[imc-qc] Three FMA ICT Policy Researches up for public presentation Aug. 31 & Sept 1

[Al Alegre]

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FMA Policy Researches up for Public Presentation at ADMU:
FOSS & EDUCATION (31 August); DIGITAL DIVIDE;
and GENDER & ICT POLICY (1 September)
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The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) is currently drafting seven
papers in information and communications technology (ICT) policy, as part
of its Project "Policy, Praxis and Public Interest: Engendering Strategic
InfoComms Policy Research in the Philippines".

Three of these thematic policy papers will have their preliminary
*Research Presentation and Validation Workshops* this week. All sessions
will be held at the *AudioVisual Room of the Social Development Complex*
of the Ateneo de Manila University (near the Institute of Social Order).


**31 August (Thursday); 9:00 AM- 12:00 noon:
"Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) and Education: Evolving
a Policy Framework and Action Plan for the Philippines"**
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This first study of its kind here aims to establish the background and
rationale of having a FOSS policy for the Philippine education sector, and
seeks to outline a program for implementation by the Philippine Commission
on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).  With research
support from FMA, this policy paper is being drafted by Dr. Emmanuel
Lallana, one of the CICT's own commissioners tasked with Human Capital
Development concerns, who will also lead the presentation.

Invited panelists to comment on this paper include:
- Mr.  Paolo Falcone, Board Secretary, Philippine Linux Users Group
(PLUG);
- Prof. Medel Aligan, Director, Information Management Office,
Bicol University;
- Dr. Celia Adriano, Professor, UP Diliman and the Diliman
Interactive Learning Center;
- Dr. Alvin Marcelo, Coordinator, International Open Source Network
(East/Southeast Asia), UNDP


**1 September  (Friday); 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon:
"Locating the Digital Divide in the Philippines"**
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This study aims to interrogate the concept of the so-called "digital divide",
and present various interpretations and measurements of it being employed
by various sectors nationally and globally. In addition, it tries to see
whether more empirical measures can be employed in locating its particular
manifestation in the Philippines, using survey data from the National
Statistics Office. Implications for social and ICT policy will also be
examined.

Invited panelists to comment on this paper include:
- Comm. Tim Diaz de Rivera, Director-General of the National Computer
Center, Commission on Information and Communications Technology;
- Mr. Dido Astrologo, Director of the National Statistical Coordination
Board;
- Ms. Raijeli Nicole, gender activist, and Executive Director, Isis
International-Manila
- Dr. Fernando Aldaba, Chair, Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila
University


**1 September  (Friday); 1:30 to 4:30 PM:
"Mainstreaming Gender Issues in ICT Policy Development"
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This study aims to analyze current national ICT policy frameworks and
identify the gaps in terms of gender. It will contain a short
international survey of approaches taken by selected governments in Asia,
Africa, Latin America and the EU to address gender issues within their own
ICT policies. The paper will also propose strategic policy recommendations
for implementation, adapted to the particular Philippine context.

Invited panelists to comment on this paper include:
- Dr. Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu, Chair, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology,
Ateneo de Manila
- Ms. Elsa Bautista, Focal Person for Gender and Development, National
Computer Center-CICT
- Ms. Ferly Enriquez, Chief, Information Resources Division, National
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
- Dr. Rosalinda Pineda-Ofreneo, Chair, Department of Women and Development
Studies, University of the Philippines-Diliman


After the presentations and panel reactions, an open forum will provide
participants the opportunity to forward questions, comments and
suggestions on how to enhance the final draft of the paper.

Policy recommendations from the abovementioned process, as well as those
for the Foundation's other researches will also serve as inputs to an
FMA-initiated civil society process of engaging the Commission on ICT in
forwarding comments and proposals to the Draft Philippine Strategic ICT
Roadmap 2006-2010.

**Please confirm your attendance by 29 August 2006 (Tuesday)**, via any
one of the following:
- email: c/o Ms. Chie Pastrana <chie [at] fma.ph>
- phone: (02) 435-6684
- fax: (02) 433-2192

==========
The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA; www.fma.ph)  is a
nongovernmental organization that works the area of information,
communications, and media, with a focus on promoting communication rights
for popular empowerment. Email: <info [at] fma.ph>