Case Study:
Awareness on correlations of ICT in poverty alleviation and
institutionalization of democracy
General mass
even the educated people have apathy on ICT and its progressive as they are not
aware or information on latest ICT development is not available to them. So,
there should be some process that the mass people especially the opinion
leaders should know all of that information.
Policies also
prevent the free flow of information, which is fundamental to institutionalize
democracy. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights state that
“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”.
BNNRC does like to spread the principles of article 19 and its implementation
to build up a true democratic society.
Even educated
people do not understand the correlation of access to information and knowledge
is fundamental not only in respect of institutionalizing democracy but it is
also correlated to poverty reduction. Forty years ago, Ghana and the Republic of Korea Korea ’s per capita income was six times higher
than Ghana ’s.
The development practitioners believe that half of the difference is due to Korea ’s
greater success in acquiring and using information. Mass people and especially
politicians and policy makers should have understanding on this correlation,
which are helpful to have favorable policy environment.
In order to create mass awareness on ICT use
and its correlation to poverty alleviation and institutionalization of
democracy, BNNRC has been working on promotion of 9 principles of article 19
and ICT use and potentials especially in remote areas and disadvantaged
communities.
BNNRC arranged a number
of seminars and workshops and also prepared some advocacy materials. Through
these seminars and advocacy materials, BNNRC oriented a number of policy makers
and regular citizens with ICT and its implication with ongoing development
initiatives. BNNRC arranged a national level training and 10 seminars at union
level. It also published three posters and two booklets and translated two
books into Bengali.
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Raising awareness about strategic use of ICT in
poverty alleviation and institutionalization of democracy
Promotional activities on ICT
and potentialities
Raising awareness of use of ICT
in developing life and livelihood of the rural people
Published Handbook on ICT4D for
MPs
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Mobilization at grassroots level
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Mobilizing the civil society to create demand for
the ICT facilities in the rural level
Mobilizing the local administration and locally
elected bodies about the role of ICT in achieving PRSP and institutional
goals
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Development materials
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Developing materials on ICT and poverty
alleviation
Lobby to using ICT in MDG process
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Advocacy
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Organizing dialogues with policy makers on ICT in
poverty alleviation
Conducting lobby to include ICT in PRSP process
Budget analysis and providing recommendation to
increase allocation for ICT related services at grassroots level
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Right to Information (RTI)
The right to information is a
constitutional right backed by the UN. Since the inception, BNNRC has
been working on promotion of 9 principles of article 19 and use and potentials
of RTI especially for the people of the remote areas and disadvantaged
communities from 2000.
As
a consequence of the long-term advocacy, an eight-member high-level committee
headed by the Joint Secretary (Development) of the Information Ministry
prepared the draft of the Right to Information (RTI) Ordinance 2008 in February 2008. The government put the draft on
the website of the Information Ministry on March 4 2008 to collect public opinion on it
till the Information
Ministry submitted it to the cabinet on June 18 when it was approved in
principle.
The draft had 27 articles on the
objective of the ordinance, methods of information dissemination, how to seek
or disclose information, exemptions from disclosure, formation of the
information commission and punishment for not disclosing information.
The Right to Information
Ordinance, 2008 (RTI) came into effect with the government publishing a gazette
notification Monday, on 20
October, 2008 . However, people will have to wait 90 working days
before they can use the law to get information. Within the 90 working days, an
information commission will be formed for proper execution of the law and
resolving public complaints regarding information.
All
preparation for releasing information under the law would be made within these
90 days. Even though at first six security and intelligence agencies were kept
outside the purview of the ordinance, the gazette shows eight agencies. The
agencies are National Security Intelligence, Directorate General of Forces
Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation Department of
police, Special Security Force, intelligence cell of National Board of Revenue.
The
Special Branch of Police and intelligence unit of Rapid Action Battalion were
added later. However, if the information is related to corruption and violation
of human rights in these agencies, they will have to provide the information
within 30 days.
