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WHO WE ARE
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Testimonials from GKP Members, Partners & Friends
"All of us involved in WSIS know how important GKP was for the success of WSIS. Together with SDC you created the ICT4D Platform at the Geneva Summit in 2003, which was the biggest ever worldwide gathering of ICT4D experts."
Charles Geiger UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Global (International Organisation) and Former Executive Director WSIS
"GKP is a truly ACTIVE multistakeholder organization like no other. Need more focus on ICT4D Issue specifically internet rather than sanitation, pure drinking water, healthcare issues.Thanks to GKP.It is a real gathering for learning, experiencing path for real development."
Md. Mojahidul Islam Bangladesh ICT Journalism Forum (BIJF), Bangladesh (Civil Society Organisation)
"In supporting the generation of knowledge through research in developing countries by developing countries and for developing countries, being a part of GKP is critical for IDRC to link to other institutions around the world with the same focus. GKP is a platform for our partners in the South to engage with each other, and for peer-to-peer interactions to occur. GKP provides a much broader audience around the world – this is the value of GKP to IDRC and I hope as much that IDRC can bring value to GKP."
Michael Clarke International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada (Government)
"Being a GKP member has provided Omar Dengo Foundation with interesting opportunities - more contact with organisations with a perspective of doing local work, openness and flexibility for exchanges to happen, and opportunities for South-South cooperation, which are all extremely valuable. GKP provides a space for interactions across regions which has enabled us to expand our contacts and exchanges outside of Latin America, with other regions (Asia, Africa, etc.). Also as a multistakeholder network, GKP opens up the possibilities for governments, international institutions, private organisation and NGOs to approach development issues in a professional and serious way. GKP has a relevant role to play in forming integrated perspectives on the appropriation of digital technologies, how to develop on-the-ground solutions with equity, practicality and in a manner applicable to actual development."
"GKP's main value is in serving as a platform for building partnerships and face-to-face knowledge sharing. Its comparative advantage lies in its multistakeholder-centred convenor role and its facilitation of South-South and North-South exchanges."
"GKP is a platform, a meeting place for things happen, a good space to work at international and global levels with respect to development."
"There are not many networks working with ICT and empowerment. GKP is significant in that it recognises the need for different stakeholders to enable effective development - that is working with business, community and government. GKP provides this platform, which is also a platform where differences can be discussed and this leads to learning, exchange of expertise and meaningful knowledge sharing which is through doing. Interactions within GKP helps information to be transformed meaningfully to action."
"GKP enabled the presence of Southern perspectives and participation in sharing and exchanging of experiences in its global events. Without GKP, there would have been no southern participation in the WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) process."
"UNECA is able to share experiences and knowledge on ICT policy formulation and to engage with other sectors in multi-stakeholder partnerships through GKP."
"GKP is a good teaching and learning vehicle for ICT4D through its network and multi-stakeholder partnership processes. GKP has great value for knowledge sharing and south-south analysis for the Pacific."
"GKP has provided our small NGO the community to carry out our mission. GKP has also helped us connect with other bigger institutions from various sectors and on an equal footing which is very important to us. GKP's main benefit is to provide a voice for those who cannot speak." Eva Tanner
"eCOM-LAC is highly impressed with GKP activities and they keep us on track on many ICT4D issues."
"GKP allows the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to achieve 3 key objectives: firstly, to establish partnerships which leverage on resources COL's reach in 53 Commonwealth countries; secondly, to extend our South-South collaborations to that of a North-South reach involving COL's network of the Commonwealth member states; and thirdly, to enable COL to tap the GKP Network's knowledge in niche areas such as low cost technologies, open source, as well as communities of practices in content development." "Participation in GK3 (the GKP Third Global Knowledge Conference) has enabled an environment for triangular and South-South cooperation."
