Community Wireless Connectivity for Africa: Southern Africa Regional Training Workshop.

One of the projects I work with is hosting a regional community wireless training workshop. Please help spread the word to folks who might benefit (most costs, including travel, will be covered by our grant):

COMMUNITY WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY FOR AFRICA
SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP

17 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2005, SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.apc.org/wireless/

If you…...

* Are a network administrator or responsible for implementing network technologies
* Have a practical need to develop your skills and knowledge in wireless networking and want to *learn* with others
* Are based in a community organization/NGO or work closely with community-focussed projects
* Live and work in the Southern Africa region

...you are invited to apply to participate in the above workshop.

The workshop aims to:

* Develop technical skills in wireless network planning, design, and management
* Promote understanding of appropriate wireless technology choices for community networking
* Provide a platform for testing, developing and localizing wireless networking training materials and tools
* Lay the foundation for a community of like-minded practitioners to share knowledge, skills and experiences

Read More...

BACKGROUND

Wireless technologies offer developing countries an important low-cost, versatile alternative to wired infrastructure. They enable communities to extend the reach of cabled internet connectivity and to be in control of the planning, implementation and design of their own networks, making the network into a tool that really serves the needs of the community. Open wireless standards not only bring new technical opportunities at very low cost, but also bring a decentralized internet model to an area which has been restricted to traditional telecommunication operators.

The Association for Progressive Communications is coordinating an initiative, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Open Society Institute (OSI), to build capacity to implement wireless technologies for community networking in Africa. This workshop is one of a series to take place in Africa during 2005/2006.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

The final workshop agenda will be fine-tuned in line with participants' needs and experience, but is expected to cover

* Equipment preparation
* Windows/Linux client setup
* Access point setup
* Basic radio physics
* Site survey
* Basic infrastructure and network topology
* Link calculation
* Managing/monitoring the network
* Network security
* Troubleshooting
* Antennas & tower
* Network sustainability
* Equipment shopping
* Budgeting and project management
* Standards and regulations

The workshop will also provide a space for developing training project ideas - including localizing the materials used at the workshop for different physical, cultural, linguistic, and regulatory environments.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

* Workshop dates: 17 - 21 September 2005.

* Venue: the workshop will be held in a community setting in South Africa, venue to be confirmed.

* Costs: the cost of travel, shared accommodation, meals and workshop attendance will be covered for successful applicants. Participants are expected to cover their own visa, travel insurance, health-related costs and single accommodation supplements.

* Workshop language: the main language of the workshop is English.

* Pre-workshop preparation: Participants will be required to undertake a small amount of pre-workshop preparation.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Workshop space is limited and demand for places is high. Evaluation of applications will take into account technical skills, community linkages and motivation for participation. Applications from women are particularly encouraged.

Prerequisite skills:

* Good all-round technical skills
* At least basic hands-on experience in network administration
* General arithmetic skills - confidence with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares and square roots.

Organizational/community prerequisites:

* Located in a community organization/NGO or demonstrable ties with a community-focussed networking project.

Motivation:

* Strong indication of intention to apply the skills and knowledge acquired at the workshop for community development.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

* Apply by completing the online application form at
no later than 24 July 2005 (short-listed applicants may be asked to provide additional
information after this date).

* Applicants will be notified whether they have been successful by 17 August 2005.

* For further information please contact Ann Tothill: AATothill@apc.org

ABOUT APC

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communication technologies(ICTs), including the internet. http://www.apc.org/

WORKSHOP SPONSORS

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
http://www.idrc.ca/

Open Society Institute (OSI)
http://www.soros.org/