I was searching on Google today for web 2.0 in Africa (what else) and came across the FAO Audio Online catalogue which happened to feature a picture of me listening attentively to a panel (!!) along with two interviews with Anriette Esterhuysen, APC Executive Director, and me. The interviews took place at the Web2fordev conference in Rome back in September 2007.

I hadn't come across this page before nor heard these interviews but I think they do capture some of the excitement Anriette and I shared with folks at the conference about Web 2.0. Anriette told a very informative story of Fantsuam in Kaduna, Nigeria and the importance of access (bandwidth!) to get information through the Internet. Fantsuam is part of APC and a longtime Kabissa member. I spend quite a bit of time explaining my motivations and passion for developing the Kabissa Online Community website for African civil society.

Blurbage and mp3 files to download and listen below.

Views from Web 2.0 Conference participants

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.

APC Executive Director and participant to the Web 2.0 Conference in Rome, South African Anriette Esterthuysen, delivered a keynote speech in which she warned the audience against some of the dangers of a too much open space on Web 2.0 . But she can also tell success stories.

Duration: 3min.55sec.
Format: mp3

Kabissa is determined to give more space to Civil Society for change in Africa. By attending Web 2.0 Conference in Rome, Tobias Eigen wants to demonstrate his commitment to support the important work of NGOs and Civil Society in Africa by helping them to networking.

Duration: 6min.14sec.
Format: mp3