"Like GKP, OneWorld South Asia is a network and a proud founder member of GKP. We work on similar and common domains and GKP allows us to reach out to a global community beyond our own network and to increase the value of multi-stakeholder partnerships. GKP provides us with the platform to showcase what our communities have been doing and facilitates exchanges of ideas. The GKP Network brings us great value." Naimur Rahman OneWorld South Asia/OneWorld International, Global (Civil Society Organisation)
"What makes GKP unique in part is its membership. It has grassroots civil society organisations interacting with policy makers from large development from large development organisations. GKP also brings everybody together, regardliess of their background and hierarchy on a level playing field to discuss ideas together as a group." Michael Roberts International Development Research Centre, Canada (Government) "The fact that GKP Secretariat is located in an emerging economy reflects the respect and value placed in GKP for its capacity, leadership and knowledge." Clotilde Fonseca Omar Dengo Foundation, Costa Rica (Civil Society Organisation) "The comparative advantage of GKP is that you have certain standards to become a member. So if you approach a GKP member, you know that you can expect a certain quality and reliability. That is very valuable." Gerolf Weigel Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland (Government) "UNESCO has recognised the need to develop GKP into one of the most effective mechanism for forging partnerships, particularly to promote access to information and knowledge." Abdul Waheed Khan United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Global (International Organisation) "We met D.Net of Bangladesh through GKP. Today, we have an institutional MoU together... we (also) get the opportunity to brand and enhance our visibility as well as increase our credibility. So that's again GKP's contribution to Sarvodaya Fusion." Harsha Liyanage Sarvodaya Fusion, Sri Lanka (Civil Society Organisation) "GKP is an effective platform enabling interactions between global organisations and regional ones, and between regional networks and the grassroots-level societies." Eskedar Nega United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA), Ethiopia (International Organisation) "GKP is able to see how a grassroots organisations like us can actually fit in the global picture, have a voice at the global level and interact with global players." John Dada Fantsuam Foundation, Nigeria (Civil Society Organisation) "There is no better network than GKP to access like-minded organisations involved in a global platform that shares knowledge, foster innovation, and presents examples of how ICT can empower people and improve their lives." Akhtar A. Badshah Microsoft Corporation, Global (Private Corporation) "SEWA is a member of Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) from last one year (2003) and within this short span we are able to attend two world summits and conferences on the information society. These summits/conferences have given us the platform to showcase our small endeavours in the field of Information and Communication technology while organizing poor women in informal economy to provide full employment and self-reliance through the strategy of struggle and development. His has helped our organization to gain recognition for its work, globally. However, these summits have also given us the opportunity to meet various players in the field of ICT at international levels. Endeavour of each organization is appreciable and given us dreams for future actions. Moreover, Network of GKP has able us to develop collaborations with similar objective members at private sectors and civil societies. I am thankful to GKP for providing such a great opportunity to SEWA and its dreams." Namrata Bali Chandramohan Self Employed Women's Association, India (Civil Society Organisation) "As a GKP member, we are able to be a part of a powerful group of policy influencers and it helps us to remain on the cutting edge of trends within the Information and Communication Technologies." Tatiana Ershova Institute of the Information Society, Russia Federation (Civil Society Organisation) "If we are to look forward, we might want 2003 to be remembered as the year more serious thoughts about scaling ICT4D started to take hold. Through its networking and outreach functions in the last few years and at WSIS, GKP has played a pivotal role in helping this multiplier effect to be heard and felt. GKPs energetic and impressive staff, and a deepening multi-stakeholder partnership, have an ongoing key role to play if scaling is to become a reality for poor communities in developing countries. As an early and seeding supporter of ICT4D, IDRC appreciates the strength networks and partnerships can bring to scale the innovation efforts of Southern digital pioneers." Richard Fuchs International Development Research Centre, Canada (Government) "The GKP serves as a crucial mechanism for building action-oriented relationships between a wide variety of stakeholders in the information society. These relationships are critical in bridging the gap between knowledge and action in the field of ICT4D. Why? Because before any of us is willing to take a risk and change our behaviour or implement a new idea, we have to be confident that the advice is sound, relevant to our own situation and that we are able to modify it to meet our needs. In a world of information overload, our primary mechanism for filtering information, assessing