April 12, 2003: Headlines: COS - Senegal: Internet: Digital Freedom Initiative: DFI Web Site: Video Montage of Senegal for the Digital Freedom Initiative

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Senegal: Peace Corps Senegal : The Peace Corps in Senegal: April 12, 2003: Headlines: COS - Senegal: Internet: Digital Freedom Initiative: DFI Web Site: Video Montage of Senegal for the Digital Freedom Initiative

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-239-147.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.239.147) on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 6:32 pm: Edit Post

Video Montage of Senegal for the Digital Freedom Initiative



Video Montage of Senegal for the Digital Freedom Initiative

VIDEO MONTAGE OF SENEGAL.

Duration: 4:00 mins

After all hi tech is no longer anyone’s private hunting ground. Striking phenomenon in the remotest villages of Senegal.

This country located at the further western most tip of Africa has afforded itself the means to entirely integrate village communication system.

The gap is wide, the contrast really striking between these modest dwellings and the impressive Manhattan skyscrapers, nevertheless all these hands operate the same devices.

Technological innovations are springing out incredibly in Senegal, tightly connected to world communication networks.

It is quite impossible to walk a couple steps without running into someone with a telephone on the ear.

With a five hundred billion investment move, the Senegalese telephone company SONATEL, targeted cities like DAKAR, ZIGUINCHOR, KAOLACK, THIES, St LOUIS, TOUBA and then reached out for the 950 largest villages of Senegal.

The telephone becoming such an efficient tool, stimulated entrepreneurial initiatives. Telephone centers sprang out of every street corner.

In 1996 only very few people had subscribed to cellular telephony. Today there are more than 250,000 users; this expansion required a second operator SENTEL, an American Company.

Hi tech is getting democratized, the Internet is weaving its net, and Cyber café’s have become the favorite place for a Senegalese to hang out.

The revolution in information and communication technologies has also made it possible for Senegalese to gain more effectiveness in market penetration and trade. Today, most commercial transactions are handled electronically. Traders and merchants, although very conservative by nature, do not want to be left behind in this technological race.
The information and communication technology it is also turning upside down the relationship between citizens and the Administration. For example, custom’s clearance is computerized. This is the realization of President Abdoulaye Wade’s personal commitment to give Africa the means of taking advantage of information and communication technology within NEPAD, the New Economic Partnership for African Development. The objective being to quickly set the basis for a sustainable economic integration of Africa

New construction sites are rising. The University of the Future of Africa, a project very dear to President Wade, a high tech connectivity to a network of major American universities to provide identical degrees co-signed by all parties.
The cyber village with a set of considerably tax incentives meant to attract mayor high tech companies. This wind of modernity blowing in the country has increased the desire for learning. The demand is strong. Learning centers are stepping in to train, supervise, and equip all able and willing Senegalese to keep up with technological evolution.
SENEGAL is for sure the pioneer of information and communication technology in Africa.

In partnership with Senegal for the Digital Freedom Initiative, the American Government and the private sector are fully supporting President Wade’s efforts for the development of information and communications technology in Senegal and in Africa.




When this story was prepared, here was the front page of PCOL magazine:

This Month's Issue: August 2004 This Month's Issue: August 2004
Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and who can come up with the funniest caption for our Current Events Funny?

Exclusive: Director Vasquez speaks out in an op-ed published exclusively on the web by Peace Corps Online saying the Dayton Daily News' portrayal of Peace Corps "doesn't jibe with facts."

In other news, the NPCA makes the case for improving governance and explains the challenges facing the organization, RPCV Bob Shaconis says Peace Corps has been a "sacred cow", RPCV Shaun McNally picks up support for his Aug 10 primary and has a plan to win in Connecticut, and the movie "Open Water" based on the negligent deaths of two RPCVs in Australia opens August 6. Op-ed's by RPCVs: Cops of the World is not a good goal and Peace Corps must emphasize community development.


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Story Source: DFI Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Senegal; Internet; Digital Freedom Initiative

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