The latest collection of snippets from the world of Telematics and Development.

A new site devoted to educational technology has made its debut on the web. EdtechNOT.com was launched earlier this year "to encourage debate on the merits and pit falls of using educational technology in real schools." The site features a small link library, guest articles, a discussion forum, a "site of the month," and a collection of relevant writings.

Naspers has announced that it is considering de-listing M-Web, citing negative market conditions. It is expected that M-Web investors will be offered Naspers shares in a share swap deal.

COSATU has submitted its views on the E-Commerce Green Paper, which examines issues around the growth of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the economy. The federation is concerned at the failure of what was purported to be a participatory process that was supposed to be “consultative, transparent and [balancing] the interests of the broader spectrum of stakeholders (sic)”. From the outset there was an overwhelming bias in favour of legal, contractual and business issues, rather than issues of concern to organised labour, reflected even in the sub-title, "Making it your Business”.

The Digital Governance website was launched a month back to explore
INNOVATIVE e-Governance Models in South based on the application of Knowledge Management principles and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The website is a part of the KnowNet Initiative which harnesses the potential of ICT and Remote Volunteering to catalyse Human Development.

News Update asked 25 individuals and organisations drawn from development agencies, the private sector, NGOs and trusts involved in digital development in Africa to make suggestions about things that African governments (or others) could do for little or money to encourage digital development. There was almost a complete consensus on the kinds of things they felt ought to be done.

Media Monitoring Project, Zimbabwe.

Breaking news straight from ITWeb's news room!

Democracy, Governance and Human Rights Programme Paper 3 Efficiency, Accountability and Implementation: Public Sector Reform in East and Southern Africa, Ole Therkildsen. Gender Justice, Development and Rights: Selected papers.

The information economy has flourished and is now evolving into a networking economy that is radically transforming the world of work. But will this revolution be a powerful vehicle for gender equality, or will increasing numbers of women find themselves caught on the wrong side of the digital divide?

"Mutuelles de sante en Afrique: Caracteristiques et mise en place-Manuel de formateurs". This publication explains what is a "mutuelle de sante" (mutual health organization) and how to set up such a scheme.

Today's students represent two key ingredients for tomorrow's companies: a
future employee base and a future consumer base. DigAfrica reports on how
businesses and philanthropists are working to provide technology for
students that need it most.

Other universities may be striving to market their courses to the Internet masses in hopes of dot-com wealth. But the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has chosen the opposite path: to post virtually all its course materials on the Web, free to everybody.

The April/May Bretton Woods Update is now on the web in both HTML and easy to print PDF formats. Our bi-monthly digest of news and analysis on World Bank and IMF-related issues contains 43 varied stories this issue, complete with web links and contact details.

April 04-08, 2001

The Electronic Community - Enhancing NGO Productivity and Capacity through Technology and Communication.

Four Liberian journalists from an independent Monrovia daily newspaper are due to go on trial today charged with espionage following an article that accused the government of profligate spending on helicopter repairs and Christmas cards.

A journalist with Malawi's state-run news agency is under police protection after reporting critically on an opposition party visit to flood victims, prompting a string a threats against him.

Two correspondents, a radio journalist and a cameraman have been intimidated by the government of president Pierre Buyoya. Other reporters have been menaced by the dreaded Documentation Nationale, the shadow police force. The actions come at a time of increasing criticism about Buyoya's stalling over the Arusha agreement - a three-year transitional government.