The
ordinance classifies information which may pose threat to the security,
integrity and sovereignty of Bangladesh, obstruct law enforcement or incite any
offence, endanger public security or impede due judicial process of a pending
case, affect any criminal investigation, be prejudicial to the special rights
of the Parliament, documents including summaries to be placed before the
cabinet, or the council of advisers and information relating to discussions and
decisions of such meetings.
Within
60 days of promulgation of the ordinance all public, autonomous and statutory organizations
and other private institutions run on government or foreign funding that have been
brought under the new law will nominate an officer-in-charge for each of the
unit to provide information.
The
information ministry will form a five-member selection committee soon to
recommend candidates for the job of chief information commissioner and
information commissioners to the president. It will recommend two candidates
for each post.
A
judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, nominated by the chief
justice, will head the selection committee that will also have the cabinet
secretary as a member. The Speaker of the parliament would nominate a member
each from the treasury bench and the opposition bench and the government would
nominate a representative of eminent citizens for the selection committee.
The
information commission will consist of a chief information commissioner and two
commissioners, at least one of them will be a woman. It will have its
headquarters in Dhaka and in case of necessity would be able to establish
offices anywhere in Bangladesh
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Creating awareness on their right to information
as one of the basic rights
Raising awareness about strategic use of
information in changing their life and livelihood positively
Creating demand for availability of information
at rural level
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RTI promotion
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Promotion of 9 principles of
article 19
Distribution of the government draft RTI policy
among different stakeholders at grassroots level
Promoting mass people in offering valuable
comments and opinion on the draft RTI policy
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Mobilization at grassroots level
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Mobilizing the civil society to create demand for
open information facilities in the rural level
Mobilizing the local administration and locally
elected bodies about the role of RTI in achieving PRSP and institutional
goals
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Development materials
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Developing materials on RTI
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Advocacy
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Organizing dialogues with policy makers on RTI
Conducting lobby to formulate RTI policy with
other stakeholders
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People
will have to apply for information either in writing or through electronic
media or through email and will have to pay fees for applying and for the
information where applicable. However, the authorities may exempt an individual
or a class of individuals or any other class from paying such fees.
The
government in consultation with the information commission and by notification
in official gazette may fix the fees and if needed the price of information. The
officer-in-charge of providing information upon receiving a request will
provide the information within 20 working days. However, if more than one unit
or authority is involved, the information will be provided within 30 working
days. If the officer-in-charge fails to provide the information, he will inform
the applicant the causes in writing within 10 working days.
If the sought information is linked to life and death,
arrest or release from jail, the officer-in-charge will provide the preliminary
information within 24 hours. The council of advisers on September 20 gave the
final approval to the RTI ordinance. Against the backdrop of a longstanding
demand, the caretaker government took the initiative to formulate the RTI as
part of its institutional reforms.
After coming to the power of Awami League Government the
‘Parliamentary Standing Committee Bill (amended)’ of Information Ministry is
presented to the parliament and the mentioned Bill is got the shape of law on 29 March 2009 .
Rural Knowledge Volunteers (RKV)
Objective
To create an ICT resource base and young
student catalyst especially in coastal areas who will consider ICT as a basic
human right not as mere privilege.
Process
An ICT resource center has been established
in BNNRC secretariat and under this centre BNNRC develop, publish and
disseminate knowledge based development materials. Moreover, Rural Knowledge
Volunteers (RKV) are supported and promoted for disseminating knowledge and
information through inter-personal communication (IPC).
Achievements
The ICT resource centre established at
BNNRC secretariat is getting equipped continuously. Information on progressive
use of ICT is available in BNNRC secretariat. Teachers, political leaders and
especially students are aware on progressive use of ICT as door opener to
democratic and secular world. A total of five PhD researchers have closely used
this resource centre for their research work. BNNRC and its partner
organizations are frequently getting help from the resource sentre for their
advocacy, campaign and research programs. Moreover, a large number of booklets,
leaflets, posters, newsletter and bulletins have been developed and published
from theis resource centre which are immediately distributed among the policy
makers and stakeholders for the dissemination of information and knowledge on
the ICT and development issues.
