<<December 13, 2000>>
Archived distributions can be retrieved
by clicking on the top lines of our home page at <http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/>.
Dr. Paul Lefrere <p.lefrere@open.ac.uk>
michel.brochard@cec.eu.int
P. Tapio Varis, Ph.D, Professor <tapio.varis@uta.fi>
Terry Grant <Terry.GRANT@DG22.cec.be>
Mr Paul Verhoef <PauI.Verhoef@cec.eu.int>
Juliette Boom <Juliette.Boom@cec.eu.int>
Mr Robert Verrue <Robert.Verrue@cec.eu.int>
Peter T. Knight, Ph.D. <ptknight@attglobal.net>
Dr. Joseph N. Pelton <ecjpelton@aol.com>
Dr. David A. Johnson, AICP <daj@utk.edu>
Francis J. Method <fmethod@erols.com>
Dear Paul:
==========
(1) Many thanks for your msg (ATTACHMENT I) about the Information
Day
Conference (1/8th-9th) and mtgs with echelons of European Commission
for
the fund raising of our Global University System (GUS) project
(1/10th) in Luxembourg.
(2) As discussed in our previous msgs, Tapio and I will be
there from 1/8th
to 1/10th with you. (Tapio will leave back late of 1/11th and
I on 1/14th.)
(3) ATTACHMENT II is a brief outline on the current status of our various projects.
Pls feel free to use any part of it for your write-up for echelons of the European Commission.
In a separate email, I am sending you its file in WORD format.
This is also retrievable at
http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Global_University/Global%20University%20System/Outline%20of%20GLOSAS%20Projects/12-13-00.html
Dear Tapio and Paul:
====================
(4) For your presentation (2 slides & 5 minutes presentation),
pls feel free
to utilize any part of my PowerPoint slides at http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Manila%20Workshop/AAOU_Manila_1-27-00_copy/GLOSAS+WS+USPNet_Folder/GLOSAS+WS+USPNet.htm
In a separate email, I am sending you its original file.
Slide #5 and #11 may be suitable.
Dear Ms. Grant, Mr. Verhoef, Ms. Boom, and Mr. Verrue:
======================================================
(5) We would be very happy if we can have a chance to meet
with you during
our stay in Luxembourg. Pls let me know your availability.
Ms. Grant inquired to me about a virtual university -- when introduced by Tapio.
Mr. Verhoef, Ms. Boom, and Mr. Verrue inquired to me about
our Global
Service Trust Fund (GSTF) project.
Dear Peter, Joe, David, Frank:
==============================
(6) Pls retrieve "Fund raising for GSTF and GUS projects
- December 4, 2000" at
http://www.friends-partners.org/~utsumi/gu-l/mid-2000/12-4-b.html
Dear Peter:
===========
Pls feel free to utilize any part of ATTACHMENT II for your
drafting a
grant application to the InfoDev on our GSTF project.
Dear Joe, David and Frank:
==========================
Peter and I wait for your write-ups for Peter's grant application.
Thanks in advance.
Best, Tak
****************************************
ATTACHMENT I
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 20:56:23 +0000
Subject: Education & Training InfoDay - Luxembourg, 10 January
2001
To: tapio.varis@uta.fi
Cc: utsumi@friends-partners.org, vita@is.lviv.ua, utsumi@columbia.edu,
ik@uar.net
Dear Tapio cc Tak, Ihor, Victoria
As you may know, I have been very successful in obtaining support
from the
European Commission for R&D projects, under its IST framework.
(In my
experience, it is often easier to obtain large funds, as for a
major
project, than small funds, as for a workshop.)
On 15 January there will be a new call for proposals, and I
think the GUS
could form the basis for an excellent proposal (I have begun to
draft one
in the hope that you are interested). UNESCO could be a partner,
as could
any institution based in the EU and in certain other geographic
areas
(e.g., Ukraine might be eligible to receive funds; but the US
would not be).
I therefore draw your attention to the forthcoming Open House
"information
day", run by the Commission. This will be in Luxembourg on
the 10th of
January 2001, following a concertation event for current projects,
on the
8/9th January. I shall be there on the 8/9th, but may not be able
to stay
until the 10th (although I shall try).