its trustworthiness and deciding what to act upon, is through the people we know. In a few short years, the GKP has become an outstanding relationship broker - introducing organisations to one another and building confidence in their credibility." Terri Willard International Institute for Sustainable Development, Global (Civil Society Organisation) "(Quotation from Abel Caine while with ITC Services, Government of Fiji) ITC has benefited tremendously from GKP membership and we look forward to continually working with GKP and to strengthening GKP for future work. ITC has gained much more value from GKP membership than from most other UN agencies (with ITU coming in at distant second). GKP support has 1st been financial, then content, then partnerships. This is a perfect role for GKP as facilitator. It would be fantastic (but probably idealistic) to have GKP as Project Manager." Abel Caine United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Global (International Organisation) "Opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking are some major benefits weve derived from our membership with GKP. Such opportunities prove invaluable particularly in my personal capacity as member of the newly-formed committee to draw-up the ITC component of the Philippine Medium Development Plan." Albert Velasco MailStation Net, Philippines (Private Corporation) "I am a member of GKP because only global partnerships in knowledge - sharing and dissemination can help us to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals in the area of human health, nutrition security and happiness." M. S. Swaminathan M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, India (Civil Society Organisation) "Omar Dengo Foundation has seen an extraordinary development of GKP throughout 2003. Very serious and intensive global work has been accomplished and the areas defined as focal points to foster projects have been powerfully drawn. As a matter of fact, they have contributed significantly to a clearer and more effective understanding of what the present and the future of GKP is. Both networking and powerful professional dialogues have taken place, both on-line and face to face. GKP has had the fortune of sound and flexible leadership team, which has provided the emerging organisation both with accomplishments and vision." Clotilde Fonseca Fundación Omar Dengo, Costa Rica (Civil Society Organisation) "Just as we say in our village: Knowledge is like a river flowing. If you come to it with a bucket, you will go back with a full bucket. But if you come with a tea spoon, you will go back with not more than a full tea spoon. For me, GKP is like that river." Sylvie Siyam Siwe PROTEGE QV, Cameroon (Civil Society Organisation) "GKP appears to be the trailblazer that we've been waiting for, for social entrepreneurship in Africa." Kris Azukaeme Volunteer Fantsuam Foundation, Nigeria (Civil Society Organisation) "I think the GKP got a tremendous boost from the success of the ICT4D Platform in Geneva. For me, it has always been an extremely useful network, particularly for ensuring partners' participation in the creation and development of UNESCO's programme for Community Multimedia Centres. The challenge for any network is to remain relevant to its users. It's essentially up to GKP members to make sure GKP continues to offer an effective framework for partnerships in the area of ICT4D - and the best way to do that is to use it!" Abdul Waheed Khan United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Global (International Organisation) "The most important role of ICT in development is fostering a knowledge-intensive sustainable livelihood security system in rural areas, since ICT can enable us to reach the unreached and include the excluded in information, knowledge and skill empowerment. I am a member of GKP because only global partnerships in knowledge - sharing and dissemination can help us to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals in the area of human health, nutrition security and happiness." M. S. Swaminathan M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, India (Civil Society Organisation) "Working with colleagues from different cultures and countries within the context of GKP, has allowed us to grasp better the complexities associated to the implementation of technological, educational and social projects to bridge the digital divide in developing and developed countries. It has also allowed us to understand that we all have much to contribute, much to discuss, and much to learn through dialogue and through the sharing of ideas and initiatives that have generated knowledge and experience that can be exchanged to further better living conditions for all." Clotilde Fonseca Fundación Omar Dengo, Costa Rica (Civil Society Organisation) "GKP for us, in terms of ICT4D, is an organisation that shows the way and the evolution of technology so that our beneficiaries will not miss out. GKP gives us the opportunity to share what we have done, what we have on our minds, and also gives us hope." Momeni Avis PROTEGE QV, Cameroon (Civil Society Organisation) "The library in the SIDAREC's Nairobi based Mukuru Resource Centre and Library now have a total of 15 networked computers, all with internet connections. These centre-based computers are used by the community members, while computers in the library are used by students coming to access information in the library. All this have been possible with the help of partners such as GKP. When I went to India in 2003 on South-South Exchange program, I