Rural
Knowledge Volunteers (RKV)
Young community is a leading force in a
society. But rural young force is deprived of basic knowledge and information
regarding their development and social responsibility in Bangladesh
Achievement:
These volunteers are enhancing their own
skills through these RKCs on the one hand, at the same time they are playing
significant role in spreading warning and development message at the emergency
moment in their respective areas. Presently,
a total of 164 volunteers are actively working with the rural knowledge
centers. Out of them, 106 are young men and 58 are women. Through their
performance, many of them have become self-reliant and got suitable job with
the help of information and communication technology (ICT) skills.
A
total of 95 rural youth, both male and female known as RKV, trained from Rural
Knowledge Centers have been included as Data Operator in the Voter Registration
for preparing a fresh voter list with photographs and National Identity Card
(NID) program, taken by the Bangladesh Election Commission. This is the ever
first of such initiate in Bangladesh
Future Plan for RKV
The Rural Knowledge Centres (RKC) are going to be
strengthened with a number of targets including radio listening and watching, educating people on essential health
services through ICT, educating people on primary health care and awareness
raising on the preventive measures of HIV/AIDS, establishing Community Radio,
forming Radio Listener Club, building up livelihood skill of the rural people,
turning lifelong education centre, making language centre, RKC library and
providing civic education.
ICT Resource
Centre
Still mass
people consider the access to information communication technology (ICT) is a
privilege; it is not as a basic human right. Airwaves spectrum being considered
for profit or for revenue earning by the state, hardly it is being considered
as a public property for public good/welfare. Although in fact almost all the
research and infrastructure are done with public money, but the basic
facilities being enjoyed by the rich or by urban population and thus the
digital divide perpetuating poverty and exploitation mechanism.
An ICT4D resource centre has been established
at BNNRC secretariat and it is getting equipped continuously to create an ICT
resource base and to make young student catalyst especially in coastal area
consider ICT as a basic human right not as mere privilege.
Information on progressive use of ICT is
available in the resource centre. A total of five PhD researchers have closely
used this resource centre for their research work. BNNRC and its partner
organizations are frequently getting help from the resource centre for their
advocacy, campaign and research programs. Moreover, a large number of booklets,
leaflets, posters, newsletter and bulletins have been developed and published
from this resource centre which are immediately distributed among the policy
makers and stakeholders for the dissemination of information and knowledge on
the ICT and development issues.
Moreover, radio
is the only easy and low cost means of ICT for rural and coastal population.
Especially for the youth in those areas, this is the only and low cost access
for them in international world. BNNRC has been promoting radio listener’s
movement especially in the remote rural and coastal areas as a door opener
having access to international and free information world and developing the
radio listeners as primary ICT catalyst.
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Raising awareness about strategic use of ICT as a
basic human right
Promotional activities on ICT
and potentialities
Awareness raising knowledge and
materials sharing and distribution through the RKV
Updating RKV through knowledge
dissemination and social initiatives
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ICT Resource Centre
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Setting up ICT Resource Centre
in
Rich collection of ICT related books, newspapers,
magazines, journals, leaflets, web cards, stickers and other audio-visual
materials
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Resource management
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Catalogue of the resource materials to make the
ICT related data and information available for the stakeholders
ICT related knowledge management and updating
through collecting new publications and materials
Providing technical support from the resource
centre to 5 researchers for higher level academic research work
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Clearing and forwarding centre
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Resource materials distributed to Rural Knowledge Centers
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Advocacy and Campaign for Bridging the Digital
Divide/Information Divide
The prime concern in our country is today on
expanding the digital opportunities to bridge the digital divide. The promise
of the information economy – of tremendous possibility for human development,
of rapidly growing economies, of empowered communities and responsive
governance – is but a dream for the vast majority in Bangladesh .
