Media.Knet.Ca

UNESCO press release ....

Breaking Barriers. Using free and open source software for development - http://www.apdip.net/publications/ict4d/BreakingBarriers.pdf 
 
The successful deployment of free and open source software (FOSS) in projects in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America are described on a publication entitled "Breaking Barriers" by UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme.

UNESCO, the International Open Source Network (IOSN) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada participated in the publication.

Each case study describes the reason for choosing to use FOSS and discusses the development, implementation and impact of the FOSS applications. The benefits obtained and challenges encountered, as well as any valuable lessons learned are also highlighted.

The benefits offered by FOSS have been extremely useful for developing countries around the world. In particular, the ability to obtain FOSS without licensing fees has proven to be beneficial to users in these regions as this makes the use of ICT more affordable to them.

Over the last few years, as FOSS has matured and become more widely accepted, many projects have been carried out that attempt to make use of FOSS to help bring about socio-economic development and empower people in developing countries or regions. Some of these projects are highlighted in the new publication that highlights the benefits obtained and challenges encountered, as well as any valuable lessons learned.

It is hoped that the publication will create greater awareness of the ability of FOSS to empower and help poorer and less developed communities.

The publication includes a DVD containing a 40-minutes version of a documentary on FOSS, entitled "The Codebreakers". This was aired as a BBC World TV documentary in May 2006 featuring a number of projects described in this publication.

This publication is the first in the trilogy of ICT4D Case Studies. Upcoming titles include: "Empowering the Poor: Information and Communications Technology for Governance and Poverty Reduction - A Study of Rural Development Projects in India" and " Exploring New Modalities: Experiences with Information and Communications Technology Interventions in the Asia-Pacific Region - A Review and Analysis of the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme".

Bibliographic reference:
Breaking Barriers: The Potential of Free and Open Source Software for Sustainable Human Development - A Compilation of Case Studies from Across the World . - [By] Nah Soo Hoe . -
Bangkok: NUDP-APDIP, Elsevier, 2006 . - 103 pages
ISBN: 81-312-0631-9

Related Links:

• Full text of the publication
• Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP)
• International Open Source Network (IOSN)
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

The chiefs from the six Keewaytinook Okimakanak member First Nations are meeting for the next two days (January 23, 24) in Balmertown.

Topics of discussion include:

• Finance planning and reporting
• Advisory services development and implementation
• Partnership discussions (Thunder Bay Telephone)

Pikangikum Men's Invitational Hockey Tournament

February 2, 3, 4 2007

10- 12 teams needed

entry fee

• outside teams $800
• local teams $900

Accommodations will be provided

Contact Van Keeper (H) 807 773 5129 (W) 773 5933

Rules will be faxed out to confirmed teams

A new report making the development of the mining sector a priority for the federal government is available online from the Conference Board of Canada. In the following press release, the strong recommendation concerning First Nations states: "As many new mines will be close to Aboriginal communities, engaging Aboriginal people in the mining sector must be a priority."

Conference Board of Canada press release ...

New Mines Needed for Canada to Shine in Metals Boom

    OTTAWA, Jan. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada needs to develop more new mines to fully capitalize on the global demand for minerals, according to Mission Possible: A Canadian Resources Strategy for the Boom and Beyond.

    Released today by The Conference Board of Canada, this final report of a three-year research program-The Canada Project-is perhaps the most comprehensive attempt in the past two decades to reimagine the Canadian economy.

    "This sector is enjoying prosperity due to high commodity prices, but Canada's reserves of major metals are declining because of inadequate exploration activity in the last decade," said Gilles Rhéaume, Vice-President, Public Policy. "Greater exploration efforts than ever before will be required to boost our reserves and open new mines."

    Governments should support exploration activity through tax credits and by developing a permitting process and set of rules that are consistent across provinces and territories. Governments must also provide adequate funding to develop the geological data that are critical to mineral discoveries.

    Most exploration activity will take place in remote, environmentally-sensitive regions. The Canadian industry and governments will need to ensure that all mining companies, regardless of size, are motivatedand equipped to provide excellent environmental stewardship. As many new mines will be close to Aboriginal communities, engaging Aboriginal people in the mining sector must be a priority.

    Mission Possible: A Canadian Resources Strategy for the Boom and Beyond discusses the futures of four key Canadian resource sectors-forest products, agri-food, mining and energy. This report is Volume II of a four-volume set entitled Mission Possible: Sustainable Prosperity for Canada. It is the final report of The Canada Project, a three-year program of research and facilitated dialogue that seeks to help improve our standard of living and position in North America and the world. This research was funded in part from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life.

    The report is publicly available at www.e-library.ca .

For further information: Brent Dowdall, Media Relations, (613) 526-3090, ext. 448, corpcomm@conferenceboard.ca