PRESENTATION

A bit of History…

The African civil society contribution to the WSIS process dates back to before the official launching of the WSIS.

In 2000, during the Bamako meeting titled “The passerelles du developpement” African civil society started its mobilization process to be ready in number for the WSIS process. This explains why, in May 2002, again in Bamako, during the first regional meeting dedicated to WSIS, African civil society was present in large numbers.

A major achievement in the Bamako meeting was the setting up of an inclusive African coordinating body dedicated to mobilization, sensitizing and awareness arising amongst African stakeholders. This body, called the African Group, innovated in many ways. For the first time, African Ministers officially set up a multi-partnership body composed of 5 government representatives, 3 members of the civil society and 2 from the private sector. This coordinating mechanism has been working since then and has achieved great results in inputting African priorities and agenda in the two documents adopted at the Geneva WSI Summit in December 2003.

Since then, African civil society has participated in all of the encounters related to WSIS. Initially small numbers of African people were involved. Participant umbers increased to the point where we were able to bring more than 40 participants to the Geneva Summit.

African civil society, in partnership with UNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), Francophonie, and many other agencies have organized online discussion and workshops on the various themes discussed at the WSIS. There has been success in placing considerations such as development on WSIS agenda.

The way forward

The African civil society action goes far beyond the WSIS. This is the reason why, after months of reflection, the representatives and delegates of the African civil society organisations, participating in the WSIS process since the beginning, felt the need to better organize themselves, in a light, smooth running and efficient coordinating mechanism.

The formation of a co-ordination mechanism became a prerequisite at this critical phase of the overall WSIS process, dedicated to action. After months of online discussion, the representatives and Delegates that met during the First Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2003, held an election to constitute ACSIS (African Civil Society for the Information Society), a Non Governmental Organisation with a non-profit aim.  The action domain for ACSIS is the use of Information and Communication Technology for African Development. The official launch of ACSIS took place in Tunis in April 2004, thanks to the kind invitation of Tunisian civil society, the financial and technical expertise of ECA and the facilitation of the Tunisian Government. This came as the realisation of a long-time dream of African civil society entities, which emerged in the general civil society online forum of the African Information Society Initiative.

To better pursue its development goal, and in accordance with the objectives of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, African Civil society, based on discussions carried on in its virtual plenary before, during and after the first phase of the WSIS, has moved ahead to an enabling phase in the continent’s Information Society Initiative (AISI).

TASKS

 TASKS

 The chief tasks of ACSIS include, among others:

ADVISORY

• Develop and add value to existing ICT policies, strategies and initiatives;
• Advise on ICT policies and strategies that advance the social, economic and political development of Africa and African communities;
• Co-ordinate and support African CS input/participation into a range of national, regional, continental and international ICT policies and programmes;
• Ensure African CS representation (as appropriate) on a range of ICT related commissions or bodies

INFORMATION

• Draft text, conduct research and collate information including drafting an African CS position document;
• Provide information in an accessible format (including research/analyses) on ICT policies, strategies, initiatives and best practice;
• Promote and disseminate information on the use of a range of ICT for the promotion of human development, to a range of stakeholders;

ADVOCACY & LOBBYING

• Participate, as appropriate, in conferences, seminars and other activities related to ICT in order to advocate on behalf of and inform African CS and other partner stakeholders;
• Policy formulation and development

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Develop human capacities and promote action-oriented dialogue in partnership with grassroots organisations, national, regional, continental and international institutions

PARTNERSHIPS & NETWORKING

• Establish contact and partnerships with a range of stakeholders to enable the African CS to have input into policy formulation and implementation;
• Facilitate networking to enable the sharing of information, expertise and best practices.

