Roundtable: Technology Transfers and Models of Cooperation in the Multimedia Industry
Time: 10 October 2002, 10:00-12:00 Location: A 400 Chair: Eduardo Da Costa (CEO, NestBoston, Brazil) Presenters/ Participants: Paul Tjia (Anthropologist, GPI Consultancy, the Netherlands)
Gerardo Brenes Trejos (President, International Global Business Systems, Costa Rica)
Olos Hesseldors (Sweden)
Georges Scharffenberger (President, Volunteers in Technical Assistance, USA)
Jac Stienen (Executive Director, International Institute for Communication and Development, the Netherlands)
Gültekin Ozaltinordu (Program Administrator, International Trade Center, Switzerland) Reporter: Janet Hill, Viban Ngo (ICVolunteers) Languages: English Key words:
Various IT and multimedia industries around the world are implementing novel technology transfer mechanisms and initiatives in the area of human resource utilization (software engineers). This roundtable focused on appropriate educational, technology and knowledge transfer strategies and at how the multimedia industry can take advantage of the potentially rewarding relationship that exists between information technology, knowledge transfer and economic development.
Mr. Da Costa, CEO of NestBoston, Brazil, opened the roundtable discussion by stating that he opposed the idea of a digital divide within our society. He illustrated this by describing the beginnings of the Internet in terms of a couple in the United States who already had ready access to information through more traditional means. Access to the Internet only made access to information more convenient. He then placed that scenario within the framework of the developing world, where access to knowledge was almost unavailable until the advent of the Internet.
Mr. Da Costa proposed that democracy is a winner with Internet access, as imposed regimes do not thrive when access to knowledge is readily available. He then extended this proposal to business and the ability of the market to extend its reach via the Internet. He emphasized that companies look more uniform online and that the Internet has not only allowed better access to markets, but has leveled the playing field. He concluded that many people have the impression that computers and the Internet are the cause of disparities in access, when in fact the culprit is poverty.
Mr. Da Costa outlined the "maladies of the Digital Divide," saying that the term sends the wrong message. He said that enough time and energy have been spent on diagnostics, and while IT might not be the solution, to spend time blaming the Internet for the lack of development distracts from the positive agenda that it provides. He recommended an end to blaming the Internet, and instead to focus on ameliorating the root causes of poverty. He suggested the concept of building digital bridges across the gap of social, racial and economic issues, rather than focusing on the negatives.
Mr. George Scharffenberger, President of Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), began by marking the thirtieth anniversary of his arrival in Senegal with the Peace Corps. He described a landmark in the village: a rusting tractor, symbolizing wasted international relief efforts that misunderstood what was needed and so provided something that was useless. He said that the need exists for developing tools against poverty and disease without waste and without building "bridges to nowhere."
Mr. Scharffenberger advocated partnerships between not-for-profit groups and business, combining connectivity with low-cost solutions. He used the metaphor of a good marriage, suggesting that it takes a lot of work, loyalty, trust and communication. These are keys to success in any partnership, but even more importantly when the benefit is for society in general. He pointed out that not-for-profit organizations can help business to listen and that they can lead "with their ears." In addition, NGOs can offer integrity, moral purpose, technical skills and a can-do spirit under ideal circumstances. Further, he said that NGOs can bridge the gap between those who are in need of service and those who have services to provide, in addition to providing links between communities. Mr. Scharffenberger outlined the challenges that face such organizations, and spoke of the need to share technology and knowledge as co-learners, and not in a paternalistic manner. Not only do they need to actively seek opportunities, but to hear the needs of the people so that everyone will benefit.
Mr. Scharffenberger provided an email address for those interested in knowing more about his organization: <u><font color=\"#0000ff\">george@vita.org</font>.
Mr. Jac Stienen, Executive Director of the International Institute for Communication and Development, the Netherlands, spoke of locally owned, sustainable development in developing countries through harnessing the potentials of technology. He stated that the goal of his institute is the empowerment of local stakeholders through implementation of country (local) programs and thematic (linked) networks. He proposed that these country programs should provide long-term, fluid support in order to coordinate different sectors (education, health, social welfare) through local networks. Thematic networks should be designed to provide a forum in which expertise and ideas may be shared. He stressed that local partners are essential as agents of change, and that they are important for a good response to local demands, as well as for project monitoring, strategy, etc. Mr. Stienen also emphasized the role of enabling partners from the public and private sectors, as well as not-for-profit organizations, in achieving successful development.
He concluded that multimedia via the Internet is an access issue for developing countries, and advocated its transmission using all techniques. He stressed that multimedia is culturally driven, and that each country has its own image interpretation and cultural bias. He advocated concentrating on developing expertise and empowerment through the development of skills and technical knowledge. Finally, he emphasized that multimedia can play a role in preserving culture and protecting against the loss of indigenous cultures. As an example, he spoke of radio Internet projects ongoing in Mali and Ghana, and pointed out that radio is still the most pervasive, affordable and flexible mass media tool available, especially in the developing world. Further, it promotes the local language as well as the cultural accent of the region.
