E-mail has many advantages over other modes of communication such as conventional mail, telex, telegram or cable, fax and telephone. It is impossible to list them all, but it is clear that e-mail:
What are some of the problems of using computer communications?
Though the use of computers is gathering momentum in developing countries, the necessary equipment is not always affordable or available. Furthermore, the telecommunications infrastructure needed to support e- mail is inadequate in some countries.
The following factors limit the widespread use of computer communications in developing countries:
Costs depend on the specific situation, and some indication of local costs can be found in the directory in Part 3.
Some of the following will be included in the costs:
Generally, the cost of using computer communications compares favorably with fax, courier services, and regular mail but this should be checked. The costs of using a local dial-up service should also be compared with the cost of a service accessible long-distance via PSNs, since costs for PSNs and local services can vary greatly from country to country.
How do I decide whether I should use computer communications?
Your decision will be influenced by a number of factors over which you have little control, such as poor quality phone lines, costs, an erratic electricity supply, and limited access to computers, software, or e-mail service providers.
Here are some situations in which you might need access to e-mail:
Do any networks based in developing countries focus specifically on NGO needs?
Yes. These are sometimes referred to as 'Not-for-Profit Social Change Networks.' They link national and regional networks serving people and organizations working on social issues. By offering e-mail, computer conferencing, and increasingly, on-line databases, they facilitate communication on issues such as peace, environment, social justice, international development, health, and education.
Some of them are small, with fewer than 50 users, while others have more than 1000 subscribers. Many are based in developing countries and are used extensively by NGOs.
Some examples of this type of network include:
Do all these networks use the same system?
No. Some use state-of-the-art computers and software, offering access to Internet tools such as the Gopher (for example, Alternex Brazil). Others use off-line software supporting UUCP (Unix to Unix Copy Protocol) or Fidonet. And, some offer only very simple on-line bulletin board system (BBS) services, including the capacity to send e-mail.
A large number of e-mail networks in sub-Saharan Africa use Fidonet software, while many in Latin America use software supporting UUCP standards. Recently, however, UUCP has also been spreading in Africa. Both of these software types are used widely in the Asia/Pacific region.
Is access to the Internet important to developing country NGOs?
Yes. Internet can facilitate access to information resources from around the world using such tools as Gopher and the World Wide Web. Networks linked to the Internet can offer faster and cheaper national and international communications. In other words, the cheapest and widest range of computer communications services are available to NGOs through these networks.
How can NGOs improve their chances of getting access to Internet connected networks?
In most developing countries, NGOs cannot easily gain direct access to the Internet or to Internet tools due to high charges or to the policies of Internet providers. Many NGOs are not considered part of the research/academic community, usually the main beneficiary of Internet access.
NGOs may therefore need to justify their request for access to communications resources available via Internet connected hosts.
Here are some points worth raising when discussing Internet access with a provider:
Concerted effort and lobbying by NGOs may help persuade some of these service providers to facilitate direct Internet access to NGOs.
A number of UN agencies and programs are directly or indirectly involved in building high-speed Internet links. The following is a sample list of some initiatives in this field. Those interested in receiving more information should contact the country representative or other related UN project staff in their own country.
UNDP, through its various programs, has helped countries like India and Brazil get linked to the Internet. Without this help, it would have taken years for many developing countries to hook up to global networks.
A number of other UN agencies and programs such as the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), UNDP s Sustainable Development Network (SDN), UNICEF, UNESCO, or UNIDO have been extensively using or encouraging their project partners to use computer communications in developing countries. In some countries, these agencies were the first to establish sophisticated international e-mail links. Partnership with some of these projects can provide some of the easiest and cheapest solutions to e-mail access for NGOs in most developing countries.
The following initiatives deserve detailed description due to their scope and special importance for developing countries:
UNDP's Sustainable Development Network (SDN) initiative combines face-to-face meetings, electronic and other means of communication to link sources and users of information on sustainable development issues. Participants include government bodies, research institutes, NGOs, grassroots and entrepreneurial organizations worldwide.
The SDN is more than an information network, since it fosters informed dialogue and communications to encourage and empower stakeholders to become active participants in the development process. The SDN is a tool to facilitate implementation of the recommendations of UNCED, especially Agenda 21.
Countries having established e-mail networks under the SDN program include the Philippines, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Angola, Fiji, and other Pacific countries.
For up-to-date information on SDN, contact:
The Director
Sustainable Development Network, UNDP
304 East 45th Street, Room FF-12108
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: +1-212/906 5862; fax: +1-212/906 6952;
e-mail: chuck.lankester@undp.org / nid.kongsamut@nygate.undp.org
This UNV initiative pays special attention to developing participatory networks of grassroots and community-based organizations, and of institutions with a commitment to the more vulnerable communities. The Southlinks program attempts to create an information framework to link these organizations. Southlinks places special emphasis on the use of electronic networks to support these initiatives.
This project supports networking initiatives in India, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya and South Africa. It aims to expand its support to Sri Lanka, Nepal and various other developing countries in Africa and Latin America.
For more information contact:
Miguel Peirano
Project Manager
Southlinks Program
United Nations Volunteers
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
E-mail: miguel@unv.ch / mpeirano@igc.apc.org
You may want to consult the UNDP country representative in your country for more information about UNV programs and their involvement in computer communications projects.
UNESCO has been interested in informatics and has developed programs on training for over 20 years. In 1985, UNESCO's 23rd General Conference created the Intergovernmental Informatics Programme (IIP) to promote international cooperation and national efforts in the field of informatics. It aims to:
Apart from interagency cooperation within the UN system, the IIP collaborates with NGOs. One of its priorities is to develop and establish networks and training in the field of informatics. NGOs in this field or concerned with its applications are considered essential partners for IIP.
NGOs may want to explore possible collaboration with IIP. NGOs with a special focus on education, those needing software to communicate in local languages and those using computer communications for exchange of information in local languages may find a relationship worthwhile.
For information contact your UNESCO country representative, or
write to:
The Director
IIP Division, CII Sector
UNESCO
1, rue Miollis
F-75015 Paris, France
Tel: +33-1/45 68 10 00.
The United Nations University has also focused on informatics development for the developing world in its programme. An international institute for software technology has been set up in collaboration with donor countries.
Activities of the International Telecommunication Union to improve telecommunications in developing countries have a direct impact on informatics, particularly in the development of networking and access to remote databases all over the world.
Within the UN system, a number of international agencies such as ILO, WHO and UNIDO also work to develop informatics applications not only within their main program activities but also in the internal management.
Who are the key Internet providers in developing countries?
To find out whether there is a full Internet access provider in your country, we suggest that you contact the e-mail service providers listed in the directory section (Part 3) of this handbook.
The answers to the following questions may also be found in in
Part 3:
Where can I find information about e-mail service providers in
my area?
How much does it cost to join an e-mail network?
How can I estimate my monthly network expenses?
How much information can I transmit every month?
How can I obtain lists of other NGOs who use e-mail?
Back to Part 1 Section VI: Choosing Communications Software
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