ARN Reflection on the situation, outcomes and actions and developing indicators

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Background Information on the Focus Network

The Academia Research Network (ARN) works on the promotion of African languages in the cyberspace. It was created following the WSIS conference in Geneva with the support of ECA and the Ford Foundation. It aims at promoting research on emerging issues in the information society by the academia. The coordination team is made up of:

  • Prof Maurice Tadadjeu
  • Prof Gabriel Mba and
  • Dr Blasius Chiatoh

Globally, ARN’s plan of action focuses on: 1) Promoting African languages in the cyberspace and 2) Vis-à-vis the Harambee project, strengthening the capacity of members through ICT knowledge and sharing in real time.


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Question 1: Situation

1a) What do I think are the salient features of the situation that I face (as a network coordinator)?

  • That research in New Information and Communication Technologies with respect to African development in general and written development of African languages in particular is a great necessity at its infancy today.
  • That there is need for coordinated and synergised effort in identifying the priority areas of actions in this research endeavour. But many actors are isolated and still less motivated to network with others.
  • That development partners of Africa should recognise and support research networks in their quest to acquire self-sustaining capacities.
  • Even the little research carried out in African is not shared; this research should be shared.


1b) Why do I think those are the salient issues?

  • In the present age, development is very much dependent on written communication. Africa faces a high level of illiteracy and should not be left out of this process.
  • Ideally, written communication for development takes place first in the languages of the target populations before opening up to any other languages. In Africa, basic oral communication is in indigenous African languages but basic written communication is almost always in a European language. This has a stunting and an impoverishing effect on the continent at the psychological, cognitive and creative development levels.
  • African languages have been systematically absent from ICTs, making Africans mere consumers instead of partners in ICTs.


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Question 2: Outcomes

2a) What outcomes do I think are desirable in this situation?

  • On-line publication of the network newsletter and specialised journal to stimulate and sustain a team spirit and collective research.
  • Members share knowledge and information on their experiences and practices.
  • Research is further encouraged on ICTs development in different sectors particularly in the area of education in African languages.
  • ICTs content development is based on African achievements and genuine knowledge.


b) Why do I think those outcomes are desirable in this situation? They are desirable for a good number of reasons among which the following are outstanding:

  • There is need for a permanent framework for raising awareness, sharing knowledge and information.
  • ICTs development in Africa requires coordinated and synergised action. For this to be possible, knowledge and information sharing is indispensable.
  • ICT development implies prioritising research in the domain of African languages. Network activities carved out along these lines will certainly yield important and measurable impact.


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Question 3: Actions

3a) What actions do I expect to lead to those outcomes in that situation?

  • Permanent animation of network through information sharing.
  • Promotion of research in ICTs development within the network.
  • Popularisation of research findings through appropriate channels such as the Network Newsletter (ARN Newsletter) and the Network Specialised Journal (ARN Specialised Journal).
  • Training of personnel member institutions in specific priority areas of ICT development particularly in the area of African language use in ICTs.
  • ICTs content development takes into account African problems and research endeavours.
  • Partnership with specialised institutions or companies for the development of keyboards in minority African languages.


b) Why do I think those actions will lead to those outcomes in that situation?

  • The achievement of outcomes requires permanent exchanges among all the members of the network. * Popularisation of research on ICTs is a vital motivation to members.
  • Successful research development requires that personnel be trained in specific ICT and related domains.
  • ICTs content development includes African development problems.
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