Best wishes
Paul
----
PS Here is what the organisers of the event say:
========================================
This event will allow the presentation of the actions in Education
and
Training sector for 2001 as well as face-to-face meetings with
EC
representatives and potential partners.
What?
The Information Day will address the three next future calls under
the
WorkProgramme 2001 for Education & Training. These three Calls
for Proposals
are the following:
Key Action III.2.1: Self-Learning (Launched 15 January 2001)
Key Action III.2.2: eLearning futures (Launched 15 January 2001)
Cross
Programme Action 8: eLearning for European youth in the digital
age. (Launched 15 June 2001)
How?
The first objective of this InfoDay is to present these three
calls, their
context, their expectations, their meanings. This day aims also
to allow
questions from new comers as well as from experienced proposers
to be
answered, either by face-to-face meetings with EC representatives,
or during
specific session or even at a dedicated help-desk (more dedicated
to all the
administrative issues).
It will also be a unique opportunity to meet potential partners
coming from
other 1activity domains. Possibilities to present shortly your
activities (2
slides & 5 minutes presentation) will be offered.
Why?
This InfoDay will offer the opportunity at all participants: to
clearly
understand the objectives and expectations of the three new Calls
For
Proposals, to get a global idea of the state-of-the-art in the
field as well
as the current issues and existing problems, to meet potential
partners, to
exchange ideas and experiences, to have questions answered by
EC staff about
calls, procedures, administrative issues, etc. even to present
ideas, current
projects and developments.
Who?
University organisations;
Technology & infrastructure companies:
Satellites and learning infrastructures providers, Technology
providers,
including 3rd generation mobile, TELCO;
Broadcaster;
Schools and associations thereof;
Etc.
The lists mentioned here above are non exhaustive and aim to
give the flavour
of the expected participants.
Where?
Room M2
Jean Monnet Building
Rue Alcide de Gasperi
Kirchberg, Luxembourg
Contact
E-mail: michel.brochard@cec.eu.int
Further Details:
URL: http://www.proacte.com/meetings/
****************************************
ATTACHMENT II
Outline of GLOSAS Projects
December 13, 2000
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
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; http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/
========================================
Outline of GLOSAS Projects
I. Introduction
The dawn of the twenty-first century comes with a digital revolution
and
economic globalization with a New Economy. We are moving towards
a global
knowledge society where information skills and competence become
the driving
forces of social and economic development. Effective learning
requires
upgraded multimedia educational materials, preferably distributed
using
broadband Internet applications. The use of these applications
for global
distance learning and telehealth/telemedicine must be efficient
and
cost-effective, enabling educational institutions to foster global
citizenship
and achieve "education and healthcare for all" at anytime
and anywhere. The
Internet will be the main telecommunication media of tomorrow.
Broadband
Internet holds great promise for improving multimedia distance
learning and
healthcare capabilities in global scale, especially in rural and
isolated
areas that are not well served by commercial network providers.
II. GLOSAS/USA
The GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association in the
U.S.A.
(GLOSAS/USA) is a publicly supported, non-profit, educational
service
organization and is a consortium of organizations dedicated to
the use of
evolving telecommunications and information technologies to further
advance
world peace through global communications. GLOSAS fosters science
and
technology based economic development to improve the quality of
life.
Over the past two decades GLOSAS/USA played a major pioneering
role in
extending U.S. data communication networks to other countries
and deregulating
Japanese telecommunication policies for the use of e-mail (thanks
to help from
the Late Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldridge). This triggered
the
de-monopolization and privatization of Japanese telecommunications
industries.
This movement has later been emulated in many other countries.
This effort
helped in extending American and other countries' university courses
to
under-served developing countries and the conduct of innovative
distance teaching
trials with "Global Lecture Hall (GLH)" (TM) videoconferences
using hybrid delivery technologies.
