GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TONGA ONLINE PHASE 2
The official opening of Binga Information Technology Centre on 15th February 2002 marked the successful completion of phase 1 and start into phase 2 of Tonga.Online project. The achievement was highlighted by all stakeholders and authorities present and by World Links for Development Programme who recognised Binga I.T.C. as 43rd WorLD Centre in Zimbabwe.
-> See the pictures and read the speeches and consequent communication: see project
At the 2nd stakeholder seminar held at Binga High school on 18th February the challenges and prospects for the project were discussed. A strategy for promoting the centre and its services in Binga and within the wider community on both sides of the Zambezi River was designed.
-> Read the full report on the stakeholder seminar, compiled by Sengamo Ndlovu: see project
The seminar acclaimed the ongoing co-operation between Binga Craft Centre and Auhof Basket Company, a training firm of Auhof Business School in Linz. It shows an example how to promote the indigenous craft of basket weaving and income generation by Tonga women via the internet. Since begin of this year some 300 Tonga baskets have been sold in Austria already.
-> Have a look at the new websites of Binga Craft Centre and Auhof Basket Company
A debate has started how to adjust the design of the website www.mulonga.net in order to cater for the needs and aspirations of the stakeholders involved and to focus attention and discussion.
-> join in by contributing under Mulonga Website Design
The key task of phase 2 is to assist the Siachilaba community to establish access to information technology at Siachilaba Primary School in close affiliation with Binga I.T.C.
The Tonga.Online project intends to embark on extensive fieldwork and outreach programme to assess the needs and implications thoroughly. Capacity building will focus not only on basic computer and management skills, but also promote creative representation. A follow up to the photography workshops in Binga and Siachilaba is planned.
In this context the partner organisation VUM will address the Open Source issue and provide for relevant technical advice and training.
The Austrian NGO Horizon 3000 has offered Binga Highschool to deploy an Austrian ITC expert, Mr. Stefan Hecke at the Binga Information Technology Centre to assist the project stakeholders in webdesign and to support the community outreach programme from July onwards.
Special attention should be given to the promotion of women and to gender issues. Furthermore the project intends to encourage inter-cultural communication and collaboration between schools in Austria and Zimbabwe, but also local cultural exchange between village and town. The network should support closer collaboration between the Tonga museums in Binga and Choma / Zambia.
Another focus of ongoing debate is how to organise community access and management of the Information Technology Centres in Binga and Siachilaba. Such constitutional or governance issues of access, representation and participation are related to the wider development context of human rights, governance and democracy - in Zimbabwe and around the globe.
-> Join the discussion forum: Access 4 all
The Tonga.Online project is prepared to participate at the forthcoming international "ars electronica festival" under the theme "UN/PLUGGED - Art as the Scene of Global Conflict", scheduled for 7th - 12th September in Linz / Austria. The participation should reflect the project in the art context and raise further attention and support for the Tonga community.
-> see and read more: www.aec.at/festival2002
Peter Kuthan
Austria Zimbabwe Friendship Association
Linz / Austria
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