Full Coverage: Capacity building

30.11.2007 When Nicholas Negroponte unveiled an idea for bridging the technology divide between rich nations and the developing world in 2005, it was captivating in its utter simplicity. The idea was to design a $100 laptop and get it into the hands of 150 million of the world's poorest schoolchildren.

30.11.2007 Small salt producers in the Indian western state of Rajasthan are partnering NGOs and the government in the campaign against iodine deficiency disorders. According to the WFP, Nawa now produces iodised salt as per the national standard.

26.11.2007 Parivartan – working in the area of participatory research, training and networking – is organising a training programme on gender responsive budgeting from December 20-22, 2007 in Indian capital New Delhi. The programme will help development practitioners and other functionaries to take into account gender concerns in policy making, programme development and project implementation.

23.11.2007 The WorldFish is organising an e-consultation from November 24 to December 7, 2007 on how to use information and communication technologies in fisheries and aquaculture programmes. Identifying and linking people, use of ICT, and discussing options for further work in this field are the objectives for holding these consultations.

23.11.2007 A new manual released by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is a handy tool in data collection and analysis and to keep oneself abreast of international trade standards and definitions. The manual provides useful advice on how to tackle statistical challenges and help improve national competitiveness of developing countries in international trade.

21.11.2007 The Vanasthali Rural Development Centre (VRDC) in Pune was started with a simple thought: to train rural women to enable them start balwadis or nurseries in their villages. Years later, activist Nirmala Purandare's dream has heralded a social revolution with the training of barefoot teachers in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

21.11.2007 The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) will soon launch a ‘Talking Book Library’ as also other skill development training in the northeastern states of India. Once started, this will enable the blind to listen to books of their choice in English or in the regional languages.

20.11.2007 In 2008, the Kenya Information and Communication Technology Board will train some 1,500 entrepreneurs from digital villages incurring a total cost of US$ 2 million. KenyaÂ’s digital village project was launched with the aim to set up ICT centres throughout the country.

19.11.2007 Seven NGOs have been approved by the Ministry for Information & Broadcasting to set up community radio stations in India. This follows the MinistryÂ’s year old decision to broadbase its policy to include non-governmental organizations apart from educational institutes and agricultural groups.

17.11.2007 WorldÂ’s remotest island in South Africa can now access advanced medical support from IBM and Beacon Equity Partners led team. Satellite communications will enable clinicians to provide real-time diagnostic advice and suggested treatments to the attending physician.

16.11.2007 Microsoft India, the International Development Research and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation have set up a rural innovation fund. The fund will encourage entrepreneurs to develop software solutions for the needs of rural communities.

14.11.2007 An extensive campaign aimed at taking Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to street boys in Rwanda will be launched. In fact, Africa as a whole is going to gain through projects in which at least US $ 300 million will be invested.

13.11.2007 Delhi based Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS) in partnership with GKP will host the second i4d Film Festival at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 9-10, 2007, before the start of the third global knowledge event, GK3.

02.11.2007 Hyderabad based APMAS will host the 7th National Level Training on SHG (Self-Help Group) Federations during December 3-8 in the southern Indian city. The training will include field visits by participants to learn existing practices, apart from interactive classroom sessions.

02.11.2007 Symbol of India’s liberty – Charkha is now e-charkha. Now not just the yarn, but also electricity can be produced from it. Two hours of spinning gives back-up for 6-7 hours of power for basic lighting and for playing radio.