III. Tampere Workshop
Thanks to generous funds from the InfoDev of the World Bank,
the US National
Science Foundation, Finnish Ministry of Education, the British
Council and
many others, a highly successful International Workshop and Conference
on
"Emerging Global Electronic Distance Learning (EGEDL)"
was held in August,
1999 at the University of Tampere in Finland -- see <http://www.uta.fi/EGEDL>
for the compilation of the conference materials.
The event brought together about 60 decision-makers and leaders
in distance
learning and telemedicine from 14 underserved countries who discussed
practical solutions for the implementation of affordable global
electronic
distance learning across national boundaries. They brainstormed
on the
formation of the following three;
A. Global University System (GUS) (TM),
B. Global Broadband Internet (GBI),
C. Global Service Trust Fund (GSTF) (TM).
The group formulated specific pilot projects focussed on major
regions of the
world to reduce the growing digital divide between information
rich and
information poor populations, as realizing "education and
healthcare for all,"
at anytime and anywhere.
IV. Global University System (GUS)
The goal of the GUS is to improve the global learning and wellness
environment
for people in the global knowledge society where the global responsibility
is
shared by all. A central theme is the sharing and exchange of
knowledge among
educational, research, industry and trade sectors. The GUS will
(1) seek
open, egalitarian and culturally transparent methods to achieve
improved
learning and healthcare worldwide, cooperating closely with people
around the
world, (2) harness the emerging technologies of broadband Internet
connectivity among institutions of higher learning in developing
countries to
provide learners of all ages with global distance learning across
national and
cultural boundaries, (3) foster youngsters around the world with
creative
competition for excellence through affordable and accessible broadband
Internet, (4) coordinate and facilitate national and international
regional
systems which will support and complement the traditional institutions
of
learning and healthcare, by using conventional methods in tandem
with advanced
electronic media.
The GUS has group activities in the major regions of the globe.
They are
developing their pilot projects in;
(1) the Asia-Pacific region (with Manila in the Philippines as
its first
target, and then with Japan, China, Pakistan, Western and South
Pacific),
(2) North America (for indigenous peoples in the states of Arizona
and
Montana and in Calgary in Canada),
(3) Central America (e.g., Costa Rica and the Caribbean),
(4) South America (mainly with UNAMAZ consortium in Amazon basin
in initial
stage, Argentina, etc.),
(5) Europe (firstly with Ukraine), and
(6) Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, etc.).
Each of those regional groups with partnerships of higher learning
and
healthcare institutions will foster the establishment of GUS in
their
respective regions with the use of advanced global broadband Internet
private
virtual network which is to be financed by the Global Service
Trust Fund (GSTF).
Each of these regional groups are now preparing to hold a mini-workshop;
1. to learn by the North American and European counterparts the
current
status of distance learning and telemedicine (including the delivery
infrastructure) of the regional groups in the developing countries,
2. to learn the need of the regional groups in the future,
3. to present what can be (or will be) available from North America
and Europe,
a. via narrow-band Internet and ISDN, etc., i.e., through currently
available telecom infrastructure,
b. via broadband Internet when it is available,
4. to configure administrative and business schemes,
5. to make an action plan,
6. to plan, program and construct a joint fund raising proposal
for a
workshop / conference (as to follow-up to our Tampere event) with
the
people of the region. This event is to produce a concrete feasibility
study, design of infrastructure and administrative structure,
selection
of courseware, etc.
The officers of the GUS are:
P. Tapio Varis, Ph.D., Acting President,
(University of Tampere, former rector of the United Nations University
of Peace in Costa Rica);
Marco Antonio Dias, Ph.D., Vice President for Administration,
(former director of Higher Education of UNESCO);
Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., Vice President for Technology and Coordination,
(Chairman of GLOSAS/USA);
Dr. Pekka Tarjanne, Trustee member,
(former Secretary General of the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU));
Fredric Litto, Ph.D., Special Advisor,
(University of Sao Paulo and President of Brazilian Association
of Distance Education);
David A. Johnson, Ph.D., Special Advisor,
(University of Tennessee, Former President of Fulbright Association).
Some of major regional activities are as follows.
