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Roundtable on engaging grassroots voices
A programme was organised at WSIS on 15th November 2006 at Hamamet hall from 5 to 6 p.m.
Grassroots voices are the concerns of the grassroots communities, these need to be amplied at the policy level, especially at WSIS. They should be considered as equal partners and should be provided a place across the table to raise their voices; to share their concerns; to share their experiences in using the the Information Technology based on the needs of the communities to which they belong.
Ms Kasthuri Boopathy. Grassroots Knowledge Worker,at Pondicherry in South India has gain a self-esteem and self-confidence by joining the Open Knowledge Network Programme. Through this programme, she has learnt to harness the local knowledge; share the same through bringing out a local newsletter, which is not only circulated to the local communities of her village but also to other villages around. She has been participating in the radio programmes, which are aired by AIR-Pondicherry, addressing health, social and livelihood issues, relevant to the local communities. She said, if someone is not able to listen to the weekly radio progammme; she has started a phoneline which helps the communities to know about the news of the week.
She has been a pioneer in using the Information Technology in managing the Self-Help Groups and maintaining the accounts through computers.
Like Kasthuri, Mr Rajender Singh shared how he is using radio as an important tool for educating the local communities through narrowcasting. He has been doing this from the last four years.
Latha Gauri in one of the villages in Hyderabad is using video for development; highlighting various social issues and educating the community towards changing their attitudes, myths and beliefs.
Tara Karki shared about the telecenter she is running on the hills of Nepal and how she is trying to educate the community in her own way.
These are the examples which should be highlighted if we really want to take Information Technology in to rural areas. They are no doubt facing many challenges but are committed to the cause and wants to move a head.
Though they spoke the reality but were not not heard by many people present in the WSIS. That was the only thing which dissapointed them. A few who were present really appreciated their enthusiasm to come all the way to WSIS and appreciated the initiative of the organisation, OneWorld South Asia for providing them the opportunity to speak about the grassroots communities.
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WSIS and civil society: A backgrounder
We have compiled this backgrounder to give you a complete picture of the WSIS from the perspective of the civil society. Explains academic concepts and issues related to knowledge society, notes activities and concerns of the civil society, and lists actors and organisations involved in the WSIS process as well as links to related Websites.
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