Mr. Paul Tjia, Anthropologist, GPI Consultancy, the Netherlands, spoke of the many possibilities in software development projects in developing countries, and advocated promoting partnerships with enterprises in the developed countries for the benefit of all.
Mr. Tjia stated that universities in the developing world are producing huge numbers of capable, computer-savvy personnel, but the lack of jobs due to a limited demand in local markets results in the underemployment of these individuals. He therefore recommended exporting these skills through partnership with companies in more developed nations. This brings substantial revenue into developing countries while benefiting investors due to lower labor costs. Also, by working with foreign clients, the IT professionals in the developing countries can keep up with rapid changes in the industry.
Mr. Tjia stressed that partnerships such as this result in developed and developing countries working together in a win-win relationship. He pointed to the benefits of cost management in times of economic crisis, the alleviation of skill shortages and the flexibility that this allows in a changing market.
In considering partnering IT professionals in developing countries with foreign clients, he listed potential project areas, including software development, e-commerce strategies, multimedia outsourcing of animation and other services, as well as Internet-related services.
Mr. Tjia said that there is no difference in skills and knowledge, but pointed out that language and cultural differences must be addressed. He also advocated detailed advance preparation on all outsourced projects in order to avoid delays and misunderstandings.
He concluded by advocating the active promotion and support of this type of global cooperation by governments and NGOs as well as through the efforts of private industry.
Mr. Geraldo Brenes Trejos, President of International Global Business Systems, Costa Rica, discussed the initiatives adopted in Costa Rica to reduce the digital gap. He stressed the favorable conditions which exist in the country and that have helped it to overcome difficulties in bridging the divide. First, he spoke of the commitment to education within the country, and pointed to the 97% literacy rate, which Costa Rica enjoys. Of these, 50% speak English as a second language. In addition to the literacy rate, he said that there is a high degree of direct foreign investment, as well as a state monopoly in the telephone and communications sector. This monopoly keeps costs to the user at an affordable level.
Mr. Brenes Trejos then spoke of the development strategy in Costa Rica, which is to support production of goods and services that are technical and knowledge intensive. This, combined with a governmental policy of tax-free ICT imports, has resulted in Costa Rica being classified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a Potential Leader in Technology in the developing world.
Furthermore, there has been a central government front of action for development, including Internet bandwidth augmentation and cost reduction. In addition, there is a policy of incremental Internet access for homes and business, including an "Internet ready" credit program. Mr. Brenes Trejos also spoke of the Commerce without frontiers program, and the governmental commitment to universal free Internet access. He emphasized the accountability within local government which is a factor in the success of these programs.
In conclusion, Mr. Brenes Trejos illustrated that the efficient use of resources, the avoidance of duplication, and the teamwork of non-profit organizations and government can create a partnership for the benefit of all. He stressed that all efforts are still in the early stages of development, but that together everyone achieves more.
Mr. Gültekin Ozaltinordu, Program Administrator of the International Trade Center, Geneva, Switzerland, spoke about the E-trade bridge program for SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises). He said that the goal was the development of internationally competitive, e-competent enterprises. He stressed comparative advantages of the program and its understanding of import and export issues. He also underlined awareness building, increasing knowledge and creation of competence. Mr. Ozaltinordu then spoke of the target group for this program: SME managers. He advocates a "kick off" meeting as a starting point to build e-networks, development of e-balance sheet and e-maps for assessment of countries from the SME point of view, and of trade support at the macro (national) level based on factors in the balance sheet. Once an assessment of the country balance sheet has been completed, e-maps and action points for country development can then be elaborated. Further, Mr. Ozaltinordu spoke of the development of a WWW program, in which case studies can be disseminated. He also advocated in-country strategy training programs and the training of trainers on e-aspects of business.
Finally, Mr. Olaf Hesseldors of Sweden spoke of the lost generation of PC users in developing countries. He said that attention must be given to inadequately trained low-tech users. By these he means ordinary office workers whose extent of usage covers data entry and basic word processing, including an occasional e-mail. He pointed out that PCs represent capital investment. However, the level of usage by the average office worker is a mere fraction of its potential for networking. There is a huge opportunity for improvement by raising the level of personal competence and by improving the capacity of the tools they already have. By increasing the knowledge of the user, one also increases their value in the labor market. Mr. Hesseldors proposed the idea of a large scale uplifting of competence, resulting in enormous capacity increase. He advocates two-week training "crash courses" in developing countries, financed through a partnership of donors, government and users. In each country, he proposes starting or using existing training companies. He suggests the creation of a national fund with donor and government monies to pay for the output of computer "driving licenses." Mr. Hesseldors spoke of the role of government in encouraging this type of development, and advocated allowance of full pay during training courses. He also specified that the users need to contribute, if only on a symbolic level. The effects of this uplifting of competence would result, he felt, in a self-sustaining sector and in substantially increased capacity.
Conclusion
It emphasized the role of partnerships between major social and economic players including government, industry, universities, research institutions and concerned NGOs to ensure an integrated approach to scientific research and technology solutions for development. Through specific examples, panelists showed how the IT industry in general and the multimedia industry in particular benefit from a strong national private/public sector cooperation in the field of technology and knowledge transfer.
