Main Page

From Open Digital Village Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Homepage | About us | ODiV Programs | Reports | Photo Gallery | Our Partners | Collaborate


Contents

Current Activities and Focus

Currently efforts are focused on the Winneba Open Digital Village (WODiV) which is located in the Central Coast Region of Ghana. WODiV is located between the capital Accra and resort town of Cape Coast. WODiV currently acts as the prototype and flagship of the still developing Open Digital Village Concept (as outlined here in this wiki). With the direction of Open Source Software, Open Hardware and appropriate ICT devices research and adoption rapidly emerging, we are positioning ourselves to integrate these ICT services to enable rapid growth in the communities that embrace this and similar approaches.

As we develop the center in Ghana we seek to incorporate the oneVillage Initiative concept for organizing sustainable community development from a grassroots and holistic perspective that aspires to empower local communities. We envision approaches such as this as leading to a rapid scaling and Leapfrogging of sustainable technologies as part of a a Concerted Global Effort to address World Urgent Issues.

Using a social enterprise bootstrapping strategy, Open Digital Villages (ODiVs) operate as hubs hosting various activities to engage the grassroots in the communities in their respective communities.

There are currently two ODiV Telecenters in varying stages of development:


What do ODiVs do?

An Open Digital Village (ODiV) is a telecenter that promotes local community oriented wireless networks, open source and open content technologies and approaches. The vision of the ODiV is to bring the key components together to rapidly bridge the digital divide in underserved communities. This Open Digital Village Knowledge Base (ODiV-KB), seeks promote a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to learning, living and constructing sustainable human habitats.

  • A Open Digital Village could be seen as a social enterprise dedicated to the furtherance of open source and open collaboration values. Similar to FLOSS ventures like OpenMoko it seeks to integrate Open Source values into a sustainable business model.
  • Duplicate that approach to communities that fit well with the ODiV model.

This is space to develop the components of ODiV in a way consistent with the Open Learning and Development practices of Wikimedia and WikiEducator (OERs). This site is the center for the development of the content, process and infrastructure for the development and replication of ODiVs.

  • Software system designed to present free and open content dedicated to promoting the holistic ICT approach as being practiced in the ODiV development;
  • Human network and field agent development guide for the ODiVs;
  • Wireless network development information used in ODiV;
  • Suitable open source solutions for the ODiV development;
  • Key problem areas that are common to the developing countries and possible solutions.

Vision

We envision the development of powerful networks empowered by ICT to develop local efforts to promote integrated and whole systems oriented approaches to sustainable development that will be prototyped through Multi-purpose Community and Unity Centers.

Building on the momentum of similar and previous efforts we believe the key to addressing the African conundrum is through community scale development strategies. Through the creation of a Open Digital Village ODiV, we want to create better ways of living and give the underprivileged the opportunity to fulfil their dreams.


Concept:

oneVillage Foundation is working Africa with the goal of creating centers to facilitate effective ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) augmented sustainable development programs. ODiVs when fully developed will refine techniques and processes for effective deployment of the technologies developed at the centers.

This includes the evaluation of the technologies themselves for their usability, applicability and performance in relation to each [region of intervention] as consistent with OVF vision and mission. Such a process will maximize the potential of technology for local use. These processes will be guided by the oneVillage Foundation Initiative (OVI).

The Open Digital Village Knowledgebase (s) (ODiV-Kb) will focus on documenting this evaluation process for enabling the effective deployment in the service of localized knowledge as well as more generalized knowledge for ODiVs deployment in regions all over the world. A complementary aspect of this will include the development of a knowledgebase for the collection of information about relevant sustainability approaches suitable to these regions. This process will include a focus on open sourcing knowledge and content relevant to the deployment of these centers around the world. On a practical level this will include the further development of this wiki as well as localized versions of this wiki that include knowledge more relevant to the specific deployment of each telecenter.

