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A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in November 2008 between Australia's Monash University and the CSIR, specifically its Meraka Institute, has set the scene for exploring common ground and joint activities on the topic of community informatics (CI).
Also known as community networking, electronic community networking, community-based technologies or community technology, CI refers to an emerging set of principles and practices concerned with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for the personal, social, cultural or economic development of and within communities.
The MOU formalises the previous informal interactions between the two parties, which have focused on wireless networking and the Digital Doorway. Thuloane Ntene, stakeholder relations manager of the Meraka Institute, notes, "The overlaps in our domain expertise in many areas make it clear that we have much to share. It is hoped that our ongoing interactions will be of mutual benefit to both organisations and the people we seek to assist through our research and development."
A visit on 16 February 2009 to the Meraka Institute by both South African and Australian Monash faculty members, including Ron Weber, Dean of IT at Monash, has provided some clues on what outcomes are envisaged through this MOU. First of all, it will bolster the building of south-south relationships. Monash aims to deploy Digital Doorways in remote aboriginal communities to evaluate the performance of the system. There are also plans to bring leaders from these communities to South Africa for learning and sharing of insights and experience.
A second goal is to research jointly an instrument to measure the impact of community informatics. This is an important aspect to quantify outcomes of various interventions. Dr Larry Stillman of Monash University's Centre for Community Networking Research will revisit the Meraka Institute in April 2009 with a New Zealand academic working with Monash who specialises in information and communications technology and rural communities, as part of the ongoing work between the two organisations.
Enquiries: CSIR Communication
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