<<November 23, 2000>>
Archived distributions can be retrieved
by clicking on the top lines of our home page at <http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/>.
Prof. Fabrizio C. Celentano <fabrizio.celentano@uninsubria.it>
Prof. and Mrs. Edward C. DeLand <edeland@anes.ucla.edu>
Prof. Mario De Blasi <DEBLASIM%VM.CSATA.IT@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU>
Dr. Kofi Anani <anani@un.org>
James R. Sheats <sheats@hpl.hp.com>
Dear Fabrizio:
==============
(1) Many thanks for your msg (ATTACHMENT I).
(2) I am very happy to know that you are now forming a consortium
for
distance education and telemedicine which may later affiliate
with our
Global University System.
(3) Pls feel free to contact Mario Blasi in Bari. I presented
a paper at
his conference in 1990 and also did a Global Lecture Hall (GLH)"
multipoint-to-multipoint, multimedia, interactive videoconferencing
from
the University of Lecce in 1991, as spanning from Belgrade, Zagreb,
Paris, Milano, Rome, New Jersey, and Florida, etc. which was originated
from the University of Lecce.
Not only he may bring his university and the University of
Lecce to your
consortium, but also he may bring a consortium of universities
around
the Mediterranean -- about 130 of them. Of course, he also has
many
contacts among the university members of his World Association
for the
Use of Satellites in Education (WAUSE) consortium.
Dear Kofi:
==========
(4) Many thanks for your msgs (ATTACHMENT II and III) with
an excellent
project proposal. It is very exciting!!
Thank you very much for your listing me among Program External
Associates. We would be very happy if we can be of any help to
your project.
(5) BTW, you may visit LINCOS Project of Hewlette-Packard (PowerPoint Slides)" at
http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Manaus%20Workshop/HTML%20Presentation%20folder/index.htm
and
This unit may be of some help to your project in Kosovo. According
to
Jim Sheats, this can have 4 Mbps broadband digital two-way Internet
satellite at $200/month lease fee.
Their community development approach is very similar to your project.
(6) Pls also be aware of the emerging new Internet satellite technology (ATTACHMENT IV).
(7) You may also be able to raise fund from Japanese government
-- pls let
me know if you wish.
Dear Fabrizio:
==============
(8) If your new consortium can be of any help to Kofi's project
because of
your proximity, pls feel free to contact him to ask a copy of
his proposal.
Best, Tak
****************************************
ATTACHMENT I
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 22:29:02 +0100
To: utsumi@friends-partners.org
From: "Fabrizio C. Celentano" <fabriziocelentano@interfree.it>
Subject: change of address
Cc: gu-l@friends-partners.org
Dear Professor Utsumi,
thank you for sending so many interesting news.
They gave me the idea to call a small group of professors from
the two State
Universities of Milano, the University of Pavia and the University
of Insubria
in order to work out a proposal for a consortium for distance
education and
telemedicine. The idea is to share courses and expertise between
the four
universities and try to do something to help other universities,
most probably
in the Balkans.
The current meetings are very preliminary, but I am confident
that we will
reach an agreement.
I will keep you posted because I guess that, after the consortium
is made,
we will ask to join the GUS.
The second thing is that I changed my e-mail address, because
my brand new
University of Insubria is now totally independent from Milano.
Can you please
send me your news at
fabrizio.celentano@uninsubria.it
Thank you very much
****************************************
ATTACHMENT II
Subject: Hello
To: utsumi@columbia.edu
From: "Kofi Anani" <anani@un.org>
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 09:42:56 +0100
Hi Prof. Utsumi,
Greetings. Just droping a line to touch base and say hello
since the last
time we met in Guelph. As I mentioned I'm now in Kosovo serving
with the
Interim Administration ... I'm based in the municipality of Mitrovica
and
responsible for social affairs. I couldn't pass through NY as
I thought
.. I had to come here directly from toronto. I hope everything
is going on
well with the Global University idea ... I have also been trying
to
initiate some ICTs programs and applications in the municipality
.. I will
keep you informed as I think your network might find it useful
to consider
involvement in some aspects.
