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

[Gene Gaines]

Timo,

Thank you for your comments (below).

You have started a good discussion.

You make very good sense.  In my view, good thoughts.

I apologize for misunderstanding your points.

My suggestion for supporting a school is as a project
for ISOC chapters located in North and Central America.
There is good expertise for such a project in some of
these chapters.

As to vacation in one of the tsunami-affected areas.
I agree that this is a constructive, important step.
Personally, I love Malaysia, Phuket Island, Thailand,
Indonesia, and enjoy spending time there.

Gene Gaines
Sterling, Virginia USA


On Wednesday, January 12, 2005, 5:22:20 AM, Timo wrote:


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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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