MANDATE

MANDATE

 ACSIS intends to act as an umbrella structure through which African CS can influence policy and ensure that strategies and programmes enable the promotion of development: Poverty alleviation, use of appropriate ICT for balanced development, participation of communities/civil society in policy and strategy development & implementation of initiatives. It will:

PROMOTE the views and interests of African CS to ensure that new and traditional ICT can be utilised for promotion of sustainable development and the formation of an Information Society based on social justice and human development;

ADVOCATE & LOBBY for the development of comprehensive and inclusive ICT strategies to address the digital divide;

INFORM CS generally on national, regional, continental and international deliberations regarding ICT for development policies, strategies and initiatives for the promotion of balanced development;

ADVISE national, regional, continental and international institutions on the needs and interests of African CS;

BUILD CAPACITY: develop capacities and promote action-oriented dialogue on our key aims;

NETWORK and PARTNER with grassroots organisations, national, regional, continental and international institutions to develop and add value to existing policies and initiatives aimed at promoting ICT

CISSE KANE, PRESIDENT

Cisse Kane, from Senegal, ACSIS Chair and Focal point to ITU-D, is an international consultant on development issues. He holds a PhD in geography (Geneva and Utrecht Universities), a bachelor in arts (Arabic) and a master degree in information systems. He has more than 15 years’ experience on Information and Communication Technologies development issues, including project and program management in developing countries (ICT and decentralization, digital education, e-waste management, etc.), advocacy, financing ICT for development, international negotiation’s, at UNITAR, the Digital Solidarity Fund, etc. and as Civil Society member. Cisse is the author of various publications on urban geography, transportation, ICT, Art issues.

Since the early stages, Cisse has been involved in the World Summit on the Information Society process as founding member of various ICT NGO’s, African Diaspora ICT NGO’s Secretary General (DAPSI) in Geneva and ACSIS the Panafrican network on ICT4SD.

Christminfa Gbenou Sagbohan: African Diaspora Coordinator

IT Consultant with CRS group Chris emigrated from Benin 4 years ago where he was IT manager with Innotek LLC. He implemented many community projects such as the installation of solar panels with Linux computers for local communities in the northern part of the country. He also trained them on the uses of microcomputers. Co-Founder of the first Linux association in Benin he spent much of his time educating high school and university students on the use of free open source software’s. He holds a bachelor in electrical engineering and is completing both a bachelor in networking and communication management and a graduate degree in information systems. He is also cisco certified in routing and switching. Chris strongly believes in the development of African countries by the use of solutions adapted to the culture and realities of African countries.

Akinremi Peter Taiwo: West Africa Coordinator

Akinremi Peter Taiwo, from Nigeria, ACSIS West Africa Coordinator is an Executive Consultant with Compsoftnet Enterprise, an IT business using Information and Communication Technologies to support cooperate organizations and businesses. Prior to founding Compsoftnet Enterprise, he works as a Junior IT consultant/Specialist directly with the Commissioner of Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Calabar, Nigeria where he provides tech support across more than 10 departments.  He is a keen believer and advocate of ICT4D [ economic growth, sustainable city, digital divide and education, knowledge city, inclusion, remote participation, gender & digital divide, transparency and accountability, financing ICT for development, Child Online Protection and human right ]. Peter is results oriented/producing IT professional with a proven records for accomplishments in using information and communication technology to support and solve clients’ problem and to meet organization objectives. He holds degrees in computer science and has undergone courses with World-Bank institutes, DiploFoundation to mention a few.

A member of civil society such as Pan African Civil Society on Information Society(ACSIS), Internet Governance Forum(IGF) and Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the likes.

He represents the people interest on both international and national level. His drive is to see connected African continent and connected Africans.

Adjidjatou BARRY BAUD: Treasurer

Soucieuse du mieux-être des femmes rurales africaines, moteurs du développement du continent : Adjidjatou   est une vaillante combattante de la cause des sans voix et des démunis. Femme engagée, elle est rompue aux stratégies commerciales et a a acquis une solide expérience en la matière.

Son besoin de voir les plus vulnérables heureux, l’a  conduit  à  mettre son  expertise au service de la Guinée à travers la création et le management de plusieurs ONG dont le principal est Solidarité Suisse Guinée. En plus elle s’occupe bénévolement des personnes âgées en Suisse comme cela se fait en Afrique.

 Femme aguerrie, qui a dû se battre pour tout avoir dans la vie, Adjidjatou est une mère épanouie, qui veut que son bonheur contamine toutes les femmes rurales et la jeunesse. Nous saluons son courage et sa détermination salutaires pour les couches vulnérables.

Aicha Jeridi: North Africa Coordinator

Aicha Jeridi is a teacher, internet policy analyst,And researcher.