========================================
<<November 23, 2000>> Removed here by T. Utsumi,
========================================
warm regards,
Kofi
****************************************
ATTACHMENT III
Subject: Re: ICTs and Peace Workplan
To: utsumi@columbia.edu
From: "Kofi Anani" <anani@un.org>
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 17:14:18 +0100
Dear Prof. Utsumi,
Please find attached the ICTs workplan I have prepared for
our
municipality. I have included your name as one of the external
program
associates. I think we should be able to generate support from
the UN
system for the initiative and I see a role for the Global university
consortium. Please feel free to send me your feedback and suggestions
Thanks
Kofi
========================================
EXCERPT
UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Interim Administration Mission
in Kosovo
Mitrovica Municipality
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs)
Policy Workplan
Title:
Community Uplift Enhancement Program: Utilizing ICTs for
Peaceful Co-Existence Initiatives in Mitrovica, Kosovo
Program Coordinating Team (Internal):
Kofi Anani, Civil Affairs Officer, Mitrovica Municipality,
UNMIK
Samba Sane, Civil Affairs Officer, Mitrovica Municipality, UNMIK
Beatriz Perales, Civil Affairs Officer, Mitrovica Municipality,
UNMIK
Marie Savadogo, Civil Affairs Officer, Mitrovica Municipality,
UNMIK
Emmanuel Ngor, Regional Electronic Data Processing Officer, Mitrovica,
UNMIK
Patrick Doung, Regional Education Officer, Mitrovica, UNMIK
Madhav Lal, Municipal Administrator, Mitrovica UNMIK
Program External Associates:
Dr. Hans d'Orville, UNDP/UNESCO
Dr. Mike Gurstein, Technical University of British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Takeshi Utsumi, Global University System, New York
Dr. John Afele, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada
Duration: 3 Years
Contact Email: anani@un.org
Date: 14 September, 2000
========================================
Executive Summary
Kosovo is de-facto a divided society of Albanians, Serbs and
other
minorities. Pre-war society conditions characterized by deep-seated
poverty
and related problems of underdevelopment were exacerbated by conflict,
war and
bombings. Over a year of UNMIK's presence has placed Kosovo at
a crossroad
with the opportunity and possibility of building a democratic
society of
appreciable quality of life as a model of unprecedented international
peace-building efforts. Gains are made in terms of security, restoring
life to
normalcy, reconstruction to revitalize and reinvigorate civil
society, public
institutions and socio-economic growth.
Amidst the commendable gains of UNMIK remains the seemingly
thorny issue
the absence of face to face, direct communications, dialogue and
interactions between ordinary Albanians and Serbs living in the
society.
Nowhere in the entire province of Kosovo is the acrimony of division
more
pronounced and visible than in the city and region of Mitrovica.
All the significant indications of human existence in the city
of
Mitrovica - territory, population, structures and institutions
of governance
are split into two sides, North and South. The North Side is predominantly
inhabited by Serbs and the South by Albanians. While UNMIK receives
full
fledged support of Albanians, Serbs are further divided among
themselves
regarding involvement with the on-going process.
Regardless of the division, ordinary Albanians and Serbs are
linked by a
common problem of poverty and deprivation, and their lives are
affected
directly by UNMIK through security provisions, social assistance
schemes,
rental payments and consumer engagements of international staff,
and the
varied reconstruction and humanitarian initiatives.
The main issue of concern and preoccupation for ordinary Albanians
and
Serbs is overcoming the physical divide and acrimony, and tackling
the root
causes of poverty to improve and sustain an appreciable quality
of life a
venture widely believed and openly expressed as possible with
the continuous
support, endorsement and involvement in UNMIK operations.
Peace and poverty are intertwined, and this relationship is
apparent in
a more grounded manner by understanding how ordinary people make
living in
their homes and communities. Ordinary Albanians and Serbs could
be brought
together to coexist peacefully by engaging them in poverty reduction
initiatives capable of impacting and visibly transforming their
lives.
One major mechanism with the potential of bringing people together
and
at the same time improving their capabilities to tackle common
problems of
poverty and human deprivation in today's new world economy is
generic
information and communications technologies (ICTs). ICTs are leveraged
digital
communication bridge builders which provide the opportunities
to generate,
access, disseminate, and share information and knowledge for education,
skill
acquisition and upgrading, inducing new growth patterns, products,
services
and livelihoods at all levels of society in the context of a networked
economy.
Careful formulations of visions, strategies and designs regarding
the
role and impact of ICTs in post-conflict peace-building is imperative
to bring
ordinary Albanians and Serbs together in the city of Mitrovica
to enable
peaceful coexistence and appreciable living in their homes and
communities.
The Community Uplift Enhancement Program (CUEP) is a comprehensive
framework action plan envisioned by Social Affairs, Welfare and
Education
units of Mitrovica municipality to be an entry and rallying point
for eventual
peaceful coexistence and unification of the divided community
of Mitrovica.
CUEP is a proactive pragmatic approach to dealing with the
issues of
peace, poverty and deprivation by tackling visible fundamental
needs and
problems of livelihoods through effective utilization and applications
of the
power of information and communications technologies.
