BUILDING A PEACEFUL, SECURE AND STABLE SOCIETY: THE ROLE OF ICTS

The role information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play in building a peaceful, secure and stable society will be the subject of a major discussion session, organised by the New Security Foundation, at this year’s eLearning Africa conference in Lusaka, Zambia on 27 May 2010.

The session, which will feature keynote presentations and case studies from both Europe Africa, will examine the role of ICTs in developing initiatives designed to bolster peace and stability.

New Security Foundation Chairman, Dr Harold Elletson, said: “ICTs can play, and are increasingly playing, an important role in innovative projects designed to contribute to peace, security and stability. This session will highlight several recent initiatives, involving the imaginative use of technology in a variety of challenging situations. It will also consider the conditions and key factors determining the successful implementation of ICT-based solutions.”

Confirmed speakers at the session include Eduard Vinyamata of the Open University of Catalonia, Spain; Joseph Kipkoech Langat of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Kenya; Philip Kiptanui Mwei, Arnesesn’s High School, Kenya; Babatunde Ipaye of the National Open University of Nigeria; and Bakary Diallo of the African Virtual University.

ELearning Africa is the largest conference and exhibition in Africa on technology-assisted learning and training. At last year’s conference in Dakar, Senegal, the New Security Foundation hosted a workshop on ‘post-conflict distance learning,’ which brought representatives from all over Africa together to discuss the role of ICT’s in rebuilding education systems in post-conflict zones.

“This year’s session will have a wider focus,” says Harold Elletson. “We’ll be looking at ways in which ICT’s are helping to build a more stable and secure society. We’ll see, for example, how elearning is transforming the lives of street children in Kenya and how a combination of elearning and distance education is helping to improve food security in Africa.”

For more information about eLearning Africa 2010 or to register, please click here.

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