learnt a lot and came back with more ideas I wanted implemented. GKP has been a great partner in facilitating this learning." George Onyango Slums Information Development and Resource Centers, Kenya (Civil Society Organisation) "ICTs can only be seen as one of many tools available to promote sustainable human development. It is important how this tool is designed, introduced and used based on the cultural background of the community that we are working with and the identification of its own communication and information flows. We are only at the very beginning of a long learning process and we are still experimenting with how ICTs can be used. ICTs that have been used as a "top down", "one model fits all", "solution for all problems", did more harm than good. We need to learn how we can successfully integrate ICTs in the long and hard process of achieving sustainable development. If we use ICTs as a tool that is sensitive to the needs and overall circumstances of the grass-roots communities, ICTs will become a important, positive factor. Regional and global networks offer opportunities for exchanging information, learning from each other and joint actions at local level. The specific talents of each participating organisation contribute to an overall greater impact than if a single organisation or regional network worked alone. If we really manage to work in synergy with each other, developing a system to manage knowledge, both local and regional projects will benefit immeasurably. But this needs to be done based on a set of core values of equality and justice. Global networks, such as the GKP have the ability to support policy development at local level by sharing knowledge and experiences. Singly we are weak, together we can make an impact." Karin Delgadillo Fundación ChasquiNet, Ecuador (Civil Society Organisation) "Sida supports the integration of ICT in developing countries. GKP serves a valuable forum for discussions of best practices regarding the use of ICT for economic and social development. GKP also offers a good platform for knowledge sharing and for collaboration between ICT forefront organizations in the South and in the North. Thus GKP played a major role to include a southern perspective into the G-8 DOT Force process." Bengt Oberger Swedish International Development Cooperation, Sweden (Government) "Through the significant partnership with GKP, BFES has reached in understanding that the Knowledge revolution has enormous potential to empower people and communities, offering even remote areas a level of access to information and know-how previously unimaginable." Reza Salim Bangladesh Friendship Education Society, Bangladesh (Civil Society Organisation) "GKP membership has given OneWorld http://www.oneworld.net/ access to vital networking opportunities. Whether making new contacts for the first time or deepening relationships, GKP has led to OneWorld collaborating on new projects and programmes in ICT for development." Peter Armstrong OneWorld International, Global (Civil Society Organisation) "ICT4D represents one of Africa's last chances to embark on an accelerated development process that would bring economic and social benefits to all. In our continent, it is not about bringing technology, be it sophisticated or low-cost. It is about creating the appropriate conditions for a more decent life by helping: " more people to get minimum food intake and drinkable water, " all children, and especially girls, to enrol in primary education " women to become equal partners at all levels of personal and professional life, starting by equity in accessing education " a maximum number of newborn children to go beyond the age of five " women to survive delivery " more and more people to improve their health conditions, and more specifically to stop the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS and other diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis " an increasing number of people to live in a healthier environment ...and if these objectives look familiar, it is because ICT4D in Africa is basically about achieving the MDGs, the Millennium Development Goals. But ICT4D in Africa is not only about basic needs. It is also about creating more job opportunities, in line with a rapidly evolving work market. It is also about supporting the emergence of more capable states, by mainstreaming ICTs into government activities, both internally and in their interactions with citizens. It is about anchoring - firmly - Africa's business and trade activities to the world information and knowledge-based economy. We have a popular proverb in Tunisia that says: one hand alone can't applaud. I am sure that the same or equivalent exists in various cultures around the world. It means that when you have a challenging agenda before you, it is better to address it in partnership with others. The ICT4D agenda in Africa is a challenging one. We are implementing the AISI, the African Information Society Initiative. Since its genesis (1996) AISI has tried to build smart and fruitful alliances. We have our AISI related partnership mechanisms (PICTA, UN ICT Task Force African Stakeholders Network. etc...). But we also believe that partnership should go beyond Africa. We have a lot to share, we have a lot to learn, we have synergies to create with the rest of the world. It is in this context that we have been associated with GKP since the beginning. We have already hosted two annual meetings of GKP (1999 and 2002). We are delighted to have been elected a member of the EXCOMM." Karima Bounemra / Ben Soltane