Some Comments by Joy Tang in preparation for the workshop

Q: Are there existing networks or customs in Africa which could be tapped and enhanced? 

YES. The example (Kafui) Joy gave in the last Giving Space workshop is an existing network, rooted in culture and custom, which can be ‘tapped and enhanced’ in the way that she described.  The group was inspired by it.

Q: What are the patterns of uplift which are working today?

Catch IT Young – CatchITYoung is the first pilot project of Information Technology Clubs in Pre-tertiary African Institutions.  This is working even though the ICT Club has no computers. The students, motivated by their commitment to work for the good of Mother Africa and each other, do everything possible to contribute with the resources they have. The other patterns are variations of this one.

          Characteristics of Catch IT Young

·         Their purpose of being is the celebration of life

·         Willingness to learn the tool without the tools.

·         Using existing tools to remodel the world

Q: Can we mine these patterns so that they can be replicated? 

NO. We cannot really use a metaphor of mining the values expressed above. We can, however, support people in replicating the patterns themselves, and sharing them in exponentially growing waves. The people already know the pattern, and need access to the Internet and ICT tools, and transfer of technology so they can make their own computers, switches and routers, and software.

And, YES, we can study the patterns that Kafui and other leaders use, in order to learn from them, and then participate in duplicating them.

And YES, we can find a way to extract and post the knowledge that has already been captured by the Peace Corps, USAID, the World Bank, the UN, the CDC, WHO, the ITU, the EU, and all those with mandates of ending poverty or providing adequate health care, and stored away out of reach of the people who gave it and need it.

Instead of tracing how to mine the mind, pack your suitcase lightly, and let’s go to the field, and apply your heart connection and do the right thing!  I feel that is the true answer.

Q: Can we supplement the electronic networks with social networks, to extend our reach beyond the edge of the electronic network?

YES. As stated above, the Student ICT Club has no computers. It is a social network by definition and by action. Furthermore, we have identified models for extending the digital network beyond the phone lines.

Q: Can we create an open system which allows highly scalable interaction on a global basis?

YES. We have defined an open system encompassing social organization, human capacity building, and sustainable economic development including initiatives in agriculture, transportation, energy and telecommunications, among others. We also have provided an extensive specification for the computer systems that support it – both hardware and software – and for the recycling system that will seed the villages of Africa and the other least and less developed countries with surplus computers from North America and Europe.

By being part of this and other networks, we theoretically have access to the tools of the members of these networks – so when will that ‘access’ turn into defining, designing and creating the initial tools that can be applied to the situations where we can apply them, and have already identified how they can help solve world urgent problems – save lives?

Q: In addition,* should we document and share the patterns of uplift that helped us become a team, and that we now use together?

YES. We have a responsibility to document and share these patterns with the people we work with, in the same way we are responsible for transfering the information technology resources that are needed to empower Africa and other regions to cope with the HIV / AIDS crisis.

* Added by oneVillage Foundation