The objectives of the Community Uplift Enhancement Program are:
(i) To create social spaces and avenues with ICTs for engaging
and
involving the community of Mitrovica municipality in peaceful
coexistence initiatives and undertakings - sites or realms of
constructive engagements;
(ii) To utilize ICTs to provide innovative platforms for community
participation in self-worth uplift productive ventures,
(iii) To generate community willingness and enthusiasm with
the power of
internet technology for the possibilities and opportunities of
peaceful coexistence through substantive visible, measurable
global market oriented undertakings.
The rational for CUEP is based on:
(i) Need and Demand factors
(ii) The Necessity for long-term strategies that complement
existing
social assistance initiatives; and
(iii) The importance of municipal governance to command loyalty
and
respect through the cultivation of a strong sense of belonging
of
the people to the overall process of managing the affairs of the
community.
The focal operational strategy is the creation and establishment
of
Community Uplift Information Technology Platforms (CUITPs). CUITPs
would be
multimedia platforms of computers and related appliances based
on satellite,
wireless and fibre optic technologies. CUITPs comprising of internet,
radio,
television, and corresponding office supplies are envisaged to
be one stop
uplift information and knowledge mini malls for the people of
Mitrovica
-children, youth, adults and elderly to:
have access to reliable, dependable and efficient customized internet services,
have training and skills that enable effective utilization
of
internet technology in daily life projections and calculations,
acquire user-friendly and affordable global marketplace knowledge
access organized substantive content for entrepreneurial
enhancement operations in the new economy unleashed by the internet,
build competitive edge and capacity with internet-based products and services,
interact and establish viable partnerships and linkages with
counterparts outside the realm of physical existence.
The CUITPs are more than conventional telecentres which provide
phone,
fax, photocopiers, and some internet services. CUITPs are designs
based on the
needs and demands of the target population in a local-global context.
The mere
presence of internet cafes and telecentres in a conflict ridden
society may
not by themselves contribute to peace and poverty reduction. Conscious
deliberate formulation of systematic visions of the role and impact
of ICTs in
peace-building, and designing applicable feasible innovative programs
are the
prerequisites in this direction.
The CUITPs would be utilized for the provision of products,
services,
and activities in the following thematic areas:
Education and Training Products and Services
Labor and Market Mobilization Knowledge Activities
Health Care Services and Products
Housing and Related Products and Services
Agriculture Services and Products
Technology Innovations Products and Services
Democratic Governance Information and Knowledge Services.
For a start, it is envisaged that there would be one major
CUITPs
located and established in the Mitrovica municipality building
with two
satellites hubs located in the premises of the Centers for Social
Work CSW) in
the North and South. Concrete measures would be taken to induce
public
involvement and elicit popular participation in the initiatives
of the CUITPs.
Implementing partners would be solicited within the framework
of UNMIK
mandate to provide start-up funds and support for initial aspects
of the
operational workplan of the CUITPs. The Municipality of Mitrovica
would manage
and coordinate the various aspects of the CUITPs in partnership
with
supporting donor institutions and agencies based on certain key
principles of
sound public investment policies and management practices.
A three-tier implementation strategy involving a Municipality
Information Technology Applications Board (MITAB), Coordinating
Team, and
Consultative Working Groups would be put in place to operate the
CUITPs. Also
a three-tier review system and continuous assessments involving
MITAB (on
behalf of UNMIK), Donors (Implementing Partners), and local participants
(target beneficiaries) would be operated. There would be mid-year
and annual
reviews of the overall operations of the CUITPs.
The municipality would draw on the personnel pool of UNMIK
and UNV to
fulfill requirements of regular relevant expertise and skills
needed for
successful operations and undertakings of the CUITPs.
A three-year summary of specific activities relating to flagship
undertakings has been provided. Detailed budget for one year operations
of the
CUITPs has been estimated at US $ 151,600.00 plus the salary and
stipends of
regular required personnel.
****************************************
ATTACHMENT IV
The New York Times
Technology
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/23/technology/23SATE.html
November 23, 2000
No Cable? No D.S.L.? Try Satellite
By KATIE HAFNER
[I] BRAHIM MARDAM-BEY, an -------------
international corporate [Image]
financier, recently decided
he could not live another Phillip
day without a fast Messinger for
connection to the Internet The New York
from his home in Bethesda, Times
Md. After giving up on the The Rev.
wait for a digital Sidney D.
subscriber line, or D.S.L., Conner of
he became a beta tester Ida, La.,
early last month for a new with his
two- way satellite service DirecPc
from StarBand, a startup satellite
company in McLean, Va. dish.
