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Université de Lausanne
The Information Societyand Human Rights
Summer University on Human Rights 2002Palais des Nations, August 13
Alexander OsterwalderHEC Lausanne
[email protected]+41 21-692.34.20
Université de Lausanne
Agenda
1 Introduction to Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) p
the « Information Society » communication technologies today & tomorrow the Internet
2 Access technologies p the issues the technology
3 Implications for NGO's p the issues e-NGO's
4 ICT and Human Rights p cases
Université de Lausanne
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 19 Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
[UNHCHR]
"from Abkhaz to Zulu."The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets the
Guinness World Record for Most Translated Document
Université de Lausanne
The « Information Society »
From the « Industrial Society » to the « Information Society » Fundamental change in the structure of production and commerce
(land, labor, capital -> information, knowledge)
« Information Economy » information and knowledge become the primary production factors the reduction in their cost of production and circulation, contribute
to more global and frictionless markets information and knowledge-based economic sectors and products
become dominant
Definition of the « Information Society » « The Information Society is a society where the ability to access,
search, use, create and exchange information is the key for individual and collective well-being. »
[WSIS, 2001]
Université de Lausanne
Communication technologies today
Media Communication pattern Place & time Reach Price
Face-to-face
-
Telefon
Global
Fax & mail
Global
Radio & TV
Local High
Local
Same place same time
Low & high
Different place same time
Medium & high
different place different time
low & medium
Different place same time
different place different time
Medium & high
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Communication technologies tomorrow
Media Communication pattern Place & time Reach Price
Global Low
Global Low
WWW
Global Medium
Global
Different place different time
Instant messaging
different place different time
same time
Different place different time
Interactive TV and radio
Different place different time
Local global
Medium high
Video conferencing
different place same time
Low medium
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The Internet, a network of networks
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/web/000www.htm
App
lica
tion
sIn
fras
truc
ture
•e-mail•www•Ftp•VoIP•Messaging
●Computers●ISP's●routers●networks& backbones●servers
Dig
ital
Div
ide
Dig
ital
Div
ide
Université de Lausanne
ICT: main issues
Bandwidth&
connectivity
content&
media literacy
Infr
astr
uctu
reA
pplic
atio
ns
Cos
t
•Existence of connectivity•Quality of connectivity•Cost of connectivity•Cost of new infrastructure
•Relevant content•Knowledge & use of content (critical)•Knowledge & use of applications•Installlation & costs of applications
Université de Lausanne
Access through copper wire (telephone network)
Infrastructure Often existing infrastructre: telephone networks Expensive to set-up new phone lines Copper wires are targets to thieves in some countries Very mature technology
Bandwidth Low bandwidth Depending on quality of telephone lines
Cost Low access costs No costs to go from phone network to data network
Regions Global
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Access through satellite
Infrastructure High launching costs Great reach Mature technology
Bandwidth Medium to high bandwidth
Cost Medium to high access costs Sinking
Regions North America, Latin America,
Africa, Asia, rural regions
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Access through mobile & fixed wireless networks
Infrastructure (mobile networks & wireless local loops WLL)
Often new infrastructure necessary Comperatively cheap infrastructure set-up
costs Relatively mature technology
Bandwidth Low (to high)
Cost Medium to high access costs Low costs to change from voice to data
networks Regions
Global
Université de Lausanne
Access through electricity
Infrastructure Largely existing infrastructure Immature technology Expensive new infrastructure
Bandwidth High bandwidth
Cost Medium access costs Relatively expensive upgrade from
electricity to data Regions
Latin America, Asia, big cities in developing countries
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Access through cable networks
Infrastructure Built on cable TV networks Mature technology Expensive new infrastructure
Bandwidth High bandwidth Bandwidth scharing
Cost Medium access costs
Regions North America, Europe, big cities
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Other access technologies
XDSL on copper wire Builds on quality copper wire networks Short distance only
3rd generation wireless networks Medium to high network upgrading costs Medium to very high bandwidth
802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) Only for local areas Very high bandwidth Security issues
AdHoc Networks Infrastructure-less building on devices Up-coming technology Independance from operators
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ICT and its influence on different issues
e-business and e-commerce Selling over the web Increasing efficiency New businesses
e-education Global reach Multi-media Integration & knowledge transfer
e-health Integration & knowledge transfer Improving human condition
e-government Integration & efficiency
e-NGO's and activism
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How ICT influences NGO's
Increasing efficiency By using ICT NGO's can automate repetitive tasks and concentrate on
their core role.
Improving credibility The use of ICT helps NGO's gain credibility towards donors and decision
makers
Changing the balance of power NGO's gain influence and power through ICT because the patterns of
communication have changed.
