The Communication Initiative

[Nazrul]

This is a contribution to the Drum Beat Chat discussion forum. We are currently discussing UNICEF's pilot solar-enabled communication hub, The BEE. For the opening note of this discussion, please see: http://forums.comminit.com/viewtopic.php?t=107035&style=2 For information on how to participate in or unsubscribe from this forum, and to view the archives of the forum online, please visit the following link: http://forums.comminit.com/viewforum.php?f=49&style=2

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Hello All,

I support the idea of putting the BEE at places such as, schools, libraries, community e centers etc . I have been reading the article on the BEE with lots of interest and it seems this can really be useful for the countries and regions such as, Bangladesh struggling with lack of electricity.

My organization runs a project ( www.connect-bangladesh.org ) that connects rural schools to the internet and allows teachers and students to take benefits of education resources available online, collaboration and information sharing. However, the schools ( currently 50 schools but we plan to reach 200 schools by 2009 ) we work with often struggle with low bandwith and power outrage. BEE may be a potential answer to this challenge in connecting rural areas so crucial for digital divide.

The Connect Bangladesh project also plans to enhance 21 st century skills among rural students and teachers to make them equally skilled and confident compared to their urban counterparts. I thought a communication device like BEE can significantly contribute to this initiative.

I am looking forward to this discussion and hear perspective from other countries as well.

Best,

[jlevy]

This is a contribution to the Drum Beat Chat discussion forum. We are currently discussing UNICEF's pilot solar-enabled communication hub, The BEE. For the opening note of this discussion, please see: http://forums.comminit.com/viewtopic.php?t=107035&style=2 For information on how to participate in or unsubscribe from this forum, and to view the archives of the forum online, please visit the following link: http://forums.comminit.com/viewforum.php?f=49&style=2
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On placement and use of the Bee:

Wouldn't it be best to demonstrate this to organisations involved with
children and with emergencies (CBOs, NGOs, ect.) at the local level
and see who will adopt its use and take on raising interest in
community care of the BEE? Schools, libraries, tele/business/mobile
phone centres, clinics, and existing communications centres seem to
suggest themselves as possibilities, but, ultimately, telecentre
research and evaluation seems to recommend care in establishing an
"ownership" structure (attending to power and gender dynamics) and
attention to incorporation of linguistic, literacy/educational, and
economic situations on the local level.

The matter of the use by children needs particular attention. Perhaps
beginning where there are forums of child participation, as in
Karnataka, India (http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267522) and
elsewhere, children could be given the opportunity to participate in
the questions of placement and use.

There is also much to be learned from the spread and successful
scaling of private computer centres that teach computer skills. Though
they are unavailable where economic marginalisation prohibits market
success, the skills appear to be in demand and might be a start for
looking at the use of the BEE as a technology education resource at a
basic level in locations where these skills are unavailable and might
serve to help develop capacity to maintain the hub and its links to
other villages.

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Julie Levy
Editor
The Communication Initiative