Frustrated
Just how helpful a fast with the
connection could be became speed of his
clear two weeks after the Internet
system was installed, when connection,
his wife's mother and Mr. Conner
sister were aboard a Saudi has signed up
Arabian airliner that was for two-way
hijacked. Up-to-the-minute satellite
news was difficult to get, Internet
and the most reliable service from
dispatches, he said, came StarBand.
from overseas, streaming
via satellite connection -------------
into his PC. Related Sites
"We used the BBC World These sites
Service online and got live are not part
video of the plane, so we of The New
could tell it was safe," York Times on
Mr. Mardam-Bey said. "I the Web, and
swear by this thing now." The Times has
no control
For the past five years, over their
broadband access to the content or
Internet via satellite has availability.
been the ugly stepsister to StarBand (*)
cable modem and D.S.L.
service. Downloading has -------------
been on a par with cable modem and D.S.L., but
the uplink has been via a conventional dial-up
line. Not only does that slow things down, but
it makes satellite service complicated and
expensive.
In recent weeks, however, at least two
satellite companies have announced two-way
satellite services designed to rival other
broadband offerings more directly. These
companies are betting that for the estimated 50
million households in the United States that
cannot get cable modem or D.S.L. service,
satellite-based Internet access will prove to
be the ideal solution.
This month, StarBand announced its two-way
service, promising download speeds of up to 500
kilobits per second, which is about 10 times
faster than a 56K modem, slightly slower than
D.S.L. or cable modem service. Uploading, the
company announced, would be at about 150 kbps.
The service is expected to be widely available
in the next few weeks.
The StarBand service is being advertised with
conspicuous swipes at other types of broadband
service. In one StarBand radio spot, a cheerful
saleswoman from a cable modem provider tells a
prospective customer: "Let's see, I can
schedule an installation when hell freezes over
or when pigs fly. Which would be better for
you?"
Indeed, the demand for high bandwidth in the
home has called attention to the fact that
cable systems upgraded for two-way Internet
traffic do not reach most rural areas. And
D.S.L. works only within three miles or so of a
telephone central office.
StarBand is a joint venture of Gilat, an
Israeli satellite maker, EchoStar
Communications, which operates the Dish Network
television service, and Microsoft, which
invested $50 million in the venture.
Hughes Network Systems of Germantown, Md., is
also preparing to begin a two- way service,
which is essentially an upgrade to its DirecPC
service, until now a one-way satellite link.
And Wildblue, a startup in Denver, is building
its own satellites to begin a consumer service
in 2002.
The service from StarBand and others requires
the installation of a 24-inch dish antenna, as
well as a satellite modem, which together cost
around $400, plus $199 for installation. The
monthly fee starts at $60, slightly more
expensive than cable modem and D.S.L. service.
"Everyone is improving their technology and
decreasing their price points," said Jose del
Rosario, an industry analyst at Frost &
Sullivan, a market research company in San
Jose, Calif. StarBand customers can receive
their Dish Network TV service on the same dish,
for about $100 per month.
Copyright 2000 The New York Times Company
(*) http://www.StarBand.com/
****************************************
List of Distribution
Prof. Fabrizio C. Celentano
Universita' dell'Insurbia
DBSF e CRII
Via J.H. Dunant, 3
I-21100 Varese
Italy
tel +39-02-421 518/523
fax +39-02-421 500
fabrizio.celentano@uninsubria.it
fabriziocelentano@interfree.it
http://web.crii.uninsubria.it
Prof. and Mrs. Edward C. DeLand
DeLand Associates
254 Redlands St
Playa Del Rey, Ca 90293
(310)823-7012
Fax: (310) 823-7013
edeland@anes.ucla.edu
Prof. Mario De Blasi
World Association for the Use of Satellites in Education (WAUSE)
Community of Mediterranean Universities
Instituto di Scienze dell'Informazione
Facolta' di Scienze
Universita Degli Studi di Bari
70126 Bari, Italy
DEBLASIM%VM.CSATA.IT@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU
Dr. Kofi Anani
United Nations Interim Administration
Mitrovica Municipality, Kosovo
anani@un.org
James R. Sheats
Program Manager, World E-services
Hewlett-Packard Co.
1501 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Tel. 650-857-5987
Fax 650-813-3152
sheats@hpl.hp.com
**********************************************************************
* Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., P.E., Chairman, GLOSAS/USA *
* (GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association in the U.S.A.)
*
* Laureate of Lord Perry Award for Excellence in Distance Education
*
* Founder of CAADE *
* (Consortium for Affordable and Accessible Distance Education)
*
* President Emeritus and V.P. for Technology and Coordination
of *
* Global University System (GUS) *
* 43-23 Colden Street, Flushing, NY 11355-3998, U.S.A. *
* Tel: 718-939-0928; Fax: 718-939-0656 (day time only--prefer
email) *
* Email: utsumi@columbia.edu; Tax Exempt ID: 11-2999676 *
* http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/ *
**********************************************************************