BNNRC is now piloting some ICT activities
through out the county, these efforts are proving to be much less than what is
required to reach the downtrodden and the underserved people in the society. It
is because these initiatives are being implemented as pilot projects to harness
ICTs for Development (ICT4D) within a limited geographic location as well as
for the understanding of the implementing organizations through learning by
doing process.
The requirements such as for the basic ICT4D
infrastructure are enormous. The necessary resources will not flow
automatically from the technology-rich countries to the technology-poor
countries like Bangladesh .
Also the NGOs working in all parts of the country need to learn from the
experience of these pilot initiatives and try to replicate them with their own
initiative.
According to ITU
rule there should be at least 10 % land telephone line in the rural area, but
in fact at least in Bangladesh
it is not happening. In recent years Government of Bangladesh (GoB) opened the
mobile phone to private companies, but they are taking highest rate from people
compared to other part of the world. GoB takes 71 % taxes from amateur radio
equipment while it is only 5 % in India ; moreover BTRC takes such a
level of annual fee and taxes from radio equipment that people will be
disinterest on those equipments they will have to be depended on mobile phones.
ICT should consider as public service business, so there is not always question
of profit, it should be regulated with common mass interest. There are lots of
others issues, which are in fact hindering the mass use and expansion of ICT,
this needed research and relentless advocacy and campaign so that the issues should
become as a political demand.
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Raising awareness about the digital divide and
information divide
Promotional activities to
reduce digital and information divide
Raising awareness of global commons, national and
local commons and also internationally agreed obligatory
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Developing materials
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Publishing leaflet and booklets
on digital divide
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Advocacy
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To lobby with the
government to implement the state obligatory for bridging the digital divide
among the rural population
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In this
perspective, BNNRC has implemented research on the ICT issues to identify
policy and its implementation discrepancies, pro poor issues both for private
and public sectors, campaign to promote critical views and public opinions on
pro poor issues, campaign for favorable policy for community radio, arranged
seminar and dialogues at district level, developed communication materials for
campaign, etc.
Community
Radio
Community
Radio movement has started in 1998 in Bangladesh
In
2006, BNNRC, MMC, Focus, YPSA and Voice jointly organized a Three-Day long Round
Table on Community Radio as the National Advocacy Meeting. UNESCO, UNICEF and
UNDP joined in the advocacy activities for the first time. After Dr. Fakhruddin
Ahmed, the Honourable Chief Adviser of the Non-Party Caretaker Government of People’s
Republic of Bangladesh
For
the first time in the history a high authority meeting is held at the
conference room of the Information Ministry regarding community radio on the 23
July in 2007 chaired by the Information Secretary and organized by the Ministry
of Information. After a comprehensive discussion regarding community radio as a
pilot basis the meeting takes decision to form a ministerial committee of 8
members convened by the Director General of Bangladesh Betar who would make
concept paper, regulatory framework and application form in relation to
community radio and would submit to the Ministry by one month. According to the
discussion the Ministry issues the circular regarding the 8 members-committee
on 22nd May in 2007.
After
several meetings the Director General of Bangladesh Betar finalized the draft
of the concept paper, policy and application regarding community radio. BNNRC
and MMC assisted the committee in this regard.
The
Ministerial Committee officially presents the concept paper, policy and
application regarding community radio in a meeting organized by the Ministry on
29th October in 2007. After a comprehensive discussion on the issue the meeting
decides the submitted concept paper, policy and application forms to be sent to
the different concerned ministries for comments and perusal. It is also decided
in the meeting that another meeting would be held after the comments are
received. According to the decision all the papers are already sent to the
listed ministries for comments on 25th November in 2007.
An
inter-ministerial meeting is held on the last 6th February.
