[Africa-ir-public] Urgent call for Civil Society Input to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Empowerment Charter

[media]

Hello,
I hope this is something you are able to both comment on and/or forward 
on to your relevant publication (s) and contacts for comment.
Many thanks
Bridges.org

Urgent call for Civil Society Input to Information and Communications 
Technology (ICT) Empowerment Charter

I September 2004, South Africa

Civil society in South Africa must urgently state its needs and concerns 
to the ICT Empowerment Working Group if they are to be reflected in the 
final draft of the ICT Charter.

The ICT Empowerment Charter is intended to address the impact of 
historical imbalances in South Africa by promoting the transformation of 
the ICT sector.  The fourth draft of the Charter, published last week, 
represents a significant step in the right direction. However, while 
industry players have actively engaged in the drafting process, the 
document has so far not benefited from the input of civil society. This 
is not because the Working Group does not desire this input, but there 
has been little opportunity for civil society organisations to 
participate, and many people are simply not aware of the process.

The importance of the Charter has been recognised by bridges.org, the 
Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), SANGONeT and many other 
civil society and non-governmental organisations in South Africa that 
use ICT as part of their efforts for socio-economic development.  ICT 
offers the potential to help people overcome obstacles, and it can be a 
key enabler for development.  It can reward those who use it well with 
increased income, better quality of life, and cultural and political 
advantages.  But those who do not use it are left behind, and ICT 
disparities exacerbate existing inequalities.  Poverty is no longer 
merely the lack of income or financial resources, but has become a 
problem of access, including access to information, services and 
infrastructure, and political processes and decision-making.

The ICT Charter should be about empowerment for all, not just within 
business.  The current draft focuses on addressing employment and 
ownership imbalances, but it is crucial that the final document sent to 
Government looks at ICT empowerment more broadly.  ICT has the potential 
to change the future in South Africa. And there is still a a chance for 
ordinary people to influence the way the Charter is written.

The Working Group has asked for comments on the current draft by 17 
September 2004, for a further revision before the final document is 
presented to Government on 30 September.  Bridges.org, IDASA, and other 
concerned groups and individuals in the Western Cape believe that 
ordinary citizens must be given the chance to put forward civil society 
views on the Charter, even at this late stage.

A public meeting will be held at IDASA’s office at 6 Spin Street in Cape 
Town on Wednesday 8 September at 9h00-13h00 to which individuals and 
organisations are invited.  If you have something to say or want to 
learn more about the Charter, please RSVP and join us!  Written comments 
will be accepted from those who cannot attend the meeting, up to 17h00 
on Friday 10 September.  Input will be summarised by bridges.org and 
IDASA, and presented to the Working Group by the deadline.

ENDS ###

For further information on the public meeting, contact:
Ntombi Masakazi
Policy Associate, bridges.org
Eml:  ICTpolicy at bridges.org
Tel: +27 21 465 9313
Fax: +27 21 465 5917

For further information on the ICT Charter, see 
http://www.bridges.org/e-policy/sa/ICT_charter_draft4.pdf.