VISION

A region whereby citizens live equitably, free from poverty and the suffocating grip of underdevelopment and the control of information. A region where adequate access to information for development is secured by ensuring appropriate access for civil society to effectively participate in the Global Information Society (GIS).

MISSION

To contribute towards an environment whereby the free and equitable flow of information and the deployment of appropriate technologies, systems and knowledge networks are applied to enhance and deepen citizen’s rights, access, usage and participation towards an open society.

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

OSISA believes that the free flow of information is essential for the development of open society. Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the flow of information in the global society. While information is more available on the Internet, it is not accessible to those without the skills and infrastructure to access it. Information technology can be harnessed to contribute to development but can also lead to digital exclusion, particularly of vulnerable groups.

OSISA’s ICT program is being implemented in the context of a growing digital divide, an outcome of the broader ‘development divide’ which has as it’s core challenge the fighting of poverty, inequality, gender discrimination and the environment crises. On the one side of the digital divide are the highly industrialised countries of the North and West, operating in highly technological environments and able to harness technology to develop their national economies, empower their populations and enhance the overall quality of life of their citizens. On the other hand is the African continent and the rest of the developing world which are being excluded from full participation in the information society through international policy and regulatory mechanisms, high costs of investing in technology, low connectivity, high level of skills development required and attention is rather given to more pressing social and economic issues faced by governments and populations.

The emergence of the Global Information Society is one of the most significant transformations in history and it will continue to impact on all aspects of society, economy, politics and culture. To harness the development potential of ICTs and to ensure inclusion of the needs of vulnerable groups, OSISA’s ICT program exists to enable empower civil society organizations, NGOs and social movements to effectively engage with ICTs for development and various ICT policy initiatives that determine the shape and direction of the growth of the information society.

The challenge for civil society organizations and civic networks is to harness the power of new technologies in meeting their development goals. Within this, civil society organizations are also challenged to place the issues and needs of developing nations on the agenda of international organizations. In particular, the vulnerable groups need to be identified so that they may be accommodated and supported in the information society.

Although the Information Society holds new and exciting possibilities for our region and continent to fully integrate into the new global internet economy, there are growing concerns that the development of an Information Society in the southern African region needs to integrate the inputs, needs, concerns and contributions of civil society. At a global, continental, and regional level many new policy and regulatory initiatives are being developed and implemented that will have a significant impact on southern Africa’s information society development.

If not developed through consultation and with the needs of developing societies in mind, they may mean new forms of social exclusion. Herein lies our key challenge: that of ensuring the civil society and social movements are heard and that vulnerable communities in our region such youth, women, rural people, refugees and communities vulnerable to disasters are included and participate in this social and technological revolution.

• To support the strengthening of ordinary citizen’s participation and social networks in, and influence of the ICT policy and regulation processes;

• To support initiatives that aim to further local development goals through effective and innovative application of ICTs;

• To ensure that the southern African region is not marginalised but fully equipped and ready to effectively participate and advocate in all aspects of the global Information Society.

OSISA’s ICT Program will support interventions based on:

1. Digital Inclusion and Opportunity

Programmes aimed at giving civil society formations an equitable opportunity to be included in the Information Society and Community.

2. Affordable Access and Equity

Ensuring the principle of affordable access to all forms of ICT’s in all projects is factored into and catered for.

One of the unique aspects of new ICT’s in the African context is that it presents interesting opportunities and options to experiment with new technologies and leapfrog many old and outdated technologies. The program seeks to support innovative and unique approaches to new technology application;

4. Application for Social Action

Ensure that all ICT applications lead to organic social action that empowers civil society formations, NGO’s and civic networks;

5. Networking and Knowledge sharing

Ensure that networking, information sharing and idea generation takes place to develop indigenous knowledge systems and avoid duplication;

6. Effective Use and Social Appropriation

Ensure that the principle of effective use of all types of ICT’s is secured in all projects and localized at organizational, civic, regional and continental levels.