The collaboration between Bytesforall and UNDP Bangladesh’s Access to information programme (A2I) strives to bring in global opinions on the draft strategy document that A2I has prepared, and to get global opinions that will help guide ICT development in Bangladesh. A best practices section will also be included in the document, based on the contributions of collaborators worldwide. BytesforAll is looking to hear from you about how to shape digital Bangladesh’s future before taking the suggestions to policy makers. BytesforAll encourages a free-flow of information and a lively debate on people- and development- oriented ICT practices.
The space is an open forum where people can share their ideas, showcase their practices or discuss about policies that have had impact on the lives of many. All contributions are welcome, however, posts that create an intentional conflict based on gender, religion or nationality will not be published. We also will not publish direct personal attacks or pointed criticism (to an individual or organisation) unless accusations are supported by substantive evidence and/or justification as to why the author is making the statement. In cases where contributors are writing about a specific practice, we expect arguments from both sides the points and sufficient evidence to justify the statements.
How you can contribute
Start by reading the draft strategy document. For one week at a time, one or more questions related to a specific topic will be up for discussion, after which BytesforAll will prepare a summary for distribution. Relevant background material and the section of the draft strategy being addressed will be provided. The authors of the draft strategy document will also available to respond to any questions you may have regarding the content.
The key topics that will be discussed include: education, health, agriculture, access to justice, the environment (climate change, natural disasters, etc.), social safety nets, land and land rights, equitable citizen access, public and private partnership, policy and legal frameworks etc.
Please come participate the global online consultation.
Every week a different topic
The first discussion begins on 06 July 2010 and will run until 12 July, 2010. Following the discussion, the summary will be prepared and disseminated, and then a new question raised. We plan to run this discussion for a while.
See below for a tentative schedule of discussions
1. July 6 -12: Agriculture
2. July 13 -19: Local Government and civil service
3. July 20 – 26: Land
4. July 27 July – 2 August: Education
5. August 3 – 9: Health
6. August 10 -16: Social safety net, disaster – environment and climate change
7. August 17 – 23: Access to justice
8. August 24 – 30: Commerce & investment, banking & financing and PPP
9. August 31 – Sept 6 : ICT industry, policy and legal frameworks
10.September 7 – Sept 13: Connectivity
To send your thoughts, please send an email: bytesforall_readers@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe please send an email to: bytesforall_readers-subscribe@yahoogroups.
Please spread the word around and participate with your views, case studies and observations on what works and what does not work. We are listening so please come join the conversation!
For more information, please contact:
Fayazuddin Ahmad Advocate
Research Coordinator
Access to Information (A2I) Program
Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh
Email: fayazahmad@pmo.gov.bd
Partha Sarker
Co-founder, Bytesforall Network
Email: partha@bytesforall.net
Photo by nirbhao. Used with permission under Creative Content license 3.0.