Development in the Information Age
by Heather E. Hudson
University of San Francisco
January, 2006

From the book's description on the promotional brochure ...

This book examines the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development on the macro level (societal, socio-economic, and governmental), emphasizing rural and developing regions. Communication technology’s role in influencing and aiding development is a hot topic in policy circles, yet there has been little analysis on the potential impact of ICTs and related policy issues. From Rural Village to Global Village addresses this lack by reviewing the existing research on the impact of communication technologies and adding other findings. It also provides analysis of the policy issues that must be addressed to facilitate affordable ICT access in rural and developing regions. The volume concludes with case studies demonstrating the role of ICTs in situ. The discussion relates to the bigger “digital divide” issue, the repercussions communication technology —or the lack of— it has on communities and societies.

From Rural Village to Global Village will appeal to scholars and researchers in telecommunications, especially in the law and policy areas, and in media economics, international communication, and communication and development areas. It can be used as a graduate level text or supplemental text in advanced undergraduate courses.

• 0-8058-5667-6 [Cloth] / 2006  / 176pp.  / $65.00
• 0-8058-6016-9 [Paper] / 2006 / 176pp. / $24.50

There is a 20% discount available at www.erlbaum.com by entering Coupon Code Code SPCL during on-line check-out.

This book is also available from http://amazon.ca

The Aboriginal Healing Foundation board of directors presented their final report summary, "A Healing Journey", at their Winnipeg meeting for residential school survivors (click here to see the press release about these regional gatherings). From the "Final Report - Summary Points" document that was distributed at the gathering ...

Description of the Final Report ...

The report is published in three volumes that record the formation and accomplishments of the AHF between 1998 and 2005.

Volume I: A Healing Journey: Reclaiming Wellness

• places the work of the AHF in the wider Aboriginal healing movement, summarizes what the AHF has learned from research and evaluation, and recommends upon the future healing needs of residential school Survivors and their families.

Volume II: Measuring Progress: Program Evaluation

• synthesizes the data collected through the 3 national surveys (2000, 2002, 2004), 5 focus groups, 13 case studies, 1,479 individual participant questionnaires (IPQs), and file review of 36 AHF-funded projects.

Volume III: Promising Healing Practices in Aboriginal Communities

• reports on AHF-funded healing programs with practices and interventions that are working well for Aboriginal communities or communities of interest based on questionnaires, file review, survey data and focus groups.

AHF Recommends ...

• The Government of Canada renew the mandate of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to enable it to continue its mission for a period of 30 years.
• The renewed mandate address the legacy of abuse, and social, psychological, cultural and spiritual injuries, inlcuding intergenerational impacts.
• The mandate be designed to complement and advance the interrelated goals of acknowledgement, redress, healing and reconciliation.
• The AHF be funded to support a public education role to conduct research and share knowledge related to the legacy of abuse in residential schools and promote healing and reconciliation.
• $600 million as a one-time grant be invested to generate income and be expended over 30 years to fulfill a renewed mandate of the AHF.

A New Healing Fund ...

• An endowment of $600 million will support a 30-year healing strategy
• $28.4 million per year will be available for community-based projects, based on a 2.5% inflation rate and a 5% return on investment
• By year 30, the AHF will have invested $1.2 billion in community-based healing

AHF Funding Priorities ...

• Continue outreach to underserved or special needs of Aboriginal communities to provide for an opportunity to begin healing
• Continue support in Aboriginal communities and communities of interest for AHF-funded projects for an average of 10 years
• Continue to document and evaluate effective healing practices to share with stakeholders
• Support self-determination and self-reliance in Aboriginal communities through culturally appropriate healing services, training and networks.