A. GUS/Ukraine
Ukraine was chosen as the first targeted country for the operation
of the
European Regional Group of the GUS to establish a global distance
learning
system with global broadband Internet. The Open University/UK,
the GUS and
Ukrainian Distance Learning System (UDL) (a consortium of 27 Ukrainian
organizations) <http://www.udl.org.ua/en/> is now planning
to hold a workshop
at the Open University. The UDL has been offering a dozen distance
learning
courses, mainly in business administration field. In close co-operation
with
the Open University, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed
<http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Global_University/Global%20University%20System/Memo_of_Understanding/Cover_Sheet.html>.
The main purpose of this workshop are;
(a) to configure the extension of distance learning courses available
from
the Open University/U.K. to Ukraine through the currently available
Internet,
(b) to plan a grant application for a workshop in Ukraine and
for
feasibility study/market survey of implementing a broadband Internet
to
Ukraine which application will be submitted to the InfoDev of
the World
Bank and other funding sources in Europe.
At this workshop, the Ukrainian delegation will establish new
institutional
partnerships in order to expand the market of educational services,
to create
market for distance education in Ukraine, professional development
of local
tutors for teaching in Ukraine and course content adaptation,
quality and
international quality standards, managing for quality in distance
learning to
receive professional recognition or accreditation (assessment
of college's
administrative and tutorial methods, educational materials, and
publicity),
and cross-cultural approach and joint research work.
B. GUS/Manaus, Amazon, Brazil
South America is the home of one of the world's unique environment,
the Amazon
Rainforest. The region was considered as an empty area in terms
of human
population density, particularly in the Brazilian side. Recently,
the media
called the world's attention to the deforestation and biodiversity
loss
problems that were happening in the region. The world was also
concerned
about the increasing problems associated with drugs. Those problems
were
clear indication that the empty area was starting to suffer the
consequences
of human activities.
These problems can be substantially minimized if the isolation
problem is
addressed. Isolation makes people unaware of their importance
as citizens and
promotes impoverishing and degradation of the environment and
economic system.
In these situations, people will not understand the importance
to conserve the
environment or how to benefit from it without compromise their
own future as
well as the future of future generations. Ultimately, such unawareness
can
perpetuate a cycle of economic and social poverty and environmental
degradation.
The implementation of modern low-cost communication technology
can drastically
reduce the risks threatening the region. A broadband communication
network
connecting major universities in Amazona will promote the exchange
of
scientific information through universities of UNAMAZ (a consortium
of 77
universities in 8 Amazonian countries), access to non-traditional
education
format, development of pharmaceutical and other industries associated
to
biodiversity, development of entrepreneurial activities related
to distance
learning and opportunities to cultural integration and understanding
among the
countries in the region. In addition, such a strong network will
develop
means and opportunities to establish a broadband connection with
the rest of
the world and to reduce or eliminate the current intercontinental
connection constraints.
As the first step, colleagues in Manaus is now preparing a
grant application
which is to be submitted to the InfoDev of the World Bank and
other funding sources,
(a) to configure the availability of distance learning courses
locally
through the currently available Internet,
(b) to hold a workshop in Manaus for feasibility study/market
survey of
implementing a broadband Internet in Manaus.
This project is a community development approach, firstly connecting
non-profit
organizations (elementary, secondary and higher education institutions,
libraries, hospitals, local governmental agencies, etc.) and secondly
with
for-profit organizations, thus all applicable groups are inclusive.
This
activity is to be a model replicable to other localities and regions,
as
leading the use of the advanced Internet in various sectors of
societies. The
higher educational institution selected in the locality will have
the
broadband Internet satellite earth-station, and will become the
major Internet
Service Provider (ISP) to the local community of non-profit organizations.
The higher education institution will then provide teacher training
to
secondary and elementary schools, and also act as facilitators
and technical
supporters to other non-profit organizations.