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The e-NGO and efficiency
Automation of repetitive tasks Standard letters e-mails
Access to information and knowledge World Wide Web (WWW)
Co-operation Better & cheaper communication
Fundraising New fundraising mechanisms Databases, web, e-mail
New services Publications
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The Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Internet and ICTs for SocialJusitice and Development
Training Materials Learn about
Managing your NGO Mission-driven business
planning toolkit Using the Internet strategically
Examples
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HURIDOCS: handling information in Human Rights
Tools Developing tools and techniques for information handling (such as formats
for the recording and exchange of information on documents, organisations, and human rights violations).
Training Organising training courses and workshops on human rights information
handling in co-operation with organisations involved in the network.
Advice Providing advice and support on the establishment and maintenance of
documentation centres and information systems.
Université de Lausanne
NetAid Online Volunteering (www.netaid.org)
Our mission is to connect people — to each other and to the projects, organizations and ideas that are making a real difference in the lives of the extremely poor around the world.
Bring online volunteers and organizations together
Translation services Websites Fundraising Marketing Etc.
Université de Lausanne
Open Source Software
« Perhaps the most significant impacts may not be related to the access to the information services themselves – but rather the systems that enable access to take place »
Need for free, acessible and open systems
The right to tinker: « Computer software patenting threatens the development of alternative, compatible computer systems »
Openness for innovation and co-operation
Open source software is intended to be freely shared and possibly improved and redistributed by others
The code of the software is openly acessible and free of copyright The software is improved by an arsenal of global programmers The software is free of charge
[Felten, 2002]
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The e-NGO and transparency
Accounting Transparency Funding Attribution of funds
Providing information About: Goals Knowledge & expertise On-going projects
Sphere of influence Increasing reach & visibility
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The e-NGO and power
Access Access to information & knowledge Acces to the agenda and decision makers
Participation What, where, how Publishing opportunities
Partnering Increasing co-operation
Pressure Increasing weight Mobilisation of the « public opinion »
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Activism: country reports
Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is an
independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly.
Amnesty International Activities range from public
demonstrations to letter-writing, from human rights education to fundraising concerts, from individual appeals on a particular case to global campaigns on a particular issue.
Monitoring
Université de Lausanne
Women's voices: a project by the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG)
Women's Voices is a video initiative which gives women living in poverty a voice in public policy making in Nairobi, Kenya
the women learnt scripting, shooting and editing and how to present their communities by showing rough-cuts and recording opinions and asking for contributions to the story and the narratives
Videos transferred to CDs and shown around the world and on the Web.
Impact direct and sustained contact with political
representatives increase in participation in the political process contract with a local TV network Growing self-esteem and respect from their
families and communities
Université de Lausanne
Fondation Hirondelle: Radio OKAPI in the DR du Congo
Radio Okapi: A project of MONUC and the Fondation Hirondelle in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A radio destined to accompany the peace process
A transmission network of satellites, radio and Internet
Programming devoted to health, education, human rights
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Activism: campaigns
NIGERIA: Campaign for human rights reform
focuses on building international pressure
aims to support human rights defenders inside
Documentation of HR in Nigeria
Country reportDocumentation of the cases of 21 Nigerians
Detained for the defence of HR10-point program for HR reform
Addressed to the nigerian gov.Suggested actions for readers
Université de Lausanne
ICT in the Summer University on Human Rights
SUHR 95% of communication with students via e-mail e-learning e-mailing list Database for student coordination
Activism Agenda and participation rules Draft resolution mailed to other NGOs Cooperation, negociation, modification and signature Impact and weight increased through joint declaration
Université de Lausanne
B92
Yugoslavian radio station that used... ...the Internet as a means of bypassing
media repression. Ranks in the top three Yugoslav sites
with around 15,000 visitors per day
Closed down 4 times by the Milosevic Regime (1991-2000)
Had 1 Mio hits per day during the NATO air-raids
Radio and TV production were sent via satellite and Internet
Co-ordinated anti-regime protests and encouraged post-regiem voting.
Université de Lausanne
Some references: books
[Hick, Halpin, Hoskins (2000)][Hansen (1998)] [Norris (2001)]
Université de Lausanne
Some references: articles
Hegener (1999) « The Internet, Satellites, and HR », e-OTI Hick, McNutt (2002) Advocacy, Activism, and the Internet Sewall (2000), « The Internet and Human Rights »
Université de Lausanne
Some references: links
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights http://www.unhchr.ch/
Central and Eastern European Internet Directory for HR (CEEHR) http://www.ceehr.euv-frankfurt-o.de/hr/Welcome.html
Summer University on Human Rights http://www.droitshumains.org/uni/index_a.htm
Human Rights Internet: Internet training program http://www.hri.ca/training/html/contents.htm
APC.org: using the Internet strategically http://www.apc.org/english/capacity/strategy/examples_90s.shtml
International Human Rights Law Group http://www.hrlawgroup.org
Infosociety.ch http://www.infosociety.ch/