[SN-ANNOUNCE] CIDC2006 conference - Call for Papers

[The Information Society Institute]

TO ALL SANGONeT USERS

CIDC2006 - CALL FOR PAPERS

A conference on "Community Informatics for Developing Countries"
PROVISIONAL dates: 31 August - 2 September 2006
hosted by The Information Society Institute, Cape Town, South Africa

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CIDC2006 is now open to receive papers concerning research, policy and 
praxis around the conference theme of "Community Informatics for Developing 
Countries". Community Informatics concerns the social appropriation of 
information and communications technologies.

The practice of Community Informatics has been evident in one form or 
another for many years, but the delivery of real benefits to communities is 
still elusive. A number of factors mitigate against easy success, including 
the necessary involvement of many stakeholders, the problems of establishing 
a real understanding of community needs, and a tendency for interventions to 
be driven exclusively by funders.

The conference will be pleased to receive academic papers (for review), 
work-in-progress papers, panel proposals and posters (not for review), based 
on:

- theoretical issues,
- multidisciplinary methods of working,
- case studies,
- research methods that fully involve communities, and
- the negotiation of goals and objectives with communities.

Topics are open within the general area of Community Informatics for 
Developing Countries, but include

- the emergence of the Information Society and its impact on communities,
- shared Knowledge between and within communities,
- the determination of community needs,
- planning for communities by communities,
- effective community participation in community-based projects
- evaluation of community-based projects,
- community empowerment,
- the impact of ICT on community 'belonging',
- failure of traditional top-down approach to community projects,
- mother language education as a platform for community identity,
- stakeholder interaction in community interventions
- government as a network partner of communities,
- e-service delivery,

Academic papers will be double-blind refereed and published in the 
conference proceedings, to be made available at the conference. 
Work-in-progress papers and other contributions not-for-review will be 
accepted at the discretion of the programme committee and will be published 
separately.

The conference is designed for researchers, policymakers, community leaders, 
ICT project leaders, government officials and regional community development 
groups who have interests, skills and experience in Community Informatics 
for developing countries.

Critical dates for academic papers (for review):

- Initial submission of abstracts: 3 Feb 2006
- Notification of provisional acceptance: 20 Feb 2006
- Papers due for review: 31 Mar 2006
- Notification of final acceptance: 15 May 2006
- Final papers due: 30 Jun 2006

Critical dates for other contributions (not for review):

- Initial submission of abstracts: 3 Feb 2006
- Notification of acceptance: 20 Feb 2006
- Contributions due: 30 Jun 2006

Contributions MUST be submitted using the conference website which will be 
found at: http://www.tisi.za.org/cidc2006/papers
(follow the instructions from "Authors - Paper Submission")

Please note that the dates and other administrative details for this 
conference are subject to final confirmation by the organising committee, 
that can be reached at info at tisi.za.org
(please put "CIDC2006" in the subject line)

CIDC2006 is hosted by The Information Society Institute, which is an 
initiative of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

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The Programme Committee
CIDC2006
info at tisi.za.org
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