She has a master degree in International Relations. She is Active in civil society through many activities. She is a member of the North African Igf Mag,  and invoLved with IGMENA,which is a program launched by Hivos Foundation to create discussion Forums related To Local,regional internet Governance issues, specifically in Mena Region.

Aicha is also involved with Jasmin Foundation , a Tunisian think tank, and entitled with the mandate of producing A policy paper about political economy.

She was involved with Fifth African Igf as the rappoteurGeneral of the event and drafted the final report and recommendations.

Aicha is a Diplo foundation, Hivos, Afrisig fellow and member of Internet society.

She integrated Icann community by joining Non Commercial Users Constituency and The Middle East and Add joined Countries Strategy working group.

Aicha is furthermore active with IIDeBate , in their program Café Talk, as a moderator and an embassador.

Tijani Mahamat ADOUM: Central Africa Coordinator

Née le 05 Octobre 1988 à N’Djamena dans la capitale Tchadienne. Ingénieur de Formation, TIDJANI MAHAMAT ADOUM est sans conteste l’un des acteurs « clé » du développement des TIC au Tchad. Passionné de la technologie et familier avec les outils informatiques très tôt dès le bas âge, TIDJANI MAHAMAT ADOUM opte pour les télécommunications après son cursus scolaire primaire et secondaire. Juste après sa formation et quelques stages pratiques, il commença par l’enseignement et intégra très rapidement l’Office Nationale de Radio et Télévision du Tchad (ONRTV) en qualité d’Ingénieur de transmission. Quelque mois plus tard il fut recruté par Médias Business Center (mbc) en tant que Manager TIC. Apres quelques années d’exercices dans cette dernière structure, Il fut être appelé pour son expertise dans le développement de l’Internet, sa capacité managériale et son pouvoir de faire évoluer les choses par la société historique du pays (SOTEL-TCHAD) ou il travail jusqu’à nos jours.

En dehors de sa personnalité emblématique, son amour pour la technologie et son attachement pour l’Afrique, TIDJANI MAHAMAT ADOUM est l’un des pionniers de la société civile des TIC au Tchad. Il est membre des plusieurs organisations de la société civile Tchadienne et Africaine pour les TIC. Encadreur, Formateur, Coordonnateur et Promoteur des plusieurs projet TIC au Tchad, entre autre : ISOC-1000, SchoolNet, WebTchad, CARAVANE du NET, FEMME et TIC, Fête de l’Internet, Journée du logiciel libre, Semaine Nationale des Télécommunications (SENAT) et bientôt la 1^ère Ecole de la gouvernance de l’Internet au Tchad.

TIDJANI MAHAMAT ADOUM est un jeune dynamique et qui  a une très bonne capacité à influencer, motiver et impliquer des acteurs pour réussir tous ces projets; il a eu toujours des résultats qui renforcent sa confiance et l’incite d’aller de l’avant; il croit en ses rêves, il croit en ses ambitions et il travaille dur pour atteindre ses objectifs.

• TIDJANI MAHAMAT ADOUM est aujourd’hui :
• Consultant en Internet Gouvernance ;
• Chargé de Communication du Secrétariat exécutif d’IGF-Tchad ;
• Chargé d’organisation et d’exécution des projets d’Internet Society Chad-Chapter ;
• Secrétaire Général IPV6 Tasck Force Chad ;

Il a investi temps et énergie pour faire évoluer les TIC dans son pays. Désormais il s’est engagé à mettre l’expertise issu de ce long parcours au service de l’Afrique, et cela à travers l’ACSIS ou il était élu COORDONNATEUR AFRIQUE CENTRALE à la suite des dernières élections.

Remmy Nweke, ACSIS Vice-President

Remmy Nweke, with over 19-year experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) analytical exposure, leads a team of strategists at DigitalSENSE Africa Media group, a certified At-Large Structure (ALS) by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Media group, also publishes the international multiple award-winning medium including ITRealms, NaijaAgroNet and DigitalSENSE Business News, where Remmy doubles as the Group Executive Editor.

DigitalSENSE Africa Media over the years has created series of engagements through enlightenment of populace on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) tapping from DSA’s annual rallying point for stakeholders via Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum Series (NDSF) since 2009; Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) and Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable, and PC Summit among others.

