During final discussions between the group yesterday, it was felt that there exists some fundamental lack of mutual awareness between participants. This was reflected by differing expectations of what the final project might be. Those who vocalised their ideas from NENA (Near East North Africa) favoured a more ‘field based’ approach. Some UK based participants preferred developing an online solution.
The session opens this morning by inviting participants to voice their concerns.
Group concerns include:
Once a project has been decided, what budget is available? Timeline?
What’s the agenda / role for British Council / Participants?
We can do’ more than just a web site!
Why did we come to Tunisia? Come up with a project to benefit our countries? Or simply ideas?
What about the practical steps? Roles and Responsibilities? What’s next?
‘We need more skills and knowhow to implement projects in our own countries’
Are the objectives to a) Learn about each other b) Engender greater social cohesion?
Number of projects in discussion? Is there a timeline for implementation?
Broad answers:
Once a project has been defined, the BC board will be approached for appropriate funding. Approximately 12 months for project development. The role of the British Council currently is to support a network focused around inter-cultural dialogue. Project ideas should come from participants. BC feels that there must be agreement between the group on ideas before any project is actually implemented. Think ‘Goals’ rather than ‘projects’ to come out of this event.
Tunisia country director,Peter Skelton added to the debate by emphasising the need for dialogue. an understanding of each other is instrumental in fostering cooperation as opposed to conflict based on misunderstanding. Projects that provide ‘bricks and mortar’ results are important, yet even these are built on firm foundations of dialogue.
Brieg Powell facilitated a summary of todays activities by posing questions to the entire group:
How realistic is it that everybody will have access to the web? And those that do have this access or availability, are they really using it to engage in projects; constructive development; or even making a change outside their environment?
What about the digital divide? Over the years the availability of computers at affordable prices have increased in the North Afirca and Middle East, however there still remains a digital divide within these areas as costs are increasing, however the knowledge is not.
What about working with our existing NGO’s? They may be a potential partners however there remains an issue arond the funding; who’s going to finance development?
Participants - Isn’t the purpose of this workshop to look at the pratical use of technology? Yeah, sure but who will benefit from this, as ICT’s are elitest by their very nature.
Who are we engaging with? What do we want to say? What kind of dialogue will take place?
One practical example:Nabyl (featured earlier) from Morocco told the group about building a school. It is staffed by volunteers and was funded through music gigs and festivals.
Whatever happens, any final project established at the end of this event will certainly ICT’s with face to face interaction.
It seems likely that the group will look at some form of web based system to facilitate true interaction between one another. The ‘target audience’ will likely be our peers!
It’s all very well talking around the issues, but what does this translate to in practical terms. Here, Ben Ryder, student, Oxford University outlines a few thoughts from his group.
He makes a clear point about the power of ICT’s in awareness raising / promotion when trying to attract publicity / funding for real life projects!
Individuals have started to really explore ideas of where they feel there are gaps with existing structures. For example, sharing cultural experiences through an ‘e-zine’; training other young people in practical IT skills.
There still remains a need for the groups to think more practically - we all want to make the world a better place, but the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
Are we exploring things that other organisations are dealing with? Can we actually do things better than them, even though we’re such a small group?
Following a presentation from each group on the role of international and local organisations, discussion proceeded to address individual experiences, as Nader’scontribution illustrates.
The other interesting factors that have been highlighted were the ‘real’ obstacles individuals face when trying to implement change, for example teaching computer literacy when you have no computers for individuals to learn on; the solution is ‘draw it on the black board’.
The worry is that even though governments are implementing change programmes, they have not really thought it through. With providing the financial support and official leverage, governments also are responsible for the implementation and that it’s done in a positive way.
Not all government initiatives are reaching the people most in need, there are a number of projects in Africa which have been run to help develop a country’s infrastructure however this does not neccesarily answer the local issues. For example government decisions take place in the corridors of power, yet it takes upto five years before some people in rural areas have electricity - why?
Other individual experiences of dealing with international organisations were menitoned, including intercultural networking in deprived areas in the UK.
Participants illustrated links with religious organisations active in society, with the possible benefits, limitations and problems of such interaction addressed.
To the right is an example of challenges to development which was created by one of the groups. Click here for larger version.
Ghassan Essalehi, student, Morocco outlined personal goals from his own perspective. Click to play or Download ghassan_essalehi_edit_mp3.mp3
and problems of such interaction addressed.
