Technology for Civil Society Speaker Series

Presentation Summary: Telecenter Networks and Civil Society

April 10, 2007

Mark Surman is an experienced expert in technology programs and telecenter development. IREX was grateful for the opportunity to host Mr. Surman, and to hear how communities utilize and adapt telecenters to advance local governance, civil society, and economic opportunities.

Mr. Surman shared examples of the many expected and unexpected benefits telecenters bring to civil society, even in the most rural parts of the world. He drew on many examples, including a woman in Uganda who learned her rights as a divorcee via information accessed online, a telecenter that inspired a community library, and another that enhanced the a local radio station with the infinite music and news available on the Internet. Mr. Surman spoke at length of the economic benefit of telecenters and the associated social networks they produce. As he explained, these networks serve to exchange information, goods, and knowledge about markets.

Mr. Surman likewise provided examples of how telecenters are adapted to meet the most urgent needs of each community - from providing information about emerging epidemics, to elections and national events, to agricultural data that can be used to save local crops.

During his talk, Mr. Surman emphasized that it is not enough just to provide technology and build centers, but that human resources, sustainability practices, monetary resources, and continual education must also be maintained to foster vivacious community networks. His current endeavor, telecenter.org, supports and strengthens telecenter networks in order to meet this need.

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