It is expected that interaction among the main universities
of the
international Amazona will contribute to disseminate information
about
alternatives to promote sustainable development in Amazona. At
the same time,
the region's population will have better access to healthcare
information,
which will contribute for a better quality of life. In addition,
a number of
distance learning courses will be developed what will decrease
isolation and
offer better opportunities for those living in the region. More
information
can be retrieved at
http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Tampere_Conference/Final_Report/Pilot_Project_Proposals/South_America/infoDev_Proposal_Form.html
and
http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/Manaus%20Workshop/Alex_slides_6-2-00/index.htm
C. GUS/Philippines
The GUS/Philippines has been formed as a consortium of the
St. Luke College of
Medicine, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University
of Santo
Thomas (UST), the University of the Philippines/Open University
and STI
Network of Colleges and Education Centers. They will establish
distance
learning demonstration projects in cooperation with the US counterparts.
The
consortium will explore technical capabilities and options, as
well as match
educational needs and resources, for the delivery of affordable,
needs based
distance learning in the Philippines and between the Philippines
and the US,
thus realizing global collaboration and partnership to ensure
students' learnability.
They are now preparing a workshop at the St. Luke College of
Medicine and at
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines next spring with
funds from the
US National Science Foundation, Citicorp, etc. This is to collectively
brainstorm on the formalization and solidification of the pilot
project on
international distance learning between the Philippines and the
U.S.
The purposes of the workshop are to:
1. Introduce the aforementioned pilot project to Filipino,
2. Learn from Filipinos about,
a. current status of distance learning and telemedicine (including
the delivery infrastructure),
b. their need in the future, particularly when a broadband Internet
will be available,
3. Present what can be (or will be) available from North America,
a. via narrow-band Internet and ISDN, etc., i.e., through currently
available telecom infrastructure,
b. via broad-band Internet when it is available,
4. Discuss and plan the theme and program of the larger workshop/conference
(as to the follow-up to our Tampere event -- for 3 to 4 or 5 days);
a. to formalize the draft of the pilot project proposal,
b. to make the feasibility study, action plan, etc. to realize
the
project of establishing domestic and international distance learning
and telemedicine,
i. firstly, via the currently available narrow-band Internet,
ii. in the near future, via the proposed global broadband wireless
and satellite Internet,
iii. to configure administrative and business schemes,
5. Plan joint fund raising for the larger workshop/conference.
The telepresence demonstration with echocardiography will be
performed at the
conference by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. The
echocardiograph signal of a patient on a tread mill in Manila
will be sent to
Michigan for diagnosis, as we have done during our Tampere event
in Finland in
August, 1999. However, this time, the 3D image of his heart will
also be
constructed as an upgraded feature. Both will be disseminated
to the
participants around the world via ISDN and Internet. This is a
follow-up to
our similar demonstration during our Manaus, Amazon, Brazil event
on May 31 to
June 2, 2000 -- see <http://lab-tiama.pop-am.rnp.br/cca/workshop/English/wksp_E.htm>
and
<http://www.teched.org/hist/yr00/brazil/>.
This demonstration is also to open the eyes of decision-makers
for the value
of broadband Internet so that they will install it in remote/rural
areas of
developing countries at their earliest possible time.
The global broadband Internet infrastructure also provides
exciting
opportunities for distance/distributed learning. Workshop presentations
will
explore applications, as well as technical strengths and weaknesses
for
sharing education, information, and resources throughout the world.
Discussions are well underway among conference participants regarding
the
development and dissemination of education for engineers, healthcare
providers, emergency medical professionals, and primary and secondary
teachers.
The expected outcome of the workshop are:
Formation of project/partnership teams
Direction for collaboratively furthering global electronic distance
education
Assessment of the technical capacity and infrastructure setup
in the Philippines
Needs assessment and content for pilot projects
Enhancement of human and infrastructure capacity (whenever required)
Organization and implementation of distance learning (DL) courses
Assessment of the effectiveness and sustainability of the approach
established
Development of a wider program to broaden the utilization of DL
to other sectors and specialties
Strategy of joint fund raising for the projects of implementing
selected DL courses
Outline of the larger workshop
Fund raising strategies for the larger workshop
Conference report for public dissemination
D. GUSs in Other Regions
Colleagues in other regions mentioned above are at various
stages of preparing
similar workshop in their localities.
