The Open Knowledge Network, an initiative supported by organisations like MS SWaminathan Research Centre and One World International, promotes the creation and exchange of local content in local languages across the South, supported by a range of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Using the OKN system, people in Africa, Asia and Latin America can create digital content in their own language, which is then exchanged with others through networks of existing community Access Points staffed by what OKN calls ‘Community Reporters’.
The Nepalese chapter of the Open Knowledge Network was inaugurated recently in a bid to provide electronic resources to rural telecenters throughout the Himalayan Kingdom. In Nepal, this initiative is supported by a number of national and international development agencies including OneWorld South Asia and South Asia Partnership International (SAP-I), South Asia Partnership Nepal (SAP-Nepal). The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Dr. Swayambhu Man Amatya, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
Mahili Kakilai Chitthi, a book published by SAP-Nepal and SAP-International that addresses local information technology needs was also launched during the ceremony.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Tirth Prasad Gyawali, Executive Director of SAP-Nepal, said that ICT development should be done in accordance with the local needs. He said that ICTs could play a major role in modernizing agriculture and related sectors by providing knowledge access to the rural community.
Dr. Basheerhamad Shadrach, Executive Director of One World South Asia, briefed the participants about the OKN and One World South Asia. He expressed his pleasure in supporting DigiDAG, a network of 11 organisations, which was instrumental in setting up the OKN project in Nepal.
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