The Connect Rural Knowledge Venture will increase access to appropriate and practical information among farm families, rural enterprises, and producer groups - joint project with UN Food & Agriculture Organization and WorldSpace Foundation

Powerpoint presentation on our joint project development with the UN Food & Agriculture Organization and WorldSpace Foundation - The Connect Rural Knowledge Venture will increase access to appropriate and practical information among farm families, rural enterprises, and producer groups.

This powerpoint presentation summarizes REON Development Corporation's vision and approach to the redevelopment of the Swansea Stelco Works site in Toronto. TeleCommons Development Group is acting as a communication facilitator between the developer and the community.

This diagnostic study looks in detail at the context and means through which modern information and communication technology (ICT) could be used to support innovation in agricultural extension and rural development practice in Tanzania. It is a subsection of TDG's "Internet Use and Diagnostic Study - East Africa"

TDG has been working closely with a major global satellite operator on business strategy and web portal development targeted to rural and remote markets in the U.S. New two-way satellite Internet access is ideal for consumers, agri-business & business operators in rural and remote areas. The broadband Internet service that people in urban areas enjoy (ADSL, cable modems, high-speed wireless) is not generally available in rural areas. Two-way broadband via satellite is now commercially available for about $70 U.S. per month. TDG's knowledge of rural and agricultural telecom users and markets is an important component for business planning to launch new broadband services for rural and agricultural clients.

The Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA) is a private, non-governmental organization (NGO). UNFA seeks to improve farmers’ incomes and welfare through increasing the quality and quantity of their productivity by providing services to members on demand and at cost. On behalf of the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, TDG undertook an extensive diagnostic study to assess the information and communication needs of UNFA farmers and organizational staff, and to identify immediate and longer-term technological applications which integrate information and communication technologies with the information and communication needs of the organization and its members.

ENRAP is a three-year pilot project intended to help bring the Internet to IFAD-supported rural development projects in the poorest parts of ASIA and the Pacific, aiding them to use the technology effectively to address their development objectives. The project has helped IFAD project stakeholders in several Asian countries to gain Internet skills, plan for locally appropriate applications (e.g. GIS, web-databases, email newsletters, etc.), and make better use of the Internet for sharing project information. Now in its final phases, the project is likely to be expanded and re-launched in 2001.

TDG worked with the Town of Kirkland Lake, and several neighbouring municipalities, on a telecom and economic development study. The study included a detailed review of existing and planned telecom insfrastructure, identification of gaps, ICT connectivity survey questionnaires for business, social agencies and community groups, and developing a prototype economic development web portal.

TDG has been using its Multi-stakeholder Engagement Program to assist Canadian environmental agencies, developers and communities to better communicate about issues affecting the re-development of old industrial lands. TDG is currently using these processes on a major site in Toronto, and plans are in place for subsequent "MSE" Programs across Canada.

TDG is assisting K-NET Services and five First Nations in Northwestern Ontario to implement a $10 million SMART Communities project. TDG began working with the communities in 1999 as part of a multi-stakeholder engagement planning effort. The resulting input and planning efforts were a key part in the communities competing successfully with communities across Canada to win an important $5 million Federal Government grant, which is matched with over $5 million from the communities. The Kuh-Ke-Nah Smart Communities Project activities are now underway.

TDG has provided the Telecommunications Executive Management Institute of Canada (TEMIC) with a CD-ROM and video curriculum package on "Universal Access". This package is intended to help telecom regulators learn more about the issues and best practices associated with ensuring that rural and remote communities have enhanced telecom access. The curriculum package will be delivered to groups of regulators beginning in March 2001.

Community Access Program. The Wellington FreeSpace model was used subsequently by Industry Canada's CAP program for their nationwide Internet access program. TDG has participated in many workshops and presentations to help new CAP sites become functional.

FAO’s Communication for Development Programme decided to expand its use of communication media to include the Internet. To begin this work FAO required recommendations for a strategy and program activities.