Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme
Encyclopedia
Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme is an initiative of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme
) and "aims to promote the development and application of information and communication technologies
(or, ICTs) for sustainable human development". Its sphere of work is the Asia-Pacific region.
APDIP says it "aims to meet its goals by focussing on three inter-related core areas". The first is policy development and dialogue, the second is access, and the third being content development and knowledge management.
[Programme co-ordinator Shahid AKHTAR, FOSS consultant Sunil ABRAHAM, programme specialist for content development and knowledge
management Christine APIKUL, programme specialist for policy
development and dialogue Lars BESTLE, practice team
assistant Wasinee TRAYAPORN, programme specialist for access and partnership development James George CHACKO, programme specialist for building capacities and partnerships Phet SAYO, programme specialist for ICT4D based in Sri Lanka Chanuka WATTEGAMA, and IT consultant Khairil YUSOF.
(or, IOSN), which is supported by the International Development Research Centre
(IDRC) of Canada
.
IOSN has been termed a "centre of excellence for Free/Open Source Software (FOSS), Open Content and Open Standards" in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2006, IOSN undertook plans for expansion of its activities with three more "centres of excellence". Till this time, it was largely a network with a small secretariat based at the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok.
It is now to have three more centres—IOSN ASEAN+3, IOSN PIC (Pacific Island Countries) and IOSN South Asia. These centres will be based at Manila (Philippines), Suva (Fiji) and Chennai (India), respectively.
IOSN is more focussed on policy and technical advice on FOSS
(also called FLOSS
, or Free/Libre and Open Source Software) to governments, civil society and the private sector. It produces reports which are put out under the Creative Commons
license, and available for download from its website.
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
) and "aims to promote the development and application of information and communication technologies
Information and communication technologies
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
(or, ICTs) for sustainable human development". Its sphere of work is the Asia-Pacific region.
APDIP says it "aims to meet its goals by focussing on three inter-related core areas". The first is policy development and dialogue, the second is access, and the third being content development and knowledge management.
Aims, approach
From its publications, APDIP says it "collaborates with national governments, regional, international and multi-lateral development organisations, UN agencies, educational and research organisations, civil society groups, and the private sector". It does this with the aim of "integrating ICTs in the development process.Strategies
To reach its tasks it also employs what it terms a dynamic mic of strategies—awareness raising, capacity building, technical assistance and advice, research and development, knowledge sharing and partnership building.Countries covered
Below is a list of countries covered by APDIP: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, East Timor, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam.Team
APDIP's current (June 2006) team comprises chief technical advisor and[Programme co-ordinator Shahid AKHTAR, FOSS consultant Sunil ABRAHAM, programme specialist for content development and knowledge
management Christine APIKUL, programme specialist for policy
development and dialogue Lars BESTLE, practice team
assistant Wasinee TRAYAPORN, programme specialist for access and partnership development James George CHACKO, programme specialist for building capacities and partnerships Phet SAYO, programme specialist for ICT4D based in Sri Lanka Chanuka WATTEGAMA, and IT consultant Khairil YUSOF.
IOSN
Among the techie community, one of the better-known initiatives of the APDIP is the International Open Source NetworkInternational Open Source Network
The International Open Source Network has as its slogan "software freedom for all". It is a Centre of Excellence for free software in the Asia-Pacific region....
(or, IOSN), which is supported by the International Development Research Centre
International Development Research Centre
The International Development Research Centre is a Canadian Crown Corporation created by the Parliament of Canada that supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development...
(IDRC) of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
IOSN has been termed a "centre of excellence for Free/Open Source Software (FOSS), Open Content and Open Standards" in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2006, IOSN undertook plans for expansion of its activities with three more "centres of excellence". Till this time, it was largely a network with a small secretariat based at the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok.
It is now to have three more centres—IOSN ASEAN+3, IOSN PIC (Pacific Island Countries) and IOSN South Asia. These centres will be based at Manila (Philippines), Suva (Fiji) and Chennai (India), respectively.
IOSN is more focussed on policy and technical advice on FOSS
Foss
Foss may refer toPeople*Foss , people with the last name Foss*Foss Shanahan , New Zealand diplomat*Foss Westcott , English bishop...
(also called FLOSS
Floss
Floss may refer to:* Dental floss, used to clean teeth* Embroidery thread, machine or hand-spun yarn for embroidery* Fairy floss or candyfloss, alternative names for cotton candy* Rousong, i.e. meat floss-Computing:...
, or Free/Libre and Open Source Software) to governments, civil society and the private sector. It produces reports which are put out under the Creative Commons
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
license, and available for download from its website.