V. Global Broadband Internet (GBI)
GUS will foster the development of distance learning and telemedicine
pilot
projects using broadband Internet technology in order to enhance
their
teaching/learning capabilities. The GUS will also facilitate connectivity
among current distance learning efforts around the world and will
provide
support and guidance to selected pilot projects intended to serve
as models
for adoption around the world.
Each regional satellite hub of the GUS will be connected with
their
counterparts in developed countries with the use of digital satellites
across
continents and oceans. However, if possible, it is desirable to
use optical
fiber terrestrial line to avoid time delay for the round trip
to/from
geostationary satellite. This is because such a time delay prohibits
effective audio conversation which is absolute necessity of videoconferencing.
The each regional satellite hub will then be connected to regional
constituent
member organizations (elementary and secondary schools, higher
education,
libraries, hospitals, local governmental agencies, etc.) in mid-range
(50 to
200 miles) apart from each other with the use of microwave broadband
(1.5 to
45 Mbps) Internet networks.
Those organizations will then emanate the broadband Internet
service further
to similar nearby (up to 25 miles) organizations with wireless
spread spectrum
broadband (3 to 10 Mbps) Internet networks, which use does not
require license
in most of countries.
These are the so-called fixed wireless" approach with
the requirement of the
line-of-sight," and hence, this technology can be used only
among buildings.
The users have to belong to the organizations of the buildings,
hence
prohibiting the use of the broadband Internet by individual outreach
students
at their homes. The buildings with broadband Internet connection
will then
also become relay points for the so-called third generation mobil
wireless"
units which are now rapidly appearing in the market, e.g., 96
Kbps or 164 Kbps
Internet access in Japan and Europe. This advanced mobil wireless
unit with
laptop/notebook will realize distance learning for anyone, anywhere,
and
anytime with capabilities of Internet telephony, fax, voice mail,
e-mail, web
access, videoconferencing, etc.
This is not only to help local community development, but also
assure close
cooperation among higher, middle and lower levels of education,
e.g., for
teacher training, and courseware development, etc. In a sense,
the regional
satellite hub is to be the major Internet Service Provider (ISP)
of the global
private (exclusive) virtual network (PVN) for not-for-profit organizations
in
the region, and the gateway to the outside world.
VI. Global Service Trust Fund (GSTF)
Deployment of this high-speed Internet for education and health
applications
in developing countries would be financed with a Global Service
Trust Fund
(GSTF) which will use all available satellite and optical-fiber
facilities to
further the cause of worldwide distance learning, telehealth/telemedicine
and
other social services such as emergency warning and rescue.
Objective steps must be taken to:
Reduce the cost of broadband connectivity to a level poor countries
can afford.
Create policy and regulatory frameworks conducive to the development
of
sustainable distance learning and telemedicine programs.
Establish high-quality applications in sufficient developing country
sites to demonstrate technical feasibility, increase demand, and
build
support for more extensive use of such technologies in developing
country contexts.
The GSTF especially aims to ease the congestion of the international
Internet
lines across continents and oceans, for which no organizations
have currently
being taken care of.
Two separate contribution "funds" or "sources"
would be established, an
in-kind bandwidth transmission source and a financial assistance
source. The
Coalition for this GSTF ideally would include a broad coalition
of commercial
and governmental sources. These might include key international
organizations
such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the
United Nations
Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), the
World Health
Organization (WHO), and International Labor Organization (ILO)
plus commercial
satellite system providers, equipment manufacturers and providers
of
tele-education and tele-health providers. The Coalition would
also include
international development banks, bilateral aid agencies, foundations,
and
various types of companies contributing to the GSTF as well as
organizations
contributing education and healthcare knowledge.
The proposed GSTF would be financed from a variety of public
and private
sources, which could include:
Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funds of countries belonging
to
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
with
multi-lateral collaboration,
Cash contributions from the profits of international financial
institutions such as the World Bank and the regional development
banks.
Cash contributions from foundations and companies.
Contributions in kind from companies owning under-used satellite
transponders and/or fiber optic cable -- for these companies,
the
marginal cost of making available under-used existing bandwidth
is near
zero, but providing it may build future markets for sale at (declining)
commercial prices.
