[Chapter-delegates] Fwd: W3C Workshop on the Mobile Web, 1-2 April, Maputo, Mozambique

[WWWhatsup]

[Speaking of George Sadowsky - he forwards news of a w3c workshop that will no doubt
be of interest to African Chapters]

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THE WORLD WIDE WEB CONSORTIUM

Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development

1-2 April 2009,  Maputo, Mozambique

Hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Mozambique

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: <http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/>http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/

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W3C WORKSHOP CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

The W3C Workshop on the «Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social and Economic Development» aims to understand specific challenges of using mobile phones and Web technologies to deliver services to underprivileged populations of developing countries, and to capture the specificities of the African context.

More specifically, workshop participants will discuss the barriers for potential content providers (NGO/ grassroots, government, entrepreneur, etc.) to develop and deploy services, and the barriers for the targeted population to access these services (issues around illiteracy, internationalization, accessibility, usability, etc.).

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

The Web, and ICT in general, has been recognized as a great tool to potentially resolve the historical divides between developed and developing economies by providing an infrastructure to deploy minimal services (health, education, business, government, etc.) to rural communities and under-privileged populations. A new hope is coming with the very high penetration rate of mobile telephony in emerging economies. The challenges that the workshop will explore involve a coordinated approach from different fields, and different actors.

Topics that might serve as appropriate discussion points for position papers include, but are not limited to:

*  Analysis of use-cases / real-world projects.
*  Challenges of integrating ICTs in rural communities.
*  Usability and Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI) challenges of mobile browser and mobile content.
*  Challenges and potential solutions against illiteracy.
*  Analysis on the way the mobile phones and/or the Web could improve people's lives in developing countries.
*  Comparison between different potential platforms to support ICT's deployment (mobile phones, low-cost laptop, telecenters, etc.).
*  Challenges of sustainability, scalability and replicability.
*  Challenges and opportunity of integrating mobile phones in specific domains: eGovernment projects (mGovernment), e-health projects, disaster management, etc.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Representatives from the following communities are encouraged to attend:

*  ICT for Development experts
*  Academics from developed and developing nations
*  Field practitioners and NGO/grassroots organizations
*  Local entrepreneurs with experience in ICT services
*  Usability, accessibility and Web experts
*  Mobile industry and digital divide experts

REQIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

There is no participation fee and W3C membership is not required in order to participate in the workshop.  Because of the space limitation and to ensure relevance of interests, each participant must submit a statement of interest before February 12, 2009. In addition, each participant wishing to have a paper published on the workshop Web site and/or wishing to make a presentation during the event must submit a position paper abstract no later than January 12, 2009. More details are available on the workshop page at: <http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/#Participation>http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/#Participation

Authors will be notified of the decision of the Program Committee by January 25, 2009. All statement of interests, as well as selected papers will be made public before the workshop.

IMPORTANT DATES

*  January 12, 2009 -  Deadline for abstract submission
*  January 25, 2009 -  Committee decisions and abstract selection
*  February 20, 2009 - Program released
*  March 10, 2009 -    Deadline for full paper submissions
*  March 15, 2009 -    End of sponsorship opportunity
*  March 20, 2009 -    Deadline for registration
*  April 1-2, 2009 -   Workshop

WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION

The workshop will be chaired by Stéphane Boyera (W3C,Chair of the Mobile Web for Social Development group)and George Sadowsky.

The Program Committee currently hosts:

*  Ken Banks, Kiwanja.net
*  Anthony Bloome, Peace Corps
*  Philip Hoschka, W3C
*  Michael Maltese, Legatum Center
*  Gary Marsden, University of Cape Town
*  Americo Muchanga, University Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique
*  David Sawe, Government of Tanzania
*  Alice Wanjira Munya, Kenya ICT Action Network
*  Raul Zambrano, UNDP


SPONSOR THIS WORKSHOP!

This workshop offers a sponsorship program, as a marketing opportunity that enables sponsors to showcase their organization and to communicate to the community of participants, and to the industry at large, that their organization is a driving force within the mobile Web for social development community.  There are three levels of sponsorship (Platinum/Gold/Silver) offering a wide range of benefits. For further information, please contact Stéphane Boyera (<mailto:boyera at w3.org>boyera at w3.org) and Marie-Claire Forgue (<mailto:mcf at w3.org>mcf at w3.org) before 15 March 2009. Note: this sponsorship program is designed to enable participation by individuals and organizations with particular expertise, but who might not otherwise be able to attend due to travel or other costs.




Joly MacFie 
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