MISSION
The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice.
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Information Communications Technology
AP seeks to help develop ICT tools and use them in disseminating information to help achieve our partner's social justice goals. Activities are developed with partners, and address their needs and capacities. AP tends to work with two categories of partners – small groups that lack resources and are seeking to build an ICT foundation and larger organizations that are seeking to integrate ICT into their work.
Working in rural areas with community-based associations
These groups may only possess one computer, and may not even have a dial-up connection. In all likelihood, many of their members will use an Internet café with an unreliable connection. Yet, there will probably be great interest in ICT and demand from members. AP seeks to help in five ways:
1. Standard operating procedures to help organizations that operate in low-resource areas. These are being developed and will be posted on the AP website.
2. Recruit Peace Fellows who will help their hosts to:
- Understand ICT needs and assets
- Identify and train a staff member in ICT skills
- Provide ICT basic training for members (using computers and the standard operating procedures)
- Conduct an “enviroscan” of local ICT specialists (tech NGOs, Linux groups, eRiders, etc)
- Build an “eco-network” of these local specialists.
3. Procuring hardware: Occasionally, AP can use its network to find computers, discount software, and even cover hosting fees for partners.
4. Remote tech support: AP provides technical and other advice through a listserv (Techtalk).
5. Access to the Internet: AP provides partners with a customized page on the AP website.
Working with larger NGOs
These organizations are likely to be stronger institutionally, with an ICT system (foundation) in place. In other words, they will have more than one computer in the office (with an office network), have a shared printer, Internet access (dial-up or high speed), organizational email, an anti-virus system, etc. Often, however, they face difficulty integrating and using their ICT tools in their work. AP can help in five ways:
1. Recruiting Peace Fellows, who will help their hosts to:
- Understand ICT needs and assets
- Identify and train a staff member in ICT skills
- Conduct an “enviroscan” of local ICT specialists (tech NGOs, Linux groups, eRiders etc)
- Build an “eco-network” of these local specialists.
2. Helping partners to integrate ICT into their work:
- Designing and maintaining websites
- Developing a database of contacts
- Blogging
- Social networking and online fundraising
- Fundraising for the partner’s ICT needs
- Training – Occasionally develop an eRiding proposal jointly with a partner.
3. Procuring hardware
4. Remote tech support
5. Access to the Internet
For more information email Heather Ratcliff, Information Manager. Back
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