We are pleased to announce a five-day meeting for experienced Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) developers from across Africa, to be held March 15th - 19th in Namibia.
During the five day event, participants and facilitators will share technical skills and experiences, discuss key challenges in realising F/OSS projects, and develop concrete strategies for strengthening the nascent community of F/OSS technologists working in African contexts.
This event is organized by the Tactical Technology Collective, the AllAfrica Foundation, and SchoolNet Namibia, in cooperation with the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa.
Context
Internet and digital communications technologies offer new means of addressing critical issues facing developing countries. For example, non-governmental organizations in Africa are using the internet in the fight against AIDS, to improve government transparency, and as a means of leveling the economic playing field for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The global internet is built on Open Source technology: software and protocols that are available under licensing terms that allow modification, reuse and redistribution. Open Source technology is the global digital infrastructure, the pavement of the information superhighway. But Africa faces a lack of technology expertise, particularly in the Open Source sector. Without strong regional and pan-African Open Source development communities, it is impossible for the continent to realize the potential of the new internet and communications technologies.
In particular, F/OSS offers the potential to adapt cutting-edge technologies to serve specific, local needs. From providing users with software in their own languages, to integrating new internet-based systems with legacy and refurbished equipment, the F/OSS approach presents civil society groups, schools and governments in developing country contexts with effective, flexible, secure, and legal software solutions.
Limited local capacity, expertise and infrastructure have slowed the adoption (and adaptation) of ICTs in general, and of F/OSS in particular. But a number of key organizations and technologists have been working for several years on leveraging the strengths of the F/OSS model in the developing world. Notably, some of this work has taken place in Africa; yet initiatives and individuals often operate in isolation, unable to share experiences, skills and ideas. This lack of connection impedes progress, and is only just beginning to change.
Africa Source seeks to facilitate and speed the process of F/OSS development and use by creating a networking environment for key actors working in this area.
Aims
The Africa Source workshop will connect African software developers with the goal of building the F/OSS developer community in Africa. Important components of this include:
* Facilitating technology skill-sharing regarding F/OSS project realisation and sustainability
* Facilitating cooperation between Africa's most active F/OSS-focused groups and projects
* Enabling exchange with F/OSS developers from outside Africa
* Promoting cooperation on and awareness of technology projects in Africa
* Strengthening existing efforts to create permanent, on-line spaces for collaborating on F/OSS and African technology development issues
The meeting plans on building a community of people who approach planning and strategy from the perspective of their technical proficiency. Our discussions emerge out of a strong technical agenda and sense of shared expertise.
For more information please write to us at: africasource@tacticaltech.org. Web site: www.tacticaltech.org
Financial support for the event is provided by the Open Society Institute and the Open Society Institute for Southern Africa.