Representatives of the concerned ministries were present in the meeting. At
last, the government formally announces the Community Radio Installation,
Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 on 12 March 2008 . The Ministry of Information of the People’s
Republic of Bangladesh
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Raising awareness about the effectiveness of
Community Radio in improving life and livelihood of the rural communities,
poverty alleviation and institutionalization of democracy and good governance
Promotional activities on CR
potentialities
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Developing materials
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Developing and publishing CR guidelines and
materials
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CR Help desk
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Providing technical support to draft CR policy
Promoting initiators in submitting application
for CR license in accordance with the policy
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Setting up a
CR related knowledge management and updating
through the website
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Advocacy
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Organizing workshops on CR issues
Use of CR for the effective and successful
implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) and other safety net
programs
Use of CR to reduce corruption in the public
distribution system
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BNNRC in CR related government body
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BNNRC has been included in the Central Monitoring
Committee of the Government as a member
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In order to facilitate the
application and registration process of the organizations for Community Radio,
BNNRC immediately opened a help desk in its secretariat in Dhaka .
Receiving huge response from the interested development organizations and
research institutions the authority extended the deadline up to 30 April. 450
organizations drew application forms from the Ministry and 178 applications
have been submitted from different organizations in this regard.
In the whole process the Government ensured the proper
participation and representation from civil society organizations through
incorporating representatives in Regulatory Committee, Technical Committee and
National Monitoring Committee for the successful operation of the Community
Radio.
Under the above-mentioned circumstances, BNNRC set up aCommunity
Radio Academy
in Dhaka . This helps Community Radio
stakeholders having on-hand training of technical and management skills, coming
to know about the function, management, procedure, problem, prospect and
sustainability of the Community Radio as a tool of ICT and having all concerned
resources and facilities available for their progress and success.
Under the above-mentioned circumstances, BNNRC set up a
Rural Knowledge Centre (RKC)
For fostering
the rural prosperity, all over the developing world a new concept of Rural
Knowledge Centers (RKC) has been emerged through which villagers can proceed
towards poverty alleviation by increasing their household income. BNNRC is
operating 10 such kinds of centers.
RKC is an information and communication
technology (ICT) based service centre in the remote parts of the country where
Computer, Phone, Mobile phone, Lamination Machine, Digital Camera, Internet
etc. are available. The village people can use these facilities according to
their localized demands.
The RKCs have effectively introduced
computers and ICTs to local community, where there were previously no
facilities or access points. Among the services/facilities computer education,
Internet browsing, e-mail, mobile phone having Internet connection, laminating
and photocopy facilities etc were included. The RKCs have attracted great
attention in the community within a short period of time. About 14 thousand community people received
direct services and facilities from a total of ten BNNRC assisted RKCs, where
20% of them were female. The rural knowledge centres provide the community with
free access to a range of resource materials including educational posters,
journals, periodic and books.
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Major Role
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Activities
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Services
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Raising awareness about strategic use of ICT for
better practices and self-employment
Availability of government forms and regulations
Having familiarity and involvement with computer
and digital literacy
One stop service such as photocopy,
documentation, compose, print, telephone communication, development message
and materials
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Set-up
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Setting up 11 Rural Knowledge
Centres in the coastal and remote rural areas
Providing training and service to the
beneficiaries
Promoting mass people in using ICT facilities
such as computer, telephone, mobile, Internet, laminating and photocopying
equipments
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RKC support in national ID card process
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Community link
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Through developing a group of
Rural Knowledge Volunteers (RKV), RKCs are linked with their services with
the communities
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Capacity building
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Providing
management and professional training to the RKC Managers and volunteers
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Advocacy
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Conducting advocacy to inspire the replication of
the model of RKCs for the promotion of ICT services at the grassroots level
Conducting lobby to strengthen RKC services with
the concerned organizations
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The impacts of Rural Knowledge Centre (RKC) to the community are now
visible. RKCs are the only local media and the first accessible information and
communication facility in a poor and otherwise disconnected and marginalized
area. The RKCs credited with concrete new benefits for the local community.