The GSTF's bandwidth source might be allocated through a variety
of means that
might even include an auction process to organizers of distance
learning and
telemedicine projects in qualifying countries. Providers of services,
might
be required to make some commitments of resources and in-kind
participation to
qualify to use the GSTF's assets. The cash source might be used
for grants to
such projects, with rules favoring poorer countries and end beneficiaries,
assuring a certain geographical distribution of benefits between
regions, and
so forth. Grants might also favor international knowledge sharing.
All
grants would be made through open competitive process.
This activity is now being adopted by the newly established
[Arthur C.] Clarke
Institute of Telecommunications and Information (CITI)
<http://www.clarkeinstitute.com/>
and coordinated through GLOSAS/USA and the
GUS. A credible, reliable, and competent structure will be established
to
administer the allocation of both the financial resources (which
can be used
to purchase bandwidth), as well as the in-kind donations of under-used
bandwidth which would be solicited from its owners.
The GSTF will, however, eventually be an independent entity
and be
operationalized under the auspices of international organizations
including
INTELSAT, UNESCO, ITU, WHO, ILO, and the World Bank Group, with
active
participation by working groups to be convened by these organizations.
These
working groups would include representatives of other interested
organizations, such as foundations, other NGOs, private companies
involved in
telecommunications, other private companies interested in distance
learning
and telehealth/telemedicine, bilateral aid agencies, regional
development
banks, and the like.
International institutions with the relevant mandates (ITU,
UNESCO, WHO, and
ILO, etc.) are being asked to convene the working groups on policy
conditionality for a country to qualify for GSTF resources, and
global
institutions such as INTELSAT and the World Bank Group are proposed
as
conveners of the working group on operational questions.
Establishing the GSTF requires a critical mass of global support
for these new
organizations. The ability to mobilize financial and in-kind resources
for
the GSTF depends on the credibility of the membership of the coalition.
That
credibility would be furthered by early support from such key
international
entities as commercial satellite and fiber optic service providers,
multi-national businesses, national governmental aid agencies,
foundations,
and agencies of the United Nations such as the ITU, UNESCO, WHO,
ILO, the World
Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation),
and the regional
development banks (African Development Bank, Asian Development
Bank, European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter-American
Development
Bank). No legitimate agency of standing would be excluded from
participating.
Creation of a preliminary coalition of participants to support
the "source for
bandwidth and key equipment" as well as the "financial
aid source" would be
critical to the initial testing of this concept.
To that end, the working group recommends that:
1. A more polished and developed draft of the proposal be put
before major
international conferences in 2001. Further it would be highly
desirable
for the Clarke Institute for Telecommunications and Information
to
undertake in partnership with others around the world to organize
a
Global Summit of World Leaders Concerning the Establishment of
the GSTF.
2. An intensive effort be made to enlist the support of the leadership
of
the key international institutions mentioned above, facilitating
the
mobilization of bilateral aid agencies, foundations, and multinational
corporations and to bring them together at a Global Summit in
Washington, D.C. in June 2001.
3. Working groups on telecommunications policy conditionality,
education
policy conditionality, healthcare policy conditionality, and operational
aspects of the Fund and the Coalition be convened respectively
by ITU,
UNESCO, WHO, and the World Bank. These working groups would include
representatives of other interested international organizations,
bilateral aid agencies, companies, foundations, and other NGOs,
as well
as of relevant information and telecommunications industry
organizations, e.g., the Global Information Infrastructure Commission.
It is further hoped that providers of satellite or fiber optic
system capacity
would be willing to join in further working group discussions
to shape the
framework for the "pilot version" of the GSTF for distance
learning and
telehealth/telemedicine.
VII. Conclusions
The Tampere meeting was a study in contrasts, and clearly showed
the enormous
gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots".
On the one hand, some of the
players have tremendous resources with which to deploy broadband
wireless
technology; on the other hand, some must operate on a shoestring
budget, and
even lack adequate basic wireline services as a starting point.
A major
challenge will be to identify technology which will be appropriate
(in terms
of start-up and operating costs, maintainability by local people,
etc.) in the
"have not" situations.
