The Workshop was a success in that we have met our goal of providing a platform sharing our interests. The workshop was attended by participants from universities, business, research centres, NGOs and government.
We are holding the Second Development Informatics Workshop (i.e.
Community Informatics for developing regions) on 30 October 2007 at the
campus of Monash South Africa (Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg).
On 5 July 2006 we held the First Development Informatics Workshop at Monash South Africa. Participants from universities, government, NGOs and business presented their interest in Development Informatics.
One point of consensus among participants was that sharing of research and development in the area of Development Informatics is lacking in South Africa, and that a vehicle to promote this field is required. Subsequent discussions with international players in the Development Informatics arena led to the conclusion that this is not only a local problem, but an international problem.
This led to the establishment in the beginning of 2007 of IDIA
(International Development Informatics Association -
http://www.developmentinformatics.org/),
with present Board Members from India, China, Argentina, Australia and South
Africa. The First International
Conference of IDIA will be held on 7 November 2007 in Prato (Italy).
The Association operates under the auspices of COSI (Centre for Organisational
and Social Informatics)
(http://infotech.monash.edu.au/research/centres/cosi/aboutcosi.htm)
of the Monash Caulfield Campus, Melbourne (Australia) .
The purpose of the 30 October 2007 Workshop is to obtain input from as many interested people as possible, to continue discussion and networking among people interested in this field, and to form alliances and partnerships. One envisaged outcome is to draw together our strengths to be more effective. To achieve this, we are keen to have your participation and commitment.
Dr Jacques Steyn
Head of School: Information Technology
Phone: +27-11-950-4132
Fax: +27-11-950-4033
Dr Jan Meyer
School of Information Technology
Phone: +27-11-950-4131
Fax: +27-11-950-4033