F Africa seeks gadget lovers' cash

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
Date: September 23, 2004 10:05:06 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Africa seeks gadget lovers' cash
Reply-To: dewayne () warpspeed com

 Africa seeks gadget lovers' cash

 A global fund designed to shrink the technology gap between rich and 
poor nations is to be launched in November, said one of its key 
advocates.

 President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal said it would seek voluntary 
donations.

 Technology is seen by many as a way of helping developing nations 
educate their people, make them healthier and escape poverty.

 But richer countries rejected the idea of compulsory donations at a UN 
summit in Geneva in December 2003.

 Hi-tech contributions

 President Wade has been one of the chief proponents of a so-called 
digital solidarity fund for developing nations.

 He led efforts at the Geneva summit for firm financial commitments 
from the industrialised nations.

 But there were no pledges for cash to bankroll technology-related 
projects at the meeting.

 The fund announced by President Wade at a news conference in Geneva is 
a far cry from the original idea.

 It is due to be launched in Geneva on 17 November.

 The Senegalese leader said it would be based on voluntary 
contributions from the buyers of hi-tech goods in wealthy nations.

 Exactly how this would work has yet to be explained.

 But President Wade argued the fund would benefit industrialised 
countries, as millions of dollars would be used to buy computers, 
mobiles and other equipment from them.

 2005 follow-up

 Nations like Senegal see technology as a way of promoting economic 
growth and improve the life of its people.

 The World Summit on the Information Society held in December was the 
first UN summit which looked at the impact of technologies like the 
internet and mobile phones.

 It brought together more than 10,000 politicians, business 
representatives, development workers and technology experts for three 
days in Geneva.

 The summit ended with agreement on the great potential of technologies 
like the internet and the need to extend its benefits to all, without 
going into specifics.

 A follow-up summit is due to be held in Tunisia in 2005.

 Story from BBC NEWS:
 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/technology/3683322.stm>

 Published: 2004/09/23 11:48:05 GMT


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