Summary 

a  project  to promote of civil society participation
in global rural development, i.e

the «  ICT+ » concept
based on new (Information and) Communication Technologies

as an alternative and evolving low cost Intranet  communication network

as a catalyst for development and education

City & Shelter propose

The wireless (Wi-Fi) Intranet network « ICT+ » 
as a development tool

This tool is to be considered as the backbone of a global development project in which all the development stakeholders are invited to be involved : women’s associations, schools, healthcare centres, local authorities… 

“ICT + » is a tool supporting up education, vocational training, exchange network operations as well as the creation of micro-enterprises.

« I »      stands for Intranet network to which anybody can access, i.e. the local development backbone

« CT »   stands for Communication (and information) Technologies

« + »      means that this tool is aimed at an alternative approach to a development

In rural areas a communication network such as the Intranet is built from computers linked together by way of radio communications independent of any infrastructure. One single Intranet network node is linked to the world wide Internet network by way of a satellite connection or a local ISP[3].  From there on the Internet connection is shared by all the computers connected to the network. The “ICT+” project is adapted from similar ventures in particular in Uganda, Laos and India.

Objectives

The « ICT+ » project purpose is to make information about the following issues available to people:

• Rural and craft industry development: improved seed production, innovative farming techniques adapted to the local environment, appropriate technologies, market research for the trade of products and their marketing;

• Health: remote diagnosis, food hygiene, maternity, primary health care, AIDS;

• Education and vocational training: study centers, skill exchanges;

• Environment : living environment, joint management of natural resources;

The “ICT+” concept three steps are 

1.      Creation of the Information and Communication Training Center « www-iNet »

2.      Development of the interconnected computers  Intranet network « Wi-Fi-Net »

3.      Implementation of the Operation Park « www-Act »  

Our implementation strategy

1.       To start quickly in the field;

2.       To highlight the project visibility in the communities;

3.       To involve community stakeholders;

4.       To operate with the support of local and national Authorities;

5.       To hire a local team;

6.       To ensure continuous monitoring of the project; 

7.       To implement innovative activities with a North-South and South-South dynamics, giving the project autonomy and durability;

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City & Shelter   asbl  -  40 rue d’Espagne B -1060 Brussels  Belgium
Tel : +32 (0)2 534 77 35  e.mail < cityandshelter (AT) gmail.com >
City & Shelter: www.cityshelter.org