civil society & ICT

29.06.2007 Computer giant IBM has launched the world's fastest commercial supercomputer named Blue Gene/P which is considered to be three times more potent than the current fastest machine BlueGene/L, also of IBM.

29.06.2007 A recent study by a consultancy firm in India notes a drop in English language online browsing to 41% among its 30 million net users. More than half the Indians who use the net live outside its metropolitan cities, in Tier II and Tier III cities. The use of Open Source Software has helped internet and telecom penetration into smaller towns.

29.06.2007 It has been seen that women can add value to local communities by the use of ICTs which also provide them an opportunity for empowerment and economic independence.

28.06.2007 The International Telecommunication Union ( ITU) has reached an agreement with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council to utilize satellite communications for improved global response in the face of natural disasters.

28.06.2007 The Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has provided recommendations to the Bangladesh government to make the budget of the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) more pro-poor.

28.06.2007 The Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has provided recommendations to the Bangladesh government to make the budget of the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) more pro-poor.

27.06.2007 An ambitious and innovative reality TV show - Haath se Haath Milaa (Let’s Join Hands) – by BBC World Service Trust, that played a vital role in India’s largest mass media campaign on HIV and AIDS, has won a World Award at the Asia Media Summit 2007.

26.06.2007 On the basis of feedback from users and partners, UNIFEM has upgraded the website of Gender-Responsive Budgeting http://www.gender-budgets.org/ and made it more resourceful for the users.

26.06.2007 UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon has said that a lot of the problems that Darfur faces can be solved by supporting new technologies that will drive economic development. He admitted that socio-political situations are the root cause of the crisis in Darfur.

26.06.2007 Kenya has committed US$2.9 million to start a new national public-private fund with further contributions expected from the country's private manufacturing and research institutions to facilitate research in science, technology and innovation.

26.06.2007 The United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Development has launched the website for the Forum on Youth and ICT for Development, to be held on 24-26 September in Geneva, Switzerland. It aims to involve youth in discussions with policymakers and concerned citizens and to encourage their full participation in society through the use of ICT.

15.06.2007 Panos South Asia (PSA) is hosting a regional workshop on networking, knowledge sharing and learning on ICT4D in South Asia on 29-31 July, 2007 at Kathmandu, Nepal.

15.06.2007 A Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development will be held on 24-26 September at the Geneva International Conference Centre, Geneva. Young people, youth organizations and development practitioners can showcase, share and seek new partnerships at a ‘marketplace’. The call for applications ends on 30 June 2007.

14.06.2007 Villagers in the north Indian state of Bihar are now members of the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (NREGA) thanks to a Korean biometric device. These smart cards will also double as ATM/debit cards and help track the NREG programme.

12.06.2007 A web blog on the home page of Central Board of Direct Taxes is the latest online venture of the tax department of India. Users can open accounts and use it as a platform to discuss tax-related issues and give feedback on policies undertaken.

08.06.2007 Red Hat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government of Kerala, India, under which it will support Kerala's deployment of open source software that will hasten the efforts of e-governance and e-literacy in the state.

06.06.2007 On 6 June Amnesty International UK and UK newspaper The Observer host a unique global event, featuring films, podcasts as well as virtual and live links to activists around the world. The debate — which you are free to join at
www.amnesty.org.uk/webcast — will focus on the global struggle against internet repression.

01.06.2007 The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, Karnataka, has launched the first community radio for Indian farmers with the financial assistance of the Union Government. The catchline of the channel, which deals with agricultural issues is ' by the farmers, for the farmers'.