Examining eHealth in Africa

Submitted by Kymmene Brereton on 8 April, 2013 - 18:13

Whether they are collating data on disease, monitoring health trends, combating misinformation or facilitating cooperation between medical centres, African eHealth initiatives are leading the way towards higher standards of living and health on the Continent. With eLearning Africa 2013 set to subject eHealth to a detailed examination, the news service explored a few initiatives that offer a promising prognosis for Africa’s health sector.

By Matthew Labrooy

Africa’s smartphone revolution

Submitted by Kymmene Brereton on 8 April, 2013 - 18:11

Smartphone use in Africa is on the rise, and major mobile makers and distributors are starting to pay attention to the emerging African market by producing devices that cater to the needs of the developing region. How will increased smartphone use revolutionise the way education takes place in Africa?

By Matthew Labrooy

Storytelling yesterday, today and tomorrow

Submitted by Kymmene Brereton on 8 April, 2013 - 18:10

A poet, singer, historian, musician, comedian, an entertainer, an archive. The griot is all these things and more. Through storytelling and music, the griot has shared and maintained the identities and histories of communities in West Africa for centuries. Oral culture on the African continent has persisted when elsewhere in the world it has all but vanished. But with shifting populations and the rise of digital entertainment, who will continue to weave these stories around the fireside, and who will be there to listen?

By Alicia Mitchell

Opportunity from Global Integrity - Call for Experts: Web Index 2013

Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 2 April, 2013 - 21:46

For details of countries involved (many in Africa) and to apply to join the research team, see http://globalintegrity.org/blog/web-index-hiring

Global Integrity is embarking on a partnership with the World Wide Web Foundation to prepare the 2013 Web Index.  The Web Index is the first multi-dimensional measure of the Web’s use, utility and impact. In 2012, the Web Index covered 61 developed and developing countries, incorporating indicators that assess the political, economic and social impact of the Web; in 2013 coverage will be increased to roughly 80 countries.  The Web Index is a tool that helps advocates and policy analysts draw upon actionable measures to identify impediments and track improvements in Web access and affordability.  The Web Index also helps inform decision-makers and regulators as to what changes can be made to Web governance in country to help achieve greater and more sustainable development outcomes.

This effort will require a global team of reporters and reviewers around the world to conduct original research and data gathering that will feed into the final 2013 Web Index. 

Now on the Calendar: FRIENDS OF KABISSA Exploratory Meeting at OfficeXpats 10 April 2013

Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 2 April, 2013 - 02:03

Akili DadaThe date is set for an exploratory meeting to establish a new Friends of Kabissa committee!

RSVP if you would like to join the meeting or even if you can't and you want to help out by writing directly to me. Thanks! 

Please share this invitation widely with others who you think might be interested. 

When: Wednesday, 10 April, 2013 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm 

Where: OfficeXpats (403 Madison Ave N, Ste 240, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. 206.780.2177)

Who: Ideal candidates to join the Friends of Kabissa commitee share the Kabissa vision, are looking to make a deeper contribution to Africa, and have resources, skills and time to give in order to move the Kabissa agenda forward. There are many opportunities available to contribute to Kabissa fundraising, governance and strategy as well as Kabissa programs.  Coming to the exploratory meeting does not entail commitment! :) 

What: Kabissa is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1999 with the mission to help African civil society organizations put information and communication technology to work for the benefit of their communities. Our vision is to contribute to sustainable, locally owned initiatives in Africa by supporting and elevating grassroots organizations working locally in their own communities.

Currently, our team of volunteers delivers on the Kabissa mission by running an online networking platform for over 1600 member organizations working throughout Africa. We are keen on continually improving the platform to provide the best possible support to our members and securing our own sustainability into the future as a lean, volunteer-driven organization. 

At the exploratory meeting, we would bring together and identify people who are interested in joining the Friends of Kabissa committee and brainstorm on assigning roles and next steps for working together. Participants are not obligated to join the committee but we welcome your advice and input. 

RSVP and Share!

Again, you can RSVP by emailing Tobias Eigen directly. Please share widely on your community calendars and announcement lists!

Atlas Corps Global Launch Event!

Submitted by Scott Beale on 27 March, 2013 - 19:28

What do 155 experienced professionals, 49 countries, CARE USA, Miriam's Kitchen, Population Action International, and Points of Light have in common?

They are part of the Atlas Corps network. Find out how your organization can benefit from this unique capacity building opportunity on Tuesday, April 2, during the Atlas Corps Global Launch Event. Learn about our global fellowship and our special initiatives in Japan, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Join us Tuesday, April 2 via conference call! If you happen to be in the Washington, DC area, we invite you to join us for breakfast that morning!

http://atlascorpsapril2.eventbrite.com/

From the Kabissa Volunteer Recruiter: My first experiences engaging with applicants

Submitted by Eva Coundoul on 26 March, 2013 - 18:02

I started to work for Kabissa two months ago as volunteer recruiter and am currently working on recruiting volunteers for the two positions Blogger in Chief and Event Coordinator. For the past month I have been collecting CVs and inviting candidates for interviews. My first experiences with online recruiting for Kabissa have been really great. So far I have received dozens great applications and have had exchanges and skype calls with enthuastic people all over the world. Some were more enthusiastic than others, however everyone who applied wanted to help in one way or another. I was very happy to see that.

In many cases I was very much surprised about their level of expertise and backgrounds and started to wonder why I have not volunteered before. The biggest challenge in this job is the time difference as I sometimes have to make interviews in the middle of the night but it is worth it. I love this job and interviewing people from all over the world. I hope to be able to find volunteers who will strengthen our team and share the same passion for Africa as I have. 

The interviews for the blogger in chief and event coordinator positions should be finalised by mid April and I look forward to presenting the two newest members of the team!

Applications are still open so if you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Kabissa Volunteering page and apply! 

Eva

From Tactical Tech: Info Activism Camp - get your applications in!

Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 25 March, 2013 - 19:01

Evidence is an activist's most powerful asset. Used well, it can
transform even the most difficult advocacy effort into an initiative
that influences perceptions and actions around an important issue.

Tactical Tech is organising the 2013 Info Activism Camp
(camp2013.tacticaltech.org) to explore the ways in which digital
technologies, data and visuals can be used to artfully present evidence
that influences debates, controversies and issues.

Applications are now open! We're seeking curious and creative
individuals – working in advocacy, data, technology, design and
journalism – to join us for a week of discussion, debate and skill-share.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet and build connections
with people working across the world, in different practices, and build
their knowledge and skills in evidence-based advocacy.

The camp will run from 23-30 June at Centro d'Ompio, a beautiful retreat
centre in Northern Italy (read more:
https://camp2013.tacticaltech.org/location).

Places are limited. We only have 80 spots and plenty of interest! So
please do share this with suitable candidates. The application deadline
for those who require visas to come to Italy is 2nd April (24:00 CET)
and 15th April (24:00 CET) for those who don't.

More application information and forms:
https://camp2013.tacticaltech.org/content/important-information

Africa Roundtable on hiatus!

Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 23 March, 2013 - 00:07

In case you are wondering, we have paused the Kabissa Africa Roundtable program while our volunteer recruitment team works to bring on board a new cohort of volunteers including Events Coordinator, Blogger In Chief and Membership Manager. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to bringing the roundtables back as soon as we are able.

If you are interested in volunteering for Kabissa, please get in touch! More information about how volunteering works, job descriptions, and new volunteer application form is up at http://kabissa.org/about/volunteering 

User login

Forgot password?