This is the call for participation of the workshop I've been attending first as a trainee in South Africa and after as a trainer in Senegal. This is the session dedicated to North Africa. I hope it will be as interesting and funny as the two previous editions.

Workshop information in English

If you…...

* Are based in a community organization/NGO or work closely with community-focussed projects using networked technologies
* Have a practical need to develop your skills and knowledge in wireless networking and want to learn with others
* Are based in North Africa

...you are invited to apply to participate in the above workshop.

THE WORKSHOP AIMS TO

* Develop technical skills in wireless network planning, design, and management
* Promote understanding of appropriate wireless technology choices for community networking
* Lay the foundation for a community of like-minded practitioners to share knowledge, skills and experiences

BACKGROUND

Wireless technologies offer developing countries an important low-cost, versatile alternative to wired infrastructure. They enable communities to extend the reach of cabled internet connectivity and to be in control of the planning, implementation and design of their own networks, making the network into a tool that really serves the needs of the community. Open wireless standards not only bring new technical opportunities at very low cost, but also bring a decentralized internet model to an area which has been restricted to traditional telecommunication operators.

The Association for Progressive Communications is coordinating an initiative, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Open Society Institute (OSI), to build capacity to implement wireless technologies for community networking in Africa. This workshop is one of a series taking place in Africa during 2005/2006, and the first in Arabic.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

The final workshop agenda will be fine-tuned in line with participants' needs and experience, but is expected to cover

* Introduction to wireless technologies
* Basic wireless network topology
* Windows/Linux client setup
* Access point setup
* Antennas
* Basic radio physics
* Site survey
* Link calculation
* Network security
* Managing/monitoring the network

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

* Workshop dates: 12-16 July 2006
* Venue: Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco
* Workshop language: the main language of the workshop is Arabic. Selected sessions will be held in French and/or English.
* Costs: the cost of travel, shared accommodation, meals and workshop attendance will be covered by the organizers.
Participants are expected to cover their own visa, travel insurance, health-related costs and single accommodation supplements. No per diem will be given.
* Pre-workshop preparation: Participants will be required to undertake a small amount of pre-workshop preparation.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Workshop space is limited and demand for places is high. Evaluation of applications will take into account technical skills, community linkages and motivation for participation. Applications from women are particularly encouraged.

Prerequisite skills

* At least basic hands-on experience in TCP/IP network administration
* General arithmetic skills
* Arabic and French OR English language skills

Organizational/community prerequisites

* Located in a community organization/NGO or demonstrable ties with a community-focussed networking project.

Motivation

* Strong indication of intention to apply the skills and knowledge acquired at the workshop for community development.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

* Apply by completing the online application form NO LATER THAN 19 MAY 2006 (short-listed applicants may be asked to provide additional information after this date).
* Applicants will be notified whether they have been successful by 12 June 2006
* For further information please contact wireless@apc.org
* http://www.apc.org/wireless/northafricanworkshop.shtml

Bridges is a "Connecting Futures" project running in Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and the UK. In Egypt it is co-ordinated by a partnership between the British Council and the Egyptian Association for Comprehensive Development (EACD)

Aim of the Project

Bridges aims to create a regional network of young people willing to be actively involved in their communities to build a solid relationship with their peers around the world to make a difference. These young people will be exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and building their capacities around the themes of

•Volunteering •Social Inclusion •Community Participation

Activities

In the first phase of the project, 24 participants from Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon and the UK met in Cambridge last September to work together to create, develop and manage activities to get their peers involved in communities in their own countries and across the region.

The group used their experiences as inspiration and planned activities to take place in the eight countries in the next six months. These include an awareness raising road-show, a cross-region employment month targeted at young people and an international database of volunteers.

Each country team will deliver an activity with an approach appropriate to their local context.

In Tunisia, at Tunis Science City, on Saturday 6 May 2006, we are planning a Voluntary Day by a partnership with Tunisian Scouts. The aim of this activity is to raise awareness of voluntary work, give the opportunity to local and regional NGOs (Syrian, Egyptian and from the UK) to promote their work and create a Regional database of active volunteers and organisations working through volunteering.