The ODiV process aims to encourage the convergence of resources relating to the practical application of sustainable technologies in emerging markets that includes the development of training and research centers dedicated to this goal. We envision these centers as Multipurpose Community and Unity Centers that are based on the methodology we term oneVillage Initiative. Through this process we will encourage the importance of setting effective IT strategies to gather, process and organize information relevant to designing sustainable human habitats as well as to properly manage ICT resources to minimize ewaste and energy consumption through the use of sustainable strategies that include energy conservation measures as well as renewable energy such as wind, biogas and solar.

ODiVs will incubate social enterprise ventures and will operate as social enterprise ventures themselves, evolving the successful practices that led to the growth in the influence of the Open Source movement in the software community.

Local Field Agents will assist in the development of an ODiV-KB that aspires to provide well researched and compelling best practices in the sustainable development field. The effectiveness of the Internet will be maximized by ensuring a clear planning and evaluation process for doing research and using resources (both human and physical resources) wisely.


ODiV Areas of Interest:

  • Radio - Often neglected as an ICT radio can provide the dissemination of knowledge at very low cost to the Last Mile. Sidarec's Ghetto Radio project in Kenya being led by George Onyango offers a model approach that can bring important services to urban slums. University of Education Winneba's Radio Windy Bay (which included helping to promote OVF's programs such as Sports People that Care http://www.onevillagefoundation.org/ovf/projects/ovf_ghana/sptc.html). Radio Windy Bay has received recognition helping to pioneer the effective use of radio as a learning tool enabling students to use radio as a way to complete some of their coursework and also raise awareness of important issues to the larger Winneba community.
  • Wireless Networks - Wireless networks as a low cost way to reach the Last Mile in emerging markets and provide them with reliable and effective digital connectivity.
  • Open Source/FLOSS - See also Field Agent Toolsets - Open source software solutions basically enable people in emerging markets to access software solutions that offer comparable solutions to proprietary solutions build around the MS Windows infrastructure and architecture.
  • Open Educational Resources (for open and distance learning) - provide open and free access to educational resources to reduce the cost of education in emerging markets
  • Affordable Computing - the idea of providing an integrated suite of computing solutions designed specifically for high demand and challenging environments in emerging markets that operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability, at low cost.
  • Local Knowledgebase/Wikis - Local knowledgebase wikis will provide an interface for the ODL materials as well as networking and knowledgebase space for local stakeholders to develop, evolve and create information content that highlights the benefits, assets and attributes as well as the challenges of the region where the ODiV is located. A long term goal of the local wikis is to build and foster synergistic relationships between target groups including tourists, international & local organizations, Diasporas, researchers and locals/indigenes in a effort to promote sustainable economic development.


Rationale

The need for comprehensive development strategies is increasingly evident in our initial region of focus, Africa, as well as worldwide. A key problem is the lack of locally appropriate and relevant knowledgebases to provide awareness of potential practical and low cost steps to solve these problems and to do so in an integrated way that brings the various development sectors together to foster cooperation, while reducing competition and the redundancy of services.

To address the lack of coordination of groups and integration of technologies, this wiki is designed to be developed as a knowledgebase and resource for both internal use and other for others. It is designed to map out solutions that address core problem areas common in developing countries, It will do this by augmenting local resources to ensure locally appropriate programs that can effectively address local needs.

The core problem areas common to all developing countries include the:

  • Lack of adequate infrastructure often affects the flow of reliable information and services that are vital to the effectiveness of development strategies;
  • Lack of a clear and comprehensive development plan which hinders the effectiveness of grants and investments as well limits their long term impact;
  • Lack of communication services to enable clear communications both to access information about best practices from the Internet as well as to coordinate strategies and share information between local and regional institutions.
  • Lack of healthy drinking water and sanitary sewers reduces GDP/productivity and life expectancy while increasing health care costs;
  • Lack of development strategies that can address urgent needs without destroying and further degrading the environment;

Within the UN MDGs program, it is noted that one of the core problems of existing development strategies relates to uncoordinated, disparate and often competing development frameworks and programs. We believe ODiV-KB is a compelling alternative approach to provide knowledge, to make informed development decisions as relevant to the ODiV areas of focus.


Methodology:

Project will operate along the lines of a Assets Based approach identifying needs and designs systems that address those needs in a highly integrated, encouraging local self-reliance and cultivating this through a process of bootstrapping and self-empowerment.

oneVillage Initiative is the Assets Based Community Development process by which we sequence development to address community needs.

