Strategic Objective 3: End User Applications
End-User Assessment
and
Internet for Development–Applications and Training:
USAID/Guinea Bissau Trip Report and Action Plan
Leland Initiative: Africa Global Information
Infrastructure Gateway Project (698-0565)
January 20 - February 5, 1998
Submitted to:
The United States Agency for International Development
Africa Bureau, Office of Sustainable Development
Submitted by:
Zoey Breslar, PPC/CDIE/DI/RRS
Ato Wilson, Consultant to PPC/CDIE/DI/RRS
March 1998
Executive Summary
The Leland Initiative's Strategic Objective 3 promotes broad-based utilization of information and global information technologies within USAID's development partner community to promote sustainable development. The Leland SO3 assessment and training processes are designed to help USAID Missions and their development partners become aware of and harness the potential of currently available technologies. The assessment gauges partners' effectiveness in using information, and the training introduces participants to the Internet and its tools. Equally important, the training focuses on planning for the use of the Internet in participants' institutional settings.
The Leland Initiative End-User assessment and training took place in Guinea Bissau from January 20 through February 4, 1998. During that time, fifteen participants were introduced to the Internet and its capabilities, and were provided time for hands-on practice with the web. A two-day training of trainers (TOT) session was also conducted, sharing training techniques and content for Internet instruction with eight Internet/computer trainers. Due to difficulties with leased line connectivity at the training site, the numbers of participants trained and the amount of baseline data collected were not reached as expected. However, significant progress was made in introducing USAID/Guinea Bissau partners to the power of the Internet.
With USAID/Guinea Bissau’s close out scheduled for September 1998, next steps are critical in Leland’s support of the supply and demand of the Internet. After Leland assistance helps to increase the capability of the country’s Internet connection by providing equipment and training to Guiné Telecom, the private sector will play a crucial role in promoting the Internet to the public. USAID’s role, with the help of the Leland Initiative, is to encourage Internet use among the members of the development community. To begin this, the following actions are recommended before Mission close out:
· send representatives from selected Mission partners to Leland trainings in other West African countries
· assist in the establishment of a the Guinea Bissau Chapter of the Internet Society
· encourage/fund INEP and other Mission partners to use the Internet where beneficial in their activities
USAID/Guinea Bissau should also plan for continued collaboration with UNDP, facilitating the incorporation of Leland activities into UNDP’s Sustainable Development Networking Programme. In addition to the continuation or completion of the activities above, longer term Internet activities could include:
· secondary city/rural Internet promotion
· more from TIPS (Trade and Investment Promotion Support), a USAID project that will continue after Mission close out, and that is a strong supporter of Internet use
· more training for trainers and participants, potentially using the Leland training model
· an emphasis on user networking, perhaps with the help of the Internet Society
· distance learning opportunities, especially as they can be applied to providing some tertiary education
· the initiation of school-based Internet activities
· support for selected non-English speakers’ use of the Internet
Guinea Bissau is undergoing many changes with the state of telecommunications, and by developing a reliable Internet connection and the accompanying customer support necessary, the Internet will quickly become a tool essential in the way the country operates. Guinea Bissau is very much in need of information for research, business, and development; Guineans also have much to offer in commodities, information, and experiences. The Internet can be the means by which Guinea Bissau benefits and benefits from a world beyond their neighbors, and beyond the Lusophone community. This is an important time in Guinea Bissau’s development, and USAID and the Leland Initiative are helping to open channels of communication essential to further progress.