People are economically benefited by these RKCs. They can collect easily
materials like Govt. forms and formats from RKCs with low cost. Earlier, they
had to go to the district headquarter. Students receive computer education by
sharing minimum cost. After completing computer training from RKC, they can
search jobs using Internet and some of them got jobs. The proximity of
telephone, Internet and photocopying services has helped the rural people in
the immediate vicinity of the RKC to easily and promptly communicate to their relatives.
Finally, people use them as business centres, to look for business
opportunities, to advertise services, to develop marketing materials etc.
Establishment of Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)
Amateur
license means an amateur license that authorizes the holder to operate an
amateur or an amateur-satellite station, or an amateur station or
amateur-satellite station located on board a land vehicle, a maritime vessel or
an airborne vehicle.
There are lots
of examples that the public communication network, even the Red Cross
communication network has failed during the time of disaster especially during
the time of cyclone disaster. Bangladesh
is a country where 5% disaster of the world caused 85% of its damages, recently
chances of earthquakes has increased and there are several small seismic
turmoil in the city of Chittagong .
In India this is the Amateur
Radio Operator first established communication in Orissa after super cyclone
and in the city of Vuze - Guzrat after the
earthquake, even in developed country like in USA government takes the help of
Amateur radio operator even to catch smugglers. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES) is a popular activity in this regard. BNNRC members of the
coastal area developed a disaster radio network, which works as an alternative
stand-by and emergency communication system to public and Red Crescent radio
network. BNNRC also developed a rapid deployment team known as RACES in its
working areas for any rapid deployment in any place for disaster communication.
In June 2000 the network has organized
training with funding support from OXFAM-GB especially to create amateur radio
operators in coastal areas, accordingly two NGO leaders succeeded to pass the
examination and commissioned two amateur radio stations both respectively in Barisal and Chittagong .
After formation of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) a
stagnant situation was created and for last three years no amateur radio
examination was held and no new license was issued. BNNRC continuously pursued
the Chairman of BTRC and gave applications and hearing. Thena committee has
been formed to conduct the examination in which BNNRC Chief Executive Officer
is also the member. Promoting Amateur Radio is fundamental to build alternative
emergency communication system especially in remote areas and international
friendship without interference from government.
Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) finalized provisions and
conditions of Amateur Radio License under this National Frequency Allocation
Plan (NFAP).
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Major Role
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Activities
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Awareness raising
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Raising awareness about strategic use of Amateur
Radio in disaster risk reduction and emergency services
Promotional activities on RACES
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Promotion of Amateur Radio
Developing a rapid deployment
team known as RACES for any rapid deployment in any place for disaster
communication
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Advocacy
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Organizing workshops on RACES
Use of Amateur Radio Network for the effective
and successful implementation of disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation
programs
Provide Inputs to Amateur Radio Provisions and
Conditions, 2001
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Capacity building
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Providing technical support and training to
facilitate Amateur Radio, its license and network service
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In order to promote amateur radio operation
in the country, BNNRC arranged three training courses for the enthusiasts. Most
of the trainees have been successfully capable of using amateur radio and
qualified in the examination. A total of 340 people of different level and
professions actively took part in the courses. The first training course was
held at IUCN Conference Room on 03-08 June 2000. The second training course was
held at CARITAS auditorium in Chittagong
on 17-21 August 2002 and BNNRC arranged third training course on 12-15 January
2004 in cooperation with Foundation for Amateur Radio International Service
(FAIRS) and COAST.
As a
consequence of the consistent advocacy of BNNRC, Bangladesh Telecommunication
Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has resumed conducting Amateur Radio Operator
License Tests.
The
tests are conducted through Computer Based Testing (CBT) system. This system is
lobbied by Barl.
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