eGY-Africa NEWS No.1

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	Welcome
	The Digital Divide
	Introduction to eGY-Africa
	Scope of the Newsletter
	How to contribute and subscribe
	Further information
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WELCOME

Welcome to the electronic newsletter for eGY-Africa. The purpose of the newsletter is to share information among organizers, participants, observers, and supporters of eGY-Africa. Issues of the newsletter will appear according to the availability of news, sequenced by number rather than by date.

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Access and exchange of information and knowledge has long been a key factor in the success of any society. This is particularly important today given the power of modern ICT capabilities. The rapid pace of development and adoption worldwide of modern electronic methods of doing business are such that communities that do not have ready access to  the Internet are marginalized. Despite significant progress, African countries are not keeping pace with developments elsewhere in the world, and the gap is growing. Reducing this 'Digital Divide' is widely acknowledged as a necessary step for achieving Milleniuum Development Goals in Africa. The aim of eGY-Africa is to reduce the Digital Divide.

INTRODUCTION TO eGY-AFRICA

eGY-Africa is a bottom-up effort by African scientists, educators, and their supporters in the international science community. The aim is to achieve better Internet connectivity in African Universities and similar research and education institutions through the voice of the scientific community at the international, regional, national, and institutional levels. A key function of eGY-Africa is to compile background information on the status of Internet connectivity in different communities, problems encountered, and the benefits of good connectivity. eGY-Africa operates principally through national groups of concerned scientists and educators, and endeavours to work jointly with other organizations and programs that share similar objectives.

eGY-Africa was initiated as part of the Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) effort and is led by the International Union of Geodesy & Geophysics (IUGG) within the framework of the International Council for Science (ICSU). 

SCOPE OF THE NEWSLETTER

o Issues relating to the digital divided problem in Africa
o eGY-Africa developments
o News from other organization and programs with related objectives
o Research and Education Network (REN) developments
o Status of Internet access in different communities - problems and benefits
o Case histories of successes and failures
o Announcements and reports about conferences and meetings,
o Policy issues relating to reducing the digital divide.
o ..... more .......

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE and SUBSCRIBE

Contributions to eGY-Africa News are welcome. Contributions should be brief, preferably with a link or pointer to where the reader can find more detailed information. Please send your contribution to: 
alemmeb@yahoo.com and  cebarton@gmail.com.au
If you wish to receive the newsletter, or cancel your subscription, please send an email to the above email addresses.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about eGY-Africa, go to www.egy.org and click on eGY-Africa.

Correspondence about eGY-Africa should be addressed to the Secretary:
 	Prof. Alem Mebrahtu	alemmeb@yahoo.com
	Mekelle University	Skype address: sbagads
	Mekelle, Tigray, ETHIOPIA	Tel: +251 914753502
 
and/or the two Co-Chairs of eGY-Africa:
	Charles Barton	cebarton@gmail.com
	Research School of Earth Sciences	Skype address: charliebarton
	Australian National University	Tel: +61 (0) 2 62737477
	Canberra, ACT 0200, AUSTRALIA	
 
	Victor Chukwuma	victorchukwuma@yahoo.com
	Department of Physics	Office1: +234 (0) 805 5075 270
	Olabisi Onabanjo University	Office2: +234 (0) 802 2310 4199
	PO Box 351	Mobile1: 0805 507 5270
	Ago-Iwoye	Mobile2: 0802 310 4199
	Ogun State, NIGERIA



15 December 2008