Thanks to our highly successful event with extraordinary supports
and
cooperations of many funding sources, such as the World Bank,
the US National
Science Foundation, and colleagues around the world, substantial
momentum for
our Global Initiative is now building up to have follow-up workshops
and
conferences to forge ahead the establishment of the GUS with global
broadband
Internet and Global Service Trust Fund (GSTF) by multilateral
collaborations.
VIII. Current Reference Websites:
****************************************
Return to Global University System Mid-2000 Correspondence
List of Distribution
Dr. Paul Lefrere
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Educational Technology
Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44-1-908 65 33 88
Fax: +44-1-908 67 28 02
p.lefrere@open.ac.uk
http://www-iet.open.ac.uk/
P. Tapio Varis, Ph.D, Professor
Acting President, Global University System
Chairman, GLOSAS/Finland
Professor and Chair
Media Culture and Communication Education
Hypermedia laboratory
University of Tampere
P.O.Box 607
FIN-33101 Tampere
FINLAND
Tel: +358-3-215 6110
Tel: +358-3-614-5247--office in Hameenlinna
Tel: +358-3-215 6243--mass media lab in Tampere
GSM: +358-50-567-9833
Fax: +358-3-215 7503
tapio.varis@uta.fi
http://www.uta.fi/~titava
Terry Grant
DGXXII
European Commission
Terry.GRANT@DG22.cec.be
Mr Paul Verhoef
Head of Unit
European Commission
200 Rue de la Loi
BU33 5/25
Brussels B-1 049
BELGIUM
Tel No. +32 2 296 8609
Fax No. +32 2 296 8970
E-Mail: PauI.Verhoef@cec.eu.int
Juliette Boom
Secretary to Paul Verhoef
Juliette.Boom@cec.eu.int
Mr Robert Verrue
Director General, Telecommunications
Information Market and Exploitation of Research
European Commission
200 rue de la Loi BU24 3/3
Brussels B-1049
BELGIUM
Tel No. +32 2295 4376
Fax No. +32 2296 8880
E-Mail: Robert.Verrue@cec.eu.int
Peter T. Knight, Ph.D.
Board member of GLOSAS/USA
Knight, Moore - Telematics for Education and Development
Communications Development Incorporated (CDI)
Strategy, Policy, Design, Implementation, Evaluation
1808 I Street, NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20006, USA
Tel: 1-202-775-2132 (secretary), 1-202-721-0348 (direct)
Fax: 1-202-775-2135 (office), 1-202-362-8482 (home)
Cel: 1-202-255-7215
IP for CU-SeeMe: 198.77.80.46
ptknight@attglobal.net
peter@knight-moore.com
webmail: ptknight@netscape.net
http://www.knight-moore.com
http://www.cdinet.com
http://www.knight-moore.com/partners/partnerindex.htm -- bio
http://www.knight-moore.com/projects/GSTF.html -- about GSTF
Dr. Joseph N. Pelton
Board member of GLOSAS/USA
Senior Research Scientist
Institute for Applied Space Research, Rm 340
George Washington University
2033 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20052
202-994-5507
Fax: 202-994-5505
ecjpelton@aol.com
jpelton@seas.gwu.edu
Or,
Acting Executive Director of CITI
Vice-Chair of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation of the U.S. (ACCFUS)
Arthur C. Clark Institute for Telecommunication and Information
(CITI)
4025 40th Street North
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 536-6985
ecjpelton@aol.com
http://clarkeinstitute.com/
http://www.clarkeinstitute.com/
Dr. David A. Johnson, AICP
Board member of GLOSAS/USA
Former President of Fulbright Association
Professor Emeritus, School of Planning
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Tennessee
108-I Hoskins Library
Knoxville, TN 37996-4015
USA
Tel: +1-865-974 5227
Fax: +1-865-974 5229
daj@utk.edu
davidj@buncombe.main.nc.us
http://web.utk.edu/~djohnutk/
Francis J. Method
Director, UNESCO-Washington
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
1775 K St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (1) 202-331-3755
Fax: (1) 202-331-9121
fmethod@erols.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/ *
**********************************************************************