United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ethiopia (International Organisation) "Founder members of the IIS are between the ages of 40-50 years old and we remember the Soviet era when even a conventional phone was a luxury. We needed up to two weeks to exchange documents within the same city, two months to accomplish the same task within the country and a year to do so internationally! When the internet came to Russia in the 90s, the e-mail completely exploded the old business paradigm. The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have enhanced and accelerated communications and processes of every kind. Contracts were signed, local and international events organised and joint research papers written, without the need for face-to-face contact. The IIS website became the primary avenue for the promotion and marketing of our services. Today, people regard this site as a definitive source for the latest e-development ideas and information. Mobile phones arrived in the late 90s, and broadband in 2003. We are now able to leverage upon the ICTs with teleconferencing, e-bank transfers, online conflict resolution, distant organisation of events and online journals - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ICTs have enabled IIS to deliver a range of consultancy services. It is a combination of analytical and consulting activities, R&D, awareness-raising, and building of portals. Currently we are trying to replicate the success of IIS through the transfer of experience and knowledge to 257 organisations in 28 regions within the Russian Federation. As a GKP member, we are able to be a part of a powerful group of policy influencers and it helps us to remain on the cutting edge of trends within the Information and Communication Technologies." Tatiana Ershova Institute of the Information Society, Russian Federation (Civil Society Organisation) "Information and Communication have long been recognised as fundamental to development processes in all societies but the "t" for technology represents enormous potential to accelerate inclusion of the millions of people whose basic needs are not met, to amplify their voices in more equitable management of the world's resources and preservation of its environmental and cultural diversity for the benefit of present and future generations. The "t" also provides a bridge, bringing together developed and developing countries, businesses, academics, and community groups in a joint endeavour to realise the Millennium Development Goals. This is where the Global Knowledge Partnership comes in. FDC joined because we were excited to see that GKP had embraced new paradigms in terms of development cooperation, putting those paradigms into practice in its own network, engaging with developed and developing country partners, governmental and non-governmental organisations and business leaders, and combining its interest in the identification of best practice in ICT4D governance and programming with a determination to contribute to achievement of the MDGs by pushing beyond "pilot" projects to replication and up-scaling. History will judge us harshly if we waste this opportunity." Beris L Gwynne The Foundation for Development Cooperation, Australia (Civil Society Organisation) "Pour la réunion, c'était vraiment bien organisé. J'ai trouvé la formule de coopération avec les membres locaux très intéressante - chacun a pu "briller" à son tour. Meaning: The Colombo meetings (i.e. the International Forum 2006 and the Annual Members Meeting) were really well organised. The formula of cooperating with local members was particularly interesting, and each one was able to "shine" at one moment or another." Isabelle Roy, Eng Canadian International Development Agency, Canada (Government) "GKP is a good platform to interact with other civil society organisations internationally. Helps to build networks and find new opportunities for social intervention. It is a laudable and very highly needed initiative." Ravi Gupta Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies, India (Civil Society Organisation) "Diplo has been a member of the GKP for the last two years. In this period we have found the GKP to be an excellent global environment, which closely matches our own institutional objectives, including: a multi-stakeholder approach, high flexibility, innovation, etc. As often happens, the institutional aspect is related to very good human interaction. The Secretariat is particularly responsible for creating such a favourable atmosphere. We are particularly pleased with the Secretariats approach, which combines two, very often contradictory, processes: innovation/flexibility with implementation / management." Jovan Kurbalija DiploFoundation, Europe (Civil Society Organisation) "GKP has helped us with leadership development in our organization, exposing local staff to international audiences and opportunities." Michael Chertok Digital Divide Data, Global (Civil Society Organisation) "I think GKP provides highly responsive, customized and focused support to the members as has been our experience in dealing with them. However we hope this process will continue in the future as well." Chetan Sharma Datamation Foundation, India (Civil Society Organisation) "Global networks, such as the GKP have the ability to support policy development at local level by sharing knowledge and experiences. Singly we are weak, together we can make an impact." Karin Delgadillo Fundación ChasquiNet, Ecuador (Civil Society Organisation)
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