Remmy was a pioneer editorial board member of the Highway Africa News Agency (HANA) based at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa, and won the Siemens African Profile Award for 2004 and 2005; thus becoming the first Nigerian to win such awards for excellence in science and technology reporting twice. In addition, I emerged the second prize in Local Content Application category at the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) awards 2005 organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

At the 10th Highway Africa conference-06, Remmy was adjudged the SABC-HANA Journalist of the Year in recognition and promotion of creative, innovative and appropriate use of new media technology on the continent in South Africa. At the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP-07) in Malaysia, Remmy took the second prize in ICT Research and Innovations category of AISI, among other international and local awards.

A certified member of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP); at Idlelo 4 of the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) Remmy won the first-ever FOSSFA-Deutsche Welle Africa Reporter award in Accra, and a member of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10) Selection Committee 2015.

Lately, Remmy served as an elected Executive Board member of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), and worked as a member of the Registrar Accreditation Committee, Finance and Establishment Committee as well as chairman, Communication and Publicity at NIRA to name a few. Just as I serve in the ALAC Subcommittee on Outreach and Engagement under the At-Large Advisory Committee of ICANN’s AFRALO – African Regional At-Large Organisation. He is equally the pioneer secretary of media-based NGO, BARK Foundation for Knowledge Economy as well as the ECOWAS Network of Science Journalist (ENSJ).

Remmy holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Malta on Contemporary Diplomacy, aside having a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication (Journalism) as well as Ordinary National Diploma from the Institute of Journalism & Management, Enugu, Enugu State-Nigeria, among other certification in Computer Studies and Online Journalism and Management from the German International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) Berlin. He is also the author of “A Decade of ICT Reportage … The Award-winning series” among others.

Remmy, a well-travelled mediapreneur has equally attended Open Data training in Kenya for CAADP Journalists Network and participated as a fellow at a Cyber Policy on Human Right Defenders in London recently and was nominated into International WHO’S WHO of Professionals 2009 Edition.

A member of Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Remmy is equally the chairman of the Communication and Advocacy Committee (CAC) of the IPv6 Council Nigeria among others.

On November 2, 2016, Remmy was elected Vice President, African Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSIS 2016-2020).

Evelyn Namara, ACSIS Regional coordinator, Eastern Africa

Evelyn Namara:

Evelyn is the Founder and CTO of !nnovate Uganda, a technology start-up implementing technology innovations for sustainable development. Their flagship product, an electronic voucher system that works on mobile phones is currently being implemented by Mercycorps in different programs including USAID and WFP.

Evelyn is passionate about Technology for Development (ICT4D), Youth and Entrepreneurship as well as empowering women in technology.

Evelyn has previously worked as Regional Manager – East Africa for Beyonic Limited that offers a SaaS platform for organizations to help them move beyond cash to using electronic payments. She’s also held a role of Country Director for Solar Sister, a social enterprise that empowers women with economic opportunity using the breakthrough potential of solar technology.

Her work with Solar Sister as well as empowering women in technology in Uganda gained recognition by the Anita Borg Institute and she was awarded the ABIE Change Agent Award for 2012.

Evelyn is an Acumen East Africa fellow as well as an IDEX fellow and spent six months in India as part of the fellowship program working for an education technology social enterprise start-up building a chain of after school learning centers across Bangalore and Kolkata.

Evelyn is an Internet Society Ambassador to the Internet Governance Forum for 2015 & 2016 as well as an alumna of the African School of Internet Governance that was held in Durban, South Africa 2016.

Evelyn holds a Bsc. Computer Science.

Chenai Chair, ACSIS Regional coordinator, Southern Africa

At RIA, Chenai works on the RIA African Mobile Pricing Index, assessing trends and cost of communication in the prepaid mobile market. She also coordinates qualitative research for access and use evidence. Chenai has been working on issues of internet governance including access  and use of the internet, gender and internet rights and net neutrality. As the communications advisor for RIA, she is responsible for developing ways to communicate the research conducted to different stakeholders to ensure the use of quality evidence in ICT policy making and to inform end users.

Chenai has participated in international fora such as ICANN, IGF at all levels and Rightscon from which she has seen the importance of meaningful African participation. Her areas of interest include inclusion and exclusion for marginalized communities in society in particular youth, women and the informal sector.