[Wireless-general] Southern African workshop

[Ann Tothill]

Please distribute as appropriate (and apologies for endless cross-
posting).

a.t.

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COMMUNITY WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY FOR AFRICA 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP

17 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2005, SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.apc.org/wireless/

If you
...

* Are a network administrator or responsible for implementing network 
technologies 
* Have a practical need to develop your skills and knowledge in 
wireless networking and want to *learn* with others 
* Are based in a community organization/NGO or work closely with 
community-focussed projects 
* Live and work in the Southern Africa region

...you are invited to apply to participate in the above workshop. 

The workshop aims to

* Develop technical skills in wireless network planning, design, and 
management 
* Promote understanding of appropriate wireless technology choices 
for community networking 
* Provide a platform for testing, developing and localizing wireless 
networking training materials and tools 
* Lay the foundation for a community of like-minded practitioners to 
share knowledge, skills and experiences

BACKGROUND

Wireless technologies offer developing countries an important low-
cost, versatile alternative to wired infrastructure. They enable 
communities to extend the reach of cabled internet connectivity and 
to be in control of the planning, implementation and design of their 
own networks, making the network into a tool that really serves the 
needs of the community. Open wireless standards not only bring new 
technical opportunities at very low cost, but also bring a 
decentralized internet model to an area which has been restricted to 
traditional telecommunication operators. 

The Association for Progressive Communications is coordinating an 
initiative, supported by the International Development Research 
Centre (IDRC) and the Open Society Institute (OSI), to build capacity 
to implement wireless technologies for community networking in 
Africa. This workshop is one of a series to take place in Africa 
during 2005/2006. 

WORKSHOP CONTENT 

The final workshop agenda will be fine-tuned in line with 
participants' needs and experience, but is expected to cover

* Equipment preparation
* Windows/Linux client setup
* Access point setup
* Basic radio physics
* Site survey
* Basic infrastructure and network topology
* Link calculation
* Managing/monitoring the network
* Network security
* Troubleshooting
* Antennas & tower
* Network sustainability
* Equipment shopping 
* Budgeting and project management
* Standards and regulations 

The workshop will also provide a space for developing training 
project ideas - including localizing the materials used at the 
workshop for different physical, cultural, linguistic, and regulatory 
environments.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

* Workshop dates: 17 - 21 September 2005. 

* Venue: the workshop will be held in a community setting in South 
Africa, venue to be confirmed.

* Costs: the cost of travel, shared accommodation, meals and workshop 
attendance will be covered for successful applicants. Participants 
are expected to cover their own visa, travel insurance, health-
related costs and single accommodation supplements.

* Workshop language: the main language of the workshop is English.

* Pre-workshop preparation: Participants will be required to 
undertake a small amount of pre-workshop preparation.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Workshop space is limited and demand for places is high. Evaluation 
of applications will take into account technical skills, community 
linkages and motivation for participation. Applications from women 
are particularly encouraged. 

Prerequisite skills:

* Good all-round technical skills
* At least basic hands-on experience in network administration
* General arithmetic skills - confidence with addition, subtraction, 
multiplication, division, squares and square roots.

Organizational/community prerequisites:

* Located in a community organization/NGO or demonstrable ties with a 
community-focussed networking project. 

Motivation:

* Strong indication of intention to apply the skills and knowledge 
acquired at the workshop for community development. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

* Apply by completing the online application form at 
<http://www.apc.org/wireless/saworkshop.shtml> no later than 24 July 
2005 (short-listed applicants may be asked to provide additional 
information after this date).

* Applicants will be notified whether they have been successful by 17 
August 2005.

* For further information please contact Ann Tothill: 
AATothill at apc.org 

ABOUT APC

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an 
international network of civil society organisations dedicated to 
empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, 
human rights, development and protection of the environment, through 
the strategic use of information and communication 
technologies(ICTs), including the internet. http://www.apc.org/ 

WORKSHOP SPONSORS

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
http://www.idrc.ca/ 

Open Society Institute (OSI)
http://www.soros.org/     

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Ann Tothill
Strategic Use and Capacity Building Programme Manager
APC - The Association for Progressive Communications
La Asociación para el Progreso de las Comunicaciones
AATothill at apc.org 
http://www.apc.org/
Tel. +61 2 8920 0274
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