"This primer provides a broad perspective on the localization of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) for the benefit of policy- and decision-makers in developing countries. It highlights the benefits and strategies of FOSS localization, along with case studies from various countries that are on the roa
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d to software freedom. The primer begins with an introduction to localization and the benefits of choosing FOSS over proprietary software. The next section provides a survey of initiatives and efforts in localization of FOSS within the Asia-Pacific region, including best practices and lessons learned specifically in countries such as Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Malaysia. The primer also provides three case studies of localization efforts in Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia, as well as recommendations on technical issues, resource allocation, skills and tools, implementation, costs and language considerations. To help localizers get started, two annexes regarding key concepts and the technical aspects of localization are provided. These are intended for project managers and implementers who are planning software localization projects." (Introduction)
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"This report makes a case for revitalizing investments in communication for immunization. It considers communication in a broad sense, including advocacy, social and community mobilization, and information, education, and communication (IEC) activities. It identifies communication challenges that af
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fect the success of immunization services; offers evidence of the contributions of communication activities; identifies lessons learned, and suggests ways in which communication can continue to strengthen immunization programs. Without well-planned, adequately funded strategic communication, immunization programs fall short of meeting and sustaining coverage goals. Communication is particularly needed to achieve vaccination coverage in hard-toreach populations and to build trust in vaccines among those who question them. Stakeholders also need to advocate for immunization programs to persuade governments, donors, and other actors to support vaccine programs vis-á-vis other health programs and priorities." (Page 2)
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"This Praxis Paper offers a brief overview of current thinking and practice in relation to the impact assessment of organisational capacity building interventions. The paper highlights some of the conceptual, methodological and practical challenges (issues of clarity, power and culture, among others
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) and then goes on to provide an overview of some of the practical approaches that have been adopted by NGOs and CSOs to overcome these challenges. It is a thought piece designed to engage practitioners (particularly those from developing and transitional countries) in a fruitful debate." (Executive summary)
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"Neue Entwicklungen im Bereich der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) bieten die Möglichkeit, den freien Zugang (open access) zu Informationen physisch zu erleichtern und neue Systeme und Netzwerke wissenschaftlicher und technologischer Innovationen zu etablieren. Insbesondere im Be
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reich des wissenschaftlichen Publizierens können elektronische Vertriebswege helfen, Entwicklungsländer an das globale Informationsnetz besser einzubinden und deren wirtschaftliche Situation zu stärken. Folgende positive Wirkungen für Entwicklungsländer lassen sich beispielhaft benennen: Erhöhung der Sichtbarkeit der Forschungsaktivitäten; Förderung des Informationsaustauschs sowohl unter Wissenschaftlern in Entwicklungsländern als auch mit Wissenschaftlern in den westlichen Ländern; Erhöhung der Attraktivität wissenschaftlicher Standorte und damit Verringerung der Abwanderung von Wissenschaftlern; Erschließung neuer Einnahmequellen für universitäre Einrichtungen durch die Etablierung von neuen Geschäfts- und Finanzierungsmodellen im Bereich des elektronischen Publizierens auf Basis der wissenschaftsgestützten Informationsversorgung. Bislang gibt es nur wenige Initiativen, die Wissenschaftler oder wissenschaftliche Institutionen in Entwicklungsländern bei der strukturierten elektronischen Veröffentlichung eigener Publikationen unterstützen. Dies mag zum Teil noch an den schlechten infrastrukturellen Voraussetzungen liegen, entscheidend sind aber mangelnde Kenntnis der Potentiale sowie unzureichende institutionelle und rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen in den meisten Entwicklungsländern. Die Bundesregierung hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, durch wissenschaftlich-technologische Kooperation mit Entwicklungsländern deren Leistungsfähigkeit und damit die Entwicklung und den Wohlstand zu fördern. Die Wissenschaftlich technische Zusammenarbeit des BMBF ergänzt entwicklungspolitische Maßnahmen des BMZ in Partnerländern u.a. durch Auf- und Ausbau der wissenschaftlich-technologischen Infrastruktur. Zur Unterstützung wissenschaftsgestützter Publikationsprozesses im Rahmen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit werden unterschiedliche Handlungsfelder dargestellt: Aufbau institutioneller Archive; Teilnahme an „Open Access Journals“; Entwicklung von Standards zum Austausch von Daten und für die Langzeitarchivierung, sowie Kompatibilität mit internationalen Standards; Aktivierung unterschiedlicher wirtschaftlicher und politischer Akteure auf allen Ebenen für die Unterstützung neuer Bibliotheken, fachspezifischer und regionaler Zugänge, neuer Mehrwertdienste und Geschäftsmodelle. Schlussendlich gibt die Studie zahlreiche Anregungen, wie Projekte im Bereich des elektronischen Publizierens konzipiert werden können." (Zusammenfassung)
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"Media support should have a long term approach (3-5 years); media support should be framed to capacity building related to media production supporting development of media management targeting mainly women; development of producer skills and screenwriting targeting women and young people; developme
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nt of civil society and its media capacity targeting especially Human Right focused organisations and associations; development of internal democracy in media entities, and development of a platform for young media producers in the Middle East and North Africa. Media support should mainly target the audiovisual media sector; Media support should promote exchange between different Arab regions and promote exchange between the Arab Region and the Western world." (Executive summay, page 13)
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"To develop communication capacity specifically around adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) and the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) organized a joint regional workshop "Strategic Communication: Building Trust and Responding to
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Adverse Events Following Immunisation in South Asia", in New Delhi from 9 to 10 August 2004. This working paper synthesises the presentations and debates from the workshop." (Foreword)
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"The research was informed by desk research, two technical reviews and a stakeholder consultation in four countries – Honduras, South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana. It proved very timely as it contributed significantly to ongoing consultations in South Africa and Tanzania. In South Africa ICASA annou
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nced the availability of a four year community television license and ongoing lobbying for frequencies should result in a number of initiatives happening in the next year or so. In Tanzania, the regulator consulted on community radio licensing, resulting in a lowering in license fees [...] The net conclusion is that community television could play a huge role in empowering local communities. While community radio has such a role now, it is possible that television viewing could over the next ten years erode the role of radio. Uptake of low power televisions could leave communities with national or multi channel broadcasts that are entertaining but do very little to stimulate dialogue about development, empower people as agents of change, protect local language and local culture. Community television could play a strong role in stimulating development dialogue, supporting local economies, be a vehicle for decentralised government egovernance and share local content in local language and local culture – a local voice. Advocates of community television need to be realistic in the development of the institutional framework for the station, and in the influence of the wider environment on the shape of the station. The report ends with a number of general recommendations, and a specific recommendation that some pilot community television stations should be set up in the immediate future to document the parameters required for a successful innovative community television station." (Executive summary, page 3-5)
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