Whole system thinking and engaging people with hands-on experiences in each field aids in the development of innovative and meaningful services delivered through ODiVs with a human capacity building process.

This complete ecosystem approach and feedback loop ensures accountability to stakeholders in the process, while considering local needs in the creation of any content.

Holistic ICT is the component of OVI that promotes an expanded understanding ICT4D considering the integration of ICT as an enabler of the key components of a community oriented sustainable development approach (Holistic ICT for EcoLiving). This holistic approach includes a community development analysis tool called the Integrated Knowledge Wheel or Mandala.

Open Digital Villages ODiVs are envisioned as the first stage in the Multipurpose Community & Unity Center (UC) model that would embrace this whole systems approach to development.

Once the project reaches a critical mass at the local level, it can then be scaled at a regional level. Specifically this includes use ICT to promote sustainability with this regional network (EcoLiving Zone).

Goals:

  • Disseminate compelling technologies to improve the pace and sustainability of development;
  • Inspire people to act in ways that benefit the collective interest of their communities, regions and humanity;
  • Integrate global best practices into ODiV-KB that highlights a comprehensive approach to sustainable development;
  • Develop program so local input is considered in the development of the ODiV-KB;
  • Foster online communications between communities and organizations interested in using and developing the ODiV-KB to gain knowledge, share experiences, identify common patterns and add relevant information to refine the best practices featured;
  • Educate ODiV-KB users about the need to promote sustainable development;
  • Use ODiV-KB to lay the foundation for more extensive field deployments that include the deployment of the technologies featured in the ODiV-KB.
  • Serve as a center for youth to learn basic technology skills, software applications and share best practices.
  • Demonstrate ODiVs as hubs that expedites the process of replicating sustainable human habitats and production systems to other parts of the world: Information and Communications
  • Compliment and support the national human capacity development efforts by building a platform to absorb and develop individual talents and contributions using ICT, for the realization of Ghana's vision.
  • Operate as model for rapidly replicating booming multimedia ICT training facility/social enterprises.
  • Promote access and develop confidence in Open Source Software applications.


Evaluation

The assessment and evaluation process of the ODiV will include community stakeholders who will be invited into the process through a series of meetings conducted at local community centers. The assessment will be used to help determine how the ODiV should be developed and will also evaluate the practical usefulness of the tool at the end of the implementation process. Periodic assessments of the program will be conducted through the selection of a review team composed of local community leaders and global sustainability experts to provide recommendations for the further development of this project.


Sustainability

ODIV's will move towards financial self-sustainability by building its research programs around the formation of commercially successful businesses such as for example a cybercafe/printshop. This initial core business model may be expanded into various ICT related technical service sectors.

Additional financing may be used to develop a Micro Finance Program that will not only offer loans to small businesses committed in the Winneba but also offer a incubation center that will provide services for small business incubation in the region.

Possible ventures:

  1. Cyber café
  2. Micro-business incubator
  3. Business Process Outsourcing
  4. ICT Sales & Consulting


Related Projects & Research

WE are currently being supported by the IDRC (Canadian national development agency (through a grant to promote Wireless Africa through the Meraka Institute and also through work with the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) as well as other organizations and projects:

  • Open Pattern Project - A Comprehensive Modular Routing Platform - The idea is to design open source modular platforms for various hardware configs including routers. Mailing-lists and code repository are kept open to encourage people to contribute to develop the project.
  • OpenMoko - Similar to Open Pattern Project mentioned above - develop an “open cell phone” with several radio interfaces (GSM, Wi-Fi…) allowing the end-users to develop

their own applications on top of the hardware.

  • Netequity - A social enterprise focused on bottom-up internet connectivity services. Business model still in development, pilots developed in Portland and built around the Meraki Mini Router.
  • DigitalWorld - Forum on Accessible and Inclusive ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) is a FP7 European project focuses on the use of ICT to leverage economic development in Africa and Latin America.
Retrieved from "http://opendigitalvillage.net/index.php?title=Main_Page"
Personal tools