[chapter-delegates] ISOC Response to Tsunami Crisis in Asia PROPOSAL

[Timo Kiravuo]

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> From: Gene Gaines <gene.gaines at gainesgroup.com>
> I understand you to say:
>   - Putting things in perspective, the tsunami disaster is not
>     that big a deal.
>   - If one wants to help, do it as an individual by taking a
>     vacation there.
>   - There are big, long-term technical problems concerned with
>     disaster relief, but let's not think about solving them on
>     our own.
>   - Let's just keep on doing what we already are doing.

Sorry that I did not express my self clearly. I am not belittling the
recent catastrophe. I am trying to think what ISOC could, within its
capabilities and objectives, do. 

To clarify my comments, when I encourage people to vacation in the
disaster area, I am forwarding the wishes of a friend in Thailand.
Tourism is a major industry for much of the affected area and the
locals are vorried about their future. Business is a better long term
solution than aid. The local infrastructure will be rebuilt soon and
to avoid that area would really hurt the locals, who suffered the
most.

In terms of human suffering there are several ongoing catastrophes in
this world of similar magnitude. We might want to assess the overall
situation and think before we act. 

ISOC is not a wealthy organization and while supporting a single
traditional school might make people feel better, I would consider it
misuse of resources. I am thinking about helping millions, not
hundreds.

For example a project connecting rural villages in India to the
Internet, providing locals with access to medical services,
agriculture specialists and market information, presented in Inet04,
shows that high benefits can be gained from small investments. This
project also showed that the services provided must be adjusted to
local culture. Thus I say that we should keep on doing what we are
already doing and more of it. Small scale projects in developing
countries, designed by the local people to meet the local needs.

ISOC is a poor international organization, whose only real asset is
its members' knowledge of information and communications technology.
Thus what I propose for ISOC to continue doing is to:
 - support the developers in the developing world in their projects
   and provide technical assistance
 - provide training and access to experts
 - enable the people share their experiences and ideas

Also I think we could provide assistance to the organizations doing
disaster relief, but we should not try to solve somebody else's
problems on our own, the history of software projects is full of
misguided attempts of this kind. Instead we should work together with
IRC and other experts and ask what they need and tell them what
possibilities technology offers.

I think I am actually sharing much of mr. Gaines' thoughts, especially
listening to the local people, our disagreement seems to be in the use
of ISOC's resources.

kiravuo
form ISOC Finland, not representing it in this message

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